Politically correct?

BabyWnumbertwo

For our Facebook announcement, I purchased a Rags to Raches outfit for my son, "the chief".  It's basically a little romper with a headdress on it.
I wanted to take a picture of us all with him in the romper and caption it "adding to our tribe".  
We are not Indian, or anything of the sort, so do you think that would be too politically incorrect?  I know some people don't like the use of the word tribe or the picture of the headdress unless it's culturally appropriate. 
What do you think?

Taggarab

If that's what you want to do then go for it.

ameliabedelia-2

I think it's cute and not offensive 

flowerpower5838

I think that using headdresses for these kinds of purposes is typically considered cultural appropriation. I'd likely side-eye it, but you know your audience better than us. If you're worried that it's offensive I'd probably skip it. 

Also ETA after reading @pennstatecait's reply since I also had a reading comprehension fail. I think it's less offensive that it's not an actual headdress but standby my statement that since you seem to be worried about offending that it may just be better to skip it. 

PennStateCait

I think if you have to ask, then there might be an issue. I would consider it cultural appropriation. I like what @flowerpower5838 said though- you know your audience so if you're set on it and you don't think your facebook friends will care, then go for it.

Edit: I reread and realized you're not putting a headdress on your son, rather that the romper has the design of a headdress on it. I think this is much less offensive, but could still offend some.

Jellybelly119

IMO, this crosses the line to cultural appropriation. Did you obtain the romper from someone who is native, or is the company profiting off symbols of Native American culture that they have no right to use? I'd side eye, but you should do whatever you're comfortable with. I'd personally find some other cute way to announce. 

Adding: It's not about being politically correct. It's about being respectful of marginalized cultures that have already had so much taken from them. 

NME44

Before I joined the babywearing world I wouldn't have known what you were talking about, but now I can tell you there are A LOT of people who would be offended by it. I would probably think twice about it but it is ultimately your decision. Perhaps no one on your friends list would have any issue with it.

rachswi

I'd say that if you're second guessing yourself, it may be better to come up with a different way to announce.

ameliabedelia-2

@NME44, can you elaborate on the baby wearing part of your comment? Is that considered cultural appropriation?

rainbowdashh

Do not do it. Find a different way that doesn't appropriate a group of people the US has harmed repeatedly.

BabyWnumbertwo

Thanks ladies. I won't be doing it! Now I'm second guessing the romper itself. Shoot. 

BabyWnumbertwo

 Also, I thought I posted this in the announcements thread, my apologies, I'm new here. 

b48kate

@BabyWnumbertwo I think it is really cool that you took time to reevaluate your plan and listen to that little voice that said "maybe not".

PennStateCait

@babyWnumbertwo You're fine! Welcome!! Looks like it started a really good dialogue so I kinda like that it had its own thread There are muuuuuch more unnecessary random threads started (actually this bmb hasn't been so bad!) 

flowerpower5838

ameliabedelia-2 I think there were some concerns with Didymos and the specific name they called a wrap.

Here are some details: https://babywearinginternational.org/2016/11/05/bwi-statement-against-racism-and-appropriation/  

BabyWnumbertwo

b48kate said:

@BabyWnumbertwo I think it is really cool that you took time to reevaluate your plan and listen to that little voice that said "maybe not

PennStateCait said:

@babyWnumbertwo You're fine! Welcome!! Looks like it started a really good dialogue so I kinda like that it had its own thread There are muuuuuch more unnecessary random threads started (actually this bmb hasn't been so bad!) 

Hey thanks to both of you. I was feeling really dumb and like "I should've known".  I do not like to offend!

b48kate

@ameliabedelia-2 The babywearing community had a huge, huge, huge period of tumult around 2015/2016 regarding the use of certain prints and names being an act of cultural appropriation. It was actually a pretty brutual dialogue for such a granola crowd. Tula, Beco, and several of the wrap companies ultimately made alterations to their product lines.

Jellybelly119

BabyWnumbertwo said:

b48kate said:

@BabyWnumbertwo I think it is really cool that you took time to reevaluate your plan and listen to that little voice that said "maybe not

PennStateCait said:

@babyWnumbertwo You're fine! Welcome!! Looks like it started a really good dialogue so I kinda like that it had its own thread There are muuuuuch more unnecessary random threads started (actually this bmb hasn't been so bad!) 

Hey thanks to both of you. I was feeling really dumb and like "I should've known".  I do not like to offend!

Not dumb at all! How can we ever learn if we don't ask questions? 

ameliabedelia-2

@b48kate, those wraps aren't cheap! I imagine there were quite a few salty moms out there if they found out their wraps were considered offensive/inappropriate!  Thanks for the info! 

NME44

ameliabedelia-2 said:

@NME44, can you elaborate on the baby wearing part of your comment? Is that considered cultural appropriation?

Sure! I just mean that members of the babywearing world (also a lot of the natural/attachment parenting offshoots) tend to be sensitive to these kinds of issues. It's attempting to be a very inclusive community and that means respecting all cultures. For example, "rebozo" was until recently a word used to describe a short baby wrap and a carry. But recently it was brought to the attention that a Mexican rebozo is a specific type of cloth that is very important to the culture, so for people who are not of that culture to use that term and use it incorrectly is culturally insensitive. So the terminology was changed. 

My only point was that 3 years ago, before I joined an online community that made me aware of these issues, I wouldn't have seen the problem with her announcement. Now I have been exposed to more cultures and ideas and I can see why it is offensive to some.

NME44

I see now that others addressed it. It's not just those companies. I think almost all companies have been affected. Even Risaroo, which pulls out all stops to make sure they are being sensitive, have had names and designs changed/discontinued because of errors in judgement. Everyone makes mistakes. It's just how we handle and learn from them that makes the difference.

NME44

I just reread my first comment as well and see that it was not well explained. I apologize. Can I claim pregnancy brain?  @ameliabedelia-2

justsuzie

The kindness that all of you display when responding to each other is commendable.  It's also very very refreshing considering some nasty snark I've come across on some of these boards.   Proud to be a part of this group. Hugs