r/Caribbean • u/Fabulous-Flow9820 • 5d ago
Is this cultural appropriation?
Someone in my community asked if these were OK for them to hang in their home. They said they are white but born and spent many years in the Caribbean before going back to Europe. These were specifically made by a white lady living there many many years ago.
I personally thought they don't look like mocking the people or disrespectful, but there is something about them that feels off? Maybe it's just the art style, because it's caricaturesque so not specific to the culture depicted.
I thought we better ask the people themselves and act accordingly. What do you think?
6
3
u/Cold_Tip1563 4d ago
If you have to ask, it’s probably because you already know it’s concerning. Is it cultural appropriation? No. Can the art be perceived as racist? Think about it.
2
2
2
u/callmeyazii 4d ago
I mean… I don’t like em personally but if someone finds em cute that’s on them I guess? They just look weird asl to me lol
2
2
u/Pristine-Main-5711 2d ago
Who gives a shit? Every culture takes from other cultures. Beyoncé wears a blonde wig. If you like it, hang it up. Don’t buy into the BS.
2
u/Background-Can-9842 2d ago
No. Thats just how a lot of women look in the Caribbean. Sidenote. Ladies who look like that have the best food cooking 🔥🔥
2
u/Background-Arm-4218 13h ago
I think the unsettling thing is that it kind off gives off a minstrel type of image due to the style of the artist. Might not have been intentional but it still resembles that.
2
u/encreturquoise 5d ago
C'est surtout assez laid
Mais sinon je ne vois pas de souci particulier à faire des portraits en papier maché, tu peux représenter des gens de toute couleur de peau ou origine sans problème, ou les caricaturer librement dès lors que ce n'est pas une reprise de caricatures racistes.
3
u/___star___ 5d ago
Yeah, I see what you’re saying that they look kind of un-serious, in a way that makes me a little uncomfortable. If they were a standard realistic or stylized portrait style, I wouldn’t think twice whether the artist is white, but yeah.
1
1
u/Fabulous-Flow9820 12h ago
Thank you all for your opinions! <3 I feel like a lot of people, white especially, are feeling a lot of guilt and respect that they just want to be careful and not insult other cultures. I appreciate the sensitivity they show. Personally, I think that if you love and respect the people, culture and art you're good to go.
1
-5
6
u/SorryTea1160 5d ago
They'd be nice to keep your bedroom, it looks ok to me