10k 57 Comments Feb. 24, 2017 "Why do you feature non-black couples with dreadlocks?" The answer is complex… "I'm honestly a little surprised to see you feature non-black people sporting dreadlocks for their wedding day. I won't go into why this is racist, but let there be no question that it's racist no matter the intent. I just wanted to express how jarring it was to see on such a progressive site." Here's our take on dreadlocks and cultural appropriation… Read More 8.7k Dec. 12, 2016 Is it cultural appropriation to have Japanese paper cranes at my wedding? I started folding origami cranes obsessively back in elementary school after reading the very sad story about Sadako, a Japanese girl who survived the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima only to develop leukemia and die while working to fold 1,000 cranes. As a result, I would love to use origami cranes in our wedding. Is this cultural appropriation? Read More 4.1k Jul. 8, 2016 Decolonialize your wedding! Acknowledging Indigenous territory at your wedding When my partner and I discussed the elements we'd like to see in our wedding ceremony, a land acknowledgement was one of the first things that came to mind. A wedding land acknowledgement is an expressive gesture of reconciliation, respect, and goodwill. So, what does this have to do with your wedding? Read More 7.4k 22 Comments Mar. 21, 2016 Tradition, confusion, and appropriation: Changing your name in an intercultural marriage There’s a lot to consider when contemplating a name change, of course: personal branding, publications if you’re an writer, your spouse’s feelings on the matter, your own thoughts. But there are extra things to mull over if your marriage is an intercultural one. With that in mind, here’s what I thought about when making my decision… Read More 7.1k 32 Comments Sep. 12, 2012 Are the gifts I'm getting for my attendants cultural appropriation? I'm thinking about buying my bridal party luchador masks. But here's the deal: I am not Mexican. I am a fan of the wrestling style, but not a huge one. I just think they're delightful. Does this seem like co-opting another culture? I mean, it isn't like Dio De Los Muertos, where it's steeped in religion, but… what do you think? Read More 27k 135 Comments Nov. 23, 2011 Why do couples borrow cultural elements for their wedding, and how can you do so respectfully? Many Anglo-Americans have such a mishmash of culture that they have few or no traditions that hold significant meaning for them. Perhaps people are inclined to like culture, symbolism, rituals, and traditions. Maybe they seek these out in other cultures because they don't have any of their own. Perhaps people seek to set themselves apart from a family or culture that they don't wish to be a part of or celebrate. Read More Copyright © 2003 - 2020 Offbeat Empire. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited. Contact us Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Monetized by SkimLinks
8.7k Dec. 12, 2016 Is it cultural appropriation to have Japanese paper cranes at my wedding? I started folding origami cranes obsessively back in elementary school after reading the very sad story about Sadako, a Japanese girl who survived the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima only to develop leukemia and die while working to fold 1,000 cranes. As a result, I would love to use origami cranes in our wedding. Is this cultural appropriation? Read More 4.1k Jul. 8, 2016 Decolonialize your wedding! Acknowledging Indigenous territory at your wedding When my partner and I discussed the elements we'd like to see in our wedding ceremony, a land acknowledgement was one of the first things that came to mind. A wedding land acknowledgement is an expressive gesture of reconciliation, respect, and goodwill. So, what does this have to do with your wedding? Read More 7.4k 22 Comments Mar. 21, 2016 Tradition, confusion, and appropriation: Changing your name in an intercultural marriage There’s a lot to consider when contemplating a name change, of course: personal branding, publications if you’re an writer, your spouse’s feelings on the matter, your own thoughts. But there are extra things to mull over if your marriage is an intercultural one. With that in mind, here’s what I thought about when making my decision… Read More 7.1k 32 Comments Sep. 12, 2012 Are the gifts I'm getting for my attendants cultural appropriation? I'm thinking about buying my bridal party luchador masks. But here's the deal: I am not Mexican. I am a fan of the wrestling style, but not a huge one. I just think they're delightful. Does this seem like co-opting another culture? I mean, it isn't like Dio De Los Muertos, where it's steeped in religion, but… what do you think? Read More 27k 135 Comments Nov. 23, 2011 Why do couples borrow cultural elements for their wedding, and how can you do so respectfully? Many Anglo-Americans have such a mishmash of culture that they have few or no traditions that hold significant meaning for them. Perhaps people are inclined to like culture, symbolism, rituals, and traditions. Maybe they seek these out in other cultures because they don't have any of their own. Perhaps people seek to set themselves apart from a family or culture that they don't wish to be a part of or celebrate. Read More Copyright © 2003 - 2020 Offbeat Empire. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited. Contact us Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Monetized by SkimLinks
