Main reference photo: orv’s taiwanese novel cover, illustrated by the one and only blackbox

if youre going to wear cultural clothing, do it with tact. do it to learn. do it to meet new people in that community. dont do it to hop on a trend. rather than seeking permission, try to understand why we’re telling you to take a different angle. like my mutuals have said, “connect, don’t consume”

i always get told “youre thinking too hard about it / race doesnt matter” but how does it not matter if my race, ethnicity, and cultural experience has affected every fiber of my being and the way i interact with others?

but rather than “choosing a side to get permission from,” seek to respect. The diaspora isn’t soft for trying to protect the sanctity of their traditions, or what little theyve been able to hold onto from their motherlands

people living in culturally homogenous countries will have a different experience from those living in places where their cultural background and experience isn’t the typical/accepted one; between the homeland and diaspora experience, neither is more valid than the other,

but their permission doesnt outweigh the diaspora experience of being mocked for the food you ate, or the ways you looked different, or how you didn’t understand the same cultural references.. and then years later being told “i wish i had eyes like you, youre so pretty for a southeast asian girl”

and sure people currently living in those countries will tell you it’s ok, because they want to see people sharing their culture (which is a wonderful thing!!) but

lots of us have living family members who survived the colonization of their countries, and cultural appropriation is one of the many byproducts of it. call it gatekeeping, i call it trying to educate people on how to approach different cultural wear with respect

Same goes for the lads too like i still wanna make/wear a shirt from the spring and flowers banner ajdksnxkbsgk i just want a bit more time to make it alll

this woman came up to my mom at a wedding and asked if i was single bc she wants to see her son married before she dies maam WHAT LOL

Which did cause me an anxiety attack during the con but hey lesson learned. Don’t con crunch too hard and take care of yourselves!!!

I don’t think not being able to play a game makes me less of a fan, but i also respect that there are spaces reserved for those who are able to play/need help with gameplay

In that case, I don’t have an opinion and will keep my mouth shut bc i’m unable to participate with that side of the fandom!!