Cultural Appreciation Or Appropriation?

Gori Girl

May 15, 2010

Is a gori's adoption of Indian clothing a form of admiration, or is it just rude?

My recent purchase of two saris got my restless mind squirming. I began to wonder what people of Indian descent would really think of a white Westerner that would dare to wear a sari. Since I don’t have a huge circle of Desi friends to ask, I was forced to resort to Googling “white woman sari” and various similar combinations of keywords so that I could get an idea of what people actually think of such a thing.

Naturally, it is naïve to expect one clear answer on the subject. The opinions were fairly equally divided between the “of course you can wear one!” and “don’t be ridiculous!” camps, which didn’t really help answer my question.

I decided to wear the cotton brocade out to the shoe store as my black Birkenstocks ruined the look and I needed something nicer, and to the grocery store. Just to see what would happen. Sadly, no Indian folk were to be seen during my excursion and I had to settle for the delighted smiles and compliments of fellow whites.

It was actually kind of nerve-wracking, having all eyes on me like that. I had no choice but to hold my head high, square my shoulders, and walk proudly like I hadn’t a care in the world. One thing I know about wearing a sari: you can’t pull it off if you’re walking hunched over like you want to be invisible. So I didn’t bother trying.

I did learn two valuable things though: for one, saris are really comfortable on a hot sunny day, and two, that I can drive while wearing one.

After I got home, I did a little more Googling. A common complaint of the “white women shouldn’t wear saris” camp was that a Westerner that tries to wear Indian (or any other ethnic clothing) is being rude by appropriating culture that doesn’t belong to them, as if clothing can be insulted or demeaned by some sort of fashion-specific manifest destiny.

This didn’t sit well with me. I live in a city where whites are not a majority. We have an equal number of blacks, as well as large populations of Hispanic and various Asian nations. My city is one of the more violent ones in the US, having a murder rate in the triple digits nearly every year. I have experienced a great deal of what the popular media likes to refer to as “reverse racism.” As if any racism is OK; as if it’s excusable because whites in the recent past used to commit racism, so let’s just go for an eye for an eye and not evolve and do better than our forefathers did.

I’ve never oppressed anyone. I have never called anyone a racial slur – though when I have confrontations in my city (as is inevitable from time to time) I’m almost always called some derogatory name such as cracker or worse. My mother’s side of the family has always been “trailer trash.” We’ve never had the money to own real homes, let alone slaves. I don’t condone racism, I don’t condone racial slurs, I believe in equal opportunities for everyone based on merit and not ethnicity. 60,000 years ago we all had a common ancestor, so in my own scientifically-minded opinion, we’re all the same. The devil, as usual, is in the details – in this case, the details of skin color, ancestral origin, culture.

So when I read that a Westerner in a sari is committing the sin of cultural appropriation, I got more than a little offended, if I’m being honest. Isn’t the intent more important than outside opinion? Sure, I know it’s not realistic to expect people to be reasonable about some things. But how is my admiration and love of the sari an insult to anyone? How is something so positive turned by some people into a negative?

All that aside, this sort of statement seems rather hypocritical. As people all over the world turn aside from their traditional wear in favor of the Western uniform of jeans and t-shirts, shouldn’t it be an occasion of joy to see that their cultural heritage is treasured by people on the outside of the culture? How exactly is it that a non-Westerner can go between the different styles of dress, but a Westerner cannot? Is this not a double standard, and is this truly acceptable?

As a Westerner of my generation, and from a liberal state to boot, I have a generous portion of Western Guilt ingrained in me. We’re taught to be guilty about what we have, and what we are. The imperialistic activities of our ancestors, as well as the rampant greed and corruption of the corporations and the corporate-directed government are a heavy burden on those of us who know better and who regret what has been done in the past, and even in the present, by people that we do not appreciate or admire.

I spent three weeks in Thailand a decade or so ago. Even though haggling was expected and to not haggle was considered rather rude, I felt terribly guilty trying to argue down what I felt was already a ridiculously low price. This need of mine to find that Indians will accept my wearing of the sari is another manifestation of this Western Guilt.

