23 - Feb - 2012, about 3 months ago

talldarkbishoujo:

dumbthingswhitepplsay:

dank-potion replied to your post: Why is it appropriation if a white person wants to follow the beliefs of another culture, like if a white person wanted to practice shamanism, kemeticism, or Hinduism? I’ve been pondering this for a while, but since I’m white, I’m really not in the best place to form an opinion on the matter. I know this is my privilege talking, but I am really genuinely curious. If a person is knowledgeable about the other culture in question, is it still wrong to adopt its belief systems and dogmas?
so, i want to take this moment to acknowledge that when you ask respectfully, the response you receive will also be respectful. i’m sick of people making us to be evil when we get hostility thrown in our faces.

YAAAAAS.

If you walk up appropriating like 17 cultures at once and go “LOOK GUISE I FIND YOU BEAUTIFUL” and someone smacks you

well

that’s what you get.

But if you see something while you’re visiting that particular country and ask your guide if it’s okay for you to enjoy/participate in/have without acting like you DESERVE IT FOR EXISTING…then you’ll probably be allowed to have it! Surprise, I know.

Bolded because I really feel like this is the crux of the issue. tbh I blame a combo of white entitlement and Christian pathology for this. There is this idea that every religion/faith/spiritual path must be open to everyone at all times, largely because Protestant Christianity works that way (or at least is supposed to work that way). Because Christian supremacy means that even people not interested in or even who actively hate that tradition that think that every religion/faith/spiritual path works that way. 

This is why you get the exceptional amount of butthurt from white people at NDNs for not being allowed to witness certain ceremonies or receive teachings. Why, they’re sincere! Why shouldn’t they be allowed?! Sooner or later that good ole white butthurt at being told “no” sets in and the true colors come out.

FWIW, I’ve never once been made to feel unwelcome at a Hindu temple or a powwow, as examples. But that’s because I don’t walk in acting like I own the place, I behave respectfully towards the spirits of the place AND the people having ceremony and if there’s something that is not meant for me, I respect that and go on about my business. In my view, going to someone else’s sacred space is like going to another God’s house, and just like my mama didn’t raise me to go sticking my hands all in people’s candy dishes and jumping on their couches, my Gods didn’t teach me to be a damn fool in someone else’s temple. I find that if you’re truly respectful and approach the situation with true humility most people don’t mind sharing things with you. But again, it has to be on THEIR terms. You are a guest and you need to treat it like the honor that it is rather than a god-given right. And if they see fit to teach you, accept it as the treasured gift it is rather than something you’re entitled to just because you’re ~sincere~.

…and there you have it.


56 source: dumbthingswhitepplsay, via talldarkbishoujo
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    I wish I could reblog this 1000 times. Perfection.
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    SO MUCH TRUTH IN THIS COMMENT.
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    …and there you have it.