Spot on...

The following is a fictitious letter to the editor and response to an article posted on the Huffington Post titled "Why a Bindi Is NOT an Example of Cultural Appropriation"and i would highly recommend you to check it out for yourself...

Dear Editor

Let me be the first to recognize and commend you, on your enlightening, ultimately candid take, on the subject of cultural appropriation.

An Indian by nativity and ethnicity, I wholly concur with the viewpoint and stance of the article, with regard to the evolution and modern-day application of the bindi.

I believe, it is extremely important to recognize the dissimilarity between cultural appropriation, the  ‘the adoption of a specific part of one culture by another cultural group,’ and acculturation or assimilation in that "appropriation" or "misappropriation" as stated before refers to the’ inclusion and absorption of cultural elements from minorities or immigrants into the predominant culture.’

As stated in your article, when the process of adoption and mainstream conversion is bereft of all cultural, religious and historical significance, the act is then merit of offense. No individual or group possess’ the right to strip an aspect of one’s culture of it’s true context and significance in order to attain conventional status and peddle it on wholesale.

Notwithstanding, I do agree that the bindi is a unique case in within itself. For the longest time I myself have not known the true history and significance of this cultural symbol, other than it’s current modern day status as a fashion accessory. This raises an interesting sentiment and the realization that a majority of Indians themselves, don’t know the significance of the bindi, as mentioned in the article. Furthermore the statistics concerning the Hindu women who were unable to accurately elucidate the history, religious or spiritual significance of the bindi coupled the author’s personal confession brought further emphasis and elicit to the claim.

However, I do recognize and appreciate the inclusion of the counter argument brought forth in the article that other, such as Indian statesman Rajan Zed might posses. In that the bindi acts an auspicious religious and spiritual symbol and should not to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory, to state your article. However the validity of this statement solely relies on the basis that us Indians ourselves have maintained this level of consecration and holiness in regards to the bindi. Nevertheless this is not the case and it is therefore on those grounds that we cannot expect others to do so.

  

Furthermore I agree with the standpoint that culture does in fact evolve. Indians have forever appreciated the beauty of a bindi, indoctrinating it into the world of fashion decades ago. As a people we now share the privilege of spreading and passing on this rich legacy as the bindi makes it's way to the countless foreheads across the globe. I delight in the continued evolution of this cultural symbol and the actuality that it been able to surpass the confines of religion and class.

To echo the author’s closing statement, I am glad others find this aspect of my culture beautiful and would adopt it as their own, for I do too.

Warmest regards,

Rohan Toor