I’m not appropriating the culture, I’m celebrating it! And yet because of the color of my skin, some people consider me to be continuing the abhorrent practices of imperialism simply by choosing to dress in something beautiful from another land.

The power structure of the world is shifting. By my grandchildren’s time, I fully expect India and China to be the world’s leaders in most of the places America leads now. My embracing of the sari, rather than being seen as a confiscation of something that does not belong to me, should perhaps be seen as my acceptance of future world leadership.

I would like to feel proud to wear a sari, but there will always be that little voice that has been instilled in my heart, that because I’m a white woman from America, I don’t have the right to enjoy the clothing and culture from other lands as if they were my own. And I find this to be a sad state of affairs.

Yes, Europeans and Americans have done a lot of damage in the world, and still do. But not all of us support what goes on. Some of us are disgusted by past and present imperialistic acts. Holding all of us responsible for the actions of people long dead, or unsupported by us in the present, is unfair. And bearing resentment against us because of where we were born, or the color of our skin and hair, is just continuing the age-old evil of xenophobia and acts of murder and destruction in its service.

The world gets smaller every day. We all have to live in it. We should all be allowed to celebrate whichever parts of it that we love, no matter if it is something native to our lands or not.

Even if something is not native to one’s homeland, it can become native to one’s heart.

Comments

229

← Previous Comments

By: Karthik on August 22, 2012 at 7:42 pm Dharma: my hostility is not towards you in particular, but nothing of what you said responds in any way to the points I raised. Yep, I am bitter and angry, or maybe I am just this way around this topic. Either way, the fact that you carry on in your life the way you always have is of no consequence to me as I have no wish to ruin your day, just to make you think. And yes, racism exists in many cultures, but you will notice that it is always light skin vs. dark skin no matter what the locale or nation or ethnic group (yes, even caste)and that is because of a colonial hangover from lighter-skinned invading forces that suggested superiority through appearance. Anon: a dictionary definition is empty and sterile because it lacks context, so don’t use that to say racism is racism. In the broadest terms it may be but at the heart of it, it’s about being considered “lower” or sub-human or incapable of intellect or progress. Even those who dislike white people don’t consider them stupid or a lower life form. They hate white people based on experience which is fact, whereas there is no factual evidence to prove that people of color are any weaker or more feeble-minded. So, no, racism is NOT racism. Everyone: All this talk of “love and acceptance” amidst the cultural and ethnic turmoil found in every nation in the world is the blindness I am raging against, and if that makes me an angry person, so be it. America is a “melting pot?” Um, no, it isn’t, because every day there are instances of racism and violence (just look at how our President is treated — likening him to a monkey or witch doctor). You keep preaching the same thing about peace and understanding and all that but the world is getting more racist, not less, so I guess your preaching doesn’t work. What does work is awareness, but it seems that is considered being “angry.” Cuddler: You are a prime example of the disconnect between the real world and the one you live in. I think you have good intentions but seriously — Rennfair? You are comparing what happens in a commercial, make-believe world with the reality of life? America is a melting pot? Is that why a black couple was refused a wedding in a white church just weeks back? And food? Seriously? Guess what — you can hate Chinese people and still like Chinese food, but you’re probably not going to wear a cheongsam if you hate Chinese people. THAT is the difference between culture and superficiality. Yes, I’m angry, and yes, you all probably hate me, but your vision of the world doesn’t work anywhere but in your little hamlets. You can spout all of the rhetoric that you like but in the real world, the opposite happens. But go ahead, by all means enjoy your breakfast because we’re not asking you to fight for us, we would just like it if you kept out of our deeper cultural issues.
By: Karthik on August 22, 2012 at 7:51 pm Thank you, Whitey, for making my point much better than I ever could. To all the peace and love folks, welcome to my America…
