ASA 141
Week 6
The commoditization of the salwar kameez in “It’s Hip to Be Asian” by Parminder Bhachu is the perfect example of how orientalism and multiculturalism come together to create a facade that Western countries “embrace diversity” without ever contributing to bring social justice and equity from the people they are appropriating from. Orientalism is a way of seeing that imagines, emphasizes, exaggerates and distorts differences of Asian peoples and cultures as compared to that of Europe and the U.S. It often involves seeing Asian culture as exotic, backward, and uncivilized. Multiculturalism here, is defined by the way in which Western countries uses ideas of inclusivity and the celebration of diversity to create a facade of a welcoming society that embraces all cultures, races, religions, and ethnicities. They do so through things like cultural festivals, and advertisements of token people of color on brochures. Appropriating the salwar kameez into high fashion is just another way for mainstream white society to feel “exotic and cool”. Many high fashion designers who are incorporating Indian influences into their designs aren’t event South Asian. These practices don’t do anything to actually contribute to low socio-economic communities that wear the salwar kameez on a daily basis.
What is the line between embracing and appreciating other cultures verses multiculturalism in which Western countries use multiculturalism to hide behind the injustices they commit/have committed towards those communities? How can people celebrate various identities without failing to recognize the history of oppression of those marginalized communities?
This is an example of a non-South Asian designer presenting clothing from Indian influences: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/gucci-white-models-turbans-avan-jogia-fashion-canada-actor-a8224716.html
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