I don’t understand how, as a collection of cultures, humanity could possibly be getting dumber about racism. Shouldn’t progress set in at some point?

I think I should ask for clarification on a term or two. In particular, in Katie’s post, she repeatedly referred to the Kali costume using the term “racist.” But Hinduism is not a race, nor is Kali herself. Is that the accepted vocabulary for religious criticism if the religion originated in a non-Western country?

Well, I can’t speak for Katie specifically, but I personally feel the Kali costume is more reflective of colonialism than racism, per se — because you’re right, it’s a religion and not a “race” per se. However, it does have a racial element simply because Hinduism has been traditionally linked to India and brown people. Thus it’s easier to say “racism” because people will get that; “colonialism” just gets them to ask derisively if you’ve started making up words to win an argument. (Yes, it’s happened.)

Uh, because it’s the right thing to do?

Certainly, people ought to want to do the right thing. But if we’re separating what they want to be doing to be specifically disregarded…

I guess my focus there was on the “try.” It’s for someone–me, anyone–to convince themself that they’re not racist. This doesn’t always mean that their actions will not be perceived as such. They can respond to that by trying not to be racist; but if this effort is irrelevant, then the incentive to try is removed. It’s much easier to say, “Well, I know I’m not a racist, and I guess I just can’t please everyone.”

Having read the “Check my what?” article, I think I should ask for clarification on a term or two. In particular, in Katie’s post, she repeatedly referred to the Kali costume using the term “racist.” But Hinduism is not a race, nor is Kali herself. Is that the accepted vocabulary for religious criticism if the religion originated in a non-Western country?

It would seem more racist, at least by a dictionary/textbook definition, for Katie to tell Nicole, as she does, that her choice of goddess is “off limits” because of her race and background.

If that’s the case, then what’s the incentive for anyone of a “privileged” race to try not to be racist?

Uh, because it’s the right thing to do? Because a person who is truly full of good intent would want to do everything they can to avoid hurting another person?

There’s also that privilege isn’t a fixed divide with everyone either being in one group or the other, but rather an intricate web that is formed by each individual’s privileges and lack thereof. Therefore it’s in everyone’s best interests to fight against the institutions that maintain privilege because, while they might lose a few perks that come with their privileged status, they stand to gain by taking away the disadvantages that they face because of the ways in which they aren’t privileged.

I’d think that, of all places, in the complex social interaction of “How can I avoid being offensive?” one ought to at least get a little credit for trying.

But that credit only extends so far, especially if a person refuses to listen to the person calling them out. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: true good intent is measured by a person being willing to step back from their own defensive reaction and think to themselves, “Why did the person call me racist/sexist/etc and what can I do to avoid giving that impression in the first place?”

I would highly recommend that you read “Check my what?” On privilege and what we can do about it, specifically the Intent Isn’t an Excuse section. It isn’t exactly a privilege primer, but it does explain some important concepts for people who find themselves in discussions about race, gender, etc.

Frankly, good intentions are NO indicator of whether something is racist.

If that’s the case, then what’s the incentive for anyone of a “privileged” race to try not to be racist? If I’m interpreting that statement correctly, then it doesn’t matter what a speaker/communicator thinks, or what a speaker means, or what they are trying to communicate. You’re saying that all of the power in determining whether an act of communication is racist lies with the audience.

As communicators, we all have zero control over how our communication is interpreted by its audience. If you’re going to completely reject what a person meant to communicate in favor of your interpretation (”NO indicator”), then what reason does a communicator have to have good intentions?

I’d think that, of all places, in the complex social interaction of “How can I avoid being offensive?” one ought to at least get a little credit for trying.

I expect to be slammed by NicoleMagne for insulting her religious beliefs.

There is no “slamming” allowed on this site. Personal attacks are discourse that shut down discussion and therefore are not allowed.

I’ve allowed your comment to go through because you are explaining why saying that it’s part of one’s religious beliefs isn’t a shield against racism, but do not continue to incite flames on this site by writing things such as I have quoted above. I have enough to deal with as it is with moderating borderline comments and I don’t want to have to decline a flame by someone who was basically told, “Please flame me!”

1. claiming that her intentions are pure, and
2. discrediting the argument by attacking the person’s spelling and grammar.

Frankly, good intentions are NO indicator of whether something is racist. As I’ve read elsewhere on the internet, if intent was a good determinant of guilt, drunk drivers would never be prosecuted. Racists are OFTEN very well-meaning people.

That said, I do think the costume is a prime example of racist cultural appropriation. The thinking I’m seeing goes like this: “I really really like Kali, especially those aspects of her that I most identify with. I will dismiss the aspects of her I am not interested in, forget that she is simply one of a pantheon of Hindu gods and goddesses, and dispense with the culture from which Hinduism was born. I will dress like Kali (or at least one representation of her) despite being told that this is disrespectful, and despite the long history of appropriation, colonization and murder between Western countries and that in which Kali originated. I will dress like (one version of) Kali even though racists in my culture often do the VERY SAME THING to denigrate and make fun of people of color and their beliefs. I will speak of Kali as “my goddess,” calling her “part of my nature,” thereby reducing her to a convenient, pocket-sized entity who manifests at MY convenience.”

I expect to be slammed by NicoleMagne for insulting her religious beliefs. But NicoleMagne, when your deeply felt religious beliefs mirror cultural appropriation, when you won’t listen to criticisms from concerned people, when the comments on the site where your costume is posted are textbook racism apologies (get a sense of humor, we don’t care if people dress up like OUR gods, her intention is pure, etc.), then I will call it like I see it.