My Fave is Problematic: Gwen Stefani, Queen of Cultural Appropriation

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[@ForHarriet619]

Yes, that's a pimple. I couldn't pop it. The show must go on. Check out the Patreon! Patreon.com/ForHarriet

[@iguessitsokyungrichbaby2813]

Would you mind dropping the link for the blog post ?

[@ForHarriet619]

@@iguessitsokyungrichbaby2813 margaretcho.com/2005/10/31/harajuku-girls/

[@ashleygardiner7061]

I didn't even notice it. Keep being beautiful! 😘 God bless.

[@biancalord488]

What pimple??!!! Girl you are flawless

[@knight7se7en]

For Harriet: I didn’t notice anything until you said something LOL

[@sooyoungloversone6454]

She really quickly said, "Gwen hasn't really done anything offensive except date Blake Shelton." Guuuurl, I'm dead...subscribed

[@robertstanley9633]

😂

[@edu.spears]

HAHAHAHAHA TRUE

[@johnnyjohnnyhottiethottie8345]

how's it offensive what did he do

[@Paris-jv8xo]

@@johnnyjohnnyhottiethottie8345 made homophobic and racist remarks

[@salomeguzman8611]

The brown baby was suppose to be the future she wanted with her indian exbf whom she thought was the love of her life

[@shootinthebreeze2058]

Exactly! That's a what I remember

[@aae7583]

I literally just posted this....and then I read your comment. I am very surprised Harried does not already know this. So many of her songs are about her Indian Exbf Tony Kana, who is also a member of the band. The song Don't Speak is about their breakup and her tension with the band.

[@sandyg.8318]

Thanks for saying this because 😒

[@kellyrobinson6543]

@@aae7583 don't speak is about the group standing together after the label tried to make gwenn the star. Get your facts straight

[@askhollib]

Kelly Robinson It is. But it has also been stated early on that they played up her relationship with Tony and they made a lot of things out to reference him when they didn’t. So they are not incorrect in saying it’s referencing him.

[@ehaught9722]

As someone who is Indian, I loved growing up seeing Gwen rock a Bindi

[@materialhell]

Gwen took inspiration from Tony's mother, and I thought that was pretty sweet of her tbh. IMO that is not cultural appropriation. But definitely the Harajuku period was a problematic and the native americans and cowboys, wow.

[@ehaught9722]

Maggie M. Exactly people try and get offended for bullshit reasons. We have bigger problems these days. People shouldn’t be pressed that Gwen wore a bindi etc back in the 90’s 😂😂😂

[@idonotknow8503]

@@materialhell In Japan they do not care about cultural appropriation, it is something that they have been doing for decades. I am European and I have experienced half of the classic children literature from my continent through Japanese animation. No big deal.

[@materialhell]

@@idonotknow8503 It's not the cultural appropriation that I find problematic.

[@amberthecommander8359]

Smh... shows how little you "VALUE" your culture; that you would LOVE watching a WW take something with such sentimental meaning and.... diminish it to a simple "fashion statement". This is EXACTLY why your generation has the potential to walk THEMSELVES😳... right into MFN Slavery!! Yall are on Autopilot when it comes to your COMPLETE AND TOTAL Lack of VALUES in your overall foundation. After hearing her REASON of why she started wearing a Bindi, it's crazy to me that YOU didnt even think TWICE about still cosigning her blatant disrespect to Your Culture! Wouldnt you rather support an INDIAN Pop Singer who Rocks a Bindi😳 Does that NOT make 100% more sense than "Loving" to see a Non-Indian woman EXPLOIT your culture for financial gain? It would be better for someone from YOUR COUNTRY to become POPULAR by PROUDLY representing the Culture to which they were raised. WTF has she Done FOR India while she was out there getting famous dumming down their Traditions?

[@taylorah6409]

14:33 consulted with Native American experts? Lmao how 'bout they should've consulted with actual Natives. WE STILL OUT HERE 😂😂😂

[@muumol]

Taylor AH yes we are 💙

[@adialena6955]

WORD!

[@ChangeIsGood7775]

We ouchea!

[@SomePersonInTheWorld]

@@xbfdx988 Then they'd just be Natives? Being part of a group doesn't make you an "expert." Expert implies they've studied on the subject, which is a pretty strange way to refer to someone having first-hand experience and knowledge.

[@MilkyMilktastic]

Cultural appropriation is when you take something from another culture and either mock it, use it incorrectly or claim to have created it. I have no problem with people wearing elements of other cultures. Just know what you are doing and not make it a trend.

[@eartianwerewolf]

I think the key for me is ' elements' . if you wholesale rip the look off it just feels wrong but if you incorporate parts that is cool

[@christyfielding7498]

I think this is the best way of thinking. It makes the line between appropriation and appreciation much clearer. I also think you should credit the element like in social media posts etc and make sure you understand the meaning and signficance of it.

[@vainpiers]

Actually appropriation isn’t a negative or positive term it’s a neutral term that describes the cultural phenomenon of other cultures borrowing or “appropriating” from other cultures.

[@1940semochild]

MilkyMilktastic You explained this very well and clearly. Its not a hard concept to understand but in people's misunderstandings of the concept, they get bothered by what they think it is. Not sure why some people think the term is controversial or divisive. .

[@julianfavela11121985]

🙌🏻Thank You!!!!!! 🙌🏻 I feel better now, knowing that I’m not the only one who think this way.

[@mg.5968]

Good analysis Kim! However, to be honest I find the whole modern day cultural appropriation wars to be tiresome. The reality is that throughout history nearly every culture has borrowed or blended with another culture. No culture exists in a vacuum. It's human nature to be curious and want to dabble. I feel like the current debate loses sight of this context and in certain circumstances sets up unrealistic expectations regarding cross cultural engagement. The real issue is the commodification of other cultures. Why should one group get to profit/benefit from displays of another culture, when the group being appropriated can't represent their own culture and benefit to the same degree. Instead of narrowly focusing on this particular issue the conversation too easily devolves into a sort of "you can't play with my toys" type of retort. That to me is sad and frankly a non-starter for most people. People don't respond well to "you can't do this". I don't have any solutions, but the current conversation around this topic leaves me frustrated.

[@oliversedgwick7236]

I couldn't have said it better 💛💙💛

[@UranusRising]

I completely understand your argument. A friend and I have had a back-and-forth about representation and other extraneous non-aesthetic concerns interfering with the production of art. It's hard to create or enjoy a piece of art these days without the socio-cultural burdens of justice and representation. With that said, however, I really draw the line at toting around human beings like handbags that you picked up at the Asian flea market.

[@mg.5968]

@craisins 86 I was born in Houston Texas and I'm 29 years young!

[@neghiethervil5606]

You articulated my sentiments in two paragraphs where I would’ve had to spend a few hours trying to figure out my thoughts and would have to write a 10 paged paper. 😆

[@SparklingJuice247]

Wellll. It is problematic when white women and men can act like other races and get famous from it, but people who actually own that culture cant get the same respect. And it is also very one sided...where a white person can appropriate other cultures and its cool, but other races cant be as successful doing 'white' things like ballet, pop, etc

[@bellbellmtz]

As a Latina when she wore a tore up shirt with the Virgin Mary while laying on Mexican candy...I wanted to do that! It’s a love hate thing. She should acknowledge it.

[@kauaichan]

who cares, you look controlling lol

[@memosilverman5654]

She used the Harajuku Girls as accsesories. I was never a fan of Gwen (not hated her, but never a fan) but even as a teenager I knew it was horrible to use a human as an accesory, singling them out because their race. The first time I heard of Cultural Appropiation I thought on Gwen.... Still do.

[@bbrown333]

The brown baby and bindis are because of Tony Kanal who is of, I believe, Indian or Pakistani descent. She was in a longtime relationship with him and most of the songs off of TK and ROS are based on that relationship. Not an excuse, but a reason.

[@megg.6651]

I don't think Gwen needs to make excuses to any of you, as a reason should be fine in our free society.

[@magaliorgebincyrvan8478]

Exactly what i thought

[@junglebunny925]

@Brian Brown thank you for bringing that up.

[@darlenemassey3608]

I'm a fan too I was looking for someone who a fan hers who remembers. Her time is a bit off.

[@Lemmynx]

I don't wanna detract from the point, but wasn't ROS about her and Gavin?

