Is "cultural appropriation" becoming an excuse to bully people?

[Anonymous]

So this is at SFSU and this woman, Bonita Tindle, was telling him he can't have dreadlocks in his hair because of her culture. He clearly stated that other culturres had dreadlocks before Africans did (which is true).
He tries to go away calmly and she keeps trying to get him to lash out. If you freeze the video at certian points you can see her smiling and very much enjoying this. The tone of her voice also makes it seem like she's not truly angry, but just wants to annoy him. She is trying to get him to lash out so she can probably report him or something. He was very calm and tried to get out of her way but SHE was the one who put her hands on HIM.
Is the excuse "cultural apropriation" becoming an excuse to bully people now? Will anything be done about this because she is a woman putting her hands on him, rather than the other way around?

by the way, her name "Bonita" takes from Spanish culture, so she should check herself if she thinks with that logic haha :P

Updates

+1 y

cultures*

[Negrodamuss]

it feels like it was just yesterday i was schooling people on here about how moronic the cries about cultural appropriation were when kyle jenner got some dreadlocks in her hair. This level of entitlement that people seem to have over how other people choose to live their lives is incredible. I could never imagine a scenario where i'd go up to say a white guy wearing dreadlocks and tell him to take it off because he's stealing a part of my culture. I mean what kind of degenerate garbage is that?

If im being honest, this is one of the things that make me a little weary of dating black women from the USA. Africans, no problem. I have a deep repulsion for hypersensitivity and over-aggressive behaviour, and i don't really like this stereotypical hyper-aggressive/hypersensitive version of black women the U. S. seems to be producing these days. I'd call this a one off, but i see it just way too often. Who was it again that stormed a Bernie Sanders event as if the guy was some KKK lieutenant? Ah yes...

What pisses me off with all of it is that real issues get buried under the rug. People take real instances of racism less seriously when they see black people honestly bitching and moaning like social degenerates over this cultural appropriation garbage. On top of that, these incidents only fuel the popularity of loonie toon characters like Donald Trump who promise to get rid of some of this PC crap. i swear, black americans in general literally have zero foresight with what they do. They vote in large numbers for hilary clinton, a candidate who polls worse than bernie sanders in a general election and is hated by so many people in the country... why? because she's a brand name and bernie is too foreign to them. So on top of pissing people off with this SWJ crap, they further increase the odds of a donald trump victory by giving him the best candidate to run against in a general election. lmao

I don't understand why so much of the most hypersensitive and regressive bullshit from the left these days has to come from the black community in the U. S.. If the black community in the U. S. were anything like the black people who populate some of the countries in Africa like Nigeria or South Africa, there would be much less of this regressive nonsense

[archiz]

back? xD
wlc ^^

[Negrodamuss]

@archiz yeah lol, but im really not going to be here much. Just came back to post my opinion on a myTake really

[archiz]

lol :P
why leave? stay log in just for fun

[Negrodamuss]

@archiz well ill stick around for a while, but im not a huge gag fan like i use to be so yeah, hah

[archiz]

I know you re not ^^
it s a huge waste of time anw xD

[Negrodamuss]

thanks for mho

[AleDeEurope]

She's an idiot and should be expelled for assault.
Funny how she talks about culture appropriation while living in a white culture, and living a life that wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for white people.
She should go back to Africa if she's so concerned with culture appropriation.

Also, it's hilarious how some people say it's staged, but if the roles were reversed, no one would even think about that.

[Relentless_Hippie]

There's no such thing as white culture. Race and culture are two completely different things. If anything this woman is misinformed, racist, or a little bit of both. She's American just like you. Her culture and your culture are American culture. She's NOT an African person.

[hellionthesage]

@Relentless_Hippie Then what was the basis of her accusation of cultural appropriation? If she was part of the same culture and viewed herself as such then him with dred locks (which is found in almost all cultures across the globe) would not be an issue as they are both part of the same culture. Now I do agree their is no white culture, their is however a western culture, and sub cultures which is what he is reffering to. And to get technicle their is no such thing as race, their is no way to actually determine race geneticly or through any scientific means, so its a social construct (which can be applied in any way one would wish, according to the British, historicly speaking, the irish where a different (and inferior) race). In short she obviously sees herself as part of a different cutlure so his statement, by the womans own reasoning, would stand.

