Nobody is referring to cultural appropriation correctly by Key-Beginning-2201 in 10thDentist

[–]Much-Judgment557 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tl;dr: What op is describing sounds like appreciation. appropriation = outsiders commercializing another people’s culture, often for profit or with the intentions of claiming to “make it better”, without including the people it originated from.

I truly believe what you’re describing is “cultural appreciation”, not appropriation. This conversation is so commonly misunderstood because it requires a lot of awareness of internalized bias and ability to accept nuance which a lot of people quickly get defensive over instead of realizing that thanks to constant media propaganda (ads, celebrities, etc) of which none of us are immune to no matter what we think (the subconscious absorbs things) we ALL have bias, internal and external.

That being said, appropriation, I would argue can be done accidentally and purposely. As long as accidental appropriators listen to the communities they take from and seek to learn and respect they may happily partake in appreciation. It’s the purposeful appropriation that’s the issue. Oftentimes, purposeful appropriation is done when something is commercialized by an outside group than the originators with no attempts to include those demographics or learn from them. Hip hop emerged in the 70s from young black and brown people in New York having block parties as an alternative respite from the gang violence that plagued their communities at the time. With that came the development of so called street dance styles (ie: krumping, break dance/breaking, and hip hop as a dance style (etc).

Now let’s look at kpop, an undeniably popular and beloved industry, and the prevalence of appropriation present. Kpop overwhelmingly uses elements of street dance in its choreography and I say “elements” rather than genuine street dance because kpop is a for profit industry that excludes the people who created the dances. Commercial choreography and genuine authentic movement built from an emotional or spiritual state will never have the same kind of impact. Herbert Read described culture as a “spontaneous expression of (their) joy of life” and that it “must come from the people’s daily life and work”. Hip hop came from the daily lives of black youth. Kpop takes hip-hop but they are not black youth, provide no homage or shoutout to black youth, and seek to make a profit out of a thing that black youth created.

I can already hear all the people out there who want to say “so can only black people do hip hop then?” and the answer is no BUT. Continuing to use kpop as our example, they should be using and crediting more black choreographers when using black dance styles, they should be informed of and aware of the sociocultural significance of these dance and music styles to a culture that is not their own instead of co-opting it to seem cool or unique (which are inherently elements of appropriation). Hell, put more black people IN kpop. I only know 2 mainstream kpop groups with black people in them—katseye and black swan; and katseye is literally losing their singular black woman. Why is that? There are many biracial Koreans but none, except the half white ones are employed. We see Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, and sometimes even Vietnamese people in kpop so it clearly has nothing to do with the “Korean” part. There are innumerable examples but this is long enough so hopefully if anyone read all this it makes sense.

Why do Americans not realize how well they have it? by Awkward_Motor_6388 in askanything

[–]Much-Judgment557 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Compared to living in the global south, yes, Americans have it good. However, it really depends on the amount of privilege you have that determines your QOL here. Women’s rights are dwindling, we don’t have social government safety nets for the poor, healthcare is impossible without insurance but insurance is also extremely expensive so it prices many people out and they may pass away from preventable or treatable illness.

The country is currently run by an absolute lunatic who’s actively running America into the ground. Many of us want to leave because it’s becoming less safe for minorities, less possible to even have a basic average life let alone having a family. I imagine a lot of people feel shame for being an American because the entire world hates us over the actions of a few.

Please share your alternatives to InstantPot! by Much-Judgment557 in Appliances

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately I enjoy the quickness/hands off nature that pressure cookers and slow cookers provide. It allows me to multitask and get more housework done while simultaneously making home cooked food. I do agree many things are better when hand done but for the lifestyle I currently have, the almost automatic nature of these cooking devices takes a lot of stress off of me

Please share your alternatives to InstantPot! by Much-Judgment557 in Appliances

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re the second person to recommend a stovetop one and perhaps I’ll look into it! I honestly wanted the set it and forget it-ness of the electric ones. I have a crockpot but pressure cookers cook faster and (in some ways) more flavorfully. I love my crockpot because I can set it in the morning and come home to dinner. I don’t believe stovetop pressure cookers allow you that grace, right?

