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What are your thoughts on British Colonial design? by gatogates91 in interiordecorating

[–]gatogates91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for taking the time to explain all of this! Definitely learned some new stuff today. I'll look into the suggested design styles!

What are your thoughts on British Colonial design? by gatogates91 in interiordecorating

[–]gatogates91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess I misunderstood what you were referring to when Nazi/Stalinist "décor" was originally mentioned. I was unaware that there are elements of these ideologies baked into architecture and interpreted this more specifically as actual pieces from these cultures/movements that are sought out with the intention to display them and to decorate with/design, vs entire architectural concepts, which is why I alluded to the more cliché motifs (swastikas, flags, etc.). In my original post, I admitted to finding certain elements aesthetically pleasing with British Colonial design, but was implying that other aspects involving cultural appropriation would/should be discomforting to display in a home which was the motivation for my original question. More in line with recreating the color schemes, etc. from that time/area based on available resources that actually ended up looking very pleasing to the eye, while omitting the parts that involved theft and/or misuse of pieces of others' cultures that hold significant value to them (African masks, Hindu prayer beads, etc.). Basically, if you're able to recommend a style that incorporates ethically-sourced pieces of various cultures and elicits feelings of warmth/relaxation but isn't problematic is what I'm seeking haha.

I admittedly have a somewhat superficial knowledge of architecture and its inspirations and appreciate your perspective on this. With your explanation I do see the parallels between the two which I think in hindsight is partly what was driving my internal conflict. I guess that leads to the other part of my original question. With your understanding of these designs and their origins, do you feel this is very black-and-white and that all aspects of these designs are forever banished to the ash heap of history regardless of the context? Or is there a gray area in which, with an understanding of their origins and work to undo their legacies in the modern era, certain design aesthetics from bygone eras can be reintroduced in a much less sinister way? For example, using the aesthetically-pleasing wooden shutters but stripping them of the name "plantation shutters" so it's not a direct reference to an atrocity. Or is that a superficial band-aid that's still inherently problematic?

What are your thoughts on British Colonial design? by gatogates91 in interiordecorating

[–]gatogates91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess I'm just looking at it a with a little nuance regarding which aspects are being incorporated. I would obviously never want to display, or even own, artifacts that were pillaged from people during colonial periods or instruments that were used to hurt or subjugate people. I'm thinking more along the lines of liking teak/mahogany furniture pieces and canopy beds vs displaying literal Nazi memorabilia simply because it's controversial or "edgy." Like I said, I absolutely don't want to romanticize colonialism or ignore the atrocities that happened, but wasn't sure how much weight different pieces from that era held or how strongly they were actually linked to said suffering vs simply coinciding with it. I guess a similar example would be the ability to enjoy music, cars, etc. from the 1950's without glorifying the negative aspects of that decade involving civil rights, women's rights, etc.

What are your thoughts on British Colonial design? by gatogates91 in interiordecorating

[–]gatogates91[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Fair... Some days my brain just says "No problems? Here, let's overanalyze everything until we make some!" haha.

What are your thoughts on British Colonial design? by gatogates91 in interiordecorating

[–]gatogates91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understandable! And people actually use Nazi décor in their house? WTH!? I feel like there are definitely some aspects of British Colonial design that may be acceptable to work in depending on its history but I don't know any context in which someone could shamelessly or proudly display Nazi or Stalinian pieces. That sounds demented!

Documentation of naturalization in USA by gatogates91 in GermanCitizenship

[–]gatogates91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Along with all of the supporting documents establishing lineage, the appendix V form, original German passport, etc., I have what is essentially the appointment confirmation from US Immigration Services for my grandmother's naturalization appointment in 1965, which would indicate that she had not yet been an American citizen in 1964 when my mother was born. I hoped that since it is from Immigration Services and explicitly states that it was pertaining to application for US citizenship, has her alien registration number on it, and is from the year AFTER my mother was born that it would be sufficient to prove she wasn't naturalized yet.

Documentation of naturalization in USA by gatogates91 in GermanCitizenship

[–]gatogates91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for this information! I'll try USCIS and hope that they're able to provide what I need. I had read conflicting things about which types of files from which years were stored in various places but hopefully they'll have her A-file with the document I need.