Dear Readers,

Sorry, there’s no opinion column today. My brain cells went dead this week. Not that there was nothing to write about. Trump’s performances in the Middle East and at NATO; the election for a leader of the Conservative party; Okanagan Lake rising to record levels; two men stabbed to death for defending a couple of Muslim women on a train in Portland, Oregon; the governor of Texas jokes about shooting journalists; the Manchester bombing – there was ample fodder there.

            But nothing jelled. Yet.

            Fortunately, there are a number of letters about last week’s column that are worth passing on.

YOUR TURN

I got letters of support for my views about “cultural appropriation.” But I noted that they came, mostly, from white males. Who are, of course, the dominant social group that minorities and marginalized rebel against.

            A couple of women offered strong rebuttals.

Debra Huron, who describes herself as “Dweller on unceded Algonquin territory,” wrote, “Please add to your analysis the context of colonization on Turtle Island. This is what matters in the recent debates. Not ‘freedom of expression’ or quid pro quo. Abandon those. Forever. Please.

            “Indigenous people are pretty clear that our artists (of all kinds) can convey the individual and collective stories that reflect varied cultural and spiritual traditions. We are fully functional in that regard.

            “Even in the name of the ‘empathy’ you describe as desirable, descendants of colonizers have nothing to offer. Why? Because we can tell our own stories. Colonizers do not need to render their versions of these stories. Furthermore, Indigenous people will NOT act as jurists whose role, as you suggest, is to adjudicate whether settler forays into interpreting Indigenous life are valid or not. We are not signing up for that job. Jim, Indigenous artists are saying ‘hands off’ so please hear that, deep in your soul. Give up the colonizers' desire to ignore Indigenous voices.

            “At a larger level, please give up on reconciliation. It is a proposition fueled by white liberal guilt. Decolonization is the business model that both colonizers and Indigenous people need to embark on. The role of settlers? Become allies in the battles that Indigenous people are fighting. It really is about the land and the water, and the Indian Act and the racism inherent in Canada's history. Read Unsettling Canada by Art Manuel. If you do so before July 1 you will have 5 months left in 2017 to become the kind of ally you need to become.”

            And Judyth Mermelstein wrote, “Our laws protect your words or your invention based on their ‘fixed form.’ They don't protect a people's stories or cultural practices, so the non-Indigenous have appropriated them and don't see the problem: after all, it's *legal* to rewrite my story in your own words or manufacture your somewhat-modified version of my widget.

            “You're certainly right about the importance of empathy, dependent on our ability to imagine being different from our actual selves. On the other hand, those who dismiss cultural appropriation as ‘political correctness’ show a definite lack of empathy. They don't get the point that they may be misrepresenting what they appropriate, violating a religious taboo, or even -- and this is a sore point-- blocking the way for the people who can tell the story from lived experience and full awareness of its meaning.

            “Only fools maintain we can only write thinly disguised multiple autobiographies when we write fiction and only subjective essays when it's nonfiction. But the reality is that it's (still!) hard for a non-majority-culture writer to get his or her stories published.

            “It's ironic that Hal Niedzviecki's insensitive piece proves the point: it appeared in the special ‘Indigenous issue’ -- published because indigenous writers are rarely included -- where it was bound to hurt those who were finally getting an outlet for their own stories. It was a dumb move, not a racist one, but the fallout was earned.

`           “The loudest voices in favour of the ‘Appropriation prize’ were certain middle-aged white males not noted for sensitive journalism. The complaints came from a more diverse group, perhaps because women and members of other minorities are also unhappy that their experiences are deemed publishable mainly when written by straight middleclass white men.”

Ruth Shaver, living in Massachusetts, seems to have followed the controversy closer than I did: “It was NOT the idea of people from dominant cultures writing about non-dominant cultures that was at the root of the dispute. It was the idea of an award for such writing that offended people, and rightly so, because as several people pointed out, such an award would become another way for (mostly) white, (mostly) male authors to receive kudos at the expense, or perceived expense, of people of color and/or women. The consensus was yes, please, learn and write about cultures not your own, but no thank you, no awards.”

