Hello, this will be potentially controversial and triggering, so let’s dive in!
As mentioned in a previous blog post, my fellow cohort and I got some absolutely stunning Kitenge, Rwandan style fabric, and have gotten it all made into truly dope pieces of clothing that we love to wear. This will inevitably bring up the question at home of whether this is appropriation or appreciation. I whole heartedly take the side of appreciation and here’s why:
You should see the smiles of community members when they see us wear it.
That’s all. That’s how I know that I’m not doing anything wrong. It provides so much happiness, at least in my case, to those around me when they see me wearing and embracing their culture. Of course, there are ways I could take this too far. I don’t wear a kitenge turban to keep my hair back, and I don’t go to get my hair braided, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if someone suggested these things as a way of bringing us closer somehow, that I would definitely discuss it with Janelle and more thoroughly with my community. . In addition, we mindfully chose fabrics that we felt could be accepted in the states as well as embraced the Rwandan culture. Then I pose the question, where is the harm in supporting our local kitenge markets and tailors in our communities? If I ever wear my kitenge in the States, I fear that it will spark some heat or animosity, which is why I am addressing it here and now. NOW if you don’t hate me, enjoy the following slideshow of us after we got our outfits back from the tailor. <3
As mentioned in a previous blog post, my fellow cohort and I got some absolutely stunning Kitenge, Rwandan style fabric, and have gotten it all made into truly dope pieces of clothing that we love to wear. This will inevitably bring up the question at home of whether this is appropriation or appreciation. I whole heartedly take the side of appreciation and here’s why:
You should see the smiles of community members when they see us wear it.
That’s all. That’s how I know that I’m not doing anything wrong. It provides so much happiness, at least in my case, to those around me when they see me wearing and embracing their culture. Of course, there are ways I could take this too far. I don’t wear a kitenge turban to keep my hair back, and I don’t go to get my hair braided, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if someone suggested these things as a way of bringing us closer somehow, that I would definitely discuss it with Janelle and more thoroughly with my community. . In addition, we mindfully chose fabrics that we felt could be accepted in the states as well as embraced the Rwandan culture. Then I pose the question, where is the harm in supporting our local kitenge markets and tailors in our communities? If I ever wear my kitenge in the States, I fear that it will spark some heat or animosity, which is why I am addressing it here and now. NOW if you don’t hate me, enjoy the following slideshow of us after we got our outfits back from the tailor. <3