Because Finch posted an epic link and I got the tl;dr...

[yukie]

I know uh an unfortunate number of pagans and hipsters - all white/Western Euro descent, all naive - who do not believe they are appropriating stuff because they were 'called' or it 'doesn't matter'. To them I say: yeah, that's how all the rest of your ilk get so very fucked up on Ayahuasca or Datura or Peyote, because it 'called you' and you didn't want to take the time to do it right by finding a teacher and listening because it 'didn't matter'. And now that purple squirrel over there is calling you a dumbass and it's RIGHT.

And now it's going to steal your pants and the fucking space coyote WARNED you, didn't it? Don't puke on the space coyote, it's not his fault.

(I'm only half kidding. I actually did overhear a guy talking about hallucinating a sarcastic purple squirrel who 'pimphanded' him for being a dipshit and taking too much of whatever he took.)

There is soooo much difference between an actual sweat lodge ceremony and the kind of BS that I've seen swindlers try to pass off as such. There is a world of difference between, say, my BFF's uncle going out and taking the time to learn about his heritage (they're Métis and he was one of the first in the family to really embrace the native side of that), get in contact with an elder, learn about how to find and prepare herbal remedies... and some dilettante (I'm sorry, but they are) thinking that alls they gotta do to be a proper herbalist is read a couple books and online fact sheets.

Some stuff is always going to stay inside the house as it were, and covetous people throwing temper tantrums on the doorstep is meaningless. Considering the...unique (read: depressing) history that Euro folks in general have with Native folks, you can bet your ass that I was blown away when BFF's uncle took us and a couple friends to a potluck at a community centre and the drum circle guys said, "Hey, this is an open dance for everyone, so if you wanna dance go ahead!" I said I wasn't native though and they said "duh it's an OPEN dance". That dance was open. Some weren't. Not everyone is obliged to share their stuff with you-the-privileged majority and demanding they do so JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT THEM TO is a big ol' monster show of that privilege.

We-the-pasty-privileged are not OWED dickity-dang. No one is obliged to give us anything. We have access to a shit ton already and we should thank our lucky sparkly stars for that, because god only knows it's not always approached respectfully.

...lol wow this is a rant. Sorry. It's just an issue that hits very CLOSE TO HOME for me because, ohai, BFF IS MÉTIS, and I have seen poeple assume stupid things about him because he is Métis and I have seen people in Ontario (they're in NB now - which has a huge huge huge Métis population - BFF jokes about being descended from two of the most kicked around groups in Canada, the Acadiens and the Native folks) try to trick his francophone mother out of the tax exemption she is owed (and that is not even money the store would GET TO KEEP) and I have had profs in university who survived those fucking awful schools and goddamn it it IS a big deal.

Blargh.

So yeah - appropriation exists, and at best an appropriator is a careless numpty. At worst they are one unlucky stiff. A woman in an RP I used to be in had an acquiescence who - wait for it - got Erzulie's vever as a tattoo. Needless to say her romantic relationships were all uh. Something. And that's a fairly mild-ish example!

Energy work and work with herbs isn't just goof-offage. Do your homework before you do things, and for frick's sake be respectful and know when to leave well enough alone. You are not owed knowledge. No seeker is owed knowledge simply because they are a seeker. If something calls you, have the respect to answer it in a way that involves an educated approach.

Please. Or it may go upside your head. XD;

Comments

[birgitriddle]

The only pinging I get from a deity of this continent is from Sedna and I don't know why. But I know she is as hell not safe to deal with and I'm not sure how to deal with this attraction to her that I've had since I was a kid. Also, I don't feel like it'd be appropriate to approach her since I'm not of Inuit blood or have the blood of any of the people who deal with her in some form, whether be under another name or not.

This is my super-srs icon, at least at 2 AM

[ambersweet]

If you feel a draw from a culture not your own, take it slowly, do your homework, and listen. Listen to the goddess, watch for a teacher, and make sure that humility and respect is your watchword when you're dealing with people who CAN claim a heritage in that culture. In our modern, mixed-race society, there are rarely straight lines to anywhere, and a calling can come from any direction. But make sure you check your privilege at the door.

Realistically, I think the fundamental difference between appropriation and genuine appreciation is respect. Respect the culture, respect the gods, respect the people that you'll meet, and be ready to learn but don't demand that they teach you. Other people got there first (culturally speaking), they outrank you pretty much every time.

Re: This is my super-srs icon, at least at 2 AM

[birgitriddle]

Hai serious Pikachu icon. ^^

Anyways, yeah, I try and be respectful, but I have this characteristic of being scared of practically doing anything new. >< Too timid. Besides, I think at this time, it's just more of a reminder that she's there and might be more there in the future because I have my own patron who has far more of a claim on me and is more of my own cultural background. You know, get more of a handle on home base before faring off. Or something like.

Re: This is my super-srs icon, at least at 2 AM

[yukie]

I don't blame you being unnerved, I very much share that fear.

And you strike me as being very unlikely to appropriate because you consider the chance that you could by mistake? If that makes any sense? I guess it's like being less likely to step on toes if you tread more carefully.

I mean. I get extremely antsy about getting nudged by Ereskigala because I am whitey white white McWhite of the clan O'Pasty, and even though Sumeria is one of THE cradles of human civilization, I still feel like I might step on feet.

All I can do is proceed with caution and the right attitude I guess. I'm not real PROUD so that's a plus? XD;

Bwah, I dunno. it's difficult. It really is!

[ambersweet]

You might end up an unlucky stiff in the most literal way possible. This is the kind of shit that happens when appropriation is handled badly. People die.

[yukie]

Oh god that made me rage so hard. I was going *APOPLECTIC SNARL-O-RAMA* because godDAMN it talk about doing it WRONG. When they're done right those ceremonies are - it's spiritual nourishment. One of my family members has a lot of associates who work in addiction recovery. Some of them are from different native communities, and one group decided they were going to mix their traditions with the imported Euro ones.

They found that the ceremony was really helpful for a bunch of people. not for all, because no cure is universal, but a lot of people found that it helped them cope with withdrawal symptoms or lowered the intensity of the symptoms - the reasons why are probably different for every person but I jsut think that's so damned cool.

I do believe that nurturing your spirit is important as much as is taking care of the body and - urgh. Sweat ceremonies aren't supposed to be used the way that damn greedy jackass was trying with his fake one. Just what the hell. Why would you even. I. MY BRAIN STOPPED.

[finch]

got Erzulie's vever as a tattoo

That... sounds like the worst idea ever if you don't know what you're doing.

[yukie]

When Ojou told me, and I googled to recollect whom Erzulie was (lolnoob), my jaw hit the desk.