Stunned and taken aback

[lintninja]

I have been charged with cultural appropriation for my headpiece designs. It has been suggested that I should be skewered. I am crushed by this. I am inspired by beauty from many cultures. I do not feel that I am taking anything away from them when I make a piece of art inspired by them. Am I?

Comments

[fexurbislexorbis5]

I'm curious to know who approached you about this and what the venue was (i.e., on line, in person, etc.). I'm very sorry you got hurt :( I'm wondering if there is a way to have a dialogue with that person? To see if there is a way to address their concerns or to learn from it and turn it into something positive?

Sending you hugs, honey.

[lintninja]

It was online and that person has since said that they were kidding about the whole thing. I don't think that they were, but since I called them out on it, they backed off. I am fine. It was just such a shock.

[fexurbislexorbis5]

That's disappointing :(
I would have expected either someone who was down to open up a dialogue or someone who was legitimately upset. Not someone who would pretend it was a joke. Ugh.

I have been asked by one person when sharing your Etsy page how the Kali headdress *isn't* cultural appropriation - but I've never felt like it was my question to answer.

[lintninja]

Well, I guess the Kali is cultural appropriation. I was just calling it the Death Goddess, but people kept calling it Kali, so I stuck with that. Originally I was thinking more of a Dia De Los Muertos Which really is appropriation. I dunno. I do NOT want to be disrespectful  of any ones culture. I am inspired by so many.sigh Damned if you do and damned if you don't,