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HelpRe: Honest Question About Cultural Appropriation and Names
in reply to a message by RuralRuna
I think both sides are potentially at fault here. The European couple because they are using a name from a culture not their own, but more because, presumably, they know nothing of that culture or language or the name; if they have some connections or knowledge of those things, I say it's less of a problem. Also, if they think they made the name up and it coincidentally turned out to be a real name in some language, well, I guess lots of names people think they've made up turn out to mean something in some other language, whether an actual name or some random word like stomachache or chair. :)
I think the Native woman is at fault for trying to convince these people not to use a certain name. Beyond pointing out the obvious-to-her, she should butt out unless asked for her opinion; that would go for anyone of any ethnicity. It's fine on a message board where most of the people supposedly asking for names for their new twin girls are actually bored 12-year-olds playing grownup.
I also think she's at fault if she truly believes that culture can be "stolen" if someone uses a name of that culture without being part of it. It's a little like how some kids feel when a new baby or new stepparent comes along: they think that that their parent's love is finite and there's only so much to go around and with New Baby or New Stepparent, there's less love around for them.
This white couple uses the name Naiara for the new baby. Maiara doesn't leave the culture it originated from. It's still as much a name in that language as it ever was, and it's realistically highly unlikely that it suddenly catches on with white people and becomes widely known and used.
At worst, I think the couple is being presumptuous and pretentious and maybe not considering the optics of it.
There is always going to be crossover and borrowing among different cultures.
I am Native/Indian myself so I think I'm qualified to speak here. :)
Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you criticize him, you're a mile away and you have his shoes!
Steve Martin
I think the Native woman is at fault for trying to convince these people not to use a certain name. Beyond pointing out the obvious-to-her, she should butt out unless asked for her opinion; that would go for anyone of any ethnicity. It's fine on a message board where most of the people supposedly asking for names for their new twin girls are actually bored 12-year-olds playing grownup.
I also think she's at fault if she truly believes that culture can be "stolen" if someone uses a name of that culture without being part of it. It's a little like how some kids feel when a new baby or new stepparent comes along: they think that that their parent's love is finite and there's only so much to go around and with New Baby or New Stepparent, there's less love around for them.
This white couple uses the name Naiara for the new baby. Maiara doesn't leave the culture it originated from. It's still as much a name in that language as it ever was, and it's realistically highly unlikely that it suddenly catches on with white people and becomes widely known and used.
At worst, I think the couple is being presumptuous and pretentious and maybe not considering the optics of it.
There is always going to be crossover and borrowing among different cultures.
I am Native/Indian myself so I think I'm qualified to speak here. :)
Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you criticize him, you're a mile away and you have his shoes!
Steve Martin
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Replies
Shit done hit the fan over here I see...
*Grabs popcorn*
On a serious note, I love how intense a thread could get over something as simple as a name.
*Grabs popcorn*
On a serious note, I love how intense a thread could get over something as simple as a name.
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I agree.
I also think that Maiara is actually quite widely used by non-Native people. It made the top 100 in Portugal and even though I am sure some people are Native people I am also sure that many are not.
I also think that Maiara is actually quite widely used by non-Native people. It made the top 100 in Portugal and even though I am sure some people are Native people I am also sure that many are not.
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I've never heard the name till today. Maybe there's some celebrity not known in the US who has the name?
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A famous musician with close to 5 million followers on instagram. Not sure how popular she is in the US, she seems to speak Portuguese.
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You're Dead Wrong. The Indigenous Woman was Right
The Native Woman is trying to protect the integrity of her culture. Indigenous people for centuries have had their culture mocked and white washed & degraded.
Suddenly, it's cool to be associated with Indigenous And people want in on that shine. Before it's appreciation, make sure that very WHITE COUPLE has lived the Indigenous experience, they've assisted the Indigenous community and spoken aside Indigenous People on the issues surrounding their community.
The Native Woman is trying to protect the integrity of her culture. Indigenous people for centuries have had their culture mocked and white washed & degraded.
Suddenly, it's cool to be associated with Indigenous And people want in on that shine. Before it's appreciation, make sure that very WHITE COUPLE has lived the Indigenous experience, they've assisted the Indigenous community and spoken aside Indigenous People on the issues surrounding their community.
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If you don’t mind me asking...
What race are you? You seem to be pretty defensive on this topic and cultural appropriation.
What race are you? You seem to be pretty defensive on this topic and cultural appropriation.