Rob Brown wrote, “Until I read your column, I didn't really have a good understanding of the concept of one culture adopting and abusing elements of another culture. Thanks for that. Also your thought on whether the use of other cultural ideas ‘moves beyond clichés and stereotypes to understanding and respect.’

            “As journalists, we are often called upon to enter into the cultural framework of people who belong to other cultures. Without doing that, we cannot represent the concerns about which they think and speak. Moving our reporting ‘beyond clichés and stereotypes to understanding and respect’ is vital, and sometimes quite difficult. Similarly when we clergy get into cultural conversations during our sermons.

            “I’m sure this is going to generate a lot of heat, and a bit of light, over the coming days, and years. Thanks, again, for sharing your insights.”

Peter Scott found the column valuable “having spent the major portion of my life as a white person in South Africa.”

            Peter then expanded on my comments about wearing a cross: “As a minister I no longer call myself Christian because of its association with the unChrist-like behaviour and declarations over the centuries.  It is too loaded with baggage.  If I have to make a declaration of sorts I call myself a Christ-follower, which I know is not perfect but at least for the time being it's not yet porting the same amount of baggage.”

Tom Watson also discussed the symbolism of the cross: “The symbol of the cross being appropriated by so many other people other than Christians is an interesting example. Historically, though, the cross did not become a symbol for Christians until the time of Constantine in the 4th century. Given that Jesus was a victim of crucifixion on a wooden cross that seemed natural enough to do, however the use of the cross as a religious symbol can be dated back centuries prior to Christianity which would argue that Christians appropriated the symbol. Of course, they also appropriated other things -- feasts and the times they were held, when to hold Christmas and Easter etc. -- from the surrounding culture.

            “You ask whether only Jews should write about the Holocaust. Surely, one doesn't have to have personally experienced the Holocaust in order to offer a perspective on this historic event. Also, to write in such a way that seeks, in an empathetic way, to understand someone else's reality, seems helpful in bridging differing experiences and cultures.

            “However, a writer crosses the line if the inference is left that this comes from firsthand knowledge because it was something that happened to either the writer personally or to a member of the writer's family. That was the criticism leveled at author Joseph Boyden, who claimed to be able to write authentically about aboriginal experiences because he was of Metis heritage when that couldn't be substantiated.”

This from Dwight Wendell: “My reaction to this debate is, perhaps, a bit cynical. In short, I wonder whether any of this arguing on any side stands any chance of influencing the real world over the long haul? Novels and movies that sell, fashions that appeal (in their season), music, and so on ... these will get conceived and grow and thrive and fade, in their seasons, in spite of any sensitive, benevolent intentions by a few critics in an obscure magazine.

            “What I do believe is that we should praise the books, the movies, and even the fads by which the minority being highlighted is shown in a human, engaging way. Help people to see that some films, writers, etc. deserve to be read and that trash deserves to be shown up for what it is.”

Blair Jean offered praise: “You, better than anyone I have encountered to date, have effectively hit the nail on the head. This appropriation of native culture has not been adequately addressed/defined. In fact, it is going off the rails. Many people likely avoid the conversation due to fear of being criticized no matter their view. However, our society, (referring to all concerned parties) needs to be fleshed out and determine what is right and what is wrong. If not, we run the risk of what's happening now...confusion and unspoken polarity. I have lived worked and played alongside what Canadians deem Natives, for 60 plus years. Many are friends, some relatives. However, I have a great deal of difficulty buying what the folks on the extreme end of this issue are propagating. You have summarized the issues very well and gave good examples for consideration.”