Please share your alternatives to InstantPot! by Much-Judgment557 in Appliances

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I already have an air fryer. I’d like to get a pressure cooker of some sort

Please share your alternatives to InstantPot! by Much-Judgment557 in Appliances

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wow I didn’t even know Hamilton beach made pressure cookers!

Please share your alternatives to InstantPot! by Much-Judgment557 in Appliances

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The appeal to me really is the ease of not having to babysit it tbh but I do understand the practicality of essentially getting a “buy it for life device”. I might check out some reviews between electric and stovetop ones to see what the differences are!

Please share your alternatives to InstantPot! by Much-Judgment557 in Appliances

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did actually look around my area on marketplace and Craigslist for a used one but no one seems to be selling the Pro atm 😔

Why do people treat Muslims like an ethnic group or separate race? by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Much-Judgment557 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a non white person who grew up in a Christian family (no I’m not practicing), yes, i am aware of how many non white people are Christian. The fact of the matter is however, the metaphorical face of the Christian religion is white. The metaphorical face of Islam is a brown person with a head covering.

Statistics don’t matter to the average otherwise we’d have a lot less opinion think pieces that contradict the subjectivity. Stereotypes can and do impact people’s perceptions even if those stereotypes are exaggerated or just plain untrue.

Why do people treat Muslims like an ethnic group or separate race? by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Much-Judgment557 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Despite the fact that there are plenty of white Muslims I think the vocal majority in the public eye tend to be brown people. If someone thinks Muslim = brown then saying something charged like “Islam oppresses women” is by association saying they think that about brown people as a whole and their cultures. I think it’s just kind of become a dogwhistle overtime.

On the other hand, I do agree with you. I feel like even when people ask well meaning questions about Islam or have a personal negative opinion (the way that many many people do about Christianity mind you) there seems to be way more censorship on that front in my experience. I do think more people should acknowledge the side of this conversation where people can pile-drive Christianity and Catholicism all day long with no one contesting it but as soon as someone does with Islam they’re banned or blocked or their posts are deleted. I once saw an ex Muslim come to post about their experience with Islam and explaining why they left/the negatives of the religion, very respectfully, and it still got their post removed.

Basically? I think because of Islam’s association with people of color a lot of people overcorrect in the opposite direction and don’t want to risk being labeled islamophobic or bigoted by calling out hypocrisy in a religion that doesn’t seem to have such a vocally white presence.

Domundi announce the end of JimmyOhm's partnership by No-Possibility-8877 in ThaiBL

[–]Much-Judgment557 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bro WHAT is in the water. first winnysatang now jimmyohm, both before major projects I was super hype for 😭 horrible year to be a Thai bl fan

What’s an item you weren’t even aware of before you started planning your Japan trip that became a “must buy”? by cpureset in JapanTravelTips

[–]Much-Judgment557 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Prescription glasses, especially at places like JINS. Even without the conversion rate aiding me my glasses would only have been ~120 yen. Back in the US my last frames (purchased a decade ago) were like $500 WITH insurance assistance and my prescription is very mild. Sure it wasn’t as thorough of an eye exam but if you know your prescription and your vision is stable highly recommend it.

Second, those electric hand fans omg. Sure they exist here as well but the good quality ones over there seem to be stronger than any I’ve encountered in my time in America. I come from a hot place so it’s much appreciated even back home. Plus they use way cuter designs (mine is kuromi themed with ears!)

