Post #55973 by seamus on Mon, Oct 20, 2003 3:04 PM

Jungletrader has opened up what I consider to be a very overlooked aspect of the Tiki culture, and Swanky was right to say that it is getting into religion, but he is also right in saying that it is a legitimate discussion to have here. The vast majority of folks I've met that are into Tiki are into the "pop culture" version of what once was(and still is to many) sacred religious expression. I am sure that an ambitious and so inclined "Politically Correct" advocate could have a field day with the whole idea of Tiki pop cuture. Sure, most of us see this as harmless fun that is really not meant to be taken too seriously, but so was the pop version of Native American culture that ended up as cigar store carvings and mascots for all kinds of professional sporting teams. Many don't have a problem with the Chiefs or the Redskins, etc,, but many do. I sometimes can't help but wonder what an indigenous island people would think of a bunch of Westerners adorning their bars, pubs and taverns with cartoon versions of their sacred deities and, as Swanky said, "getting drunk with them". As many of you know, I too create Tikis, and whenever anyone has tried to place too heavy of an importance on the Tikis I make, I laugh it off and try to explain that these are just cartoon versions and not meant to be taken too seriously. But imagine what might happen if someone was carving cartoon Indians and tomahawks and trying to sell them at a booth at a swap meet, or the state fair! Every person with a thimbles worth of Indian blood would be highly offended, and the ACLU would shut them down- or worse. Someone please tell me why Polynesian Pop(not our beloved member, but the entire scene!!!) has not yet entered the sights of the PC police? What makes having fun with one culture OK and another taboo?
Keep in mind I live in the great Northwest where Political Correctness is the order of the day and there are any number of jack booted thugs that are here to make sure it stays that way. If you are fortunate enough to live in a place where the uptight do gooders have not yet taken over, perhaps you have not yet been forced to deal with these uncomfortable and delicate issues. I am deeply sorry if I have bummed anyone out by this post, but I feel it's a topic worthy of a bit of soul searching.