Re: Henna racism - just a rant

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Posted by Monica Tittle on June 9, 2003 at 16:37:53:

In reply to: Henna racism - just a rant posted by PPC on June 8, 2003 at 19:51:02:

Yeah, you may be overreacting a bit, but it is a bit justifiable. We
all want to be judged by who we are and what we can do but
unfortunately life just isn't that way a lot of the time. It sucks
that you and Catherine and any other henna artist gets treated this way.

But we all have our cultural blinders and it takes a long time to get
rid of them. Personally, it was ages before I would ever concider a
biscuit made north of Virginia a real biscuit because it just wasn't
right if it wasn't made by a born Southerner. Yeah, I knew that
flour, fat, buttermilk and baking soda is the same no matter who mixes
them, but by god biscuits were a Southern thing and could only be made
correctly by someone who grew up making them at Mamaw's side. Yes it
terribly silly, but it takes a lot for people to take those blinders
off and let go of what they feel is 'theirs'.

I don't feel that any of this comes from hate or isolationism, it's
just that traditions make up a huge part of our identity and for some
people, it often feels like part of who you are is being stolen when
someone outside of your culture uses your traditions. It's hard to
realize that the only way other people will respect your culture is if
they know about your traditions and can celebrate them with you.

I'm going to go henna my feet now then I might just make a pan of
biscuits because I've made myself hungry. LOL!

Follow Ups

I don't know if it makes you feel any better, but... (ridiculously long) Rose 05:30:23 6/11/2003 (2)
- You hit the nail on the head regarding this issue,. Rose! more Meena 21:26:40 6/12/2003 (1)
  - Thanks Meena Rose 08:23:18 6/13/2003 (0)

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: Yeah, you may be overreacting a bit, but it is a bit justifiable. We : all want to be judged by who we are and what we can do but : unfortunately life just isn't that way a lot of the time. It sucks : that you and Catherine and any other henna artist gets treated this way. : : But we all have our cultural blinders and it takes a long time to get : rid of them. Personally, it was ages before I would ever concider a : biscuit made north of Virginia a real biscuit because it just wasn't : right if it wasn't made by a born Southerner. Yeah, I knew that : flour, fat, buttermilk and baking soda is the same no matter who mixes : them, but by god biscuits were a Southern thing and could only be made : correctly by someone who grew up making them at Mamaw's side. Yes it : terribly silly, but it takes a lot for people to take those blinders : off and let go of what they feel is 'theirs'. : : I don't feel that any of this comes from hate or isolationism, it's : just that traditions make up a huge part of our identity and for some : people, it often feels like part of who you are is being stolen when : someone outside of your culture uses your traditions. It's hard to : realize that the only way other people will respect your culture is if : they know about your traditions and can celebrate them with you. : : I'm going to go henna my feet now then I might just make a pan of : biscuits because I've made myself hungry. LOL!
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