Tags
beauty, bindi, cultual significance, culture, east indian, fashion, jewellery, makeup, makeup artistry, open minded, passion, punjabi, racism, sikh, travel
So this post is a bit .. no ALOT different then what I started this blog in regards to ( BEAUTY) but there was a post on Instagram today and it just bothered me a lot I had to get my feelings out there and write about this ASAP. So I have recently started blogging and you have no idea who this newbie is in the wonderful world of blogging ..
My name is Jessica and I am an East indian Computer science engineer come Makeup Artist . My passion and drive for makeup over power me , If I am at work on the computer I am googling beauty and makeup. It is only natural I Pursue my passion for makeup and started a FB page 6 months ago. In just 6 months my page Jessica Parmar-Makeup Artistry ( yes yes please check it out ) is almost at 8000 likes and I couldn’t be happier. Lately I joined the instagram bandwagon jessicaparmarmakeupartistry ( yes please do stalk me on there too :)) and I came across a picture that had a caucasion girl wearing an east indian bindi – It was captioned something like – CULTURAL APPROPRIATION – is it offensive and racist for me to wear a bindi?
Naturally for me born and raised in Alberta Canada but east indian by nature I commented and said :- I am a Sikh Punjabi and find it by no means offensive that you are wearing a bindi,I wear a bindi out for special occasions like weddings and birthday parties etc, It helps me complete my Indian look and just adds to my jewellery and outfit for that extra special look. I find it by no means a sign of disrespect. You look gorgeous in this bindi , you are not abusing it by wearing it and your pictures thoroughly show that you sincerely like it. You have full 100% right to wear it and rock it like you are doing. If I go to Japan or china and currently in Canada like chopsticks will I not be allowed to eat with them because I am “from a different cultural backround”? No that is ridiculous. If anyone embraces another culture and respects it that is great. I believe you are truly just opening the minds of many who call it the “Paki dot”… I salute you for wearing the bindi and exploring culture.Also The bindi is like a 3rd eye that was worn long ago to ward off bad luck etc , Because the indian women are superstitious and believed if worn and they were all dressed up and looked beautiful no one could cast an evil eye on them. These days it is a statement/jewellery piece. Just like the Hamza hand or evil eyes that people are painting on their nails or the cross that people are wearing on their crop tops and mini skirts. Be open to new cultures and be open minded enough to allow others to try new things.. YOU ARE NOT A RACIST, infact you are just giving many people a lot to think of and changing the minds of many.
Ok so I know that the Bindi does hold cultural significance but how can we call somebody a racist for wearing and embracing something so beautiful? I am born and raised in Canada but I love to travel. My natural instinct and passion for culture pulls me in when I travel so deeply I want to try everything while I am there. Am I a racist or am I a love/passion driven individual with a zest for life and trying new things ? When I eat at my favourite Chinese restaurant am I a racist because I use chopsticks? I do not intend to hurt anyone with my feelings in this post. I am just a happy fun loving person and this post about someone trying to embrace something new hurt me that she was called a racist. I simply am someone who does not judge others based on their choices so I hope that anyone who reads this can understand my point of view and even try out something like a fun makeup, a different cultural dress or jewellery. Be open minded my friends :)))
The picture added here in my blog is a makeup I did on of my caucasion friends to show you how beautiful it Is to explore a different culture. Jessica Parmar-Makeup Artistry