Worst of Social Justice

[Shane for Wax]

Bindi is also an Australian child. (The joke only worked if the word 'bindi' was at the start of a sentence. I'm sorry.)

[largeham]

Pfft, if anyone wants to wear traditional Indian clothes, I will give them mine, more space in my cupboard. Recently, in a debate, I was accused of having knowledge privilege. Reading more than 20 books now makes you one of the upper class.

Education is a privilege. But it certainly isn't something you should be ashamed of.

The access to quality education is certainly a privilege, but not a 'privilege' in the way identity politicians use the word.

It should be noted that I don't like the use of the word privilege. It implies that the privileged party benefits from the oppression of oppressed groups, which I think is false.

Has the fact that now wearing bindis is 'racist' been covered?

It's my understanding that women in India\Southeast Asia wear bindis for both religious reasons and for fashion. Kind of like what women here in the US do with cross jewelry. But I could be wrong.

I know, I have extensive experience with them. Mostly looking for my sister's after it has fallen off her head. The glue used is usually quite weak.

[davedan]

I thought it was that people were privileged by not suffering from the effects, direct or indirect of prejudice.

I always thought that Bindis were predominantly fashion. The religious aspect of the tip is usually some sort of dye paste and also applied to the parting of the hair.

[Meshakhad]

Wearing bindis is cultural appropriation and it's been covered same as wearing braids, dreads, and doing yoga.

What really pisses me off is the implication by some that practicing Buddhism is cultural appropriation.

[gyeonghwa]

Wearing bindis is cultural appropriation and it's been covered same as wearing braids, dreads, and doing yoga.

What really pisses me off is the implication by some that practicing Buddhism is cultural appropriation.

I addressed this on tumblr some time ago. Practicing a religion is not cultural appropriation. Nor is it appropriation when there is a tangible and historical cultural transition between Buddhist cultures and other culture. But there is a huge difference between practicing Buddhism and buying a bunch of pseudo-Buddhist "Zen" and "Tantric" crap and calling it "Buddhist". You really don't need to buy into that whole Oriental Mystics commercialism in order to practice Buddhism.

[Witchyjoshy]

Generally speaking for practicing a religion, it's only appropriation if it's a closed religion (like Native American beliefs) where you have to actually be invited into the group to participate.

Buddhism is strictly not a closed religion.

Of course, as with all things "generally speaking", there are exceptions.  Just copying cultural garments (especially sacred, religious ones) because you think they look good (or you think it makes you look hot) is also appropriation even if it isn't a closed religion.

[gyeonghwa]

Generally speaking for practicing a religion, it's only appropriation if it's a closed religion (like Native American beliefs) where you have to actually be invited into the group to participate.

Buddhism is strictly not a closed religion.

Of course, as with all things "generally speaking", there are exceptions.  Just copying cultural garments (especially sacred, religious ones) because you think they look good (or you think it makes you look hot) is also appropriation even if it isn't a closed religion.

I don't understand how some people assume Buddhism is a closed religion. (Just like some people think Islam is a closed religion when it's very obviously not.) It's like they don't know anything about Buddhist History. I mean the existence of the Ashokan missionaries is proof that the Indians did not intend for Buddhism to be a closed religion.

[Witchyjoshy]

Generally speaking for practicing a religion, it's only appropriation if it's a closed religion (like Native American beliefs) where you have to actually be invited into the group to participate.

Buddhism is strictly not a closed religion.

Of course, as with all things "generally speaking", there are exceptions.  Just copying cultural garments (especially sacred, religious ones) because you think they look good (or you think it makes you look hot) is also appropriation even if it isn't a closed religion.

I don't understand how some people assume Buddhism is a closed religion. (Just like some people think Islam is a closed religion when it's very obviously not.) It's like they don't know anything about Buddhist History. I mean the existence of the Ashokan missionaries is proof that the Indians did not intend for Buddhism to be a closed religion.

