Expression through Symbolism

Boots13 · 03-13-2013, 07:31 PM

Can appropriation go either way? I believe it can …. It may be an honor or it can endanger a marginalized group…and yes, the responsibility lies in who is appropriating and in the context of the representation.

Appropriation has occurred throughout history but if a dominant culture is appropriating it then has the potential to become an unequal relationship and at that point smacks of “assimilation or annhilation” .

I’d like to explore your statement
" When we even consider taking something from another culture we have a responsibility to make sure its used in a respectful and appropriate manner”
But what is the baseline for respectful and appropriate? And where do we draw the line ? Art? Literature? Tattoos? Politics? Ritualistic application?

As a personal illustration, I have a Native American styled tattoo, but I am not Native. I am respectful representing this as a cognitive symbol of my external reality/history. Its an abstract symbol with First Nations tones. Have I committed an infraction by doing this?

I appreciate, greatly , your response and I would love to hear other opinions on this. I don’t know what respectful or responsible looks like (unless of course it is an overt act of violence or hatred) when an individual is appropriating a symbol for use as expression, identification or to parlay a fluid concept.

I do agree symbols can be tricky within the context of perception. Thank you, Semantics, for your post !

03-13-2013, 07:31 PM	#13
Boots13 Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: No Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: PNW Posts: 823 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,387 Thanked 2,314 Times in 428 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	expression and authenticity... Can appropriation go either way? I believe it can …. It may be an honor or it can endanger a marginalized group…and yes, the responsibility lies in who is appropriating and in the context of the representation. Appropriation has occurred throughout history but if a dominant culture is appropriating it then has the potential to become an unequal relationship and at that point smacks of “assimilation or annhilation” . I’d like to explore your statement " When we even consider taking something from another culture we have a responsibility to make sure its used in a respectful and appropriate manner” But what is the baseline for respectful and appropriate? And where do we draw the line ? Art? Literature? Tattoos? Politics? Ritualistic application? As a personal illustration, I have a Native American styled tattoo, but I am not Native. I am respectful representing this as a cognitive symbol of my external reality/history. Its an abstract symbol with First Nations tones. Have I committed an infraction by doing this? I appreciate, greatly , your response and I would love to hear other opinions on this. I don’t know what respectful or responsible looks like (unless of course it is an overt act of violence or hatred) when an individual is appropriating a symbol for use as expression, identification or to parlay a fluid concept. I do agree symbols can be tricky within the context of perception. Thank you, Semantics, for your post !