4.1k Jul. 8, 2016 Decolonialize your wedding! Acknowledging Indigenous territory at your wedding When my partner and I discussed the elements we'd like to see in our wedding ceremony, a land acknowledgement was one of the first things that came to mind. A wedding land acknowledgement is an expressive gesture of reconciliation, respect, and goodwill. So, what does this have to do with your wedding? Read More 7.4k 22 Comments Mar. 21, 2016 Tradition, confusion, and appropriation: Changing your name in an intercultural marriage There’s a lot to consider when contemplating a name change, of course: personal branding, publications if you’re an writer, your spouse’s feelings on the matter, your own thoughts. But there are extra things to mull over if your marriage is an intercultural one. With that in mind, here’s what I thought about when making my decision… Read More 7.1k 32 Comments Sep. 12, 2012 Are the gifts I'm getting for my attendants cultural appropriation? I'm thinking about buying my bridal party luchador masks. But here's the deal: I am not Mexican. I am a fan of the wrestling style, but not a huge one. I just think they're delightful. Does this seem like co-opting another culture? I mean, it isn't like Dio De Los Muertos, where it's steeped in religion, but… what do you think? Read More 27k 135 Comments Nov. 23, 2011 Why do couples borrow cultural elements for their wedding, and how can you do so respectfully? Many Anglo-Americans have such a mishmash of culture that they have few or no traditions that hold significant meaning for them. Perhaps people are inclined to like culture, symbolism, rituals, and traditions. Maybe they seek these out in other cultures because they don't have any of their own. Perhaps people seek to set themselves apart from a family or culture that they don't wish to be a part of or celebrate. Read More Copyright © 2003 - 2020 Offbeat Empire. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited. Contact us Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Monetized by SkimLinks
7.4k 22 Comments Mar. 21, 2016 Tradition, confusion, and appropriation: Changing your name in an intercultural marriage There’s a lot to consider when contemplating a name change, of course: personal branding, publications if you’re an writer, your spouse’s feelings on the matter, your own thoughts. But there are extra things to mull over if your marriage is an intercultural one. With that in mind, here’s what I thought about when making my decision… Read More 7.1k 32 Comments Sep. 12, 2012 Are the gifts I'm getting for my attendants cultural appropriation? I'm thinking about buying my bridal party luchador masks. But here's the deal: I am not Mexican. I am a fan of the wrestling style, but not a huge one. I just think they're delightful. Does this seem like co-opting another culture? I mean, it isn't like Dio De Los Muertos, where it's steeped in religion, but… what do you think? Read More 27k 135 Comments Nov. 23, 2011 Why do couples borrow cultural elements for their wedding, and how can you do so respectfully? Many Anglo-Americans have such a mishmash of culture that they have few or no traditions that hold significant meaning for them. Perhaps people are inclined to like culture, symbolism, rituals, and traditions. Maybe they seek these out in other cultures because they don't have any of their own. Perhaps people seek to set themselves apart from a family or culture that they don't wish to be a part of or celebrate. Read More Copyright © 2003 - 2020 Offbeat Empire. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited. Contact us Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Monetized by SkimLinks
7.1k 32 Comments Sep. 12, 2012 Are the gifts I'm getting for my attendants cultural appropriation? I'm thinking about buying my bridal party luchador masks. But here's the deal: I am not Mexican. I am a fan of the wrestling style, but not a huge one. I just think they're delightful. Does this seem like co-opting another culture? I mean, it isn't like Dio De Los Muertos, where it's steeped in religion, but… what do you think? Read More 27k 135 Comments Nov. 23, 2011 Why do couples borrow cultural elements for their wedding, and how can you do so respectfully? Many Anglo-Americans have such a mishmash of culture that they have few or no traditions that hold significant meaning for them. Perhaps people are inclined to like culture, symbolism, rituals, and traditions. Maybe they seek these out in other cultures because they don't have any of their own. Perhaps people seek to set themselves apart from a family or culture that they don't wish to be a part of or celebrate. Read More
27k 135 Comments Nov. 23, 2011 Why do couples borrow cultural elements for their wedding, and how can you do so respectfully? Many Anglo-Americans have such a mishmash of culture that they have few or no traditions that hold significant meaning for them. Perhaps people are inclined to like culture, symbolism, rituals, and traditions. Maybe they seek these out in other cultures because they don't have any of their own. Perhaps people seek to set themselves apart from a family or culture that they don't wish to be a part of or celebrate. Read More