How offensive, exactly, is having dream catchers?

[Anonymous]

I have a few around the house. One friend in particular is always talking about microagressions and dream catchers. I get why wearing a bindi as a fashion piece is offensive, but I don't quite understand why I shouldn't have a dream catcher.

[Anonymous]

Oh, for god's sake.

[Anonymous]

This might help: http://www.autostraddle.com/a-much-needed-primer-on-cultural-appropriation-149738/

I don't necessarily agree with all of it but if you are sincere in your wish to be culturally sensitive, it's a helpful discussion for how to think about these things.

[Anonymous]

You are not wearing the dreamcatcher. You are not using it as a potholder. You are using it as a dreamcatcher, and it has been shared by Native American culture as such, and you have not taken it away and made it into something else for merchandising purposes. I don't see how this is cultural appropriation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This might help: http://www.autostraddle.com/a-much-needed-primer-on-cultural-appropriation-149738/

I don't necessarily agree with all of it but if you are sincere in your wish to be culturally sensitive, it's a helpful discussion for how to think about these things.

Hey, good article. Thanks. -not OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a few around the house. One friend in particular is always talking about microagressions and dream catchers. I get why wearing a bindi as a fashion piece is offensive, but I don't quite understand why I shouldn't have a dream catcher.

If the Indians didn't want you to have dream catchers they wouldn't sell them.

[Anonymous]

Oh FOR FUCK'S SAKE!!!

I give up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are not wearing the dreamcatcher. You are not using it as a potholder. You are using it as a dreamcatcher, and it has been shared by Native American culture as such, and you have not taken it away and made it into something else for merchandising purposes. I don't see how this is cultural appropriation.

Please don't use the phrase "Native American" to describe the Indian people. That's definitely a microaggression. The preferred term is "Indian" or, better, to refer to someone by their actual tribal affiliation.

-- Signed, part Algonquin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh FOR FUCK'S SAKE!!!

I give up.

Were you ever actually trying? Or do you just grouse about muttering about political correctness?

[Anonymous]

dude, stop with the moronic microaggression posts. we get what you're trying to do. your over the top examples do not mean brown people in this country don't have valid complaints.

[Anonymous]

They are blatant micro aggressions. The most demeaning ones are those hanging from rear view windows in people's cars.

And this isn't about politics; it's about not being a jerk and being sensitive to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are not wearing the dreamcatcher. You are not using it as a potholder. You are using it as a dreamcatcher, and it has been shared by Native American culture as such, and you have not taken it away and made it into something else for merchandising purposes. I don't see how this is cultural appropriation.

Please don't use the phrase "Native American" to describe the Indian people. That's definitely a microaggression. The preferred term is "Indian" or, better, to refer to someone by their actual tribal affiliation.

-- Signed, part Algonquin.

Okay.

[Anonymous]

Don't use it to scoop pet feces

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

How offensive does something have to be for you to stop doing it? Do you have a scale? Do you measure the number of people who rate it at different points on the scale? By what measure are people required to demonstrate to you that a practice is offensive before you will discontinue it?