[@ObeyAmmalol]

She “tried on” many different cultures lol

[@AddBowIfGirl]

Obey Amma Tried on then discarded when over it. 🙄

[@kaylanbaby5987]

Kinda like Miley Cyrus 🙄

[@mermaidtingzzz]

Yuuup! I've always loved her too. I recently bought a pin with a pic of her an Courtney Love and Gwen has on a bindi, blonde chunky "Bye Felicia" braids and her red lip 🤣🤣🤣. It's so late 90s/early 2000 cringe and problematicness I had to get it!

[@marshalinehamismother]

Obey Amma my culture is not your goddamn prom dress lmao

[@suras8984]

@@kaylanbaby5987 I wouldnt compare it to Miley.... Miley did what she did to get noticed and separate from her hannah montana image. She also seemed to be rebelling. It was obvious it was fake. And then discarded the image like its not her anymore and said she felt demeaned even though she did it to herself. It was an act. And it was easy for her to leave it behind to continue a good girl image to be with Liam. But with Gwen she appreciates all her looks like costumes and trends for her music. Its part of the art. She has been consistent through her career.

[@originalswimcap]

"You can love things and still live in reality." This is some great advice that I needed today and everyone I know needs to hear.

[@naomipena8364]

I think Gwen as an artist is inspired by different cultures. I think she was trying to bring those cultures to the forefront wether it was around her by family, latinas (since they are an OC based band), etc.

[@truelife1370]

Not at all. I feel like she and her label were creating a character. Similar to Madonna in a way where she took out as a white artist. Or even Milley Cyrus is an example. More of shock value/ gimmicky. She is no where near what she was before. She is more traditional Karen white American now.

[@j.e.pierson9433]

Wasn't Simple Kind of Life about her wanting to marry Tony Kanal but they broke up? I think the "mystical brown baby" was the little Indian baby she wanted to have with him, lol

[@theTruthSeekerishere]

Yes, I believe this is true.

[@anastasiabrown3801]

J.E. Pierson I came down to comment this!

[@kokolatte825]

Except they casted a Black baby.

[@j.e.pierson9433]

@@kokolatte825 If that is true I never noticed but the kid had a Bindi

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Most likely. They were together for eight years. I think they broke up prior to No Doubt getting big? That's what I thought since the consensus at the time was, "Ex-Girlfriend" was about their split.

[@bakergeetee]

Margaret Cho was DRAGGED for her callout, and lots of people supported Gwen. Gwen Stefani and I are the same age and while I did(and still do) like her and No Doubt, her whole culture vulture vibe bothered me despite my love of her music. Social media was not the same back then, and forget about when I was a teen and Madonna was using the same playbook.

[@frmtheBkstore]

Yes, Madonna for decades.

[@Havanachan]

Damn, I didn't know about that

[@luciasann6930]

I heard somewhere that Gwen and Madonna are cousins.

[@doesntmatter9809]

What did Maragaret say?

[@flyleelee5351]

Yes, Gwen did all her vulturing before the social media age and so did Madonna. I'd also argue and say Christina Aguilera, too.

[@jojojo89517]

Actually no, the bindi is only culturally significant If it's red to denote a married women or if it's black to denote an unmarried women or to ward of evil. Generally, Bindis are not something that's held in a very sacred regard with the exception of the red bindi for married women. Traditionally a bindi is applied on as a powder but the sticker versions are for convince I suppose. All these fashionable bindis that you see Gwen and many of the girls attending cochella wear are just that, fashion accessories. Hindu women wear those kind of bindi's for the same reason that Gwen does, for fashion.

[@Spoogebro]

A bindi represents a lot more than that. It represents one of the chakras, ajna or the third eye. It was originally used to help with meditation as its belived a bindi or any form of tika can help with concentration and focus. The bindi is so old people in the Indus River Valley had them. And while many people wear it for fashion, they do it knowing the history of this sacred marking and that they are jeeping a tradition thousands of years old alive.

[@yeahyeahyeah2935]

Just because YOU, one person, is ok with it. Doesn’t mean it’s not CULTURAL, as in an entire culture, appropriation.

[@RainyRunningRiver]

@@yeahyeahyeah2935 hi- I'm indian and could care less! Why are you getting heated over somthing as stupid as this? You know there are North Korean slaves being shipped all over the world? You know about the female infanticide going on in India? And yall dumb girls arguing over makeup and glitter? 2019 everyone.

[@sjlewis271]

Now ask Gwen if she knows that. 🤔

[@Sebadoh1994]

Black White agreed. Thank you for making the correct point that I was trying to find the words to say. My sister in law wears them sometimes and she's from India herself and finds no fault in people wearing them as fashion. And you're right, there are so much bigger issues going on in this world. The anger over what you can and can't wear with people is a shame

[@sweetnothings887]

i always liked gwen stefani, but this video is making me think part of her problem is that she has no actual discernible personality of her own. i still very much enjoyed this analysis!

[@jlcii]

Now I have a question, just because I've been thinking about cultural appropriation and what it is. When Nicki Minaj dressed up as a geisha and had obvious Japanese influence in the Your Love video, would that be considered cultural appropriation?

[@FabalociousDee]

I know this was addressed towards Kimberlyn, but yes. Yes, it is cultural appropriation. But because Nicki is a member of an oppressed minority that has her culture literally stolen by EVERYONE, she just about gets a pass.

[@kokolatte825]

@@FabalociousDee that's basically it. And if people are going to act so offended by cultural appropriation then it doesn't make sense to give out passes. If its offensive when Gwen does it, it needs to be offensive when Nicki does it because let's be honest, neither of them are doing anything to uplift Asian people and they are both just using the imagery to make money off it.

[@FabalociousDee]

@@kokolatte825 That'd mean more, though, if Black culture, especially Black American culture, hadn't been jacked and pimped out by literally everyone, INCLUDING Asian people. So how do we handle that, exactly?

[@marymiller6188]

Fabalocious Dee 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I'd also like to add that the culture she "appropriated" are literally mining Africa and has mined people of African decent of ions so yeah she gets a pass

[@kokolatte825]

@@marymiller6188 so you answer the issue of cultural appropriation with more cultural appropriation? 👌🏽 and use the classic preschooler arguement of "he hit me first".😥

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

You explaining TRL is really making me feel old out here! 😂

[@spifftastic87]

fr fr 😂😂

[@brieoliver]

I felt soooo old. Lawd. It's the first time Im realizing my age lol

[@Princess0ftheLight]

Growing up I ysed to watch both, TRL and 106 & park when AJ & Free hosted tge show. I feel old, but don't look a day over 18.

[@princesayoleasa]

@@Princess0ftheLight lmaooo same

[@nickstadler1906]

If the TRL thing makes you feel old, imagine how I feel. I'm from the "Dial MTV" generation.

[@ClowneryAtItsFinest]

Gwen was dating Tony back in the day . I always thought she was wearing a bindi because he was an Indian man.

[@GirGirGirGir160]

AyeshéIsAlwaysLovely it’s been said that that’s exactly why she wore it

[@KaioMichiru22]

It was, people like this girl are obsessed trying to make other people look bad

[@peacebeyondpassion2]

Sorry, but she looks like one. Am I the only one who sees it lol?

[@ooflalabish4572]

@@KaioMichiru22 How she explained it in her interview sounded so disrespectful though. She didn't even know the significance for Hindus, she just wore it as if was an accessory when it isn't.

[@angelafranklin29]

Yes u r right

[@tiramiiisu]

i feel like unless you’re trying to mock the culture. personally i hate this cultural appropriation thing going around. when its disrespectful and uneducated its offensive, yes. but as long as people know the origin of what their wearing and aren’t just trying to be “kawaii” then i think its okay. only reason why it really sucks is the fact that when anyone else wears an afro or dreads or braids its cute, but if i show up with my braids I probably wont get the job im interviewing for 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@carrot7911]

well i agree with you, except for the kawaii part. i’m assuming that ur talking abt harajuku fashion, if i’m wrong please correct me. I’m going to call it j-fashion, because Harajuku is a a place. most types of j-fashion are very inspired by western elements. J-fashion like lolita (not the book), decora, moro girl, fairy kei, etc aren’t even close to cultural appropriation, due to their history being rich in european fashion. many people within j fashion aren’t asian. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to understand the history because it’s very interesting and relevant to the styles, but if u wear it with or without knowing, it’s not appropriation :)

[@XxGetLikekimmyxX]

@@carrot7911 It’s also extremely similar to the aesthetic that black girls wore when they were children as well like out elaborate hairstyles to pink frilly clothes. J-fashion is just a coined word but the umbrella term “kawaii” was already a thing before it was popular in Asia if that makes sense.