Bob Rollwagen reflected on history: “We have a subject here that has existed for eons. Over time cultures and races have been eliminated by various forces beyond their control. Animal species become extinct because of changes in the environment. Recent history tells us that political correctness has a new and broader scope. I am not saying that any of this is correct or acceptable, it is the human condition as we are coming to understand it. I believe in freedom of speech. Only by encouraging this, do we learn what others think. Hopefully, the majority will side with those that speak in ways that build the common good for all to create an inclusive and fair relationship among all.”

Ted Wilson had a similar view: “Cultures consume each other as they evolve.  The only part of an existing culture that survives is that which is absorbed into the consuming culture and alters it.  Those trying to preserve their culture are doomed to failure unless they can make their culture relevant and useful in the newer and evolving culture.  Examples may be saved in museums as images or recordings but for a culture to survive it must be useful, flexible, and able to evolve as needs and increased understanding force it to do so.

            “As communication speeds up so does the evolution of cultures.  It has been this way since we were wearing untanned animal skins and carrying clubs.”

Isabel Gibson summed up, “I'm not sure I want anyone to assess art for its level of empathy or alignment with ‘the right vision.’  (Who says there's a right vision?  Who would decide?  What would be the outcome of a negative assessment?) But I do think we can at least ask ourselves whether artists in the group being written about (as one example) are able to have their voices heard, or whether they're systematically excluded from publishing contracts (to complete the example).  In my view, a culture is appropriated in a negative sense when a privileged outsider can tell (and sell) its stories, but not the members of that culture.

            “I'm all for cultural interaction, but it works best and most fairly, I think, when people wield comparable power in society and in the marketplace.  Maybe Thomas King and Richard Wagamese are signs that First Nations culture in Canada now has passed the point of vulnerability that would encourage us to build a fence around it.”

I also acknowledge letters from Margaret Carr and Steve Roney.

********************************************

TECHNICAL STUFF

This column comes to you using the electronic facilities of Woodlakebooks.com.

  If you want to comment on something, write me at jimt@quixotic.ca. Or just hit the “Reply” button.

  To subscribe or unsubscribe, send me an e-mail message at the address above. Or subscribe electronically by sending a blank e-mail (no message) to sharpedges-subscribe@lists.quixotic.ca. Similarly, you can un-subscribe at sharpedges-unsubscribe@lists.quixotic.ca.

                  My webpage is up and running again -- thanks to Wayne Irwin and ChurchWeb Canada. You can now access current columns and five years of archives at http://quixotic.ca

  I write a second column each Wednesday, called Soft Edges, which deals somewhat more gently with issues of life and faith. To sign up for Soft Edges, write to me directly at the address above, or send a blank e-mail to softedges-subscribe@lists.quixotic.ca

********************************************

PROMOTION STUFF…

                  Ralph Milton ’s latest project is called “Sing Hallelujah” -- the world’s first video hymnal. It consists of 100 popular hymns, both new and old, on five DVDs that can be played using a standard DVD player and TV screen, for use in congregations who lack skilled musicians to play piano or organ. More details at www.singhallelujah.ca

                  Ralph’s HymnSight webpage is still up, http://www.hymnsight.ca, with a vast gallery of photos you can use to enhance the appearance of the visual images you project for liturgical use (prayers, responses, hymn verses, etc.)

                  Wayne Irwin's “Churchweb Canada,” an inexpensive service for any congregation wanting to develop a web presence, with free consultation. <http://www.churchwebcanada.ca>

                  I recommend Isabel Gibson’s thoughtful and well-written blog, www.traditionaliconoclast.com

                  Alva Wood’s satiric stories about incompetent bureaucrats and prejudiced attitudes in a small town -- not particularly religious, but fun; alvawood@gmail.com to get onto her mailing list.

                  Tom Watson writes a weekly blog called “The View from Grandpa Tom’s Balcony” -- ruminations on various subjects, and feedback from Tom’s readers. Write him at tomwatso@gmail.com or twatson@sentex.net