For frock’s sake

I’VE always considered that I have kept up with the news and in the general sense “on top” of new expressions and developments as to what is and what isn’t trending on a daily basis.

So I was surprised when as I was cruising the news sites, the expression “cultural appropriation” popped up.

Having the brain the size of a small planet, I thought, well I’m pretty sure I can work out what this is all about by defining each word.

Appropriation is normally defined, outside of its financial meaning, as taking something for your own use, usually without permission.

OK and culture is essentially the ideas, customs and different behaviours that define any given society.

So what exactly is the story here as the complete headline was, Prom dress prompts “cultural appropriation” row.

Now I’m fascinated as, until that moment, I’d never heard the expression cultural appropriation and couldn’t quite see how a Prom frock gets into the equation.

Having now read up on this shameless action by a Utah student with the intriguing name of Keziah, pictured, I’m none the wiser as to the problem I didn’t know existed and still don’t.

Keziah, I should explain, is a pretty, in that uniquely cheer leader, chocolate box type way, brunette with a blindingly perfect set of teeth surrounded by a gorgeous smile.

A typical, all-American example of a white upper class, financial family. Just in case the fact t I have mentioned she is white is considered to be rather pejorative, let me also say I could have said she was black or Latino and the backbone of the story, I think, would still be the same.

The only thing that Keziah couldn’t have been was oriental. So here’s what happened.

According to the news reports, a high school student’s prom pictures have generated a furious debate online after some social media users accused the 18year-old of “cultural appropriation”.

Twitter user Keziah, who is not Chinese, posted pictures of herself wearing a cheongsam, or qipao — a traditional Chinese dress — for her prom, in Utah last week.

One Twitter user, Jeremy Lam, tweeted: “My culture is not your . . . prom dress.” Yes, you’ve got it, this prompted an avalanche of for and against as users clashed over the concept of cultural appropriation — the adoption of minority cultures, typically by dominant cultures.

I’m starting to wonder if I’ve missed something altogether here as I’m still not getting it or it may be possible I’ve succeeded in boring myself to death over yet another mindless, facile and superficial discussion between people who have too much time on their hands. I’m also starting to wonder if cultural appropriation is perhaps contained in sub-section (a), paragraph eight, of the Political Correctness 101 handbook.

Jeremy Lam explained in more detail his discomfort and I’ll share his thoughts with you and hope you can work it all out because I’m having trouble with this. Jeremy said the qipao began as a formless gown for house cleaning and was turned into a symbol of female empowerment.

“In a time where Asian women were silenced, they were able to create not only a piece of art but a symbol of activism,” he wrote.

“This piece of clothing embraced femininity, confidence and gender equality through its beautiful, eye-catching appearance.

“The style was then spread throughout Asia as a beautiful garment and sign of women’s liberation.

“I’m proud of my culture, including the extreme barriers marginalised people within that culture have had to overcome those obstacles. For it to simply be subject to American consumerism and cater to a white audience is parallel to colonial ideology.”

I’m rarely at a loss for words but I can only say, what a load of absolute rubbish and absolute drivel. The qipao a symbol of female empowerment? A sign of women’s liberation?

I must ask the next Chinese woman I meet how empowered she felt when the regime ordered her to throw away “surplus to requirement” female babies.

“For it to simply be subject to American consumerism and cater to a white audience is parallel to colonial ideology,” sounds to me just like racism but perhaps by calling it cultural appropriation it’s OK. If anyone out there has any idea about this subject, please let me know.

I’d appreciate it, as I’m still puzzled. It was a frock for God’s sake!