Cultural Appropriation?

[Burgoo]

I've just stumbled across a few articles that make reference to mindfulness/medication and yoga.

Both articles argue that the Westernisation of both activities is "cultural appropriation" and that white folk in the West should think about how they are using these activities in every-day life. The key themes seem to be:

1. We need to acknowledge the concepts and where they originated
2. We must bring attention to the oppression that has been meted out onto minorities and other cultures if we are to use "their" concepts/activities
3. We should never benefit financially from activities that are stolen from other cultures (e.g. white-middle-class women shouldn't teach yoga if they are getting money from it because it is stolen from another culture)
4. We shouldn't just take the bits that are "relevant" to our culture - for example, using yoga for physical exercise and ignore the spiritual aspects of yoga.

So... what are people's thoughts on this?

TABU (they are being unreasonable, people who argue this)
TANBU (they aren't being unreasonable, we need to stop taking aspects of other people's cultures and respect all aspects of them)

I say they because I am undecided and wonder if I am missing something!

Black hair section? It's hair type not skin colour

No actually I don’t shop in the black hair section, I shop in the curly hair section and buy the products that work best for my hair.

I’m sorry that formulas originally made for the black hair type have been reformulated to suit white curly hair types, that is wrong but your anger is misdirected, take it up with the companies.

I think I land in the middle, yoga is a practice and for people to take that and discard important processes in it to make it cooler or more “fat burney” annoys me.

She's not appropriating Black culture by buying a product from a Black-owned business and giving them her custom. If the business decides to change their product so that it no longer works for Black hair then they will lose Black custom, surely?

If she was buying the bonnet to look good while at the same time insulting Black people who wore them, then I would see your point. But she's not. She's literally just buying something her hair needs.

I agree with this actually. If the companies are not representing you, do not buy from them. Simple. (Shea Moisture) I am looking at you!

I agree with point 4 yes

If there were a number of culturally authentic yogis struggling to run yoga classes in my area because they were being pushed out of business by white middle class women then I’d agree with point 3 also. But where I am this isn’t the case (unfortunately no authentic yogis, just the mcww)

Why who says

Commodifying religious practices is a bit off, if it was Christian practices people might find it offensive.

Christmas.

If we follow those rules then RE teachers are cultural appropriators as they're financially benefitting from other cultures. As are people who work in museums, historians etc.

Maybe not cultural appropriation, but from a spiritual/ religious aspect, I find it maybe a bit odd. Just like chakra cleansing or using the term karma, or having a Buddha ornament in the house. I'd find it odd if someone took communion but didn't believe in it. I am coming at it from a Christian angle though, which isn't really what you asked. 🫣

Exactly this, and when you visit Thailand there are highly visible signs stating Buddha is not for decoration: no tattoos, no statues to bring home as souvenirs (although they don't mind selling them in the markets, but they'll take them off you at the airport)

🤣 got me with that one.

@eighteenthirteen1 I know a few people who don't celebrate Christmas in the commercial sense, because they find it offensive or not appropriate. It is instead spent at church, giving to others etc. Certainly not teaching that santa is real. It's an interesting one and a good point.

I was born in India, and I have no problem with a white yoga teacher earning an income from it. I also don't like the word appropriation. You like to make curry dish and sell, go ahead. It is your hard work and time, it doesn't bother me one bit.

Most Indian people I know have no problem with it. It is only the insecure people who need to control and create such rules.

I think it is a good thing that yoga is celebrated across the planet, and without people from other culture taking interest in it, it would not have become this popular.

The practice of “yoga” in westernised countries is so far removed from it’s cultural and religious origins that I think it should not be called yoga. Call it stretching and strengthening, or whatever you may want, but it’s not yoga in it’s truest sense.

Imgine going swimming and referring to yourself being cleansed by holy water or being baptised.

The worst is when people are called yogis for simply attending a class- like going to church makes you a priest.

I'd like to see a Venn diagram showing those annoyed with people using some shampoo and those that are TWAW

The world has gone mad. Peace and love! stop making a mountain out of a molehill.

Practically every activity, food, clothing around has origins elsewhere.

I would like to think that there are more pressing, discriminating issues affecting minorities other than a white person teaching yoga, but what do I know...

There can be no culture without appropriation.

Presuming you have ever seen a white person with an afro type hair…?

Enjoy the exercise
there’s nothing peaceful or loving about failing to fully appreciate the cultural and religious origins of yoga - and how it’s detachment from
this may offend some.

Presuming you have ever seen a white person with an Afro type hair have you?

I think I'm starting to not give a shit about offending people actually. It's their problem, not mine.

I'm a middle aged white woman and I make money from teaching Spanish. I'm not Spanish.🤫