By: The_Cuddler on August 22, 2012 at 9:54 pm My apologies ahead of time, if I did something stupid and made this post twice – please delete the duplicate post if it appears and I don’t catch it first I was just putting a couple of simple examples that came to mind right away – I was just at Ren Faire recently and thought about the people there – I don’t have to sit here and think of every example I was ever exposed to do I – sure it’s a bit of a silly one, but if say, you want to try something, but are nervous about offending someone. Perhaps you might be worried about drawing a lot of attention to yourself in regular situations, something like Renn Faire would be one place to do it and express your interest in something else. I am also in certain types of dance, so some of those events call for certain types of clothing – there’s another possibility for trying something else. My point about America being a melting pot was that in general this place is made up of many different groups and those groups are exposed to and influenced by others, especially in a metro area. Unfortunately there are idiots out there who insist on doing stupid shxt and creating more problems – what happened with that black couple is horrendous and embarrassing to them and this country. I have heard the saying that a way into the hearts of others and to experience a part of their culture is through the sharing of food. Maybe you think whoever came up with that is stupid. I don’t know. But it was just another simple example. I don’t hate Chinese people for one. I don’t “hate” anybody – I don’t know that I am able to really *hate* – those feelings are poison – the intense anger, sadness, and hurt that I’ve been feeling personally lately has become poisonous to me and is literally affecting my health – I mean like really making me physically sick – so *hate* is something I hope won’t come from me ever… Look radiation poisoning, biological warfare, zombies, pandemics, and any other disaster caused by homo sapiens are not fun – if humans don’t get it together in some way or another, we might as well pack it up right now and start hiding ourselves away in our holes – don’t talk to anyone, don’t help anyone, just plain stay away from everyone period b/c you know, they might be the devil and they are going to put shackles on someone and make him/her dig more holes for their kids. And watch out closely b/c the shackled slave might just push that person out of their hole and just move right on in. *cue chimpanzee and gorilla grunts* I mean is that what we should all do then? Seriously? Would everyone separating themselves entirely from one another be the absolute solution to the problem? Well then why not just blow this whole shxt up then? What’s the point of humans even existing at all then? If we’re just going to stay like this and we’re all gonna be mad and hate on each other and cut each other down, then why not just eradicate everyone on the planet right now and be done with it?? Hey NASA stop searching for “Earth-Like” planets b/c you know, what’s the point in continuing the human plague elsewhere? I’m quite certain that the vast, ever expanding universe is very very concerned with our petty differences. We should ask SETI if they made sure to include in our “welcome from Earth” message that whoever possibly receives it knows the importance and cultural significance behind the garments we have chosen for ourselves and also knows that the following groups of humans are most definitely 100% responsible for all the suffering in the world and it is important that every last one of them and their descendants be held accountable until the end of time. That is just the way it has to be dammit! All the while not considering the possibility that if in fact there are other intelligent forms of life out there, they might be hostile – and if they are hostile – shxt you think they care about our issues or do you think they just want our damn water?? Yeah I’m gonna bet on they prolly just want the water – we all look funny to them and are obnoxious, primitive beings. Yeah that all might sound like some str8 up goofy stuff right there, like downright weird and oddball – the talk of a complete loony wackjob – BUT maybe JUST maybe, there are things out there we couldn’t possibly fathom in our current technological state. Perhaps those things might just happen to be bigger and more significant that we could ever possibly conceive in our tiny, underdeveloped minds… Go ahead criticize and ridicule all you want to. Opinions are like a$$holes – everyone’s got one right? omg whitey wtf – I think whitey = troll
By: HARRY
on August 22, 2012
at 10:06 pm
@ whitey

You are saying……………………
…we have enough racist gas-station attendants selling alcohol and poison to our youth.

Are you for real, because when I was young and I bought stuff cos I wanted it not because they were selling it.

You are also saying……………….
If you are living here? Why the f*** are you here if you hate whites so much? You are obviously getting something you cant get in your own country. So go back!

Firstly they are not there for white people and this forum / post is not about hating white people but it’s about culture appropriation, and secondly they are not obviously getting anything for free living in USA because there is nothing free in USA, last time I looked. You also have to work for your money and things and then you pay tax on top of this. So what is free apart from fresh air and h*ll-b*lly abuse.

They ( Indians) are also there for the same reasons the whole white community went there too less then 200 years ago from different countries of the Europe.
If you don’t know the history look it up.

