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It's very tempting to say that, but that's a bit of a privileged stance. ("I wouldn't mind, so nobody else should mind either!") Analogy: Let's say you take a

by exogen 11y ago

It's very tempting to say that, but that's a bit of a privileged stance. ("I wouldn't mind, so nobody else should mind either!") Analogy: Let's say you take a free intro taekwondo class. They outfit you with a white belt, obviously. But you think the red/black belt looks cool, so you start wearing that instead - maybe not in the dojang even, but just around town. You don't think martial artists should have a problem with that, maybe even challenge you to a fight? And even non-martial-artists shouldn't think you're kind of a poser?

ohsnap 11y ago
Or say a foreigner is introduced to Jiu Jitsu. Then that said foreigner appropriates it and develops a new system called Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They then issue belts based on their new interpretation of skill level. Perhaps a few Japanese might have a problem with that and think your a 'poser' - but you would probably ignore them and just consider them a bigot.
iSnow 11y ago
I don't really understand where the foreign culture is needed. If you walk around in army uniform and have never been in the army, you will invite criticism or even a kick in the butt. If you dress up as a nun or as a priest you are an impostor. If you decide it's cool to wear the "Ring of O" on your right hand, you'll invite some inconvenient misunderstandings - especially as a woman. Everyone should be aware of societal codes and either obey them or live with the resulting misunderstandings. Shrugging your shoulders and violating those codes makes you a not nice person at worst, but casting this in "oppressive west vs. the rest" terms just muddies the water.
deleted 11y ago
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lucozade 11y ago
> You don't think martial artists should have a problem with that No they shouldn't. It in no ways diminishes the value or meaning of a red/black belt in taekwondo. However, if they were to insist that practitioners treated them as if they'd earned the belt or, conversely, somehow prevented a legitimate holder of the belt from wearing one then you have a case for grievance.

by exogen 11y ago

ohsnap 11y ago

Or say a foreigner is introduced to Jiu Jitsu. Then that said foreigner appropriates it and develops a new system called Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They then issue belts based on their new interpretation of skill level. Perhaps a few Japanese might have a problem with that and think your a 'poser' - but you would probably ignore them and just consider them a bigot.

iSnow 11y ago

I don't really understand where the foreign culture is needed. If you walk around in army uniform and have never been in the army, you will invite criticism or even a kick in the butt. If you dress up as a nun or as a priest you are an impostor. If you decide it's cool to wear the "Ring of O" on your right hand, you'll invite some inconvenient misunderstandings - especially as a woman. Everyone should be aware of societal codes and either obey them or live with the resulting misunderstandings. Shrugging your shoulders and violating those codes makes you a not nice person at worst, but casting this in "oppressive west vs. the rest" terms just muddies the water.

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

lucozade 11y ago

> You don't think martial artists should have a problem with that No they shouldn't. It in no ways diminishes the value or meaning of a red/black belt in taekwondo. However, if they were to insist that practitioners treated them as if they'd earned the belt or, conversely, somehow prevented a legitimate holder of the belt from wearing one then you have a case for grievance.