Hi! I was wondering if it’s okay as a non-Asian person to travel to Asian countries and participate in parts of the culture ever? I’m not sure where the line of cultural appreciation and appropriation is drawn, and I’m having a little bit of trouble when I am researching understanding where it starts and begins as I am getting mixed answers. I am sure this is a nuanced question though, as many are, so I am sorry if this question doesn’t really make much sense to ask. I am asking because my school is hosting a trip to a few countries this summer, and many fall in Asia. Thanks so much, really awesome blog btw! :)
Thank you so much! You're right, this is a very nuanced question.
Well, first of all, yes you are definitely allowed to travel to Asian countries as a non-Asian person 😭 You should do your research (on different customs or cultural practices, for instance). You are going to multiple countries, so trying to learn multiple languages in that short of a timeframe is unrealistic, but I feel like if you're traveling it is custom to learn basic or essential phrases.
As for participating, there are some practices closed off or exclusive to locals or those who worship a certain religion. But in those cases, that doesn't usually mean you can't watch what is happening (though taking pictures aren't always allowed so respect others' wishes if that is the case). I understand the confusion, so I don't want to encourage this idea that non-Asians have to stick in their box and never interact with our culture, y'know? That's not the answer to stop unlearning anti-Asian biases, that's just avoidance. A lot of us are proud of our culture and will want to share it with others! It's generally embraced and we're really excited to talk about the history as long as there is genuine respect involved and a willingness to learn. It's also a great opportunity to support local artisans and small businesses.
Frankly, I think it would be offensive if you were offered to participate and you rejected because you're not Asian or "you don't want to seem racist" because that train of thought still centers YOU and how you are being perceived rather than as a guest in someone else's homeland. You're allowed to make mistakes of course, but making mistakes is not the same thing as not putting in the work to understand others' cultures. This is not a zoo, cultural attire isn't a costume or something you can post on social media to make yourself look well-traveled without understanding the meaning. A lot of Asian cultural clothing is not meant to "sexualize" the people wearing them or be very revealing, so learn how to wear it as intended and wear it properly! Don't cut random slits or try to cinch it if that's not how the outfit was meant to be worn.
I would say generally, the line between appreciation and appropriation is intention. People can tell when you are doing things for self-gain or without care to understand the culture. I can make a whole post about this, but cultural appropriation repackages sacred, meaningful, cultural objects/practices from non-dominant cultures and distills it down to something it's really not in order to "sell it" to a dominant culture. In the process, nuance and the humanity of that object/practice is erased. It is a fundamental disrespect to the culture it is stolen from
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