Problematic

[scarsnsouvenirs]

I bought these shows yesterday at TJ Maxx--I bargained for them and got them for $7.00, and they are my favorite color and they are basically slippers that I can wear out of the house.

Comments

[modern_girl]

I'm Ojibwe and I have no problem with it! Though my blood quantam is low (therefore I can't enroll in my tribe). But I don't think there's anything culturally or spiritually important to moccasins. They were just footwear. Now if you started to wear a jingle dress, that could be more problematic.

[lemon_says]

Moccasins are comfortable as hell, and unless you're planning to open a sweat lodge I wouldn't worry about appropriation. There's a difference between homage and appropriation, and if you're not claiming any attachment other than appreciation, that's when you toe to line (if you'll pardon the pun, as we are talking shoes).

[grammarcookie]

even though i don't have an answer, i appreciate that you consider these questions. they're a matter of concern to me too. when i try to bring personal experience as a member of a minority culture into it, i am no less muddled. i don't mind that people are becoming acquainted with middle eastern food - but i would prefer they know their hummos from their tahini, and their quality hummos from their grocery-store version, you know? yet also, i can't say with certainty that the same necessarily goes for dress as for food - although i also can't be sure why it wouldn't be

[grammarcookie]

less academically: how do you bargain at tjmaxx?

[sugar_for_sugar]

My opinion is that it would make me pretty freaking sad to think I had to police wearing or worshipping or doing or whatever things I like to avoid offending someone, because honestly, whatever I do, say, wear, or don't do, say, or wear, I'm offending somebody and so I'd rather please myself.

Then again, I come from a very unpopular and slightly unusual socio-political standpoint. My cultural and religious identities are very fluid and I tend to go by a "whatever works" sort of adaptation whereby I absorb things I like as I come by them. I don't find this the slightest bit problematic, honestly. We live in a global community, and I'm sick of people saying "we're all the same and equal and we should get along" out of one side of their mouths and "you can't do that, that's just for (group)!" out of the other. Look, if we keep creating all these barriers we'll remain divided. Are we in this together, or not?So in conclusion, I think you shouldn't sweat it. Worrying about a moccasin unintentionally being a cultural kick in the pants to

[peacefuel]

What an interesting discussion you've sparked here! Interesting enough that I'm inspired to leave my own two cents behind