[@LisaGallegos]

She told them they weren’t allowed to talk- it’s more the toting them around for me

[@Whoville3]

​@@XxGetLikekimmyxXcorrect me if I'm wrong but i thought the term J Fashion came from Japan

[@TheLeah2344]

I’m black American and dating a Haitian American man. We are both black but we have a different ethnicity and different culture. Learning how to cook Haitian food, listening to Haitian music , and learning Creole is not culture appropriation. Culture appropriation would be I start wearing traditional Haitian clothing for example and then give credit to a Black American for inventing it completely disrespecting and erasing Haitian culture. That is culture appropriation. Also another example is if I get praised for it and people act like I invented it while Haitians continues to be disregarded for their own culture when they were the ones who invented it.

[@SensitiveSage]

if you were gwen you would make a music vid pretenting to be a vodoo queen, making vodoo a fun game for everybody

[@jessierasberry3082]

I think that cross-cultural and interracial relationships are really interesting when discussing cultural appropriation. In some people’s eyes they’re always culturally appropriating each other, when they’re (usually) just trying to respect their spouse’s family. My husband is Chinese and there are certain things I’ve adopted to be respectful and adapt. I’m sure that someone would have an issue, but it’s considered disrespectful for me to not adopt certain practices, especially when it comes to his ancestors and certain holidays. Gwen did date an Indian man for a while, I’m sure he influenced her. That being said though, that doesn’t excuse everything and her creepy Japanese fetish is absolutely disturbing under any circumstance. I think interracial and cross cultural relationships are either really appreciative when they’re genuine or really appropriative (is that a word?) when they’re based entirely on racism/fetishes.

[@P03ticJustice]

That Haitian zozo real

[@taytaypirouettes8565]

TheLeah2344 I agree with

[@blackmore4]

Only a demented lunatic would imagine you invented "traditional Haitian" clothing by your wearing of it. "Cultural appropriation" is not only totally illogical, it's divisive and dangerous. It's people drawing yet more pointless lines in the sand between themselves. When did self-segregation become a good idea?

[@verifyingaccount2624]

I agree 100% cultural inappropriation but also appreciation. She was a style icon and made the then less represented minorities more comfortable with ourselves. I would blast her music as a kid and had the time of my life. Love her

[@RainyRunningRiver]

But this girl needs to play victum and cry about an outfit from 20 years ago.....

[@sjlewis271]

Chile... Auntie Gwen changed cultures with albums and treated actual people like accessories. You can excuse our legend but I can't boo. Absolutely not.

[@RainyRunningRiver]

@@sjlewis271 those girls she used as 'accessories' tried out, were paid handsomely, and we provided benifits. They were not slaves or held agents their will- they were talented asian dancers who were specifically chosen because they were the best! So would it have been better to dress white woman up to look Asian and fit the theme? Or is 'appreciating' not okay in America?

[@sjlewis271]

@@RainyRunningRiver That shit is wierd. That's called treating other people's cultures as costumes for "wow factor" because you don't have an identity. It's so funny that she couldn't find some type of European culture to vulture. But instead decided to find a way to not appreciate but replicate in some way the ones identified as "other". What about Italian, Russian, Australian, Parisian, or Icelandic culture?! 🤔 Those Asian girls collected a check but the fact that she offered it as a job is a damn problem.

[@RainyRunningRiver]

@@sjlewis271 wait- employing people is racist now? Europeans have a ton of different culture (I'm half Irish myself) so... Its fine when Beyonce dresses up as a Victorian Queen? And approprtes my husbands culture? Yall gunna get mad that a black boi has the biggest country music song right now? Its cultural appropriation right? You dragged Miley for 'actung black' an we drag Lil whatever for singing country? I think you're just salty and sad. Japanese people have Babyshoop! Google it! Your head will explode ✌

[@calidoll6120]

Im just gonna talk about gwens chola era. It was not a problem in the latino community during that time. Everyone loved it. I can see why people would be upset now. But as a latina that was literally one of the most iconic things gwen did while I was growing up. The video and her nails were everything she really knocked it right out of the park.

[@boboloko]

I love that you are expressing your love for her while calling her out. There's no bitterness or hostility in your analysis. Keep up the positivity.

[@UranusRising]

Kimberly, Speaking of Ariana Grande, can you do a video about how she's an appropriating white woman that successfully skates on ethnic ambiguity while doing what is essentially black American music? I can't tell you how many times I've encountered the shocked reactions of people who don't realize that she's not latina.

[@BabiiVpvStar]

I would love to hear her thoughts on her as well!

[@SparklingJuice247]

@@izzywizzyfromthefiz the problem is her darkening her skin, changing her attitude, style and language to typical black girl. But actual black girls get discriminated against 4 the same thing.

[@MelaninBae90]

@@izzywizzyfromthefiz Capitalizing easily and majorly on a minority's sound, what's the point you seem like from your comment, one of her blind, she can do no wrong ever in life 'stans' anyway.

[@pm0913]

SparklingJuice247 not even just discriminated. Black women have to help her write those songs and be around her for her to even be able to do this. Yet, they don’t get half as much as credit for being the source as Ariana does for doing “cool, new stuff»

[@kokolatte825]

@@izzywizzyfromthefiz it would make a difference if she were Latina because she "appropriated" SoCal culture in the 7 rings video, which is Black AND Latino culture.

[@lita313]

When you said, "Indian Gwen, Chola Gwen, Black Gwen. ." I instantly thought you were describing Barbie. Like that's some child like shit and I remember Margaret Cho mentioning this and that's when I stopped being a fan. Also the women were supposed to be silent because they were "a part of her imagination." Which makes zero sense.

[@suzettebeersingh8004]

It only makes sense when you realize that these entities can imitate and copycat human beings, they cannot actually create anything organically. They sure know how to profit off us though.

[@JaysWife]

We forgot about harajuku (Japanese) qwen

[@marshalinehamismother]

But like, what’s wrong with her dressing like other cultures lmao

[@kaylad4486]

@@marshalinehamismother Why not your own??? 🙄 We're not costumes. Half of white people don't even like the people. All this "no immigrant" bs yet you like the culture.

[@kaylad4486]

@@marshalinehamismother Also white people are known for taking credit for shit that isn't there thing.

[@FeatherX]

Most people appreciate other cultures. Indians love when people dress up like them, doesn't matter the race.

[@PeanutbutteredDailey]

Geez. Reading these comments... She said at the beginning of the video that she appreciates Gwen and there's no shade. She's just expressing things that she's noticed looking back at Gwen Stefani's career. Ya'll going off in the comments like you didn't even watch the video.

[@devonmunn5728]

Yeah it's alot.of anti's just stating typical talking points they use. No wonder why she closed off the comments at one point

[@jsmith469]

She was in love with Tony, so that's why she wore that

[@gwenraiden]

The Harajuku girls are all professional dancers. I remember them all being interviewed at some point. One of them is actually Japanese-American and doesn't speak Japanese at all. LOL.

[@alexlux8337]

There was never a Jamaican Gwen, she just filmed the video in Jamaica. Big deal? She was in a ska band and ska originated in Jamaica

[@itsjemmabond]

Oh, please! She wore a Rastafarian hat in one of her videos.

[@alexlux8337]

​@@itsjemmabond Yeah that shit is sold all over Jamaica to tourists. If you've ever been to Jamaica you'd know that a lot of the people there are easy going and have great senses of humor. I guarantee you no one was offended by Gwen's hat and if anything they were excited to see that she's wearing something from their country.

