Cultural Appropriation - Yellowface effect

There is something particularly hurtful when one of the most important cultural institutions in Winnipeg invites Orientalism, fetishization, and stereotyping in the name of charity. This is what is happening with the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s upcoming “Big in Japan” Art & Soul Gala (February 22, 2014), where attendees are encouraged to “throw on a kimono and celebrate everything Japanese,” “embrace their inner ninja,” and “Dress in theme or cocktail attire” with the reminder to “keep it in good taste.” I’ll mention that these descriptions come from an edited version; an earlier narrative also referenced “geisha girls,” the Yakuza, and David Suzuki – a Canadian public figure.
 read the rest of the article here:

http://jenny-heijun-wills.tumblr.com/