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I've never had to identify my "race" to anyone in my life because thank God I'm not plagued with White Entitlement where I live.
And BTW, "What race are you" is very offensive. Must I be part of a race to identify & understand the harm they suffer at the hands of another Culture?
Rubbish.
And BTW, "What race are you" is very offensive. Must I be part of a race to identify & understand the harm they suffer at the hands of another Culture?
Rubbish.
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I was asking because as RoxStar said a lot of white people feel the need to play the role of White Savior even when something isn’t that serious. Especially in terms of cultural appropriation.
No, I’m not saying to need to be indigenous to see what they’re going through. Nice try though.
No, I’m not saying to need to be indigenous to see what they’re going through. Nice try though.
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pick a username and stick to it ...
And you are either woefully stupid, or you think we are, if you actually believe you don't live in an area where there is white entitlement, or that you've never been asked your ethnicity.
And it absolutely does make a difference what your race/ethnicity, especially when you start trying to tell people of other races what they should think or feel.
And you are either woefully stupid, or you think we are, if you actually believe you don't live in an area where there is white entitlement, or that you've never been asked your ethnicity.
And it absolutely does make a difference what your race/ethnicity, especially when you start trying to tell people of other races what they should think or feel.
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You are aware of the fact that those aren't the same people, right? Your attitude is so narrow-minded. You cannot blame people who were born decades later for what other people did. It's like blaming a newborn German baby for the second World War.
And what is "THE indigenous experience"? There are many different indigenous people with completely different languages and cultures.
And what is "THE indigenous experience"? There are many different indigenous people with completely different languages and cultures.
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So, I you didn't comprehend any of what I just said?
And I wasn't blaming anyone, I was pointing very harmful practices that are still being felt today. While also explaining in very great detail what taking a name from customs of which you know nothing of its complexities is more than just APPROPRIATION, it's BLOODY DISRESPECTFUL.
And I wasn't blaming anyone, I was pointing very harmful practices that are still being felt today. While also explaining in very great detail what taking a name from customs of which you know nothing of its complexities is more than just APPROPRIATION, it's BLOODY DISRESPECTFUL.
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we understood you just fine ...
And you're still completely out of line.
And you're still completely out of line.
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You are disrespectful.
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excuse me ...
I don't need you to "educate" me. I know all of that.
Are you assuming that all indigenous people think the same exact way about this? Sure looks like it. Are you assuming we all SHOULD hold the exact same view? Looks like that too.
Are you assuming I, as an indigenous person, don't know any better and need your enlightenment? Looks that way.
Take a good hard look in the mirror before you start spouting off and trying to act like the Great White Savior. I swear, you are like a parody of that.
I don't need you to "educate" me. I know all of that.
Are you assuming that all indigenous people think the same exact way about this? Sure looks like it. Are you assuming we all SHOULD hold the exact same view? Looks like that too.
Are you assuming I, as an indigenous person, don't know any better and need your enlightenment? Looks that way.
Take a good hard look in the mirror before you start spouting off and trying to act like the Great White Savior. I swear, you are like a parody of that.
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Wrong on both counts. And I'm certainly not WHITE, thank goodness
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Wow, you really are tone deaf.
FYI, saying "I'm certainly not WHITE, thank goodness" is really offensive.
FYI, saying "I'm certainly not WHITE, thank goodness" is really offensive.
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Why “thank goodness”?
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thank goodness ...
She was so clever to be able to arrange not to be white?
She's acting "white" in the very worst sense of that odious expression.
She was so clever to be able to arrange not to be white?
She's acting "white" in the very worst sense of that odious expression.
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You’re so ignorant to culture it’s astonishing to me.
Grow up. Absolutely nothing wrong with being white, and there’s nothing wrong with being proud of your culture.
I hope one day you snap out of your close-mindedness and hero complex and travel the world while learning more about different peoples cultures. Gate keeping cultures definitely isn’t smart either.
Grow up. Absolutely nothing wrong with being white, and there’s nothing wrong with being proud of your culture.
I hope one day you snap out of your close-mindedness and hero complex and travel the world while learning more about different peoples cultures. Gate keeping cultures definitely isn’t smart either.
This message was edited 4/7/2021, 8:40 AM
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whatever ...
You're acting like a caricature of white savior complex. And no matter what color you ar, you are off base and out of line to try and tell me my people's history/struggle and how I should feel.
You're acting like a caricature of white savior complex. And no matter what color you ar, you are off base and out of line to try and tell me my people's history/struggle and how I should feel.
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