[@janetsfurr9551]

Omg there was never a hindu gwen, black gwen, jamaican Gwen, japanese... I cant believe this lady in the video is saying these things. Gwen a racist?? Wow i love gwen

[@amberinthebox4462]

Yessss

[@jonathanjolivet2057]

@@itsjemmabond It's because the ska culture is based on jamaican ska which is a precursor to rocksteady and reggae styles, and jamaican culture. when it was a big thing in the 90's stuff like the hat is what a lot of ska bands did. I'm a lifelong hip hop head from the block but also grew up an 'afropunk' before it was 'cool' so was around a lot of alt/rock scenes too, one of the few "colored folks" at a lot of live shows. The Ska thing in the UK and even in parts of the US was multiracial, you had blacks and whites. It was just subcultural, and a lot of it was just a west coast thing which is where the scene was big. People respected, paid tribute to the black jamaican roots of ska and played it a lot and a lot of reggae/dancehall/ska artists came to the US to play shows with ska bands. So I doubt it was just "ignorant white folks taking over shit" it was just a natural outgrowth of the scene. The ska crowd was originally the punk crowd, skater/hardcore punk, and they gravitated to ska.

[@cappysun3604]

from my understanding, she was dating the guy from the group at the time so wouldn't that represent why she would have a brown baby?

[@angelafranklin29]

Yes your right

[@luckyduckydaisyflower2344]

My dad is brown and I came out white. It happens

[@dest1ntheory]

I definitely noticed that Gwen was doing this pretty early on, but then with the Harajuku girls I was like, "Gwen! You cannot rename people and treat them like pets! That's not ok!" People acknowledged it was weird, but they didn't really call her on it. I never even saw that Margaret Cho post.

[@melisacaceres8740]

@mia morales In "Rich Girl" she says that if she had money she'd bring four Harajuku girls with her and name them: Love, Angel, Music and Baby. It's part of the lyrics.

[@MineralGarbage]

thats just a symbolism for her love of the fashion and aesthetic which is highighted in the song.

[@dest1ntheory]

Just a thought but maybe being a weeb suggests you don't understand the problem with cultural appropriation in the first place.

[@monember2722]

It's called a nickname. Geez you guys are completely invested in this devious indoctrination designed to separate. It's scary.

[@melisacaceres8740]

@@monember2722 I don't judge Gwen but i think that the nickname part is the least of the problematic things here. Keeping the girls silent and on having them as a company in all the interviews just for the sake of the concept is questionable.

[@coronting]

Her “Harajuku Girls” fetish was awful. She had those girls as part of her entourage...and they looked as if they were hired to be her pets.

[@trent_king]

Right

[@nemanjaras]

She even forced them to bow her in some performances.

[@SensitiveSage]

@@nemanjaras what the hell 😤

[@ameenahsf]

Yaaa I was a fan of gwen all the way from Sunday morning- No doubt days, but that harajuku girls faze was total cringe

[@rosered3608]

Miss Mena Sunday Morning 🤘🏽🤘🏽😜😜

[@LunaOrgana]

Tony....the love of her life for almost 2 decades is Indian......so brown baby, song about how she wished their relationship worked out....Tony is darker skinned...hmmmm almost makes sense if you don't jump to conclusions

[@MiaRosenbloom]

Thank you Kayla!!! For being the voice of reason.

[@sway7479]

Don't say nothing to em

[@1stWorldSlums]

Exactly

[@latonton1985]

I was about to comment this. The song was about her relationship with Tony and what could have been.

[@saygoodbyetofate]

She was with Gavin Rossdale by this time though

[@DenisePrincessKnight]

Gwen Stefani is talented and it's great for everyone to be open to various cultures and customs. Cultural appropriation is a divisive concept. Appropriation means taking something for one's own use without permission. Who does one ask permission to enjoy various customs and cultures? We Americans live in a multicultural society, so we can enjoy all of it. Making money from it is an expression of an artist's talent. There's no tangible damage - only the emotional sort from naysayers.

[@MineralGarbage]

alot of her style is from and encouraged by people whos culture she loves japan loves her and how she put harajuku fashion on the map

[@MomoManimi]

Wooooooww. So you define Cultural Appropriation as if you know what it is.... then you completely misconstrued and contradict that "so called" Understanding by pretty much letting everyone know that you.. have no understanding of it. Brilliant.

[@DenisePrincessKnight]

I myself didn't define cultural appropriation, nor did I misconstrue or contradict anything I said. If you feel you have a better understanding of what cultural appropriation is, then you should simply share that instead of pointlessly criticizing my comment.

[@ellie7646]

@@MineralGarbage it was already on the map hon. meanwhile i don't know who this woman is

[@arib6495]

Mm but is it not creepy asf to hire 4 Japanese girls to follow her around and not talk. Treating literal people as an exotic prop :/

[@zeezee5744]

How old is this KZbinr? Gwen had a major love affair with Tony the guitarist in No Doubt but they broke up. The baby is simple kinda life is probably supposed to represent the baby they never had.

[@bobbiobanion7706]

I'm guessing she's close to thirty, but if you weren't aware of the back story and just stumbled upon the video you just see a white women picking up a brown baby. I think that's her point. Maybe if they had thrown in a scene with tony like in don't speak it would help paint the picture better.

[@undercoverfro]

Bobbi Obanion personally I don’t feel like she has to explain. If you are a fan of the band you would know. Secondly, whenever I date someone of a different background to me we each try to learn about and embrace each other’s ethnic culture. I didn’t consider the guy as culturally appropriating lol.. I just considered it as diversity/him embracing a part of me and my life.. like out of respect and not as a ‘spice’. That being said, doesn’t mean sometimes it’s not embraced as just a ‘trivial spice’ but in this case with the brown culture I don’t feel like it was that

[@kittyearsheadbands8810]

Whenever I saw Gwen adobt my culture I thought it was flattering

[@galaxiebby9804]

As a Woc I 100% felt you when you said she wasn't canceled! growing up I looked up to her, in a weird way she made me feel represented with her obvious hints to many cultures. It's a weird position because clearly, ppl feel different now, but I do think she was trying to educate herself. I could say so much more...

[@demonademona5623]

Honestly, I don't get people's anger towards Gwen Harajuku faze. Which is a Japanese fashion that they borrowed from "Western" more like european cultures. It's literally Japanese street fashion. All I know is, if I'm into a Jfashion style, and I purchase clothes for it. I'ma wear it.

[@demonademona5623]

@Crucibelle Nah, I'm not opposed to hearing people out ... It's just Harajuku really isn't part of the Japanese culture directly, and obviously barrowed. The Japanese will say it's Barrowed as well. Except Kimono, Yukatas and other cultural wear.

[@thomaszhang3547]

I agree. I perceive her song Harajuku Girls and her harajuku style as appreciation! People are looking for things to get offended about.

[@itsjemmabond]

Yes, but treating those women as props? Come on...

[@cargoloyalty9978]

Thomas Truong Same, I usually see it as some sort of appreciation too! I’m not Japanese, but Chinese so I’m pretty used to other people talking part of Chinese culture and whenever I see it, it makes me happy, even when they get tattoos of Chinese characters that make no sense lol. I’m not too connected with my roots, but it still makes me happy that people are trying to take part in my parent’s culture and everything. This type of thing should be encouraged in America, you know the melting pot of cultures.

[@demonademona5623]

@@itsjemmabond I don't know what those girls, have to do with my stance. But continue to be offended? I was talking about Harajuku the style, not the woman she had following her. I would think paying people to follow you is odd even if they were white girls.

[@brittoocole]

I'm sorry but I love Gwen, her eras were iconic.

[@EpoxyMuffin]

You shouldn't apologize. Cultural appropriation is fine, it's just remixing and sharing ideas. She didn't do anything to hurt anyone or offend on purpose so it wasn't "cultural misappropriation" which is the actual problem. People just latched onto the wrong buzzword and now apparently think that everyone should only embrace the culture of their ancestors and people with the same skin tone as them....which is stupid, racist, and regressive. All cultures and races should mix and have some crossover; anyone opposing that idea is the real problem.

[@lr2ldn]

@@EpoxyMuffin THIS!!

[@yeahyeahyeah2935]

You can still love her, but you can’t deny her “style” is problematic. Doesn’t mean she’s a terrible person, or you for liking her. It just means pop culture has to do better. Other people’s culture isn’t up for grabs. You know?

[@NelliSmith]

This reminds me of Avril Lavignes Hello Kitty song. At first I loved that song because I love her. Then about the third time I saw the video I was like "Ehhhhhh, this isnt ok." Havent watched or listened to it since. Or Katy Perry appropriating ancient Egyptian styles and completely turning them bubblegum. Thanks for your videos Harriet. They help me learn.

[@SensitiveSage]

@bertasu cynical reactions they dont care

[@estefaniaboujon6830]

@bertasu cynical reactions why wouldnt they like the video?