[Relentless_Hippie]

@hellionthesage Did you think I was defending her or something? Because I did say she was either misinformed, racist or a little bit of both. Race by what we recognize it as is NOT the same thing as culture. Too many black Americans who follow this idea of "Afrocentrism" think the white man ripped them from their homelands and they must be in touch with their African roots. They don't understand that race and culture are completely different and that any race of person can be of any culture. I have met white Africans, I have met white Jamaicans, I have met white Cubans, I have met white Haitians. All culture is, is where you are from. If I was born in Japan, as well as my entire family then I would be Japanese. She's American, and a stupid one. Her not viewing herself as what she is, isn't going to change the reality of her being an idiot. She just sees the color of his skin and wanted to attack him. She's racist.

[AleDeEurope]

@Relentless_Hippie you know what I meant by white culture. I was referring to societies that are mainly white, which is the Western culture.

[Relentless_Hippie]

My point is that she is a part of that western culture. She's just being a racist asshole. I'm not justifying her actions but what you said was incorrect. That western culture is her culture as well. She isn't from Africa, she's an American just like you.

[itsallover]

First of all, Afro-Latinos exist, so I don't see why you have a problem with her name.

Regardless, I do not agree with the way she just stopped him randomly, for no reason, only to antagonise him and make him feel bad for having dreadlocks in his hair. I personally don't have a problem with people taking elements of a culture and incorporating it into their persona, as long as they understand the history behind it and do it tastefully and non-offensively. No one has the right to police what one can and can't wear, regardless of it being cultural appropriation or not. If someone wants to wear a bindi and they're not Hindu, that's okay. If a Muslim woman wants to wear a hijab, that's okay too.

[hellionthesage]

Well, the dred lock was reffered to as the polish plait (prussians wore it frequently as did many nordic/prussian clans/tribes), jata in sanskrit ie its found pretty much everywhere it did not originate in africa its from everywhere, but does any of that actually matter?

[itsallover]

@hellionthesage Okay? And? Did I ask where it orginates from? There's no denying that the hairstyle is most associated with the Rastafarian culture. If I'm honest it suits the Afro hair texture the best.

[hellionthesage]

Well you did state you should know the history of it, and I was stating that technicly no one does, they are found every where and long before the rastafarian culture emerged. So again, does it matter if they know or not? You didn't she (the one in the vidoe) didn't, he most likely didn't yet no one seemed to mind, well she did which is ironic since technicly it wasn't from her "culture" to begin with ie you seem to be fine with speaking English, despite it being a combination of latin (from roman occupation) and french (from french occupation) and greek, from science and philosophy etc. You may or may not have known that but does it really matter? Did you actually even care about any of these little tidbits I stated (I'm guessing not) basicly, if we spent all this time trying to learn what everything came from we would be doing that near continously as everything has absorbed influences from everywhere else.

[itsallover]

@hellionthesage Why are you comparing language and an element of a culture? That's redundant because knowing the language of the country you live in is a necessity, wearing dreadlocks is not. You even yourself don't seem to know much about the English language (you neglected to mention the Germanic influences).
Obviously no one is expecting people to learn everything about everything.

[hellionthesage]

I think nordic influences are more common then germanic (since it was the nords that raided england for a good part of the dark ages. Their are also others, Spanish and such. I really didn't feel like looking up every single one of them (I actually didn't know of any significant influence of german on English, the noridc ones I was aware of). My point is does it matter if we do or do not know the origins of something? What ever works works, it shouldn't matter this is how cultures change and grow.

[itsallover]

@hellionthesage The Germanic language family includes English and most of the Nordic languages. And I also agree, hence why I said it's not necessary to know everything about everything. It's a waste of time and energy.

[hellionthesage]

I thought you where reffering specificly to german not the root language.

[Doofey]

You do realize that rastafarians "appropriated" dreadlocks right? They were inspired by the Nazarites. The fact is that the people policing ithers about appropriating culture often don't even know about it themselves. Why should we invoke a double standard on people because they are outside of that culture. Do you think everyone who is black and has dreadlocks knows the history of them? No. But it's okay because they are black, right? That kind of destroys the argument that it is culturally significant.

[itsallover]

@Doofey That's why it's called cultural appropriation, not racial appropriation.

[ElissaDido]

TBH, I don't understand people ho get offended because of "cultural appropriation" or whatever that is. As long as some culture is not trying to steal my culture I'm all good.. I actually find it flattering when someone appreciates some elements of my culture.
For example yesterday the lady (white French) at the reception who had to check my card for the library was wearing North African jewelry, she asked me from which part of Tunisia I was and she happened to love Tunisia and she goes every 3 months, I didn't feel offended that she was wearing traditional Tunisian Jewelry, I was actually flattered that she appreciates an element of my culture.

