Wolfen's Webworld

(My primary tumblr is actually hellyeahtrickster! And if you're looking for my sideblog for The Untamed, go here.) WolfenM / Wolfen Moonsget (formerly Moondaughter): a freelance artist / writer from Chicago, now living in Florida. Bi-poly / pansexual, genderfluid. She / They (He only when I'm very obviously presenting as male). I'm the Assistant Reviews Editrix and the Co-Art Director for Sequential Tart, and creator of the Gaiankind storyverse. All images and text in posts *originating* with wolfenm, untamed-wolfenm, wolfenm-marvelling, or hellyeahtrickster © WolfenM / Crying Wolf Studio; if you're new to Tumblr, I do often "reblog" stuff from others here as well, so not everything here is mine ....

[wolfenm]

In honour of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Tiger, some photos I've taken of tigers at Disney's Animal Kingdom! Enjoy! (The first one is actually a long vertical collage. I can't find the originals anymore! *cry*)

[wolfenm]

Belated Happy Birthday, Jeon Jeong-guk by WolfenM on DeviantArt

Belated Happy Birthday, Jeon Jeong-guk by WolfenM

This is a very, very late birthday present to the man better known as "Jungkook", member of the K-Pop band BTS (aka Bangtan Sonyeondan, aka Bulletproof Boy Scouts). I was overwhelmingly busy during his birthday, and things haven't slowed down much since. Please forgive me! 🙏 At least I finished it before 2021 was done where I live! Watercolour (with hints of coloured pencil and white acrylic) on Arches watercolour paper. Two photorefs used.

[wolfenm]

Happy Birthday Kim Taehyung! by WolfenM on DeviantArt

Happy Birthday Kim Taehyung! by WolfenM

A portrait of Kim Taehyung, aka V, of the K-Pop group BTS, in honour of his birthday (December 30th). Watercolour and a smidge of coloured pencil, on Arches cold press watercolour paper. I used a photo reference.

[wolfenm]

Somewhere, Temuera Morrison has a picture of me.

[wolfenm]

Instagram Picspam Masterpost of my first trip to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge!

My review at Sequential Tart - http://www.sequentialtart.com/reports.php?ID=12580

Post 1 - Nightstalker (@nigh-nigh), Tata, and Chimmy outside the Millenium Falcon (rather, the ride "The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers' Run").

Post 2 - Nightstalker, Tata, and Chimmy share blue milk from Bubo Womba Family Farms.

Post 3 - Nightstalker, Tata, and Chimmy in a hanger on a Star Destroyer (in the attraction "Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance")

Post 4 - Inside the Millennium Falcon - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXU_BKVuCWT/

Post 5 - Pics from "Rise Of The Resistance", part 2 (the queue) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXejczOTIu/

Post 6 - Pics from "Rise Of The Resistance", part 2 (Briefing and mission) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXfoFVOJiJ/

Post 7 - Pics from "Rise Of The Resistance", part 3 (Capture by the First Order) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXhB1BugeR/

Post 8 - Pics from "Rise Of The Resistance", part 4 (Escape) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXh453OQgG/

Post 9 - Pics from the market at Black Spire Outpost, part 1 (entry and Bina's Creature Stall) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXjgPKOws-/

Post 10 - Pics from the market at Black Spire Outpost, part 2 (Toydarian Toymaker, Black Spire Outfitters, Kat Saka's Kettle) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXk53xO4-f/

Post 11 - Pics from the market at Black Spire Outpost, part 3 (Jewels Of Bith, Kat Saka's Kettle, Ronto Roasters, and other areas) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXrZB2uw_M/

Post 12 - Pics from the market at Black Spire Outpost, part 4 (Jewels Of Bith and other areas) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXsNGgOpl9/

Post 13 - Pics from the market at Black Spire Outpost, part 5 (Ronto Roasters) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXtxqHuUJe/

Post 14 - Pics from Dok Ondar's Den of Antiquities, part 1 - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaAZskOHna/

Post 15 - Pics from Dok Ondar's, part 2 - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaBns9un47/

Post 16 - Vid of Dok Ondar - https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXaCzJCFDuA/

Post 17 - Pics from the Droid Depot, part 1 - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaJFCvOyQx/

Post 18 - Pics from the Droid Depot, part 2, as well as pics from The Milk Stand, and of the special Star Wars Coke bottles - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaLbXgOwQF/