I think it might be because Islam is largely made up of Semites (is that the right word?) and Buddhism is mostly made up of Asians, so they think that because they're not white, they don't want anyone who's not Semite practicing Islam, and anyone who's not Asian practicing Buddhism.

At least I think.  It's hard to understand other people and it is making the leap of logic in assuming that the reason might be for racism, even if they're against cultural appropriation.

[gyeonghwa]

Generally speaking for practicing a religion, it's only appropriation if it's a closed religion (like Native American beliefs) where you have to actually be invited into the group to participate.

Buddhism is strictly not a closed religion.

Of course, as with all things "generally speaking", there are exceptions.  Just copying cultural garments (especially sacred, religious ones) because you think they look good (or you think it makes you look hot) is also appropriation even if it isn't a closed religion.

I don't understand how some people assume Buddhism is a closed religion. (Just like some people think Islam is a closed religion when it's very obviously not.) It's like they don't know anything about Buddhist History. I mean the existence of the Ashokan missionaries is proof that the Indians did not intend for Buddhism to be a closed religion.

I think it might be because Islam is largely made up of Semites (is that the right word?) and Buddhism is mostly made up of Asians, so they think that because they're not white, they don't want anyone who's not Semite practicing Islam, and anyone who's not Asian practicing Buddhism.

At least I think.  It's hard to understand other people and it is making the leap of logic in assuming that the reason might be for racism, even if they're against cultural appropriation.

I've heard that argument before, and it's still erasing the fact that the largest groups of Muslim are Austronesian speaking Asians. And the fact that there are Slavic Muslim. There is a racial elements in an American context, since Muslim and brown people from the East has become synonymous in the States.

[TheUnknown]

Aren't there verses in the Quran that state that anyone, no matter their race, can practice Islam?

[Meshakhad]

Wearing bindis is cultural appropriation and it's been covered same as wearing braids, dreads, and doing yoga.

What really pisses me off is the implication by some that practicing Buddhism is cultural appropriation.

I addressed this on tumblr some time ago. Practicing a religion is not cultural appropriation. Nor is it appropriation when there is a tangible and historical cultural transition between Buddhist cultures and other culture. But there is a huge difference between practicing Buddhism and buying a bunch of pseudo-Buddhist "Zen" and "Tantric" crap and calling it "Buddhist". You really don't need to buy into that whole Oriental Mystics commercialism in order to practice Buddhism.

I understand the difference. But I get the impression there are people on Tumblr who don't, and assume that any white person practicing Buddism is appropriating Asian culture. And as I have two very close friends who converted to Buddhism a few years ago, I take personal offense to that sentiment.

[Witchyjoshy]

Wearing bindis is cultural appropriation and it's been covered same as wearing braids, dreads, and doing yoga.

What really pisses me off is the implication by some that practicing Buddhism is cultural appropriation.

I addressed this on tumblr some time ago. Practicing a religion is not cultural appropriation. Nor is it appropriation when there is a tangible and historical cultural transition between Buddhist cultures and other culture. But there is a huge difference between practicing Buddhism and buying a bunch of pseudo-Buddhist "Zen" and "Tantric" crap and calling it "Buddhist". You really don't need to buy into that whole Oriental Mystics commercialism in order to practice Buddhism.

I understand the difference. But I get the impression there are people on Tumblr who don't, and assume that any white person practicing Buddism is appropriating Asian culture. And as I have two very close friends who converted to Buddhism a few years ago, I take personal offense to that sentiment.

Your impression is correct.

SJWs tend to be the crusaders that strike at windmills.

[SpaceProg]

They're not usually as likeable as old Quixote either.

[ironbite]

SJWs should never ever interact with the real world.

Ironbite-the real world doesn't conform itself to their standards.

[Osama bin Bambi]

Usually the people I've seen railed at for cultural appropriation are hipster girls doing something obnoxious in war bonnets or "bindis." Both of these things have significant cultural and religious importance and it's just kind of a dick move to use them as fashion statements.