should i not buy a telfar bag because i am white?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Telfar just came out with all colors and sizes of their bags and I love their bags. I am a non-American white woman and get confused about all the cultural/social norms that I did not grow up with. I was talking about it in the office and one of my colleagues said it would not be viewed favorably for a white woman to have a Telfar bag. I understand the sentiment since the brand is black owned and created, but wouldn't they want more people to buy their product and represent them? I don't know if I am actually in the wrong or not, and if I am I will be happy to not buy this. Any opinion is appreciated and please know i am not trying to start a controversy. It will probably all sell out before I can figure this out lol.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I have no idea why it would be inappropriate for you to buy this bag. I certainly doubt that the owners would be offended.

[Anonymous]

Of course buy it and wear it and use it if you like it. I don’t understand why it would be a problem.

[Anonymous]

There's controversy amongst the black community regarding the issue; in a nutshell the designer clearly makes a statement and says that the bag is not for you, but for everyone meaning that yes you CAN buy.

That said, there are some who feel protective over the brand and designer and want something for "themselves" that's consider luxury/elite/hard to get, etc.

My opinion? Make sure that whatever message you're sending is consistent. You buy black owned on purpose and you do so - outside of the bag. The bag itself isn't a showstopper and it is a message along with buying it.

[Anonymous]

It is a business. It wants anyone and everyone to buy the products. Just like any other business.

[Anonymous]

I have one and I’m a white presenting Latina. No one has ever seemed upset by it. It’s a useful bag. I do like to support minority-owned businesses.

[Anonymous]

Most colors are already sold out.

[Anonymous]

This is the stupidest thing I ever heard. Like the white people wondering if they could see Black Panther in theater.

[Anonymous]

You can always buy a Telfar bag, I’d see it as you showing support for Black designers, creators and the community in general. Adding all of this as I am a Black woman.

[Anonymous]

It’s just a tote bag. Why do you need THAT exact tote bag? No one is going to stop you from buying it and most people won’t know or care, but if you live in an area and run in circles where people are aware of the brand, why?

I am a white woman and not everything is for you OP. It’s ok for there to be some things that you like and covet but cannot have.

It’s like cultural appropriation and Halloween costumes. If you have to ask if it’s wrong, it’s probably wrong. If you ask “if I do X Y Z, then is it ok?” It is wrong. If you have to justify or explain your choice, if you have to modify the costume to make it ok - that is your clue it is wrong.

If you feel you will have to explain your choice or if you will constantly wonder if POC are giving you stink eye when you carry the bag - it’s not worth it. Just find another tote bag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s just a tote bag. Why do you need THAT exact tote bag? No one is going to stop you from buying it and most people won’t know or care, but if you live in an area and run in circles where people are aware of the brand, why?

I am a white woman and not everything is for you OP. It’s ok for there to be some things that you like and covet but cannot have.

It’s like cultural appropriation and Halloween costumes. If you have to ask if it’s wrong, it’s probably wrong. If you ask “if I do X Y Z, then is it ok?” It is wrong. If you have to justify or explain your choice, if you have to modify the costume to make it ok - that is your clue it is wrong.

If you feel you will have to explain your choice or if you will constantly wonder if POC are giving you stink eye when you carry the bag - it’s not worth it. Just find another tote bag.

I’m Latina and this is bs. This mentality is backwards and racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s just a tote bag. Why do you need THAT exact tote bag? No one is going to stop you from buying it and most people won’t know or care, but if you live in an area and run in circles where people are aware of the brand, why?

I am a white woman and not everything is for you OP. It’s ok for there to be some things that you like and covet but cannot have.

It’s like cultural appropriation and Halloween costumes. If you have to ask if it’s wrong, it’s probably wrong. If you ask “if I do X Y Z, then is it ok?” It is wrong. If you have to justify or explain your choice, if you have to modify the costume to make it ok - that is your clue it is wrong.

If you feel you will have to explain your choice or if you will constantly wonder if POC are giving you stink eye when you carry the bag - it’s not worth it. Just find another tote bag.

I’m Latina and this is bs. This mentality is backwards and racist.

What I wonder is: does it only apply to white people, PP? Or does it apply to everyone? This race can buy this, but this race cannot? I will say it is attitudes like this that would make me 100% NOT buy anything outside of my race just to avoid being skewered by someone but it seems really regressive to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s just a tote bag. Why do you need THAT exact tote bag? No one is going to stop you from buying it and most people won’t know or care, but if you live in an area and run in circles where people are aware of the brand, why?

I am a white woman and not everything is for you OP. It’s ok for there to be some things that you like and covet but cannot have.

It’s like cultural appropriation and Halloween costumes. If you have to ask if it’s wrong, it’s probably wrong. If you ask “if I do X Y Z, then is it ok?” It is wrong. If you have to justify or explain your choice, if you have to modify the costume to make it ok - that is your clue it is wrong.

If you feel you will have to explain your choice or if you will constantly wonder if POC are giving you stink eye when you carry the bag - it’s not worth it. Just find another tote bag.

This is NOTHING like cultural appropriation. The business is black-owned. This style of handbag isn't based on some traditional African-American art. It doesn't depict or involve any kind of racial stereotype. It's a generic consumer item. The designer WANTS people to buy the bag.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure it’s fine, but if you’ll be self-conscious about it then don’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s just a tote bag. Why do you need THAT exact tote bag? No one is going to stop you from buying it and most people won’t know or care, but if you live in an area and run in circles where people are aware of the brand, why?

I am a white woman and not everything is for you OP. It’s ok for there to be some things that you like and covet but cannot have.

It’s like cultural appropriation and Halloween costumes. If you have to ask if it’s wrong, it’s probably wrong. If you ask “if I do X Y Z, then is it ok?” It is wrong. If you have to justify or explain your choice, if you have to modify the costume to make it ok - that is your clue it is wrong.

If you feel you will have to explain your choice or if you will constantly wonder if POC are giving you stink eye when you carry the bag - it’s not worth it. Just find another tote bag.

You are ridiculous and honestly quite racist for discouraging people from giving money to a black-owned business.