I am in a lot of facebook groups and it is not every day I come across a post so amazing that I have to reach out and talk to the poster in a private message. But when I read this post I had to ask if I could share. As an advocate and an ally for BLM and someone who feels more then passionately about all Natives I, like Lynnzee the poster, do everything I can to educate other white people and stop racism in all forms. However this can also go to the extreme and become a entirely new form of hate.

When I saw how she was treated, and then read this post I had to reach out and ask if I could share. She said yes! So without further ado here is her post from Alberta Witches Association.

I hope her wisdom finds you well and helps to create an open line of communication for people everywhere!

Cultural Appropriation

This seems to be a hot topic but also something that seems to be an accusation as soon as hot topics are being discussed. We recently had an article shared about what it is to have white people and publishers promoting white writers for books that are white washed in topics. I absolutely loved the article, to me it shone a light on something I am not familiar with, and it really had me thinking. What else is there that we see on a regular basis and don’t know the intent behind it. Who created it? The Aunt Jemima bottle is a good example. The name is a preformed slave song, the woman was a slave. And to me the change of taking it down was a step forward. I have been fighting racism and discrimination on behalf of my family. I have been sharing post after post and pasting articles to people’s comments. Attempting to educate anyone who will listen. I have lost both side of my family due to racism. I have outted people (I would never have thought I would out) on their ignorance and indirect racial posts or comments. Deleting people left and right because I am getting tired of the fight, remembering what I am fighting for, and that puts me back on track.
The other day I posted a set of graphics that depicted spirit animal totems. Without thinking about who this would offend, because in my thoughts while posting I had appreciated the shortened version of what the information was, but also what they represent. In my mind I was not thinking of cultural appropriation, I wasn’t thinking about offending people, I was not thinking about the link on the photo that lead you to take a test. I have a lot of people angry at me now. Calling me immature, that I’m not acknowledging the First Nations hardships, the sheer violence and genocide. It was implied that I am mocking FN people, that I only wanted people who side with me in the group to comment. That the post was garbage. That I was going to allowed Black Face Mud Masks in the group. That our group itself is trash and our team. And I just sat here astonished… Because I know who I am and who our team is, what I stand for, who I protest for, who I choose to love and let love me. I just lost my mother and her husband and his whole family over this… how could I be on the other end now? And for a post that I meant no harm in sharing?! And I must add we lost a few members over this.
cul·tur·al ap·pro·pri·a·tionnounnoun: cultural appropriation; plural noun: cultural appropriations1. the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.”his dreadlocks were widely criticized as another example of cultural appropriation”
“Cultural appropriation, at times also phrased cultural misappropriation, is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture by members of another culture. This can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from disadvantaged minority cultures. “
This got me to thinking… as a group of witches from all different backgrounds, all different paths, and all different upbringings, where do we draw the line? I have witnessed people fighting over braids, dreadlocks, smudging, using the term “spirit animal”, lip injections and so on… so where do we draw a line as a whole? Specifically for THIS group. For AWA!
Is witch craft its self not full of cultural appropriation? Do we not adopt peoples forms of the craft to our own? People were burned alive and persecuted for witch craft…. so that falls under the terms of FN/ black genocide, slavery, and more. So do we give up learning and practising based off these reasons?
Smudging – a practice that FN used for many years, it can also be found in Asian, African and European cultures from thousands of years ago. And yet we associate this strictly with FN and call it cultural appropriation. Smudging is one of the ways to energetically cleanse a space to invite positive energy. When smudging a space, you burn plant material (not specific to white sage). The smoke fills and purifies the environment. As the smoke ascends, our wishes and intentions rise and mingle into the universe, connecting heaven, earth and humanity. Now with that being said, I did do a write up on Smudging vs. Smoke Cleansing and I was very adamant that the term “smudging”(English word) is a common house term and usually people are just in fact smoke cleansing but typing and saying smudge is easier. And again I was told this isn’t ok and that even using the term smudge is cultural appropriation. So I’ll ask again, where do we draw the line?
Animal Totems, also known as the spirit animals. In certain spiritual traditions or cultures, spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies. It is also metaphor, often humorous, for someone or something a person relates to or admires. There is an entire section of our group over Animal Totems, from all over the world. A lot of what is being identified as cultural appropriation for FN has been found in many cultures and regions all over the world. So I’ll ask again, where do we draw the line?
Braids, worn by the fierce Viking warriors off to battle. Vikings did sport the battle braids you see in the media. Braids were often worn under helmets during battle to keep hair out of the soldiers faces. And yet braiding hair and wearing cornrows has become cultural appropriation. Because the Black African Americans were forced to tame those beautiful Afros to please the white man. So I will ask again, where do we draw the line?
The term Gypsy, now a racial word. Roma (Gypsies) originated in the Punjab region of northern India as a nomadic people and entered Europe between the eighth and tenth centuries C.E. They were called “Gypsies” because Europeans mistakenly believed they came from Egypt. This minority is made up of distinct groups called “tribes” or “nations.” But now has become a racial term. I am of gypsy blood line. I have never heard anyone describe this to me in a bad way. But because I use it, I am now racist. Similar with Black people using the “N” word, does that to make them racist against their own people? Lets talk about the word “tribe”, I’ve been told that it is also cultural appropriation, even tho in my culture we would live in a tribe. Its associated with FN and is now no longer acceptable to say. So, again where do we draw the line?
When our team sat down together and started up with the ideas for this group, there was no talk of how can we would culturally appropriate everything or misappropriate everything. We wanted to create an education station with a sense of community. So many people are out there looking for answers, signs, and a place to be free but also to learn. And that is what we are striving for. A safe place for people to learn ALL paths. And with us being a Canadian group this also means Indigenous cultures and practices. We do not have a specific person of FN to write for us, it would be amazing if we did but we don’t. The information on this is very limited right now and for good reason. These are the types of responses I receive, and I don’t want to take that on…
This topic is not easy, because it is not just black and white. It is gray and so many more shades and colors. The craft its self is formed from MANY places and many practices. The adaption from one place to the next. If you believe in reincarnation (I do), how can you side with cultural appropriation? I mean if you were born of another descent and now are born a white Canadian, you may be pulled to another culture, or foods, the music, and the people. Should you not explore and educate yourself on that because that is cultural appropriation as well? Isn’t that what we are all doing?
Where do we draw the line?
At what point do we stop accusing each other of ill intent? This is why we put those rules together. So we don’t come across situations like this. My post after being pointed out was offensive, it was poorly executed on my part, I apologize for that. My intentions were not to offend anyone. But we have a group of self righteous people preaching at every chance they get what is and isn’t ok (for them) and shouting cultural appropriation. I can honestly say we have so many amazing members, so many amazing people who are open and loving and caring. I want to keep it this way. We are an educational group, and we are aiming to share ALL THE THINGS. We want you to add to the group, we want your input, we want you to write about the different experiences you have with different Gods or Goddesses and spirit. A spell is a spell and we all perceive it differently. I’m not expecting everyone to agree on every topic, but guys I am done being attacked.

I feel her words ring true for many honest well intentioned people who are just trying to follow their own hearts and passions.

So I add to her words that be respectful, do not assume and find someone who can teach you the ways if that is what calls to you. We all need to focus on our own actions, making the right choices, and practicing our faiths with integrity!

Tara