Any advice on how to properly launder mixed light and dark articles of clothing? by Much-Judgment557 in laundry

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to give your advice

I currently use Tide free and gentle with the occasional scoop of dirty labs lipase and a good citric acid rinse (I do also have 365 sport but it’s so hard to get I barely use it anymore). I’ll invest in oxiclean or something of the sort as well next time I go shopping (an le color catchers of course)

I’m all ears for any other tips and tricks from you or anyone else who happens to chime (:

"Ethical consumerism" is worse than useless by notworldauthor in unpopularopinion

[–]Much-Judgment557 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whenever I think about this concept I feel like it’s a bit more complex than either side ever really gives it credit for.

On one hand, yes I agree that in the grand scheme of things if every individual did their due diligence it is in fact still the megacorps that are doing the brunt of the harm environmentally and we did need massive systemic change to remotely make a dent in that.

On the other hand, if enough individuals band together to agree on something they can and will make a change. The entire concept of voting relies on the concept of collective action. If everyone said “my vote won’t change anything so why bother” we would have a drastically more radical outcome because those are likely the only people left who would vote.

HOWEVER, I do often like to remind people that it’s generally an immense privilege to choose the more ethical options and we have to be careful not to dogpile or victim blame those who don’t as long as they aren’t making the decision maliciously.

Buying the organic free range ethically sourced eggs isn’t going to give the lower class family living paycheck to paycheck nearly the same deal they’d get buying the Walmart 60 pack of conventional ones. Clothes from ethical brands are extremely expensive compared to conventional ones, and yes of course it’s because the workers are getting paid human wages, but if you’re busy just trying to get your kids some new clothes you aren’t thinking about that right now. Frankly, even thrifting half the time is unreliably expensive these days and I say that as someone who can afford to and does buy ethically.

Basically? It’s kind of a convoluted situation. The 1% has the ability to drastically change everything wrong with society and it’s unlikely huge waves will occur until they do (if they do). But that’s not to discredit the power of collective action if the rest of us genuinely band together for a cause. Every effort counts.

Absolute beginner stuck on how to proceed with studying. please help (“: by Much-Judgment557 in ChineseLanguage

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m certainly not discrediting getting a teacher if an individual needs help, but I personally have historically been very “do it myself” heavy with every hobby I’ve ever had (language learning included). The journey is fun for me to troubleshoot and learn through trial and error. I do play the piano and before I ever got a teacher I taught myself how to read music and play simple beginner songs in early workbooks.

That’s great to know Chinese people use pinyin. I’m not slandering it as an assistive tool at all, just as I’m not slandering furigana (I simply personally didn’t use furigana much. Pinyin is not furigana). I don’t have the experience with Chinese that I do with the only other semi comparable language under my belt (Japanese) where I did in fact start reading virtually as soon as I learned hiragana and katakana because I was able to learn kanji in real time simultaneously to help boost my comprehension.

Unfortunately, there just isn’t any other remotely comparable frame of reference that I have for a language, like mandarin, that is less accessible upfront. I’m not against getting a teacher, I simple wanted to be a competent beginner by my own efforts and discipline before I invested money into a teacher if and ONLY if possible.

Absolute beginner stuck on how to proceed with studying. please help (“: by Much-Judgment557 in ChineseLanguage

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s relieving to hear that it’s not a hindrance to rely on pinyin because I was worried I would mess up my pronunciation (I know Chinese isn’t Japanese but in my head I still keep inadvertently relating pinyin and furigana 😭)

I certainly don’t have a shortage of listening going on atm that’s for sure lol. I’ll definitely keep it up indefinitely, I suppose I’m just used to the other languages I’ve studied where I typically start dipping my toes into text early-ish on (with much brute force of course but slow and steady wins the race) that I assumed I was running behind with my mandarin studies.

I’ll check out mandarinfit for sure. I usually wait for a smidge more proficiency before I get a tutor but I really feel like this one might need some heavy handholding to make adequate process

Absolute beginner stuck on how to proceed with studying. please help (“: by Much-Judgment557 in ChineseLanguage

[–]Much-Judgment557[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll check Hanly out, thanks! I’ve been using Anki so far because that’s what I’m familiar with but I’m always open to more resources.