So, what you are saying from your last statement is that, you only like other ethnicities if they are kiss a**. I exactly know what you mean.
By: whitey on August 22, 2012 at 10:10 pm I’m not a troll, although my name was a snide joke. My point was hate begets hate. Amusing that out of how many comments? Karthic latches onto the one that “proves his point” while all of the others here seem to be much more tolerant of douche-bags than me. BTW I dont hate all minorities, in fact, I dont hate any of them. However, I DO hate people like Karthic, who are just a canker on our society. Also, many people do assume that because people like Karthic are so vocal and OBVIOUS in hate, that all people from that country hate us. No one likes to be hated. It, not surprisingly, makes people angry, and react badly *shocked face here* People can tell when someone hates them. Karthic just puts out pure hate, and I bet he is more than obvious around white people. And I was serious about people like him getting the f out if they dont have anything to contribute other than hate, and I have MET IN PERSON and gotten people like him FIRED. In my old neighborhood there were people that were middle-easterners that WERE selling our local teenagers booze and smokes out of the gas-station…hence that example. They were laughing about it because they hate whites, and were enjoying hurting our youth in a tangible way. I can’t really think that somebody with as much obvious hate as Karthic is going to be anything other than a low-paying, crap job, because people who are smart dont hate the way the stupid/ignorant do. I’m not going to go to India, China, Japan, Pakistan, Iraq, etc for what seems to be the sole purpose of living off of that economy, and reaping the benefits of that civilization, while decrying how badly people react to me because I show my hatred that obviously. Hate it? Hate us? Then leave. Don’t want to leave? Then grow up and stop spreading your hatred around like herpes. If you hate us that much and are still here, you are a leech, and people WILL treat you like crap, and I personally feel that you deserve it if you are going to act that way. All of us Americans started as people from other countries. I have NO issue with people who want to enjoy what we have to offer, and I dont care what color your skin is. I dont walk down the street and see a person and go “oh wow, gtfo mexican/indian/chinese/african/etc. The second you starting spewing pure sh*t is when I want your POS attitude gone.
By: Karthik on August 22, 2012 at 10:27 pm Yo, Whitey, first of all, the spelling of my name is Karthik (with a “k”). Secondly,it’s pretty obvious that you have a problem with other races because of all the “they” people are — surprise surprise — of color. What about the Russian immigrant community or any of the other Eastern bloc nation’s immigrants and how they monopolize your system? Funny how they don’t rub you the wrong way — just the Arabs at the local store. The whole idea of “go back where you came from” is pretty convenient thing to say and screams bigot. Guess what? Many of us were born and raised here. So what happens when a white person spews sh*t? You ask him to go back to Ireland or Italy? No, you didn’t think of that because it never crossed your mind that whites could be every bit as bad as anyone else. Look at your language — it’s all “we” and “them,” like you couldn’t imagine that “them” are citizens — just like you (and me). Oh, and anyone who has strong issues with the power structure has to be a low-income earner? Why? Because all high-income earners have assimilated and think the same way as you? Sorry, whitey, but you are a bigot. It’s okay, we all have prejudices, just don’t pretend to be anything you’re not. It’s what you don’t say that says the most about you.
By: HARRY on August 22, 2012 at 10:37 pm @ Karthik I agree with your concept and the logic but not with your anger. What you are really trying to say is that, if you give an inch then they are more likely to take a yard. Is this what you are saying? One thing I will say to you is this that the women on this forum are the ones who appreciate our culture. So why object against them? Or do you think that if you agree to give a go ahead then there are others who will appropriate? Is this your main concern when it comes to wearing a sari. I just want to know your real reasons. HARRY
By: Jerry on September 5, 2012 at 9:11 am @ Goru Girl. i felt that it was well written. I would say go for it, go flaunt a saree or any Indian Ethnic where that catches you fancy, just a fair warning though, if you are not so sure how to dress up in an Indian attire feel free to ask an Indian girl or someone from the store u are purchasing from. One think I can tell u SADLY is there will be a lot of Indian Men who spew rubbish and honestly it has nothing to do with you. If anything I would be proud that ppl take a fancy to my tradition and culture. I think its awesome that they love our Indian attire. Stay safe, have fun. We sane Indians are with you… Cheers
