Rosa! 8 Report post Posted November 4, 2015 To be fair, an example of yellowface that I can think of offhand is when white actors portrayed Asian characters in old movies; I know that's not specifically a geisha costume, but yellowface did/does exist, and it took away opportunities for Asian actors to portray their own culture/history. And as a Mexican American I definitely get irritated when I see people wearing sombreros and ponchos when they're out drinking, etc. Ultimately I find it strange when anyone sees an aspect of someone else's culture as a costume rather than a real part of their ethnicity or culture/a stigma they live with, but some people absolutely take it too far when they condemn appropriation. To be honest I was disappointed when I saw Regina's costume last year, but she hardly deserved the criticism she received. 2 Be like the water, people. and bum bum bum reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertaxel 171 Report post Posted November 4, 2015 Anyone who knows ANYTHING about Regina would realize the LAST thing she would want to do is offend anyone... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Be like the water, people. 21 Report post Posted November 5, 2015 Wow, Rosa! It's good to see you on here!! I hope all is well As far as your post, I understand where you are coming from, and I agree that cultural appropriation is a real thing. I just think applying terms like racist, cultural appropriation, etc are completely uncalled for when it comes to halloween costumes, specifically Regina's last year. The aim is to portray a new identity for a night, some people are witches, hopefully this is not an example of religious insensitivity. Others are police officers, and I would like to think that this does not descriminate against actual law officers. I would like to ask these "activists" how geishas or any other individual, of any race is at all affected by a costume? It is a nonsequiter in my mind. I think it's possible to have a tasteless halloween costume, but simply dressing as someone/something does not automatically translate to being offensive, otherwise we should outlaw halloween. Besides, to me it is clear Regina had no such intention. It's not her politics, her demeanor, or her typical behavior. It's fine for people to stick up against injustice, but in this case, there was none, so they just picked on regina with hashtags, it's nonsense imo. 1 robertaxel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertaxel 171 Report post Posted November 6, 2015 Nice article on Begin to Hope by someone who 'gets it'.. https://www.michigandaily.com/section/arts/my-first-favorite-album-begin-hope Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosa! 8 Report post Posted November 9, 2015 As far as the reference to police officer costumes, I would hardly compare a profession to a culture. And I know Regina didn't want to offend anyone, just like most people in tasteless costumes aren't dressing up that way with the intent to offend someone. The problem lies in the ignorance of what you're representing, like when someone dresses as a Native American but the costume sexualizes the culture/makes it generic, as if thousands of tribes with their own distinct aspects don't exist. It's a shame when people take their criticism too far, to the point that their reactions are more damaging than the costumes themselves, and I know Regina doesn't deserve that—not disagreeing with anyone on that front. But it's valid to acknowledge that her costume wasn't in the best taste. And it's good to see you around here too, I hope you've been doing well! 2 andreseng and bum bum bum reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertaxel 171 Report post Posted November 12, 2015 Nice Regina mention in this UK magazine... http://www.upsetmagazine.com/read/petal-the-things-that-make-you-different-make-you-powerful/# Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertaxel 171 Report post Posted December 8, 2015 Regina is in some impressive company in this article from the UK Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/the-60-greatest-female-singer-songwriters-of-all-time/regina-spektor/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
himynameism 212 Report post Posted December 9, 2015 I would have put her way higher up on that list! Still pretty awesome 1 robertaxel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TC 69 Report post Posted December 13, 2015 Huh. That's awesome! Also: anyone know what's up with Regina lately? She's gone dark on social media...not even a Happy Hannukah post. Hope she's alright! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertaxel 171 Report post Posted December 14, 2015 Regina just posted this Happy Hanukkah post via FB and instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/_QnUXIJAM7/ 1 TC reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