Post 19 - Pics about The First Order, and pics of the exterior of "Smugglers Run" - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaM3MEOrlG/

Post 20 - More pics from inside of "Smugglers' Run", and pics of Chewbacca by an X-Wing - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaNxDeu10q/

Post 21 - More pics from outside of "Smugglers' Run", and miscellaneous pics of Batuu's Black Spire Outpost - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaOm6Nu6m4/

Post 22 - More miscellaneous pics of Batuu's Black Spire Outpost -https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaPgDVuBUA/

Post 23 - Even more miscellaneous pics of the outpost - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaQOKTudNd/

Bonus post: Nightstalker, Tata, and Chimmy by a ship (sorry, I didn't take note of the vehicle name).

Bonus post: talking Tauntan and talking Porg plushes, and light-up souvenir "milk pail" (for the blue milk) - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXVAc1lO9o4/

Bonus post: Kyber Crystal unpack - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXWctEFOyOs/

Bonus post: Nightstalker, Tata, and Chimmy outside Star Tours

[wolfenm]

This year's holiday decor ....

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=WolfenMoonsget&set=a.2048048298706807

[wolfenm]

Happy Birthday Kim Seokjin! by WolfenM on DeviantArt

Happy Birthday Kim Seokjin! by WolfenM

I used a photo-reference. Watercolour, coloured pencil, and a smidge of black fine-line Sharpie, on Arches cold-pressed watercolour paper (I cut a 10"x14" sheet in half).  Had trouble making out the ear buds – I hope the ears don’t look too terrible, LOL!

Please don't repost, only reblog!

[heyatleastitsnotcancer]

The SSI Restoration Act of 2021 is currently proposed to congress. SSI is a type of disability payment for disabled Americans. The bill will increase the SSI payment to the poverty level (right now the maximum payment is 9528$ a year). It will allow disabled people on SSI to marry and not lose their income. It will increase the asset and income caps for SSI among other improvements.

Friends and I made a website that has all of this info plus a REALLY easy way to send an email to your state reps. If you click the link below and click send email, you can send a letter of support for the SSI Restoration Act to your state reps. It's already written and takes only a few minutes. Seriously it is ridiculously easy. These emails have more pull to reps than resistbot so please fill out if you can!

We also have a Facebook page called "Campaign to Fix SSI" that has this information and regular updates. Here's the link for that.

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

Please do this and boost! It could change the lives of millions of disabled Americans.

[heyatleastitsnotcancer]

This got a big boost in reblogs/likes the last day or two. We are up to over 500 letters sent! Please keep boosting and if you are in the US and able to, actually do the letter campaign. We got 3 new cosponsors on the bill this week alone and will only get more if you contact your representatives.

[heyatleastitsnotcancer]

We are up to 900 signatures! The post is losing a bit of traction that it's had the last week (which has been amazing) so please keep boosting and send those letters! (and call your members of congress if you are able to. That holds the greatest weight but I understand it's challenging for many)

[heyatleastitsnotcancer]

10,000 notes and 1,700 letters sent. Imagine if everyone who reblogged/liked who could send a letter did. The numbers would be huge. So please if you reblog/like and are able, please send a letter in support of the SSI restoration act.

This could change the lives of millions of Americans.

[heyatleastitsnotcancer]

We are almost to 2,000 letters but we've lost a lot of momentum lately. If anyone can sign and circulate this, please do. If you have any questions, please ask. After the pretty much destruction of the build back better bill, we need to push even harder to get this passed. Millions of Americans are depending on this bill passing, myself included.

[ao731]

To anyone hesitating bc they think this will be difficult it is not... if you have auto fill, your name address will automatically be filled... the letter generates for you...you dont need to know your representatives names or areas it populates for you... i had to write in my telephone number in and clicked about four buttons... then shared with my Facebook and twitter which also populated on its own... its not hard and it took all off two minutes in total. Please use your voice for good

[geekydemigodinthevoid]

I love that the internet saw people comparing women and other alienated groups of people and went, “they’re dating,” and, “they support each other.” We’re improving as a society.

[geekydemigodinthevoid]

Does anyone know who these artists are?? They’re brilliant and I’d like to credit them!!

[geekydemigodinthevoid]

[cell113]

THIS IS HOW TO TAKE A TRASH OPINION COMIC AND MAKE IT BETTER. THANK YOU.

