Teenager who triggered dispute about cultural appropriation with Chinese prom gown states she 'd wear it again
The Utah teenager who sparked a big debate on Twitter about cultural appropriation after posting pictures of her traditional Chinese senior prom dress has actually spoken out - and she isn't apologising.
Keziah Daum appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the backlash on social networks since she used a red qipao to her high school prom and shared pictures of her and her buddies presenting with prayer signs on Twitter.
But despite the criticism she's received, the 18-year-old announced that she had no regrets about wearing the standard Chinese dress - and she would use it once again.
" It had absolutely nothing to do with race or racial slurs. It was never ever meant to be considered racist," the teen stated on GMA, confessing that she did not anticipate the pictures of her and her buddies presenting prior to prom to go viral.
And, despite what she considers her best intentions, Daum was criticised on Twitter for her choice of gown, which numerous found offensive, racist, or guilty of cultural appropriation.
" My culture is NOT your senior prom dress," composed a single person.
On Twitter, Daum tried to protect her gown option, tweeting: "It's simply a dress," which only made the backlash worse.
" If you 'appreciate' and 'love' our culture, you 'd know it's a conventional dress. You declare, 'it's just a dress,'" responded one person on Twitter.
The qipao, or cheongsam, was traditionally a loose-fitting garment for Chinese women to wear while performing domestic tasks. It was then updated to have a tighter fit, and used as a sign of femininity and confidence.
Daum and her friends' option of posture, with their hands held in front of them, was likewise discovered offensive and "stereotyped.".
Jeremy Lam informed GMA: "They were using a gown and utilizing a stereotyped Chinese posture without acknowledging the history behind that piece of clothes.".
Daum declares the posture had nothing to do with being Chinese and was in fact motivated by a popular YouTuber.
And she "believes I have actually not done anything however show my appreciation to the Chinese culture," and will not be getting rid of the images from Twitter, which have actually considering that received over 102,000 likes.
Others agree - "I showed my Chinese mommy this tweet and she believed you looked fantastic and it was actually great how you liked our culture," somebody reacted.
On Twitter, Daum composed: "To everyone triggering so much negativeness: I mean no disrespect to the Chinese culture. I'm not erasing my post because I've done absolutely nothing but show my love for the culture.
