Cultural Appropriation & Race
If you have been following a while, you know that Made by Yuki developed, in part, as a response to non-Japanese people appropriating our culture for profit. Most of the time, I’ve found the people doing the appropriating to be white. But it is not always, and I want to share some more complex ideas I have around race, geopolitical dynamics, and history. To be honest, I’ve been thinking about writing about this for months, but it has been daunting for many reasons..
Last year, a very talented Black designer contacted me by DM to discuss cultural appropriation. Alissa makes beautiful, classical clothing often using bright, bold prints. Her Instagram feed is full of her beautiful daughters modeling the clothing, in gorgeous outdoor settings. Her designs and images are nostalgic, inspiring and downright beautiful.
She specifically wanted to know my feelings about if she, were to hypothetically use Japanese prints in her work. I honestly expressed my initial feeling of discomfort, and asked how she would feel if a Japanese designer were to use African prints in their products. As soon as I hit “send,” I had a sinking feeling. Alissa replied that since she’s Black, and her ancestors were forcibly brought from Africa, she had no direct connection to her heritage. It was then, that my heart sank.
The journey of reconnecting to my heritage, was not something Alissa could ever do or enjoy—at least not in the same way. My next feeling was: “OK, I’m not 100% comfortable with it, but please go ahead and use Japanese prints. I want you to make money!” But I wasn’t quite clear why I felt that way…
Over the next few months, we continued to exchange thoughts as they arose. As I thought way back into history, a perspective revealed itself from deep within. As a Japanese-born person, I’ve enjoyed the relative wealth of my birth country, which has been bolstered by U.S.-led efforts to create a successful capitalist nation in Asia after World War II. Later, as an American, I’ve benefited from an economic system that was built on the backs of kidnapped and enslaved people from Africa.
Did I benefit from these systems? Yes. Do I approve of these systems? Absolutely not. But my privilege can never be separated from this history.
What can we do to dismantle the systems of slavery and racism that still exists today? One way, is to give economic power to Black people.
Perhaps a needless caveat, but Japanese people are not a monolith, and we have differing views shaped by our individual life experiences and reflections. For me personally, after decades of being conditioned by two societies that put white people first, I’m finally starting to see things a little bit more clearly. It’s an imperfect process, and I am still learning and this is where I have arrived, for now.
So yes, Alissa. I have finally reached a conclusion. I want you to use all the tools available so that you can grow your business, and thrive. Not just for yourself, but for your beautiful daughters. Thank you so much for inspiring me to grow, even just a little.