[ophidahlia]

The best genre to ever have existed

[bowie-boy]

These improved my day

[surprisebitch]

GAY RIGHTS

[criizomheavvn-deactivated202111]

these are the only things in the world i find worth crying for becayse it’s so fcking cute and wholesome wtf

[ghost-writer143]

I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE OG ARTIST GREW OUT OF THEIR I’M NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS PHASE

AND NOW THE GIRLS ARE CANON

[cipheramnesia]

The “guys I respect” artist also came out as non-binary, generally got more accepting. It’s growth.

[archatlas]

Nikita Busyak Creates Architectural Drawings That Look Like They’re Illuminated With Real Lights

A simple flick of the switch can transform a home from dark and asleep to bright and full of life. Ukraine-based artist Nikita Busyak captures this effect in his enchanting pen and ink illustrations of cityscapes. In each architectural drawing, he digitally manipulates the windows so that they glow with golden light, making it seem as though someone is home.

[yumearashi]

Parents of Reddit Confess Why They Regret Having Kids

"I felt nothing for the child, it was like an object to me."

This is so important, stories like this need to be told.  The cultural insistence we have that parenthood is some kind of magical bonding that happens every time without exception does real harm to both parents and children, as you can see from some of these stories:

My father recently told me he never wanted kids, but my mother wanted them. She thought he would love us when we were born.

and

I didn’t realize that a maternal instinct is not universal. You know how you see parents in the delivery room and they are crying tears of joy? I felt nothing. […] My boys are well cared for and I am always here for them, but it feels very unnatural and fake and unenjoyable. It is a bit like a retail job you don’t like where you put on a fake persona and slog through it the best you can. I don’t get to leave this job, though. 

and

I also thought I wouldn’t mind missing out on all the partying and holidays because I would have the ultimate gift, a child.

and

I always said I would never have children. I hate kids..I do. I am just not that type of nurturing person. I was always very careful to make sure protection was in use (condoms, birth control) but I am that .1% and apparently very fertile.  I do not have that natural motherly instinct that all women seem to have, you know..that one that kicks in the moment they know they’re pregnant. I have to work really hard at it and it’s exhausting. I miss my solitude and being able to “check out” of reality from time to time.

and

Because kids aren’t the life completer we believe they are.

Are there people for whom having children completes their lives?  No doubt.  Are there parents for whom the downsides like sleeplessness and loss of personal time are outweighed by the love and joy they feel?  Of course.  Are there people who change their minds about wanting kids once they have them?  Sure.  But that’s not true for everyone.  It doesn’t happen every time, it’s never guaranteed, and the consequences are grievous when people who don’t want children have them anyway trusting that they will love the child and be happy.

We need to dispel the starry-eyed myths around pregnancy, childbirth, and marriage and create more realistic expectations.  Parenthood is too important a choice for people not to go into it with their eyes open.

[abyssopelagic-alexithymia]

“It doesn’t happen every time, it’s never guaranteed, and the consequences are grievous when people who don’t want children have them anyway trusting that they will love the child and be happy.” 

[your-url-is-problematic]

There’s a book on this topic that was groundbreaking when it came out, called Regretting Motherhood: A Study by Dr. Orna Donath. The backlash was insane. This is a topic that simply wasn’t discussed, and as the book became more famous (was translated into multiple languages, received a lot of public attention), the responses also became more incendiary. I had the utter honor and pleasure of studying with Orna - she read us some of the death threats she received, in her calm and measured manner, using them to further show just how deeply society expects motherhood of women.

I haven’t read the book myself, but knowing Orna, and having read some of her other work, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[closet-keys]

I hate Freud. His whole weird theory about penis envy and children being sexually attracted to their parents and secret desires and all that shit actually came straight out of an attempt to ally himself with wealthy and influential rapists and was a direct form of victim blaming.

He had started the research looking into “hysteria” which at the time was really usually referring to women’s symptoms of PTSD. It turned out that the reason so many woman had these symptoms is because so many of them had experienced sexual violence– especially CSA and incest at the hands of their fathers. 

At first he was making real progress, and it was through working with these women that he discovered that talk therapy could be used to treat trauma. The symptoms of PTSD were lessened when women were able to safely speak about their experiences out loud and be believed. 

But it wasn’t the women who paid for the therapy. It was their fathers, husbands, the same men who were perpetuating the violence in the first place. And Freud didn’t want to validate his patients (the women) if it meant making his clients (the men) unhappy.

