First of all, I’m a delight.
Second, please stop saying the Gods chose who they chose.
“Imitation is the highest form of flattery’ all too often means ‘Appropriation is the easiest form of thievery’.”
― Jamie Arpin-Ricci
As I step back into my work with Mom’s Strange Magic, the algorithms have decided to show me all kinds of things like tarot readers flinging cards at their camera and telling me that the powers that be wanted me to know something. Then comes the vague information such as, “They are thinking of you,” or the “The signs say go for it.” I mean two things can be true at once, the algorithms knowing your patterns and the Universe seeing a way to get a message to you, but lemme tell you a little bit about how that kinda stuff is dripping with appropriation.
This is not the time, nor is it the place, to give an extended look into the world of cultural appropriation. Also, none of us are immune from engaging in this activity. I mean how do you think we have most of what we have now – it wasn’t from honoring the societies and communities that created their rituals and ways of being.
One little trip back into history, at any time, will show you how those with more resources and greater military power conquer societies and communities…only to adapt the rituals and folkways to their own needs. It’s sort of how I see the Romans when the early Christians couldn’t be taken down by the powers that be — sort of like if you can’t beat them, join them kind of thing. Figuring that there needed to be one central place for these folks (and their money) to hang out, wouldn’t it just be a good idea to, oh…I don’t know…create the Holy Roman Catholic Church? Once fully established, and you know, never mind all the other monotheistic belief systems stemming from Abraham, because this one is the only one. But let me not ramble a blue streak about that, because I can and often do with my dear sweet husband. He’s such a patient partner, and always willing to hear about my new esoteric and arcane fact about the history of faith systems.
So, as a very pale skinned person who has parents that are from this area and engaged in the modern rituals, practices, and culture of their parents, this makes me 100% a caucasian woman from the United States. While I can appreciate Neo-Paganism and the good intentions of that belief system, often times followers of that path overlook the darker parts of how their modern ways came to be.
Just a random side note here, your dear old 2nd grandaunt who grew up in the mountains and healed people would wash your mouth out with dirt if you ever called her a witch. That woman believe in the power of the Bible, and saw Jesus as her savior. Now I’m not saying there weren’t what modern folks are calling witches, but most likely they weren’t dressed like Stevie Nicks.
Which, by the way, is sort of appropriation of cultures that were called derogatory names. I mean, we all love Stevie for sure, but also, she is also a caucasian woman from the United States. Calling oneself a “gypsy” reduces a complex culture into a lifestyle or trend.
Maybe this is where I need to say an important thing…
Being marginalized from different directions taught me a lot about how not to marginalize others. That was amplified in 2020 when the demographics of where I live got ridiculed online with phrases like, “Y’all Qaeda.” Now I understand the psychology of why this happens, but that doesn’t mean it should be accepted. One cannot say they love all, then spew hatred at those who aren’t like them.
Before I type out a dissertation on the co-opting of poverty culture for likes on social media, let me just share this week’s episode of The KimboBurly Tales with all y’all.
Y’all, I’m relearning the rules and regulations of hanging out on this platform. Apparently if you post something daily it helps push you out into the greater reader-verse (which I’m still really trying to figure out…it’s a little easier to do that over at Medium, but I’m sticking to this platform here, so…you know…just doing my best out here). You’ll see some of my lovely creativity posted this weekend, but not a lot of words. Those are my days off, well mostly off as I’m always working, but technically…that’s when I turn off my devices for a bit and stare into space.
Thanks for listening/reading. While this might seem a little like preaching, it’s more like I’m trying to do a bit more of the teaching thing. Not because I know it all, but more like there’s too much info in my brain that can be shared with others. You know, to make more room for new information!
Until next time…sending you lots of good energy and love,
~ KEU
Kim Upton 