[@jordanguillory7180]

@bertasu cynical reactions so you're offended for them when they don't even seem to be upset lmao.

[@jordanguillory7180]

it's a fine way to remind people "hey Egyptian culture exists" or it doesn't harm them at all

[@VenusAD]

The Hello Kitty song is REALLY cringy, but it was legit directed by a Japanese director in Japan for a Japanese audience, so like...it's a bit different. Her Japanese fans were stoked about it.

[@StephanieHarlowe]

The harajuko girls always creeped me out. They were like her pets. It made me very uncomfortable, I think thats when I started pulling away, like I don’t know what Eyes Wife Shut nonsense Gwen is into but I don’t want to be a part of it

[@AztecWarrior69]

If you think of them as pets then it's you who is the problem.

[@azulk955]

@@AztecWarrior69 that's a cop-out. It was objectively weird to pay Asian women to just silently pose around her and not speak. If the women were Nigerian I highly doubt she would have had the nerve...

[@cyano741]

​@@azulk955 Are you kidding me? Do you even know Harajuku culture? And what it represents? And how they act in actual Harajuku? I've been in Harajuku plenty of times. This has nothing to do with cultural appropriation, objectification or creepiness.

[@Idolish_Aurelite]

@@azulk955 dude..the women in the video were back-up dancers-

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

@@Idolish_Aurelite In the *videos*. On the red carpet? In interviews? They followed her around like they were accessories to her look--- actually, they literally were accessories because Gwen co-opted the "Harajuku" look and threw some Western style into it and pretended like she invented it, and they just stood there or sat there in total silence, never speaking. Not even being acknowledged unless Gwen wanted to flex how "diverse" and "fashion forward" she was. Hell, look at the clip Kim uses in the video of an old interview. The girls look incredibly bored and not at all happy to be there!

[@thunter6923]

Thank you so much for this video. Growing up I wasn't really a fan of Gwen, but I did hear her on the radio and I was aware of the different styles she had. But you opened up a new box of questions. Great content and more people need to talk about the cultural appreciation and how it's often ignored.

[@jghothot]

You are so my “friend in my head”! You speak so much truth to social/cultural issues.

[@angleeceiasorrentino]

jghothot I was just thinking the same thing! I’m like girl we so know each other.

[@tbee1575]

Join the club! I would SO have Kim over for chicken! Love her! 🤣

[@crichy]

Same! She’s so cool

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Right? She seems like the friend that you would meet with over coffee to catch up!

[@ObeyAmmalol]

When I was a little kid I had no idea what she was

[@alexn.2901]

I still have no idea who she is.

[@VictoriaAntonetti]

I really never like the braids argument. Braids do not belong to one group and I don’t mean currently I mean historically. People were braiding hair, in similar ways and different ways, around the world. It’s not appropriation unless you wanna claim you’re appropriating multiple cultures at once or one culture has greater claims to a certain braid than another culture. It’s my least favorite argument people make about appropriation.

[@beth161992]

Victoria Antonetti seriously? Like come on white people are not wearing cornrows in America today because of of Vikings or Dutch people back in the olden days. The trend of cornrows in mainstream American culture originated from black Americans. Not because some white person watched the tv show Vikings and thought it would be cool to get cornrows done. Like people need to try harder with these counter arguments

[@Sebadoh1994]

RedRose7997 I was just going to ask the angry scary girl the same question lol

[@voldemortsniece3019]

@RedRose7997 Technically hair can be apart of someone's culture but I understand what you are trying to say.

[@deborahatsa489]

@@Sebadoh1994 how's she scary

[@deborahatsa489]

@RedRose7997 and white girls can curl their hair

[@meg8784]

I was just having a discussion with my roommate about Gwen's appropriation and looked for videos about this and found your channel :) I love how you covered this topic and I agreed with absolutely everything you had to say thank you so much for this upload :))

[@spifftastic87]

I agree that Gwen recognizing her problematic past and apologizing would be a great start...but somehow I don't see that happening. We have a growing list of more present offenders, and let's be real...Gwen's pretty irrelevant in the music scene these days. 🤷🏽‍♀️ PS - Tragic Kingdom was EVVVVVERRRRRYYYYTHING

[@Beatrichay]

Who would she be apologising to? Did the appropriate embassies and high commissions of the countries who's cultures she appropriated issue a complaint?

[@marshalinehamismother]

But like what does she have to apologize for anything besides the bindi

[@blackmore4]

@@marshalinehamismother Why should she apologise for "the bindi" or anything else? This "cultural appropriation" is complete and utter nonsense.

[@whitneymouse]

KE Clarke did y’all miss that part where she had four Japanese women silently trailing her around to up her “cool cred”? She should apologize for that. It wasn’t right then and it’s not right now.

[@marshalinehamismother]

Whitney Elizabeth Celebrities do weird stuff all the time to get attention I don’t think this is that far off...

[@slopeydodd8872]

Can somebody please explain me the difference between appropriation and appreceation? I am confused. If i´ve had braids because I like the way it looks, is it offensive? Is it offensive that I am learning English because I like this language? I can imagine it would be offensive, if I was talking about stereotypical behavior of some ethnic groups, and believe me, I can see the difference between curiousity and lack of edutication, and someone just wanna be straight rude. As a Russian myself I hear jokes about "those Russians with vodka, bears and Putin" all the time (not to mention the reaction I get, when I say that I was actually born in Kazakhstan), as well as I am aware of some kind of fetish going on about Russian girls being sluts, gold diggers or good wives (which is totaly irrational imho). Nowadays it´s gettin harder and harder not to offend someone, it´s like walking on a minefield. And I am getting more and more confused, although I am trying my best to understand.

[@TiinkerBells]

Using other people's culture as a fashion accessory for fun just for the aesthetic? That's offensive and gross. That's really it, it's not that hard to understand. It's only white people pulling this "oh it's so hard to not to offend anyone, I'm confused" lmao

[@slopeydodd8872]

@@TiinkerBells as I said, being Russian myself I´ve heard all kind of offensive jokes and stereotypes about Russians from all kind of people, not only from white folks. I was asking nicely because I want to understand, you can´t learn anything if you are not asking questions, can you? If you are against racism and want people to be united and understanding, you have to stop answering in such an agressive way, using terms like "those white people" to try and offend your opponent. Yes, I am white, but I don´t understand some thing not because of the colour of my skin, but because I am from the other country, other continent even, and we have our own traditions and mentality. Yet, I am open to learn something new, but I am not open to accept insults based on my skin tone.

[@TiinkerBells]

Slopey Dodd First of all, I've never been disrespectful or aggressive. If you feel personally identified with the description of cultural appropriation that's on you and for you to look into. Secondly, I never insulted you AT ALL. let alone based on your skin. Do not victimise yourself. Stop playing the victim, why do white women always do this when they're confronted with the racism they benefit from? 🗿 Third, anywhere you go to around the world you're most likely to be considered the standard of beauty. You will NEVER be oppressed because of your race and your culture. You may come across stereotypical dumb jokes, but you will not be OPPRESSED because you're white. You just won't. If you think those comments are hurtful maybe try not being self centered for a moment and having a bare minimum of empathy to understand that people of colour have it ENDLESS times harder. And if after all that you still don't see how using people's cultures as fashion accessories is wrong then I don't know what to tell you.

[@slopeydodd8872]

@@TiinkerBells oh the breeze of this lovely gaslighting, charming. First of all, if someone tells you, that you are speaking with him in a offensive way, try to consider that it can be, maybe, the truth. Or at least try to look at your comments with your opponent´s eyes. second of all, I am not the one who was talking about skin tone, you are the one who brought it up, talking about white people, who doesn´t get all the nuances. Why? I don´t know. I could be whatever nationality and ethnicity, even I can´t be 100% sure, because I know I am a mix of so many nations, but here you are, jumping on your judging train, try to argument by using the correlation between my skin tone and my intellect. As I said, between us two only you were the one who was talking about opponent´s skin tone, so who is racist here anyway? third, did I say I was as much oppressed as any other woman on this planet? Does it mean I don´t have the right to say anything at all? Is this some kind of race - "who is more oppressed in this world"? Is this healthy to use victimblaming and mensplaining against another woman, in you opinion? If it wasn´t for my empathy I wouldn´t have been asking at all, don´t you think? And I wasn´t talking about fashion, I was talking about things that I like in other cultures. It´s all mixed today, why do you want to separate people in such a stupid way? I wouldn´t try braids If I wouldn´t like it. So what´s wrong with that? Are you feeling offended, because I liked one element of someone´s culture? I don´t get this logic. If you gonna continue to talk trash about my skin and my privilege based on my skin tone, better not answer at all. I am not interested in one -sided dialogue, where my opponent is fixated on other people´s skincolour.