So he came up with a new idea. These symptoms weren’t from trauma. The memories weren’t real. These women were just sexual beings as children and had penis envy and it made them lust for their fathers and fantasize about the rape that they had reported to him. That’s where the shittiest parts of Freud’s theories emerged. Another part of it besides just the monetary aspect, though, was that there was a feminist movement on the fringes starting up at the time and by publishing work about women’s CSA he would be aligning himself with it and therefore losing support, respect, funding, prestige from his male peers and from the psychological community at large. He literally made that gross victim blaming shit up to keep his own reputation with these fucks and to make sure he still got publication and fame.

By coming up with fake theory about little girls fantasizing about incest he not only fucked over generations of women, the feminist movement that was arising, and the entire psychology field for years to come, but he also completely swept away any progress made in understanding trauma and so we didn’t have any clue why men coming back from war had “hysteria” like women during WWI.

And our research on PTSD and trauma is still lacking to this day, especially because of the stigma that maybe traumatized people deserved it or wanted it or imagined it. People don’t want to believe it’s real. Perpetrators of traumatic violence want everyone to forget about it, not acknowledge it, or trivialize it.

And they have Freud’s cultural legacy to help them.

[vetivervelvetviolet]

Can you provide academic citations for this? This is really neat.

[disease-danger-darkness-silence]

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353596062015

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0959353596062015

If you don’t have access bc paywall, here’s a decent summary on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Freudian_Coverup

Some vague proof:’

http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/24/science/freud-secret-documents-reveal-years-of-strife.html?pagewanted=all&mcubz=0

An essay on the topic:

http://socialistreview.org.uk/404/whats-wrong-sigmund-freud

If you want some more, just google, “Sigmund Freud Seduction Theory Problematic.” There’s lots of academic and non-academic discussion on the topic, but TLDR Sigmund Freud is basically disregarded in almost all aspects of psychology by anyone who actually cares about their patients, so fuck that guy for holding psychology back.

[thewesterwoman]

Words cannot express how much I hate Freud. His theories have been entirely disproven by current psychological research, but using him to interpret literary texts is still a widely accepted technique in the field of literary study today.

English departments across the country will not bat an eye at tenured professors bringing Freud into lectures and citing him in scholarly articles and books. Doing a “Freudian reading” of a literary character or theme is regarded as a valid means of understanding and drawing meaning from works by authors as diverse as William Shakespeare, James Joyce, and C.S. Lewis. And it is based entirely on this guy’s unbelievably sexist, flat-out fraudulent, and thoroughly disproven research. It’s insane.

[f1rstperson]

Just so everyone on my dash is aware that Freud’s theories are pseudoscience.

[themintywitch]

I too hate Freud and everything he stands for. I just wish people knew why I hate him so much.

[madiithepand0rk-blog]

Oh wow I had no idea.

[emaleya]

Psychology only likes Freud as far as he made psychology and psychotherapy popular enough to get funding and be properly developed as a science and not just an offshoot of philosophy.

[prekaer]

This post is so funny to me because in Central European academia he’s still very much enshrined

[ritualisticfireside1333-deactiv]

As a female Psychology professor of the past 15 years, I hate Freud with my entire being. But - I promise you, none of us hate him nearly as much as Karen Horney did.

She was a student of Psychoanalysis, but she challenged his theories as condescending and incorrect on the regular. She desexualized Freud’s Oedipus complex ideology and took his disgusting idea of penis envy and publicly (in the middle of the NY Psychoanalytic Institute) challenged his ideas and declared that men have womb envy and thus is a primary reason they keep women in the home. She then was ousted from the space by the outraged followers of Freud, said “screw you” and went on to found and run the American Institute for Psychoanalysis (a one up on the men who had just ousted her). She developed and championed the study of Psychology and Women’s Studies and was the first person to ever present at a conference on the topic. She was an absolute badass.

[arthistoryvault]

Venice by John Singer Sargent

[wolfenm]

Edited some old art and put it in my redbubble shop. Reblogs and kofis are appreciated!