By: Gori Girl on October 2, 2012 at 11:39 pm I’ve lost my login info for this page and I don’t have my old email address any longer to use as a login. This is “Gori Girl” – the writer of this article. Since I was last on this site, I have been deeply involved with radical politics here in Oakland. I have learned a lot about colonialism, patriarchy, white supremacy. In the past weeks I have been trying to explain to people involved in my local movement where they are using their own privilege and hitting brick walls. It made me think back to this article and some of the stupid, privileged, defensive things I said to people commenting on this post regarding my own white privilege and cultural appropriation. I would like at this time to deeply and humbly apologize to anyone I may have offended by being an oppressive, white, appropriating, obtuse person. I really regret how stupid I was being and just wanted everyone to know that I have learned better and am working hard on making the world a better place.
By: Jerry on October 3, 2012 at 2:53 pm @Gori Girl… I had to go through your article again as i was wondering if there was anything offensive at all in ur article… and honestly i didnt find… And briefly scanned thru the comments section and didnt find anything there either. I do see a a few heated arguments. BUT as an I would tell you, so long as you know how to wear a saree properly and carry yourself, I believe YOU have no reason to feel guilty in anyway… i know for a fact most indian men and women will be proud that you appreciate our traditional wear… I mean c’mon nearlly every other Indian purchases western attire from various stores / fashion labels/ brands all over the country. Wherever you go however there will be haters and nut jobs spewing nonsense… so long as you are proud of how u carry urself we are too… tk care n cheers
By: Karthik G. on October 3, 2012 at 3:27 pm Gori Girl, Thank you so much for this. In many ways it confirms a lot of what some of the more resistant people on this board have been saying. Jerry and others, you’re welcome to your own thoughts, but please stop using words like “we” to represent all South Asians. Also, you have a right to think we’re spewing hatred and are nut jobs, but then again, that’s just your opinion. If the author of this work herself has come to this realization, then perhaps you should take a second look at your own assumptions. It’s easy to ignore research and critical thought on post-colonialism, and it’s your choice, but until you have done the research and seen the results, you don’t have the right to judge those who are resistant.
By: HARRY on October 3, 2012 at 4:37 pm @ Karthick G. You are only representing group of minority from Indian origin not all of India Or Indians. So these are your views not everybody elses, because I don’t share your view despite what you are saying. There are few words of wisdom my mother told me before she died ” WHAT GOOD IS A MAN IF HE IS NOT GOOD “. Her definition of a good man was that, he would be able to do right when the time comes. Sides with the right side / person leaving race religion gender cast and creed aside and do the right thing when time comes. From what you are trying to say and do most don’t share your opinion on this forum and I am one of them. I don’t think anybody owns the right to clothing for wearing one as far as I know. All your arguments comes to one point where you are saying anybody who is white should not be allowed to have the same privilege as the rest of the Indian women on the basis that her ancestors or people looking like her ( same skin colour ) have enslaved brown and black people. So my question is, how is this faire in what you are saying. The people who did this have died and the people who they did it to have also died. So the question is where do you draw the line? Because somebody is white you can’t hold this against them for what has happened in the world. It’s past. Period.
By: Ellen on October 5, 2012 at 2:10 am It’s wonderful to hear such inspiring news, Gori Girl. It’s a tough thing to learn for everyone. Understanding colonialism and patriarchy made me rethink my white privilege as well. It would be a great message to get out to more people.
By: Jerry on October 9, 2012 at 10:14 am @ Harry agree with all that you have said. @ Karthik G: Just becos u have done some lame assed research does not change my opinion one bit .. You nor those resistent to the idea of ppl of other cultures adopting our dressing style is AGAIN NOT representative of everyone. And let me help calrify what i mean when i say “we”, i am referring to those who are NOT holding views such as yours. End of the day how long are we going to discriminate ppl on the bases of caste. religion, history etc… I think far too often people read to far too much into finding reasons to hold prejudices against one another!! Rather than encourage ppl to say you know what you like some about me, my culture or I like something about ur culture, appreciate the other, respect it and move on… I have friends in Australia, France, Germany and Finland… and you know what all of them visited India and have tried on a saree… and tried their best to carry it off… they were