Talking Points: is wearing clothes from a different culture appropriation or appreciation? [Part. 1]

Published: 
Listen to this article

Hate it when you can’t talk back? Well, you can with Young Post. Have your say and share with students around Hong Kong

Jamie Lam |
Published: 
Comment

Latest Articles

Gloomy youth pull US and western Europe down global happiness ranking

Hong Kong passes domestic national security law

Many hospitals in China stop newborn delivery services as birth rate drops

SOTY 22/23: Linguist (Putonghua) winner hopes to spread Chinese culture

Improving concentration and relaxation is a walk in the park – with a dog

Climate change, urbanisation lead to early flowering of cherry blossom trees

Twitter was divided after an American girl (front row, centre) with no Chinese roots wore a cheongsam to prom.

Hayley Poon Hi-yee, 16, Tung Chung Catholic School

Wearing clothes from a different culture shows a person’s appreciation of the culture. When that American girl wore a cheongsam to her school prom, she showed that she values Chinese culture. The fact that she wore a traditional Chinese dress on such an important occasion can help to promote Chinese culture.

Hannah Faith Chak, 17, Po Leung Kuk Wu Chung College

I believe it’s cultural appreciation, not appropriation. For the American teenager to choose to wear a cheongsam to her school dance, she must be a big fan of Chinese culture. And if some people don’t like that sort of thing, that’s their problem. If an American is being criticised for wearing a Chinese dress, does that mean Chinese people can’t wear Western clothes? That’s stupid thinking.

Leung Hau-ying, 14, Tin Shui Wai Methodist College

Nowadays, many countries around the world encourage their people to respect other cultures. When you are in Japan, for example, you can wear a kimono. You don’t have to be Japanese to do that. We shouldn’t discourage people from trying to experience cultures that are different from their own. As for the American teen who wore a cheongsam? You rock, girl!

Cheung Pui-sze, 15, Tin Shui Wai Methodist College

It’s surely cultural appreciation! There are so many different cultures around the world, and that’s something we need to accept. We should be able to wear whatever we want without being criticised. We should support people who want to embrace cultures from different countries.

Lau Wing-tung,16, Tin Shui Wai Methodist College

I like seeing people wear clothes from different cultures as I think blending cultures together is a good thing. It gives people a way to connect with people from different cultures to their own, and encourages them to learn more about other cultures, too.

Judy Cheung, 15, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

I don’t think it’s cultural appropriation. If a non-Chinese person was to wear a cheongsam, for example, it shows they appreciate Chinese culture. I think more people should wear cheongsams as they are very beautiful.

Helen Liu, 16, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

A lot of poeple though it was wrong when that American teenager wore a traditional Chinese dress to her prom. However, I think the cheongsam looked nice on her and that she carried it respectfully, so I don’t see anything wrong with what she did.

Karen Ho Ka-man, 16 , Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

I think wearing clothes from a different culture is cultural appreciation. The girl in the news who posted a photo of her wearing a traditional Chinese dress to prom on Twitter shouldn’t have been criticised. She was just appreciating this part of China’s culture. She wouldn’t have worn the dress if she didn’t think it was beautiful.

Jodi Pak, 15, Tin Shui Wai Methodist College

It’s definitely more cultural appreciation. As long as we do it in a respectful way, I don’t see any problem with someone wearing clothes from a different culture. It’s not a bad way to start learning about other cultures and it could even help other people to learn more about that culture through you.

In our next Talking Points, we’ll discuss:

Is facial recognition a breach of privacy?

We are now accepting your answers for this topic. To take part, email your answer with your name, age, and school, along with a nice, clear selfie (make sure it’s not blurry), to [email protected] by lunchtime on Monday. Don’t forget to include “Talking Points” in the subject line.

Edited by Nicole Moraleda 

Sign up for the YP Teachers Newsletter
Get updates for teachers sent directly to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Comment