[wolfenm-scifi]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Stargate Atlantis, Stargate - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Rodney McKay/John Sheppard Characters: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Katie Brown (Stargate), Ronon Dex, Radek Zelenka, Jennifer Keller, Samantha “Sam” Carter, Teyla Emmagan Additional Tags: Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Feels, Pre-Slash, Protective John Sheppard, Rodney McKay Needs A Hug, POV Rodney McKay, POV John Sheppard, depressed Rodney McKay, Self-Esteem Issues, Character Study, Introspection, Episode Tag Summary:

John worries for Rodney after a crisis in Atlantis leads to the failure of Rodney’s relationship with Katie Brown. (A tag to Stargate Atlantis ep 4.13: “Quarantine”.)

Originally posted at Wraithbait on 2/2/08; this has been edited and reworked for this posting.

[wolfenm]

Death of the Endless + Dia de los Muertos?

First, some explanation. I am pagan and celebrate Samhain, a Celtic festival where the final harvest was brought in, with remnants left in the fields for the Faer Folk. It was believed that veil between the mortal world and that of the supernatural is thinnest at this time of year. People would set places for their dead family at their dinner table, carve turnips to ward off evil, and dress as monsters and spirits when travelling at night, in the hopes of tricking the true monsters and spirits. Later, the Catholic Church created Allhallow's Eve, with November 1st being All Saints' Day, and November 2nd being All Souls' Day. At one point, people would go door to door dressed up, begging for food and wine in exchange for performances -- tricks -- and blessings (a practice known as "going a-souling" / "performing souling plays"). Obviously these are all predecessors of Hallowe'en. When the Spanish came to the Americas, they brought All Saints Day / All Souls Day with them, and these traditions got merged with the death-related traditions of the indigenous peoples, into something new: Dia de Los Muertos.

I am not Hispanic, but I have a deep love of Dia de Los Muertos (which admittedly started with the game Grim Fandango, my first exposure to the holiday, about 20 years ago; it was leant to me by a Latinx friend). I understand that it is not "Mexican Hallowe'en", but it does seem to have at least a little roots in Samhain, and both holidays involve being reunited with loved ones that have passed on. And really, while I do still love Samhain, I find Dia de Los Muertos to be a better celebration of that nature, so bright and colourful and VIBRANT, and better at expressing the lesson of keeping the dead alive through memory. This year, both holidays are extra-important to me, as I lost my mother this April, which is the worst thing that's ever happened to me; six months later, I feel as lost as I did that day. (Thing is, my mom seemed to be neurodivergent, and people even remarked that it was like I was the mom and she was the daughter, so in some ways, I feel kinda more like I lost a child more than that I lost a parent. Either way, it still doesn't seem real)

Full disclosure, yes, I have Dia de los Muertos-themed art in my home, next to my Samhain / Hallowe'en display. Coco and The Book of Life are amongst my favorite movies, Grim Fandango is still one of my fave games, and I love the book Cemetery Boys (which takes place during the holiday and strongly involves it; it's also a great queer narrative, by the by).

So for years now, I have wanted to do Sugar Skull makeup inspired by Death, of The Endless, a character in @neil-gaiman 's comic book series The Sandman who is, to me, a pretty perfect personification of the concept of Death. (And writing a fanfic about her led to my work with Sequential Tart, so she's important to me in that way, too.) She and La Catrina are both positive associations with Death; they are both guides and protectors for those taking the next step in one's existence, rather than depicted as scary.

But being a white person, and seeing many Latinx people speak of their hurt at seeing white people indulge in the same culture they've been harassed for, and knowing the ugly treatment my country has inflicted upon Latinx people (particularly in recent years), I have ignored the impulse. Regardless of where my intent falls on the spectrum of cultural sharing vs cultural appropriation (I'd mean it out of respect, and don't see it as a costume, but I can certainly see how others would feel otherwise), or of the fact that the holiday is very likely linked to another one that IS part of my culture, or of the fact that other Latinx people have said they actually welcome seeing non-Latinx people in such make-up (no culture is a monolith of feeling or perception) ... I decided that only when and if I am ever invited to a celebration held by a Latinx person who has expressly said to come in Sugar Skull make-up, will I do so. (This is a personal decision; I'm not trying to suggest otherwise is wrong. I might even do it for my personal satisfaction at some point -- just not for public consumption.) I've been tempted to DRAW her, but I'm not sure that would welcome / not hurtful either.

So what is this post for? Well, maybe I will never GET such an invitation, so I'm putting the idea out there into the universe: perhaps some Latinx person would like to do -- or already has done -- Death of the Endless Sugar Skull make-up or art? I would dearly love to see it!!!

