Post #805387 by telescopes on Tue, Sep 6, 2022 5:58 PM

Not sure I buy any of the cultural appropriation talk.

First, the history of islanders being over run by Europeans is well known, and Two, the islanders slaughtered each other whenever the chance availed itself to them. The culture was violent and none of us would have wanted to wash up on the shores of any of the Pacific islands during the 1500s. The whole invention of peace loving natives is as much a myth as Tiki Culture in Bars.

I am fully aware of what Americans and Europeans did to the islanders.

I am also aware that when one tribe conquered another tribe, the men were slaughtered and the women were appropriated - and not in a nice way. Cultural appropriation would have been a blessing for them rather than rape and slavery.

The world is a messy place. I try not to make it any messier. I try not to offend other cultures, and I do my best to be respectful.

But what I don't do is pretend that the whole bloody mess can be rectified and simplified by being "mindful". What people really want is restitution and equality and an opportunity to live the life or lives that autonomy would deliver if it were possible. My getting rid of a mug won't deliver anything on that front.