more comfortable in Kurta’s and Salwars though… and one wore ghaghra choli to my frnds wedding … Everyone appreciated them and we went shopping so that they cud gift their frnds and families back home… Some ppl really need to get a life and quit hating… i guess haters will be haters… And i can only imagine that Gori-Girls only mistake was having to raise the question, which must have lead to certain PPL suddenly making a hue & cry over it… And there will be endless justifications… its a freaking DRESS for crying out loud… Yes there might be some who think or thanks to the bubbles they live in consciously or unconscionably may speak out of terms with regards to the privilege they have come to experience… Often though ppl just mean well… they are things we can learn from another and most importantly learn to appreciate and understand one another…
By: Dianne Sharma Winter on October 11, 2012 at 8:45 am Gori Girl I just came across this article as I am writing a story on How To Wear a Sari in India and wow! what a reaction to your story!! As a colonised Maori woman its not appropriate for me to wear a sari because Maori women do not ever show their puku (midriff) to the world and I have never felt comfortable wearing them. But I do have to admit that whenever I have seen a gori wearing a sari in India, I shake my head and wonder about culture vulturism! Its enough to appreciate and respect Indian culture, salwaar kameez are so much less political!
By: E on October 11, 2012 at 2:34 pm I’m curious about how sari are political, Dianne. I also googled “sari caucasian” because I was curious about attitudes towards non-Indian women wearing a sari. It’s interesting for me because… well, this is my fashion research. I think it’s inappropriate for someone to wear something without research. But if I wear it, nobody can tell what thought (or lack of thought) went into the choice. It’s all about the instant look, isn’t it? Recently there was also a big discussion about the Native American patterns and designs showing up in designer clothes. I read a lot of long and very intelligent debate (on xojane, I think it was). A lot of points I think can be used across cultures. For example, it’s fine to wear a Native American design necklace, but buy from a reputable Native craft-person. Don’t wear a thing with great or sacred cultural or religious significance. So, if I wore a sari, I wouldn’t be wearing a bindi, because I am not married. And even if I was married, a bindi is not how a white person communicates married status, so I wouldn’t wear it. The same discussion happened among people who love kimono. They add, you must wear it correctly. A kimono has rules, how you wear it sends a message, the fabrics and colors have meaning, so please keep that in mind. It’s not a costume, it’s clothing. Does that apply to something that is still “alive”? I say a sari is “alive” because it is a common clothing in daily life. A kimono is no longer the traditional daily wear, it is old-lady clothes, or special occasion. Most Japanese people cannot put it on by themselves, and it is not as much a communication/social indicator anymore. If something is in daily life, its cultural or political message is still changing, and the meaning of wearing one is hard to know. I own four sari. One purchased from an fair-labor shop in southern India, two gauzy ones from a street shop northern India, and a cotton one from an Indian seller in Japan. I can dress myself and I have worn them in public, but not in America. I would like to, someday. Just in my daily life. I think they are beautiful, comfortable, and look well on me. But until I understand the meaning of sari more, I can’t. (even looking at a salwaar kameez shopping site, I’m overwhelmed. What matters between a Pakistani or a Churidar suit? If I buy a Kancheepuram silk one, how can I know it wasn’t made by child labor weavers? And so on.)
By: Dianne Sharma Winter on October 11, 2012 at 5:51 pm Hi E, when I carried on googling sari, I came across a whole lot of stuff. One was the same pic with this article with NO written across the image and then there were a few posting from Indians about how western women should probably not try to wear a sari and then just read the comments here! For myself it’s not an issue at all since a sari is not for me but as an indigenous woman myself I do appreciate that correct behaviour around someone else’s culture is vital. Maori philosophy is that of when in Rome do as the Romans do. http://desicritics.org/2008/03/01/094830.php What I find interesting is that most women are concerned that they don’t offend anyone by wearing a sari and my experience is that Indians will either appreciate it or not, you will either get the pleats wrong or not. AT the end of the day I think what the Indians may find offensive is the way in which western women justify their right to wear a sari! Who knew it was such a minefield? Maori are a bit the same regarding gori use of our culture, its probably something to do with colonial angst. For hundreds of years our culture was trashed and now its revived for fashion etc and then when we complain we get the same colonial justification that saw our lands taken, our men killed etc.