[Kiwedin]

Oh, that's just too far. I'm Native American, so I've seen my fair share of cultural appropriation, but I would never call someone out on it. I mean, my friends and I will probably make jokes about you behind your back, we might punch each other every time we spot a white girl with a dreamcatcher tattoo like a game of punch buggy, and we might roll our eyes, but it's not offensive to the point where I feel the need to confront someone or even put my hands on them. People have every right to dress the way they please, I would just ask that it's done with sensitivity and some education.

[hellionthesage]

I don't understand that mentality. Don't you want to share your culture? Why would you mock any one who takes part in "cultural appropriation"(which you and every other human being does, its impossible not to when you interact with any one not of your culture) isn't that a sign of them respecting at least apart of your culture?

[Spermdumster666]

@hellionthesage agreed I would never call Beyonce out on her appropriation of white folks blonde hair. www.electronicbeats.net/.../...erp-13602815150.jpg

[Kiwedin]

@hellionthesage I get where you're coming from, but the fact of the matter is that wearing a headdress and a bikini to a rave is not respecting another person's culture. I'm sure there are people out there who truly admire Indigenous culture and do own items inspired by our culture, but this is why I said that people should educate themselves on the specific garment they want to wear and make sure they are, in fact, being respectful. Most of the time, cultural appropriation is done because it's trendy and not for any deeper meaning other than fashion. We don't mean to mock people who want to take part in our culture, we mean to mock people who are ignorant to any meanings behind whatever they're wearing, when the most they know about Native American culture is that we're "kinda like Avatar".

[hellionthesage]

Wait your not like avatar?(kidding :D ). I guess I get that but I don't really understand why it would be offensive (to be fair I am rarely if ever offended by anything so long as its not intentionally insulting, and even then it usually doesn't bother me). I would just take it as an opportunity to discuss the topic which I think is far better, the worse thing in my opinion is when a culture shuts themselves off from the rest of the world. Thats just ensuring a slow death of the culture. You cannot stop change it happens with or without your consent but by being involved you can steer it a direction that is more favorable. Kind of like how they forced the "fighting illini" to change because it was "offensive: to the illini indians (despite the fact that they got permission from them). Its was chosen as their mascot because it signified strength and determination yet by removing it, its like they are asking to be forgoten. I don't understand that.

[hellionthesage]

I mean we do this for a lot of cultures, like st. patricks day, you don't see irish screaming about how its cultural appropriation (technicly it was celebrated completely differently in Ireland, one the irish came to america it became more a gathering of irish and kind of a preservation of culture as much as a relgious holiday). Namely I think because its an embrace of the irish culture and honestly gets people a greater chance of actually learning something about the irish (technicly cornbeef and cabbage was actually jewish not irish, it just happened to be cheap and the irish where poor which is how it became equated to them). So, yeah I guess the more people talk about it the better in my opinion, you may have to dispell a lot of ignorance but better then remaining silent and letting that ignorance run rampant. Though that might just be a personal thing.(I tend to grill everybody for what they know). So may I ask what specificly you are (group/tribe etc)?

[Anonymous]

No one had dreads before Africans. No Vikings did not have dreads. They had braids. It's cultural appropriation because black people are still being chastised for having them meanwhile white people that get them are cool and alternative. Your hair isn't even suppose to dread that's why they're always ugly as fuck.

2static.fjcdn.com/.../White_f4706f_5854378.jpg

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/.../...31b1724726.jpg

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/.../...bc6a5a262f.jpg

www.scare-zone.com/.../Grinchmas.jpg

Dumb bunch of bitches.

[hellionthesage]

Well the "dredlock"(jata in sanskrit) style was also known as the polish plait, common in prussia two thousand years ago. In fact plaiting ones hair was done in many places at many times. So thats not even cultural appropriation even if one could rationally argue that cultural appropriation was wrong (or even unavoidable). It is and always has been a form of bullying. If we really removed everything from our society that did not come from another culture we would be in the stone ages. The concept of zero originated from india, algebra (as the name al-gebra) as we know it was codified and expanded in the middle east. The scientific method was started in the middle east but was fully formed and designed in the west. English is a combination of English french greek latin so you would have to remove all of that. That girl is wearing clothing from the western culture so she would be the one "guilty" of cultural appropriation. The fact is the very notion is completely insane, how would a culture change and grow if it did not assimilate new ideas and thoughts? The only way to prevent that is to cut all ties with all cultures which would be detrimental to all because then knowledge would not be shared and we would stiffle intellect and growth on a personal social and cultural level. In short its used by people to try and act like a victim as if their "ideas" where stolen despite the fact that those things where never really theirs to begin with, they where borrowed from others and the people who came before them (did you know chitlins (pig intestines) and soul food in general actually originated in england? Same with the southern accent, it was originally derived/corrupted from the British when they first came to the americas).

