I dropped her off this morning and saw girls (and boys) wearing grass skirts, some of them with coconut bras too. I’m not sure what else is going on, but it doesn’t seem very respectful of a native culture that we have seriously fucked over. Would they have a “Native American Day” and let kids come in wearing feathered headdresses?
Or am I reading too much into it?
Maybe. I just would like to know what a native Hawaiian would think. I know a Native American would likely be offended if they let kids in wearing feathered headdresses. Neither would be universally true, obviously. I’m just speaking in generalities. I guess since it seems offensive to me, I would like an argument for why it isn’t.
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But isn’t it sort of the indigenous version of blackface? I’m honestly asking, I’m not trying to make a connection that isn’t there.
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Are you indigenous?
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Then you have no right to speak for them or decide what is or isn’t offensive to them.
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Yes, I agree that it isn’t that simple, and as I said in another comment here, people of a specific culture will have differing opinions and feelings on the matter. That doesn’t mean that non-Hawaiians get to decide what is offensive to Hawaiians, and that is what I am addressing.
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There is a difference. OP is asking if indigenous Hawaiians would find it offensive. You have been stating that it isn’t as a matter of fact, even though it’s not for you decide.
But aren’t grass skirts ceremonial? Like part of religious ceremonies? I really would love a native Hawaiian to chime in.
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Ok, then maybe that shouldn’t happen either? I’m just not big on cultural appropriation, especially when it’s one culture appropriating another culture they committed genocide against and never apologized for.
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But again, the U.S. didn’t commit genocide against Germany.
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Grass skirts weren’t used in Hawaii until the late 19th century and coconut bars never existed. Neither are Hawaiian culture, but both are stereotypes.
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Now I’m confused
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