In the meantime, I want to say that the holiday and the character have been helping me through a very difficult time, and I am all the more thankful for having been introduced to both.

(Please note, this is not mean to start a debate on what is and isn't cultural appropriation. I have made my choice, after careful deliberation of arguments on both sides. You do you.)

[hinduism101]

Can white Hindus wear saris?

Yes.

[zindabad]

no

[hinduism101]

YES. For the love of Jesus stop white knighting. 

From a historical website about the history of Saris, from a person WHO MAKES THEM FOR A LIVING 

“Visitors seduced by the vibrancy and mythology of saris can shop for one to take home. Unlike other traditional garments in some cultures, the sari isn’t reserved for people of one nationality or set of beliefs. “I don’t think it’s disrespectful for Westerners to wear a sari,” says Chishti. “It’s more of an honor.” There is nothing wrong with sewing a dazzling one into a skirt or displaying it like art on a wall, says Sethi.“

Website 2 - a website dedicated to asking “is wearing them disrepectful?”

Is it disrespectful to wear a sari? No, not at all. Based on any occasion, as a daily wear, when you are not Indian and irrespective of religion, it is never disrespectful to wear a sari. In fact, it enhances the situation particularly if you are attending an Indian wedding. In cases where a theme is already set and hosts do expect certain culture, check with hosts before wearing.

Website 3 - Google’s Arts and Culture website, dedicate to educating people about different things around the globe concerning art and culture

5. The sari is easy to wear – and can be worn by anyone Wearing a sari is more akin to making a sandwich or sending an email than making a soufflé or launching a rocket. It has the appearance and reputation of being difficult to wear, but ask any one of the millions of women who wear one every day – it’s not. The sari transcends socio-economic divisions and is seen as an egalitarian garment…It can’t speak on behalf of all India but 95% of our survey suggested that {people from India} are open to anyone wearing saris. 

(sari vs saree for reference sake is just a matter of preference for spelling).

Literally the only people fake outraged by this (I call it fake outrage because people only get “mad” about it when they see people online but totally forget aobut it in everyday life otherwise) are white girls on twitter, tumblr, and other social medias believing they are “coming in and saving the day on behalf of people from India”. STOP THE WHITE KNIGHTING.

For starters, Saris have over 100 different ways to wear them. To buy them traditionally tends to be very rare and expensive because of how hard it is to make these garments. Second, they’re becoming more common in areas close to India, like Sri Lanka. 

Also, also, according to Hinduism reincarnation beliefs, we have the ability to reincarnate into any person on this Earth, so any skin color. Some people wear them to show their pride in Hinduism. Some wear it to honor India ancestors. Some wear it just because it is a beautiful piece of fabric. 

Like anything, wear it with respect. Wear it with pride. 

[kyidyl]

Reminding people again that you cannot steal what is freely given. It’s not appropriation if someone within the culture is like “here ya go, try this!”. I get that wearing stuff like a sari feels like you’re an impostor but the way to deal with that is to just do the thing that makes you uncomfortable.

[ankoku-jin]

I used to live in a city with a large Desi population, and loved going into the local shops to see the gorgeous clothing (and to buy silk fabric and ready-made trim!). I showed interest in a lehenga choli set and the ladies working there were. Thrilled. I ended up spending well over an hour trying on different ones because they were just bringing them over one after another, narrowing down the style and colors that would be flattering on me, showing me how to wear it properly.

I wore the one I chose to a convention, and encountered an Indian woman running a henna booth and selling some jewelry. At first I felt kind of embarrassed, like an imposter. (Should I (Latinx) be wearing this?) But she was also thrilled to see someone wearing clothing from her culture, and just… gave me a maang tikka, because it went so well with the outfit. (I ended up purchasing the necklace that went with it, so maybe it was a shrewd business move, ahaha)

It’s the same with kimono, people from Japan are so excited to see an American properly wearing one, even ‘just’ a yukata.

Appropriation is stealing cultural designs and motifs for your mass-produced fast fashion, taking money away from their artisans and devaluing their product. Appropriation is trying to divorce clothing from its cultural roots.

So long as it is common clothing (not sacred or having a special meaning), and as long as it is worn with respect (preferably sourced directly from the culture it comes from), we should be enjoying the beauty of other cultures by wearing it on our bodies. Sharing is not appropriation!

[haltraveler]

It’s important to recognize problematic appropriation but that does not mean we need to segregate every aspect of culture into neat racial categories