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Today we’re going to talk about something that comes up a lot in Japanese education and studies.
Appropriation vs. Education
Appropriation vs. Education
There’s a big difference between USING a culture and being invited by the culture to LEARN about it. Bg story— I’ve managed around 80 abroad programs, 50ish in Japan. I work with Japanese edu orgs/groups/programs. Both in the US & Japan. Here is what I observed.
I’d get students concerned in the last 5-8 years that they couldn’t wear yukata/kimono or participate in events in Japan. Resulting in very confused Japanese people/educators wanting to share the culture.
(This came around the time of the MFA Boston kimono event mess.)
(This came around the time of the MFA Boston kimono event mess.)
(Recap of the Boston MFA kimono mess in screen cap.)
Students would ask if it was ok to participate in a event or wear kimono when invited to by Japanese people & edu programs. The Japanese staff were confused that students weren’t interested. Not what we want to happen in edu.
Students would ask if it was ok to participate in a event or wear kimono when invited to by Japanese people & edu programs. The Japanese staff were confused that students weren’t interested. Not what we want to happen in edu.
It took explaining, but the Japanese educators understood to show the students they encourage learning and sharing. That they had permission. This was needed. There are varying perspectives between Asian-American and Japanese in Japan. This is specifically about education.
Outside of formal (institutionalized) edu, people want to learn about Japanese culture/language, but may feel concern. You have awareness. Use that to listen. But know that Japanese people want you to learn. There are countless J orgs & initiatives dedicated to teaching it.
Any criticism of how Japan decides to share culture, questionable policies in generating interest or tourism, we should learn about those discussions. Inform yourself. But it’s going to be up to Japanese people to decide what to do about it in the end. Not us.
We need to be able to listen and have discussions about what is appropriation and when it is the right time to learn and share. People and cultures have been hurt. Be respectful when they are sharing what is theirs with us. And have fun learning!