By: HARRY on October 11, 2012 at 6:14 pm @ E Bindi is not a sign of marriage. Other thing is weather cloths are made by kids or not what different does it make? When you are poor you have few choice work for your living or die of starvation. The question is which one us good? none, but you choose what you think it’s just at the time.
By: Gori Girl on October 14, 2012 at 2:15 am I’m actually surprised that so many people have commented since I apologized about a week ago. I would like to provide a link that goes to a page of resources about white privilege and cultural appropriation. I found them invaluable in deconstructing a lot of my assumptions, should anyone else be interested. http://vasundharaa.tumblr.com/post/31917466176/this-is-a-resource-post-for-all-the-good-white
By: Lesha on November 15, 2012 at 5:35 pm Hey, im black and wear indian clothes sometimes. Get many compliements because I look beautiful in it. People even mistake me for an indian. If you saw me you’d see I dont have black facial features. But anyway im not being rude since I support people being themself. But I dont think indian clothes suit white skin (mostly in sarees) Try a different colour like black and gold. But I think you should stay away from indian clothes for life I wasnt being rude but being honest. Anyway good luck in life. Take care
By: Chia1 on November 24, 2012 at 3:03 pm Wow! I can’t wait to tell my Nepali friend about this discussion. I think all attire should be worn based on the occasion. A white woman in a saree at a basketball game out of place. But a nice dinner date or something why not. Sarees look very fancy with the beading and sequence so for me it would depend on the style and the event weather i would wear one. But i totally get why a white woman would want to wear a saree they are BEAUTIFUL.
By: rajeev on November 30, 2012 at 4:56 pm you are looking beautiful. I always fascinates western girl in Indian satire. only they have to choose smartly. don’t choose anything bluntly. it is just a costume just like other garment. I think everyone from all race looks pretty. just choose smartly which look beautiful on you.
By: Rajpriya on November 30, 2012 at 5:46 pm The transparent Blouse she is wearing is cute too.
By: Kara on January 3, 2013 at 10:19 pm Frankly, I am a white girl. I have a love of beautiful things and the sari is one of those things. I understand that it is steeped in tradition, but doesn’t the kilt and tartan hold great meaning for the Scottish? Noone gets in a snit when I wear plaid. I know this is a rather simplistic view, but I feel that women should wear what makes them feel beautiful, whether or not it comes from their culture.
By: Rufus Brent on January 13, 2013 at 9:51 am “I began to wonder what people of Indian descent would really think of a white Westerner that would dare to wear a sari.” Depends on the individual person really, and you can’t please everyone. Honestly I don’t see the panic over ‘cultural appropriation’. The people of india did not invent the sari, the oldest person in india must be no more than 120 years old and the sari’s been around long before then. All of the people of india today were born and it already existed, none of them can say they made it (it’s also not an exclusively indian garment but that’s beside the point). The individual parties responsible for actually inventing the sari are long dead and I very much doubt they decreed “This is the exclusive property of all indians/pakistanis/etc and nobody else”. Instead their creation has been appropriated by others for generations and given different meanings to get to the role it has in indian society today. Nobody can rightfully claim they own it. The comment above me mentioned the kilt, seen as an example of scottish culture. Originally it was exclusively a highlands thing however, people in other parts of scotland never used to wear them. The rest of scotland appropriated it as their own, and I’m sure one could find evidence of highlanders as a whole appropriating it from some smaller community. There is a difference between what you describe as ‘cultural appropriation’ and outright mocking another culture, the latter of which is certainly unacceptable. But for the former I don’t see how anybody can legitimately claim they “own” a certain cultural item and nobody else is allowed it. Everything that exists is human culture, an example of something humans created, why shouldn’t all humans be allowed to do with it as they please? Certainly some people may be offended that others don’t recognise the same importance they do of some things but is that really such a tragedy? Being offended isn’t particularly taxing. Another thing is one shouldn’t really jump to conclusions and start tutting “cultural appropriation” upon seeing a white woman in a sari. You don’t know that woman, for all you know she could be indian herself (having maybe grown up in india or having indian ancestry) and have just as much right as any other indian person to wear it as she pleases.
