Intergalactic Summit

"Appropriation?"

For me that would rather imply that they've taken something and will never give it back. Can culture be appropriated?

Considering that it came in the form of having our cities taken, uplifted, and fully converted to Caldari corporate culture, I don't think "allowance of Achuran appropriation" is the "appropriate" term for what SuVee did.

They took our rulers-- which they were maybe a bit welcome to, actually; the old empire was not necessarily what you'd call nice-- and left us our monasteries as our highest civil authority. They took our urban centers and left us the countryside as a sort of cultural preserve (as long as we don't get in the way). To this day, we're a cross between poor cousins and a protected species on our own planet.

I don't share the bitterness of some of my colleagues about this. I'm not sure any other power would have been even a little bit careful not to just completely destroy our culture.

But the idea that we "appropriated" Caldari culture is an obscenity. SuVee "appropriated" what it pleased, and imposed Caldari culture on those it claimed.

The Caldari took our world. They just let us keep living on most of it.

That's not the same thing.

If I, as an Intaki, observe the beliefs and practices of my heritage, that is one thing.

The Brutor in your example, discovering Ida and identifying with its philosophies, and exploring that Path with genuine intent is another.

But someone, having read a tourist copy of 'The Little Book of Ida', sitting in their dryweed smoke-filled quarters whilst contemplating their navel to the sounds of 'Greatest Idamic Chants Vol. 42', thinking they're going to be the next Idama, just because Placid spirituality happens to be the latest fad in their corner of the Federation? That's cultural appropriation.

The populist herd mentality in the Federation means its a common occurance, and while people may have the legal right to do so, they're often oblivious to the deep offense it causes, as they adopt and discard ethnic traditions on a whim, treating them as little more than fashion statements.

quote=Bataav

"The populist herd mentality in the Federation means its a common occurance, and while people may have the legal right to do so, they're often oblivious to the deep offense it causes, as they adopt and discard ethnic traditions on a whim, treating them as little more than fashion statements."


Ethnic traditions are merely fashion statements of a reactionary primitive tribe in a rut. Its our Caldari duty to push them out of that rut. Change that head scarf for a baseball cap. If we make a healthy profit along the way so be it.

If we appropriate that trendy tribal pattern and market it to the rest of Empire for a season that's smart Caldari business.

I'm more than happy for them to culturally appropriate our rigid Caldari copyright laws, if we don't impose them first.

Don't forget - might is right.

Yes, such as with the Gallentean Cultural Deliverance Society and its attempted rapine of Caldari culture.



I am well aware of what SuVee did to the Achur, and in my view it remains an act of colonialism in the best traditions of the Gallente. The tactics were exactly the same, the marginalization of the indigenous culture, the seizure of resources and industry, and the placing of local cronies into positions of power who will act in the interests of the colonizer and not their own people. Policies which over time leave the native population powerless and left only with the option to appropriate a foreign culture or face the vagaries of political marginalization, limited economic opportunity, and discrimination.

This as opposed to Kaalakiota where all are considered equal under the laws of the corporation to best pursue a greater good whilst maintaining a system of cultural apartheid where Caldari are Caldari; Achura are Achura; Intaki are Intaki; and so on. It is only by maintaining such clear racial and cultural segregation within the company that what occurred in Saisio under SuVee does not manifest itself within Kaalakiota.

Mr. Hakatain;

In my mind, where culture is concerned, appropriation, assimilation, and supplantation can operate on a similar tangent. A native culture is appropriated (implying intent and agency) and then re-defined according to fit in with a foreign civilization to enforce assimilation which then leads to the supplantation of the native culture with a foreign one over time. A process most often justified by the one doing the cultural enforcing upon another as the bringing of, "Enlightenment," Or, "Civilization," As if the society and people's being colonized and subjugated by a foreign power should be thankful for their humiliation and depredation of their culture because it comes with the most parochial good intentions.

Given the price in blood and lives paid by our forebears to secure Caldari independence, culture, and civilization from the good intentions of colonial imperialism in the Federation I will always oppose the appropriation of my culture and values with the utmost prejudice and vehemence. Regardless of whether it is an Amarrian proselytizing that the Maker is their God in disguise; the behaviour of SuVee in Saisio; or a Matari or Achuran telling me they are Caldari when they trace no lineage to my Homeland.

On this point in particular I think we must agree to have a slight difference of opinion.

For me, "Caldari" is less an ethnic group and more a life philosophy, an allegiance and state of mind. One that I am quite happy for others to adopt, and interpret.

It is the destruction of our way of life that I fear, not the notion that others might wish to participate.

I actually agree that being Caldari means life philosophy, allegiance and state of mind...
But I will greatly appreciate that you, both Stitcher and Gesakaarin, leave it for us, Caldari, to decide what does it mean to be Caldari. Because it doesn't concern you and your kind in any way.

You both stopped being Caldari when you decide to betray our State.

Thank you for your irrelevant and ignorant comment. And for those who still failed to figure such trivial things out, I'll do what Cptn. Obvious should have done:

I am not a 'final authority' in Caldari State. I am just Officer of Caldari State and citizen. And as a Caldari citizen I can say and discuss what Caldari could and should be, since I am part of that group.

Neither Stitcher, nor Gesakaarin are Caldari anymore thus their attempt on defining who we are has triggered my harsh response: they shouldn't put their nose into our affairs.

Very interesting, if unsurprising.