[@TiinkerBells]

@@slopeydodd8872 Sis stop playing the victim, you're not being gaslighted. You're the weirdo that keeps referring to others as "your opponent". I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt and assume there's a language barrier because your wording has some really gross connotations and you sound ignorant and uneducated as fuck. Do not throw around serious terms like gaslighting to play the victim when you're being explained things that you don't understand (and then continue to play the victim for not knowing, yet won't listen???? what's logic lmao). Google is free, go do your research. Reading will help you have better reading comprehension in English which you evidently lack big time.

[@CheeTooTheeBee]

As a woman of color (I’m mostly Mexican), I can’t say I’ve ever taken offense (nor has any other person of color voiced annoyance) to non Mexicans rocking elements of my culture as long as there’s no harm meant. Mocking it or pretending you create it is offensive. I’ve always felt that Gwen appreciated other cultures.

[@alexq.8696]

Lmao it's usually Americans who complain about cultural appropriation.

[@RainyRunningRiver]

Its only Americans. In Greece we watch this and laugh.

[@ushiox1877]

Hahahah true we mexicans actually love when non mexicans wear our traditional clothing

[@biologicallyyaseen]

@@RainyRunningRiver In Britain and we laugh as well 😂 this is such a non issue

[@vainpiers]

America is a nation built on cultural appropriation (which is a neutral term) it’s a mixing pot of cultures yet these people want to segregate cultures. Why not bring back Jim Crow while your at it? The best way to fight racism is integration of cultures and ethnicities.

[@billie6528]

AngelinBlack But Jim Crow has been over for 50 years and it’s still the same old problems so I don’t know what you’re talking about lol

[@professionalwidow]

thin eyebrows and dark makeup have been popular on goths and flappers, so i wouldn't really call that appropriation.

[@jaidasimone_]

knaz w. Which is why “cultural appropriation” is super duper particular. It’s nauseating.

[@NinjaKittkatt]

Lol right? Imagine thinking that "chola" was a culture to begin with HAHAHA. That's literally thinking that Latin American culture is street gangs.

[@rr.5205]

I said this in another comment and I'll say it again. *THE BITCH IS FROM ANAHEIM* !! A lot of the people bitching about cultural appropriation need to spend time in SoCal and not just in the nice parts of LA. No, they need to explore the culture and see that everyone out here is apart of a huge melting pot. Visit Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, and Hemet in Riverside County or Lancaster and Palmdale in LA County. They'll find A LOT of whites who don't meet their standards. These black people who complain pretend they know what it means to grow up poor simply because of their skin color. In reality, their over privileged suburban asses don't know shit about ghetto people and it shows.

[@deborahatsa489]

Yeah but the teardrop

[@anachavez3525]

@@rr.5205 She's using different cultures to look "cool" and make money off of that. That's a problem.

[@miajolie127]

i like that you are able to still appreciate her as an artist even though shes problematic

[@RainyRunningRiver]

But how is she problematic?

[@RainyRunningRiver]

Yall acting like wearing braids is the same as shooting a man smh

[@donttalktomeyoureannoying8736]

m what is problematic??? Get off Tumblr and go get a damn job

[@Princess-rh4rb]

If we keep separating each other were gonna keep having problems. Growing up I had mostly white dolls🤷‍♀️ So if a white girl has black dolls its bad??? Your allowed to be curious and love other cultures. As long as its respectful nothing wrong in my opinion.

[@Sebadoh1994]

♡Princess♡ I had my favorite doll, and she was black. This video makes me so sad. Bc back then we were all friends 😔

[@Sebadoh1994]

Filthy Witch agreed

[@razzirae5536]

THANK YOU 🙄

[@xlectraheart]

My favorite doll was jade and she was Asian lmao

[@Princess-rh4rb]

@@xlectraheart exactly your aloud to think people who don't look like you or cultures that r different then urs r beautiful too

[@Xenomorph788]

This is so refreshing! I love you! I’ve watched all your vids and subbed 👌🏽💕

[@sasutomato]

Wow I never saw Gwen as problematic. I thought she was like me falling in love with different cultures.

[@KaioMichiru22]

She is, haters gonna hate.

[@user-xv6ig8tu9b]

Snake13 girl the person in the video didn’t hate at all, did you even watch?

[@nothanks7263]

big difference between playing dressup in another culture for money and actually trying the culture.

[@KaioMichiru22]

@@user-xv6ig8tu9b don't call me girl. You're a part of the problem. Don't make gender assumptions please.

[@nothanks7263]

@Ratikant Sharma lol. try learning about what you're putting on and why. this isn't hard dude. my white ass would be reamed if i just randomly put on a native american headdress and had a photoshoot with it for no other reason than it looked cool.

[@tessw9744]

A lot of Japanese are dressing like Chicanos now. And back when she did the Eastern Indian thing Bollywood was growing in this country. Makes me wonder if Gwen was up on trends in culture and liked to reflect them. I'm black and my mom picked out a Sari for me to wear at my wedding....only because it was pretty, not because of cultural appropriation.....artists are kinda like that.

[@fatso_the_elephant]

Indian not Eastern Indian.

[@nikidon99]

Eastern Indian is not a thing moron. It's called India

[@tsit1943]

This is an amazing video!! One of the most depth filled videos I’ve watched on KZbin in a while! Yes queen!!

[@BuddhaMamaDrama]

UGH thank you SO much for this video, so needed

[@user-dy6df7nv5v]

My hair, my rules. No body gets to take away my freedom of what I get to do with my hair.

[@yeahyeahyeah2935]

なはいきつなや NO ONE IS TAKING SHIT BUT THE APPROPRIATORS. Isn’t that the most ironic crap? Ha.

[@karenjenkins201]

@@yeahyeahyeah2935 Tell me by using a hairstyle what are you taking? An identity? is ones own image of self so fragile that a mirror freaks them out?

[@msshawniepooh1]

@@karenjenkins201 No one really cares about how you style your hair. Read this out loud. When you demonize and dehumanize an entire group for the way their hair grows from their scalp and how they wear their hair with terms like "ghetto", then oh yes, then and only then does it become a problem. You can braid your hair until your scalp bleeds for all I care. But to dehumanize the people who have worn their hair the trendy way you decide you want to style your hair (for centuries), put some damn respect on it.

[@wolreB]

"metabolize the nostalgia" Please write a book I want to read it five times your language is amazingly precise I want to speak like you when I grow up.

[@broseidonrulerofthebrocean8128]

Mae Berlow Cringy.

[@EleanorConway]

Running around in a room of piñatas.... 🤣🤣🤣 This was great. Subbed. X

[@emmanuelbravo6852]

This is ridiculous. Gwen was born and raised in Orange County, CA where Japanese, Chicano, Indian, and black culture are more prominent than whatever white culture is. Appropriation is when you're stealing the culture and claiming it's your own or using it in an offensive way. She always gave credit where it was due and showed her appreciation in an artistic way. The Harajuku Girls were her background dancers for God's sake and they DID speak. In several interviews. One of them spoke only Japanese so I think that's why they were usually silent in public. Where is the online outcry when Nicki Minaj calls herself Harajuku Barbie?

[@elementohsix]

Emmanuel Salcedo exactly! She calls out Gwen but not Nicki Minaj 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@syel2219]

THIS

[@TheFleshLives]

I grew up in and around her area (from Anaheim to Orange to HB to San Clemente and a lot of other cities in Orange County) and I will say there absolutely is a prominent white culture out there - racist white supremists.

[@ChrisBrooks34]

She hasn't done anything really offensive than date Blake Shelton. Damn Kim come through with the sass

[@salomeguzman8611]

Christie Brooks i love Gwen but blake has said some eyebrow raising stuff about hurting gay men if they even hit on them. Not very well known to people that dont follow country(meself included). Some may say he’s controversial for being a trump supporter and gwen being very left leaning due to her growing up with minorities in California. I dont know. Theyre a weird couple but if theyre better people now and they arent hurting anyone, whatever

[@deelooks7223]

The Kardashians are on another level with it. They paved the way for her!