[Exmorted]

The notion of cultural appropriation has always been an excuse to bully people.
Both historically and in modern times, cultures have been shared and they are meant to be shared and appreciated amongst all kinds of people.

Most japanese people feel flattered when a white person wears a traditional Japanese garment, same with native americans and so on, it shows interest and appreciation. It's not a mockery.

On the topic of costumes, I don't mind at all. A white person can dress up as an indian if they want to, it's not racist or appropriating a culture, it's just a costume and in essence, I see it as saying "this is cool, I want to pretend to be that on this day".

[Jxpxtxr]

Oh yeah I remember the time I had box braids and some black girls decided to give me shit for it on Twitter saying I was appropriating their culture like wth? And the best thing was two of them actually had weaves in so how about that being culture appropriation then? so ridiculous 😂 But what I don't get is there's actually quite a lot of black peope from France and Africa in my country and they all were totally cool with my hair or even complimented me for it? Seems like that is an American only problem..

[WhiteSteve]

This was dumb as hell. The PC shit is getting out of hand. Worry about people with hate and ignorance in their hearts and actions, not some college stoner that smells like patchouli. In a multicultural society, we should all be allowed to and expected to cross over and borrow from each other's cultures.

[DooMguy]

patchouli knowledge?

orig02.deviantart.net/.../...by_rihori-d6u3cvj.jpg

I'll just go. . . now. . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLAQm2OcC-4

ok, now I go

[Doffydood]

... those are university students?
... those are university students.
static3.gamespot.com/.../...0-3489177503-2yybk.gif
Congratulations, I didn't think people like this actually existed- I thought these people just things people complained about on the internet- but apparently they do in fact, exist.

Cheers to the guy filming though.
"Why are you filming this?"
"Just, everyone's safety" Top kek right there ;)

[Anonymous]

It's an outgrowth of tribal politics. Politicians face the difficulty of getting people enthusiastic about voting for them. There aren't enough freebies to motivate everybody and you can only promise change so often before people stop believing in it. So politicians use ethnicity to divide people into tribes and then convince people that their tribe supports him. Once this tribalism is encouraged to take root it gets a life of it's own and you get nonsense like 'cultural approbation'.

Do they even have words for cultural approbation in any African language? I think this woman is guilty of cultural approbation in using the idea of cultural approbation!

[Anonymous]

She is obviously trying to provoke the guy over something she has no business with. People need to mind their own business. Even if Dreads had originally been from "her culture" (which they of course are not) it would still have been nonsense.

Honestly now. If we assume we're intelligent people for a minute, wouldn't saying that these people can and these people can't have this or that style just reinforce racism and cultural gaps? If anything when someone mimics your culture you remind yourself imitation is one of the highest forms of flattery and you walk up and thank them for acknowledging and adopting it.

[TadCurious]

She's a Social Justice Warrior PC nazi. They're everywhere on college campuses and they're insufferable. She's full of herself and she's full of shit.

[BrownBoyBrownies]

This is what I hate about cultural appropriation. It's very tribalistic mentality, it is promoting division. I have always liked braided hairs myself since I was 9. I wished to wear it but doesn't suit. Anyway with this so called 'appropriation of culture', even liking thus sporting a hairstyle that 'belongs' to another culture is wrong... Like it's a trademark belonging to one tribe only and you need a permission from that tribe or a copyright licence to wear it lol... That's just pure utterly fresh droppings of bovinae!!

[rjroy3]

It's an excuse to hate on white people, because they're the only ones that ever get shit for it.
Sorry, if you wear an Indian headdress at a Halloween party it's not offensive. Everyone knows it's just a costume you think looks cool. It's not like you did it on an Indian reservation in an insulting manner. Because that's what is required for it to be appropriation. That you are doing it for purposes of belittling.

[Spermdumster666]

www.electronicbeats.net/.../...erp-13602815150.jpg
Cultural appropriation is wrong can someone please break it to Beyonce.

[Goldie757]

Is this bitch stupid. Wearing a certain hairstyle because you like is not cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation typically involves members of a dominant group exploiting the culture of less privileged groups — often with little understanding of the latter’s history, experience and traditions.

