Here's the relevant bit:
The bit in bold is key here. Understanding does not equal agreement. I believe my subsequent posts have also all centered on understanding. What prompted this was several posters coming in, after black posters had explained the issue in depth, and dismissing it out of hand, the most egregious of which displayed complete ignorance of the issue in doing so. As I've said, I consider someone setting aside any pre-conceived notions they might have about an issue, acknowledging their own ignorance, and trying to understand as evolving. Maybe that makes it sound much grander than it is, perhaps I could have referred to it as "being open-minded" or "not being a fecking asshole", but regardless, I never suggested that they had to agree with me or anyone else.
I'm assuming that I'm one of those who may have come across as dismissive. If so, I'm sorry, that's not my intention.
Thing is though, she does not look black, not even vaguely black. Italian, Brazilian, Indian, Persian, mixed race, but not black. Her skin is too light and her curls too big. And actually, with skin lightening foundations, hair straightening and weaves, contouring, etc, you could say a number of black women are trying to look Italian/Brazilian/Indian/Persian. So who's appropriating who's culture?
I have listened, and I get that you feel that (white) people are cherry picking aspects that you feel are exclusive to your culture and are getting praise whereas you don't for the same fashion and behaviours, but what aspects
are exclusive? And if they're not exclusive, when you claim them, aren't you taking them away from the other cultures.
Big lips? Lots of Indians have big lips. Latte brown skin? That's anyone from the tropics, and not really Bantu African colour. Baggy jeans? Basketball tops? Trucker hats? Music with a beat? Braided hair? Talking over a beat?
I am disgusted by how black people have been treated and still are being treated, but they aren't the only group who have been marginalised and abused, and these features or fashions are not exclusive to them. Cultures are constantly merging and borrowing, how can you say from which culture they have come from?