By: Akasha on March 8, 2013 at 1:48 pm I stumbled upon this page and would like to chime in. I too am a Gori, and though my experience is with salwar kameez more than saris, I have some personal experience on the matter of westerners wearing Indian attire and how Indians perceive it. You see, I follow the Sikh faith. I regularly go to the Gurdwara and participatew as an active member of the sangat. I started wearing salwar kameez to the Gurdwara because well… thats what ALL the women wear there! Plus it’s more comfortable sitting on the floor with loose salwar than jeans or even khakis etc. When I first started to wear them, the aunties all commented how beautiful I looked! I started to get a few in my collection and then aome aunties actually started giving me suits – then jewelry too! Now I have a pretty good collection of punjabi suits – some cotton and mostly plain for the Gurdwara, some with more elaborate embroidery for dinners / dances and other Indian events that I inevitibly attend because of my being Sikh, and I even own 2 beautiful Anarkali suits that I love!!!! I wear them only for very special occasions. I am very fair… and I think I look good with bright colourful Indian clothes. I do know what colours suit me though and which ones wash my complexion out. I also have very dark hair and eyes though, which seem to help me actually look at least part Punjabi when I am dressed in Indian attire. My experience has always been hugely positive and nobody has taken offense to me wearing Indian clothing…. at all. I also make sure to always help with langar and do seva at the Gurdwara, and to engage the other members of the sangat in conversation. I am deeply into my chosen religion and they all know it and respect me for that so I have been accepted fully. And I can’t thank them enough!!! p.s. here is a pic of me in one of the Anarkali suits and wearing full Indian jewelry too including a tikka. Try saying that white girls can’t look good in Indian clothing after seeing it!!! Link to pic: http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5356/indianme.jpg
By: Sandra Hansen on April 5, 2013 at 6:24 pm I am a Caucasian woman and have been to India nine times since 1983. I have worn saris every time I went and spent more time wearing sari on each trip. Now I wear them well, comfortably, and receive many compliments. When I do not wear a sari in India, I may or may not be treated with respect. However, whenever I wear a sari, I am always treated with respect. I always receive compliments every time. It is not the sari that they are complimenting me on since I like the cheaper block print saris and rarely wear or buy expensive ones. In all these trips, not one person has suggested that I should not wear it. When I was still learning to wear it people still complimented me and straightened my pleats. My view is that when in Rome, do as the Romans. I feel like people respect me in India for wearing the sari because I appreciate the beauty of India and the sari and I am not trying to be some imperialist missionary telling them how to dress or wearing clothes that are offensive to their society. When I have worn a sari here in the states and acted as if it is as ordinary as wearing blue jeans, no one even batted an eye. It is when I wore it in the states and was uncomfortable in it that everyone looked. But I don’t wear it hear since it seems out of place in Michigan.
By: Ann on April 28, 2013 at 7:25 am I stopped reading when I got to the part where the author talked about reverse racism, like there is such a thing, like racism doesn’t require institutional power which only the hegemonic ruling class that is white people have. No, white girl, it is not okay for to wear a sari. The only time I don’t mind it is the person in question, though of a different cultural background, is intregated and socialized into Indian culture by family and friends. Otherwise, no. It is not okay and you should stop. There are great posts on tumblr about cultural appropriation that white people do and you should really read up on it. Also, perhaps read up on racism as well.
By: Ann on April 28, 2013 at 7:36 am Whitey should leave America as America belongs to the indigenous peoples that Whitey’s ancestors colonized. He should also enroll in some college classes as his English is atrocious. I won’t address any of Whitey’s arguments as he is obviously a racist fool. Don’t worry, Whitey, the day is coming when the POC of the world are going to drown out your ass with their accomplishments, talents, and intelligence. It’s already happening. I spent a year teaching in American schools, and I taught abroad as well. If that is an indication of the future, well, I fear for Whitey’s pasty ass. Oh, I’m sorry, was I an angry POC, Whitey? Fuck you. POC who’ve been enslaved, colonized, brutalized by white people and who to this day are institutionally treated as lesser, who are droned on and treated as collateral damage in neocolonialist wars, who have to listen to white people talk hilariously about post-racism and colorblindness don’t need to listen to your garbage nor do they do need to speak politely for the White Man’s sake.