This is all in response to @iwoulddieforhector‘s original post concerning the topic, but unfortunately asks really restrict the number of characters allowed so I figured it’d be a whole lot simpler to just type it out in a post.
Before I begin with this, I just want to make it clear that 1) I am not trying to shove my views down anyone’s throat or attack anyone, and obviously if you disagree with me, that’s okay. I welcome the discussion. And 2) I realize this topic can be pretty subjective, at least in terms of the possibility of cultural appropriation, so I’m treading lightly here. Treat me nice.
If it helps anyone with judging the validity of my opinions haha I am Hispanic, but I am not of Mexican ancestry. As someone else who addressed this topic pointed out, what may be perfectly acceptable to me may be offensive to someone else, so there’s that. Said.
First off, in my personal opinion, if you have respect for the culture that Coco celebrates, I genuinely don’t see a problem with buying/wearing the merch. Any problem there would come up with people being utterly ignorant and disrespecting various aspects of it, which I have never seen happen once in this fandom. So to shorten it up, my view is if you love it and show respect, go for it.
To delve into the potential other opinions people could hold, we really have to figure out race, ethnicity, and nationality, which is such a big can of worms.
Suppose someone would say that if you’re not Mexican, you shouldn’t wear the merch. While Coco in particular is set in Mexico, the holiday of Dia de Muertos is celebrated in other countries too. Is that person saying that people of other nationalities who celebrate the holiday, but aren’t necessarily Mexican, can’t wear it?
Then we have race vs ethnicity, which is again such a can of worms I don’t really want to open. You can have a Hispanic/Latina/Latino, whichever term you prefer, who may identify themselves as white in race, for example. A common argument could be that ‘white people’ shouldn’t be wearing the merch. But what exactly is a ‘white person’? If a Hispanic is also ‘white’, are they excluded too?
What it boils down to is that there is so much crossover in these definitions, so many different combinations of nationalities, races, ethnicities, etc that it is absolutely asinine to me to try to exclude anyone from enjoying the movie’s merchandise. I couldn’t care less if you are Mexican, Hispanic, white, a combination thereof, or none of the above. Enjoy the movie, enjoy the celebration of the culture, and enjoy the (very lovable) characters. If you didn’t know one thing about the culture before watching the movie? Don’t beat yourself up about it. Again, appreciate and respect, and use it to learn more. There’s no reason to ever berate someone else for something they didn’t know when they’re willing to learn.
Plus, to conclude, buying merch supports the movie. It shows that the public has interest in representation of the culture, it shows that the movie was successful. It is supportive.
Bottom line: buy merch (if you respect)
you wanna paint your face as a sugar skull? great! I love seeing non mexican people apreciating and participating in my culture.
This is regardless of your skin color, place of birth, country of origin, religion, lack there of, sexuality or anythin else.
Personally I find the idea of Cultural apropiation ridiculous at best of times, and, ironically, a very american and imperialist idea at worst. cultures are meant to be shared, coco wouldn’t exist, Mexico as we know it wouldn’t exist without cultural exchange; no culture would…
So yea, go ahead, celebrate, buy that merch! enjoy it, it really is nobody elese’s bussines!
AngelMihe 