5/9 - Indo-Chic

The piece, Indo-Chic by Sunaina Maira, demonstrates the reasons and capitalist manifestation of cultural appropriation. For example, items such as henna, bindis, and saris are used as accessories to look “exotic” and edgy. They are especially popular during summer festivals seasons, such as Coachella. Fashion trends quickly happen, but the consequences of how these cultures are being appropriated should be recognized.

However, to due it’s exploitation, the historical meaning of these items are lost in main stream media and changes completely to what the masses want. An interesting and important going on surrounding this subject is the Reclaim the Bindis movement. The movement provides the historical background and meaning of the Bindis, while empowering for South-Asian women to show pride of their culture. This platform demonstrates everyday resistances because women of color are resisting the notion that their culture is an accessory, they are resisting capitalist exploitation, they are resisting Western hegemonic forces that invalided their identities growing up, and they resisting to be comply to the issue. They are speaking up and reclaiming what is originally theirs.  

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