Also there is no such thing as white or black culture.

[heavensgift2girls]

I don't know much about cultural appropriation, but the idea sounds very racist to me. The idea that only a certain race should be allowed to do something, should send up huge red flags to anyone.

In a campaign to end racism, we were taught that race is only cosmetic. If we accept the idea that race has anymore importance than that, then it allows racism to creep back into our society, reversing the progress we have made.

[chintita]

well then, i think that the white guy seems like an annoying hippie and the black girl is one of those afro-centrics who talk about how ancient egypt was black. this kinda seems staged and i doubt that's "assault" rather than simple pushing around. cultural appropriation seems annoying and i'm glad i don't have to deal with it but i would never yell at someone for it although she didn't seem like she's yelling.

[chintita]

yeah i re watched it and this is SO staged, LOOK at the way his arms are moving at the beginning as well as his voice being clear so to be heard by the camera's microphone then running off before there is a real argument.

[CHARismatic110]

1. The seems staged.
2. Staged or not, how he wears his hair is nine for her business.
3. The amount of "go back to Africa" comments is of no surprise. y'all are just as bad as she is.

[WombRaider]

Can I ask why you think it's "staged"?

[CHARismatic110]

The typos. Sheesh. This* none of*

[CHARismatic110]

@WombRaider the way they were talking.

[WombRaider]

Imagine I'm your lecturer at University, would you answer with "the way they're talking"...

Elaborate.

[CHARismatic110]

@WombRaider what is there to elaborate on? It seems scripted. Like they practiced the lines and are now acting it out.

[WombRaider]

Your comment is irrelevant then.

[CHARismatic110]

@WombRaider cool.

[itsallover]

Your third point. I'm telling you...

[chintita]

i agree with #1 i sensed it too, he seems too agitated for being told something he probably hears often and she seems too giggly and not angry at all.

[CHARismatic110]

@itsallover yeah I don't know how you can preach about her being wrong and then turn around and tell her to go back to Africa. That makes everything you said null and void in my opinion. It's unnecessary. And if someone was to respond with a "take me back since you're the one that brought me here" type of statement then all hell would break loose.

[CHARismatic110]

@chintita yeah it just seemed off. But apparently saying that it's staged makes my comment irrelevant.

[itsallover]

Exactly, they can dish out what they can't even take themselves.

[CHARismatic110]

@itsallover yup. It never gets old on here. God forbid you have an opinion on something as a black person. Especially a female. You're automatically labeled as angry and bitchy. I'm beyond sick of it. Oh but wait, let me not complain. Then I'll be labeled as a victim.

[Relentless_Hippie]

Lol she's stupid. Race and culture are two completely different things. She's American and last time I checked American culture shared just about everything with everyone in the world. She isn't African.

She's just racist, it's as simple as that. ALL races can belong to ALL cultures. Race and culture are different, NOT the same.

[somebodysaycheese]

Yea, this chick is an extremist. like you got feminaZis , lgbt extremist, religious extremist, political extremist. Some people take their " victim claiming " to a whole other level. Unfortunately, this will get more common with the lgbt people talking a out hetero and cis gender privilege ( cause it's a privilege to not be gay or have gender dysphora ) or white privilege ( which is is real but blown out of proportion )

[SakuraChii]

Your use of quotations and calling it an excuse over one video shows that you have a limited view of what it actually is. You can't just take one video and call it cultural appropriation when you don't even know what it means, and yes there are afro-latinas.

[Riverock]

I don't really take the complaint of 'cultural appropriation' seriously. It seems like an example of creating offense where none is intended (i. e. political correctness gone mad).

I don't think anything will be done as she's a black woman and he's a white male.

[Ginnyweasley97]

This seems staged but in case it is not, it was stupid of her to attack him. I don't attack black girls who straighten their hair because straightened hair is stereotypically white girl culture. Hopefully this girl faces proper punishment for attacking him.

[WombRaider]

Why does it "seem staged"? This is a very common occurence in Universities across the US and in the UK. Mizzou Uni is another example I've heard a lot about.

[Ginnyweasley97]

@WombRaider that it's fake so people ignore real issues

[WombRaider]

You've haven't answered my question, why does it "seem staged">

[Ginnyweasley97]

@WombRaider I don't know it just seems fake. In the past I have gotten upset by news stories like this just to find out how they were fake so I just try to consider that it could be fake. Even though it does happen but don't always make the news.