5/9 Maira & Said


Maira's and Said's articles reflect the growing, notorious trend that is prominent in today's society: cultural appropriation. Valuable practices, symbols, items are being adapted by mainstream Western culture that eventually starts to lose its traditional meaning. Henna, bindhis, and saris are just a few, yet some of the most culturally appropriated forms of Indian attire that has been changed into a style called "Indo-Chic". Some of the reasonings behind the adoption of these things are done by white liberal feminists who preach diversity and exert their own personal beliefs onto ME/SA womxn who they feel are extremely oppressed because of their repressed sensuality. Therefore, many adopt the cultural style as a way to "save" the practice, without even understanding the context behind it. This reminds me of the popular notion of the "white savior complex" that is so often used as a defense in imperialism. Not only have many Westerners adopted these practices, but they also profit off of them making a lot more money than what natives would make doing the same thing. The appropriate of ME/SA culture reminds me a lot of some other practices that has been adopted such as the Buddhist practice, yoga, and chakras. Many Western youth follow the mainstream approach to Buddhist teachings that involve mediation and healing, but do not truly understand the historical context behind the religion.

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