[@goldenmoon739]

True I love Gwen but she straight up used not just cultures but damn asian PEOPLE as props Doesn't cut it in 2019 Next one should be paris hilton -- a known racist and homophobe who is STILL considered "iconic" by edgy beckies

[@mischr13]

paris hilton 🤢

[@deadgrlsuperstar]

this was incredibly eye opening & i respect your analysis!

[@hellokittydoll2794]

Thank you so much for sharing so much information and then how to handle that information. Not knowing what to do with new info and realization has been a struggle of mine for a while. I love you and your content!

[@sophiaaldous3199]

Thank you for this video. As a blonde, blue-eyed white woman it's amazing how we just assumed that stuff was okay when I was a kid. Gwen Stefani is one of my faves, but your video made me take a step back and think.

[@neurotika]

Amis Amis right?! This shits exhausting.

[@bingoing]

What's wrong with acknowledging she's done something wrong but still appreciating her music? One thing doesn't exclude the other.

[@clairebear7338]

Just because she offended doesn’t mean all black people or Asian people agree with her.

[@caressaclark1042]

@Amis Amis I don't think Gwen did anything wrong either. Harajuku Girls was a great song, and if anything, it made me more interested in Asian culture.

[@kokolatte825]

The only thing really wrong was the Harajuku girls thing because they had no voice and no identity other than the one Gwen assigned to them. They seed more like accessories than your average backup dancers. Other than that I don't think she's done much else wrong. She a SoCal girl having fun and not taking anything away from anyone else.

[@Sleipnirseight]

Thank you for this. I really, really appreciate your analysis at the end about getting our love for the product confused with love for the person or their actions. I think that cognitive dissonance between the product that people love and the questionable actions/crimes of the real life person is really hard for folks to overcome. You're right in pointing out that we should remember that the product and the person are two very different things, and it's SO important we view them objectively. I also think it's important our culture works towards allowing forgiveness and growth, and not just "cancelling" humans. When we don't make room for others to learn from their mistakes, it makes it a lot harder for everybody, including ourselves, to admit when we've made mistakes and fix them. I think the results of that are pretty evident in how much we struggle to accept that the celebrities we love can sometimes do bad things.

[@ameliamezze]

I just found your channel today and I’ve been watching video after video! Thank you for the work that you’re doing! I’m learning so much & really appreciate your point of view 💞🙏

[@SecretConceit]

The funny thing is that she’s considered a fashion icon, but really she just copied other cultures. A culture vulture is a good way to describe it.

[@Monica-ie6nn]

SecretConceit name one fashion icon that didn’t copy other cultures...

[@Lil-Goblina]

Monica I don’t know if celebrating the beauty in cultures through design and trying on some outfits in Shinjuku and returning home with four silent Asian women you purchased are comparable 🤷‍♀️

[@eartianwerewolf]

@@Lil-Goblina yeah I agree the Asian girl accessories was the worst.

[@KaiDecadence]

@@Lil-Goblina Didn't answer the question though. Yes it's very obvious that her Harajuku/Shinjuku era was pretty distasteful with having a group of silent Japanese women following her around but I believe the original comment was alluding to the Bindi and Afro-inspired styles. It's just a fact of fashion that everyone copies each other in the modern era and it's always been that way. At the very least, at least Gwen wasn't actig like she created the cultural things, at least not to my knowledge.

[@nicolemarie1360]

@@KaiDecadence obviously some had to be entirely original because fashion and decorating our bodies is something we've done as far back as anyone can see in archaeological digs and such. It was about what was available, and how to transfer color to clothing and skin. It's entirely possible to do now as well, although it would be harder. We wouldn't have different trends if it wasn't possible. I mean, remember leggings with stirrups? Someone invented that shit up in the 80s. Somehow we all decided it was a good idea and I do stand by my stirrup legging wearing decision, but you get my point. That appropriated no culture but it came into fashion existence anyway.

[@Belihoney]

As a carribean Brit, I can see her ska/ punk influence too hardcore. She hit every culture lol The problem is I still can't be help but be impressed on how she has picked things and put it in an good outfit. I feel so conflicted Edit: Japan had a hole style based on black American people. It's called b gal gyaru

[@chikaka2012]

Thank you, Kim, for breaking things down so well. I usually only criticize on social media but I have to say I love the way you present so much background I could never know and explain all the issues surrounding a topic.

[@Hisdaughter85]

Oh my gosh! I was just having this conversation with my sis the other day! We both love her, but does she appropriate or appreciate? I went with appropriate. I need to send this to my sis. Love your videos so much! I've been binge watching for the last two weeks

[@feeniix6]

I love Gwen. Tragic Kingdom still gets played by me today.

[@randiboston9858]

feeniix6 same

[@randiwatches]

This video is fantastic. I just realized Gwen has no real personality or identity. I loved her music growing up too. I feel you. But holy shit, when you layout the timeline of her career it's really obvious.

[@UnpleasantSim]

We all thought she was so creative, but in reality she was just jacking the culture of others 😂

[@SensitiveSage]

yeah she should be an actress or something

[@tiffanyrose9446]

She so white she thought she was blank canvas for different nationalities/ cultures The Blanant Disrespect is crazy. Thanks girl for waking us up to it

[@jennymeya7049]

I think she was more herself in No doubt until she started to accessorize with the bindi and then went solo

[@randiwatches]

@@jennymeya7049 I can agree with that

[@d.w.7939]

its so crazy how when you look back at old videos and be like uh, wtf?! LOL

[@anachavez3525]

When someone punches someone else in the face we don't say "Ugh people's faces are so sensitive now a days." If people are saying that something hurts them physically OR emotionally, we should at the very least listen. When other people use ethnicities to make money or look "cool" without any care about the ACTUAL PEOPLE that belong to those cultures, it's hurtful and rude. Instead APPRECIATE cultures, buy ethnic food, support people that belong to those cultures. Gwen could have easily made a song with a Japanese band and given them exposure instead of the gross way she used Japanese women as props.

[@Cynnas]

The whole cultural appropriation issue has been blown so far out of proportion it's ridiculous. Or did she do a video about ballerina Misty Copeland appropriatiing a white European dance style? Or the famous Leontyne Price for singing opera in Italian? If we all isolated our selves and stuck to our own culture the world as we know it today would not exist. We live in a global economy with global influences, amd have done for a long time, the vast majority of supposed "appropriation" is nothing but appreciation. And no, I'm not white.

[@broseidonrulerofthebrocean8128]

Such a good point, especially the point about Misty Copeland, doing ballet which originated in Russia. I could care less that she dances a style of dancing that originated in Europe because ballet is beautiful and she looks beautiful dancing ballet.

[@tsuyayaka1]

I would love to see more of these problematic favs videos. This was really good.

[@abigaelrarts2257]

yesss you totally hit the nail on the head when you said questioning why we like things may fuck up our whole reality, which makes us polarize our opinions if we don't analyze our thought processes.

[@vimbaiveevivianmahove8145]

Gwen is actually one of the few artists who shows cultural appreciation not appropriation. There is a big difference between the two. cultural appropriation is more to do with individuals like the Kardashian /Jenner clan.

[@bunkertons]

Japanese people LOVE it when people from the West take an interest in their culture however, I agree that she was straight up doing it for the dollar.

[@janettewong9900]

Anne Asian people (majority ethnicities) from Asia love it because they have never felt what it’s like to be a minority. Han Chinese people in China and ethnic Japanese people in Japan are just as appropriative toward their own aboriginal minorities as well as outsider minorities. The way White people see themselves in the US is the same way Han Chinese people see themselves in China.

[@raxxit18]

Indians love it too. Julia Roberts wore bindi and celebs wear saree sometimes and we love it. As long as people know where the look originated from, due credit is given, i dont get this "cultural appropriation" rant of any culture when its not offensive.

[@EpoxyMuffin]

Culture exists to be remixed. Those who oppose the remix are obnoxious and short-sighted. When a majority embraces the culture of a minority, it's a good thing. It might be uncomfortable for a while, but it's ultimately a good thing. Ya'all need to chill.

