“Social media, some describe this as a way to broaden horizons, venture out, and market to a bigger audience, others, a parasite, that relies on the insecurity of people to thrive. Have we ever described it as a gateway for cultural appropriation?”— JAda white (11th Grade)
Social media, some describe this as a way to broaden horizons, venture out, and market to a bigger audience, others, a parasite, that relies on the insecurity of people to thrive. Have we ever described it as a gateway for cultural appropriation? Tik tok, one of the largest, and fastest growing social media platforms in the world, has opened many doors for teens such as myself, and those even younger than I am. But with this comes a risky venture into spiritualism. The new-found interest in spiritualism has taken on itself so much so, they have a nickname for the modern-day witches, witch-tok. Witch-tok, although one of the biggest factions of tik tok, and one of the most popular, also has a problem with cultural boundaries.
It’s important to note that the appropriation I’ll be discussing does not solely exist on the digital realm, but also in yoga studios, and chakra opening cafe spots. It’s important to teach-ourselves the significance of these cultural practices, as well as acknowledge where they come from.
Let’s start with the basis of which spiritualism exist in social media. We have sage burning, meditation, spells, crystals, chakras, amongst other things. where do these practices originate and what are some examples of over-stepping? It’s important for non-poc to ask themselves these questions.
Let’s start with meditation and yoga, a big factor of. Hinduism, Buddhism that play hand-in-hand, a holy act to connect one with a higher thought or deity. Something that takes years to understand, a practice that is ancient as the religion itself. On tik tok, meditation and yoga are advertised as little gimmicks to manifest your desires into actual reality, a misconstrued definition. Let’s also discuss the usage of White Sage, exclusive to indigenous practices, but majorly foun din the southern easter United States-Mexico border, almost extinct because of the over-usage of the herb, for “cleansing”, and getting rid of “dark energy”. White sage stands to represent the commercialization of spiritualism, and how it harms Black and Brown communities, when not respected and left to be practiced in its rightful spaces.
Now that we discussed the examples of spiritualism gentrification, lets also discuss the thick line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.To rightfully celebrate culture, you do not have to involve yourself in its practices. To truly appreciate the beauty of a culture, you give it a place to celebrate itself. Anything more, you’re crossing a line, and are profiting off of it’s peoples, and their stories. Culture consists of four crucial things, beliefs, arts, custom, and knowledge. To preserve these four things, you don’t commercialize, nor do you participate, you acknowledge, and you respect.
That being said, the new found interest in spiritualism, is not only stepping gin the toes of many Black and Brown communities, but also making a profit of doing so. One can’t truly be “enlightened”, and then in the same sentence ignore and de-value centuries of practices.
A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU BECOME “SPIRITUAL”
● Is this a practice from a indigenous, black, or otherwise ethnic culture?
● Can I practice spirituality practicing something else?
● Is this item close to extinction?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you should research some more practices, if spirituality joins truly the path you want to walk on
Social media, some describe this as a way to broaden horizons, venture out, and market to a bigger audience, others, a parasite, that relies on the insecurity of people to thrive. Have we ever described it as a gateway for cultural appropriation? Tik tok, one of the largest, and fastest growing social media platforms in the world, has opened many doors for teens such as myself, and those even younger than I am. But with this comes a risky venture into spiritualism. The new-found interest in spiritualism has taken on itself so much so, they have a nickname for the modern-day witches, witch-tok. Witch-tok, although one of the biggest factions of tik tok, and one of the most popular, also has a problem with cultural boundaries.
It’s important to note that the appropriation I’ll be discussing does not solely exist on the digital realm, but also in yoga studios, and chakra opening cafe spots. It’s important to teach-ourselves the significance of these cultural practices, as well as acknowledge where they come from.
Let’s start with the basis of which spiritualism exist in social media. We have sage burning, meditation, spells, crystals, chakras, amongst other things. where do these practices originate and what are some examples of over-stepping? It’s important for non-poc to ask themselves these questions.
Let’s start with meditation and yoga, a big factor of. Hinduism, Buddhism that play hand-in-hand, a holy act to connect one with a higher thought or deity. Something that takes years to understand, a practice that is ancient as the religion itself. On tik tok, meditation and yoga are advertised as little gimmicks to manifest your desires into actual reality, a misconstrued definition. Let’s also discuss the usage of White Sage, exclusive to indigenous practices, but majorly foun din the southern easter United States-Mexico border, almost extinct because of the over-usage of the herb, for “cleansing”, and getting rid of “dark energy”. White sage stands to represent the commercialization of spiritualism, and how it harms Black and Brown communities, when not respected and left to be practiced in its rightful spaces.
Now that we discussed the examples of spiritualism gentrification, lets also discuss the thick line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.To rightfully celebrate culture, you do not have to involve yourself in its practices. To truly appreciate the beauty of a culture, you give it a place to celebrate itself. Anything more, you’re crossing a line, and are profiting off of it’s peoples, and their stories. Culture consists of four crucial things, beliefs, arts, custom, and knowledge. To preserve these four things, you don’t commercialize, nor do you participate, you acknowledge, and you respect.
That being said, the new found interest in spiritualism, is not only stepping gin the toes of many Black and Brown communities, but also making a profit of doing so. One can’t truly be “enlightened”, and then in the same sentence ignore and de-value centuries of practices.
A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU BECOME “SPIRITUAL”
● Is this a practice from a indigenous, black, or otherwise ethnic culture?
● Can I practice spirituality practicing something else?
● Is this item close to extinction?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you should research some more practices, if spirituality joins truly the path you want to walk on
