Rise of the Culture Vultures

And it was then, that it struck me – maybe the desire to learn is what separates someone who fetishizes a culture from those who merely wish to appreciate it. As I get deeper into anime and Japanese culture, I learned what causes some of the issues I see. I read about the rampant sexism in Japan, and their colonization of other Asian nations, which explained some of the more unkind images of Chinese and Koreans in manga illustrations. I learned that a social trend I thought was cool — the ability to pick up a part-time job for a day and be paid in cash as a student — was in some ways an outgrowth of Freeter culture which is becoming a bit of a trap for youth in Japan. The anime glitter was knocked out of my eyes, and I started to understand that Japan was… just Japan. Another country, with its own struggles and issues and cool parts of its society — not perfect, not horrific, just Japan.

From that perspective, Gwen Stefani is the one who needs to check her facts. I appreciate what she is trying to do, but forcing an iron-clad wardrobe/style/set of actions on the Harakjuku Girls (or Gwenihana 4, whatever you prefer) is fetishization. After all, Harajuku style is first and foremost about the ability to change. If you take that away from the girls who are performing, are you really staying true to the ‘juku?

Respect for a culture first stems from understanding the basics.

Page 2 of 2 | Previous page