[@Chelaxim]

Thank you! Domo Arigatou! If we're going to go all the way with that logic why not call out Japanese people for ripping off the west. Japanese people think all of the west is the US. When Yu Darvish got drafted by the Texas Rangers the NHK ran a piece about Texas that was more offensively stereotypical than Sandy from SpongeBob. And I'm pretty sure everyone has seen at least one anime with an American character so offensively stereotypical that makes you say what the fuck. Why not call out Japanese singers like Utada Hikaru and Hoku who do RNB. Or Lotus Juice who puts on a black rapping voice so hard Iggy Azalea would tell him to calm down.

[@honeydrop7306]

@@EpoxyMuffin how is it a good thing exactly?

[@angeltangle]

You know what being a gen xer myself, I find it difficult to condemn Gwen as a cultural appropriator. She always expressed her love of the different cultures, she was appreciating. At the time her appearance was ground breaking and not goofy or insensitive cosplay. Tarring everyone from the past according to current values make all of us problematic at some point, uf we're being technic about it. Gwen is a cultural appreciator in my book, now Madonnna could be described the same way but she always used different cultures to shock, I honestly think Gwen's appreciation was genuine.

[@UnreleasedUnderratedRnBgrooves]

Oh brother! Seriously? If we are gonna hold Gwen accountable for so called "cultural appropriation" we might as well tag in all our other pop/R&B favorites. There's a fine line between being creative & being downright culturally exploitative. Hell, it's not like Gwen was walking around using a Jamaican or Asian accent, let alone mocking the culture. It pains me to even bring her up but Manaj too dabbled into the "Harajuku" style during her debut effort back in 2010 with her offering "Massive Attack" and a slew of other promo material but never flat out exploited the culture. I swear people will complain about **anything** today. It's not safe to do something now and apparently from this video whatever you did back in the day won't be safe by "today's standards". GTFO **Mariah Carey voice**

[@RainyRunningRiver]

Girlll how about lil Kim? How about Cardi B? Bitch Beyonce dressed up as a Victorian english queen! Harriet is just insecure.

[@Murdermagictricks]

None of those ppl hired Asian women to be their literal pets. Where are the harujuku girls now? Do you even know their names? Gwen exploited these women. She also had Eve do a fake jamacian accent for "rich girls". Eve is not fucking jamacian.

[@peterhoffman2478]

Girl... first video I ever saw from you and I'm impressed. It's not easy to find someone with such a moral on life and society like you. Just wanted to appreciate your content, good job!

[@moesydocious]

This stuff is on my mind whenever I listen to "What You Waiting For" (my jam). It's a pattern for Gwen, I love her, but it's true.

[@babyyvie]

🇵🇹 If she wore folk wear from Madeira island or the Azores in Portugal I’d be psyched! 🇵🇹

[@Sofia_Monteiro]

So would I! 🇵🇹

[@Mr24june94]

have you been to japan? they be selling all types of black and african stuff. it's not that deep

[@Mary1337]

@never slept25 So basically you are against your own roots?

[@JLynnEchelon]

Both can be wrong. I don't know why people don't think both sides can be wrong. It's circular reasoning. Group A appropriates Group B so A can appropriate B. B can appropriate A because B does it. Nothing moves forward with this logic.

[@msshawniepooh1]

Comments like yours makes it easier to understand why colonization has been so successful. Black people globally as a collective are weak as hell. "It's not that deep". You have no pride, but I'd bet you have a television running. I hate to admit that we are weak as shit to Europeans, Maybe it's a disease. Look how we lay over and take anything. WEAK. Damn it's sad.

[@sjlewis271]

So... your point is what?!?! Girl...bye.

[@msshawniepooh1]

@@sjlewis271 deuces brainwashed woman! Wouldn't want to be ya!

[@beatrizmariacostasilva7271]

I'm Brazilian and I loved your video, it gave me material to grow as a person. thanks

[@fahrlight]

The girls that were the „harajuku girls“ were forced to stay silent, by contract. They also weren’t all Japanese. At least that’s what I read in a book I found in the library. ( sadly in German, but it was a very well researched analyses.)

[@emmanuelbravo6852]

They are all Japanese. One of them is only half though.

[@Greatestpersonever2doit]

Leave my fave alone now she is a rock star first so looking rebellious is her thang... Any look against mainstream Brittney Spears is/ was her thang😆😆

[@Firefly1127]

This was in my 'recently uploaded' on my KZbin home page and holy shit, it was so good! I feel very much like the 'she doesn't even go here' meme, but I am pretty damn certain I am gonna go here from now on! I would love a 'my fave is problematic' series where you break down celebrities/tv shows/etc from your youth.

[@VivCrepsley]

I just found your KZbin channel and I am in love, especially with your opinion on this topic.

[@neurotika]

I’m not trying to be devil’s advocate, but when does it stop being cultural appropriation and instead be just an expression of style? When can it be artistic? In her Holla Back Girl video, you complained about how the Asian girls were styled to look black. Wouldn’t it be more egregious use black dancers styled in the “thug life” way? Isn’t that actual tokenism and offensive stereotyping? If Gwen wanted to avoid all this negative interpretation of her chosen styles in the past, what is her solution? How is anyone allowed to enjoy and showcase elements of other cultures (especially when they are educated) without being called a bigot? I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again here: the real problem is associating a certain look to a certain ethnicity. That’s stereotyping, that’s kind of racist. Also, no one can say “that’s offensive! That’s cultural appropriation!” On behalf of another culture. What’s worse is that this “fauke” (a hybrid of “fake” and “woke”) campaign has in some cases actually caused more harm to a culture than it has good. The best example of this is what’s happened to Native American tribes. Many tribesmen and women make their living by making traditional jewelry, headdresses, moccasins, and so forth. Selling their wares as things like Powows and arts festivals means a lot of their customer base are non Native American people. Native Americans aren’t offended if someone buys s bracelet from them and decides to wear it. I would assume they would also feel pretty happy when someone chooses to purchase an elaborate and expensive head dress from them. Nobody wants the label of “cultural appropriator”. So, the very culture that is meant to be defended by this logic is now suffering from it. Many artisans can’t continue their business because their customer base is now too afraid to dawn something from another culture. So I feel that the true problematic behavior is this divisive and ultimately misguided belief that incorporating aspects of other cultures into our fashion is offensive. Real appropriation of a culture is actually extremely rare. A white person should be allowed to wear dreadlocks and braids without being called a racist. After all, Vikings were some of the earliest examples of whites dawning such a style. Afros are also not exclusive to black culture, and even if they were, other ethnicities should be allowed to wear it without being crucified. I spent ten years of my life dedicated to educating myself and others about the American South. Much of my focus was on some of the earliest founders of what would become the Civil Rights movement. I would bet an appendage that if any of them were here today, listening to what people consider problematic, they’d say three words: “This ain’t it”. I know this comment is 15pages long. I’m passionate about this kind of thing because we are in an unprecedented time in our social evolution. Liberalism is becoming militant in many ways and in some cases it’s starting to resemble the fascist institution it claims to be against.

[@julesgodfrey6286]

Really well said. I completely agree.

[@coaxoch3050]

this seriously need to be top comment lmfaoo

[@RainyRunningRiver]

Damn this comment makes more sense then this entire channel....

[@razzirae5536]

There is no pleasing the people of today

[@tanyamarowa3592]

Afros are not cultural? It's a feature of our ethnicity.

[@r-pupz7032]

I love this, it's uncomfortable to consider problems with people or things we love but you show us how it's done with style and heart 🖤 Edit: I'm white and British, from a pretty homogeneous white area & despite becoming passionate about politics, social issues, fighting inequality etc I was far too slow to consider seriously problematic issues that had historical and societal context and affected groups I was pretty ignorant about, looking back.Often I dismissed the concerns as silly or not that big of a deal. It was totally wrong and ignorant on my part but I think it's far too common amongst my peers. The way you convey your opinion, the nuance combined with the passion for what is right, and how you talk about things like cultural appropriation is so kickass and intelligent, it really helps me to understand things that I neglected in the past. I'm so glad the algorithm suggested you. Thank you :)🖤

[@r-pupz7032]

Also, love your look & the Harvard top, very topical :D

[@marymase4873]

Wow this video is really well done. You presented it in such an approachable way and really made me think. Compelling argument presented in an entertaining way. Awesome job!

[@fkaangel]

This was really interesting to watch; I think this would be an interesting series :)