Re: Decolonizing Anthropology

John Hoopes (HOOPES@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.EDU)
Thu, 2 Feb 1995 10:28:47 -0600

These proposals certainly are pretty narrow. Shall we pay royalties to
Scotland whenever we use plaid? How about copyrights on cuisines, like
Sechuan dishes? Africans certainly could use the financial boost
stemming from copyrights on traditional rhythms...

Wouldn't it be nice for ALL of us to be able to "decide the cultural
context" of our traditional cultures? It should be readily
apparent that plurality and multicultural values make this an
impossibility. Do you think that those of us who have humble roots in
the south should receive reparation for the unjust stereotypes
promulgated by "offensive" print, TV, stage, and movie
productions such as "Lil Abner" and "The Beverly Hillbillies"? Shouldn't
we be consulted to determine when it is, and is not, appropriate
to play bluegrass music--ESPECIALLY sacred music like gospel bluegrass?
Perhaps the only individuals who should be permitted to PLAY this music
are those who can demonstrate kinship roots in Appalachia...


On Wed, 1 Feb 1995, Robert Johnson wrote:

> Proposal #5
>
> Native Americans must be acknowledged copyright over their
> oral, musical, and ritual traditions including patent on
> aboriginal dress, artistic tradition, and material culture.
>
> Proposal #6
>
> Native Americans must be given the right to decide the cultural
> context of their traditional cultures.
>