tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post1807173784652097734..comments2024-03-28T05:01:08.818-07:00Comments on Portrait of Mai: Lime Crime: The Issue of Cultural AppropriationMaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-85313179008166115952021-02-08T02:35:17.910-08:002021-02-08T02:35:17.910-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Hasiba Hanifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00829035457288236325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-42643831458936560012015-03-31T07:29:51.654-07:002015-03-31T07:29:51.654-07:00Mail order brides are Chinese and other Asians too...Mail order brides are Chinese and other Asians too. And the idea is negative. But when the use parts and stereotypes of Russian culture for some fashionable images we Russians understand it and don't mind, just as well as they use Spanish, Gypsy or whatewer else.Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-40219611035858952232015-03-31T07:23:19.975-07:002015-03-31T07:23:19.975-07:00I think the white model is chosen to show that wi...I think the white model is chosen to show that with this palette you can make that image independently of your race, otherwise this product would only make sense for Asians and no one else would buy it. Obvious and simple. Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-45948178291831772672015-03-12T17:43:09.484-07:002015-03-12T17:43:09.484-07:00Hello fellow beauty lovers, I have written an in d...Hello fellow beauty lovers, I have written an in depth article regarding the Lime Crime scandal that has rocked the Beauty world in order to raise awareness and protect our community. Please give it a read and spread the word http://risajade.com/2015/03/12/lime-crime-flush-your-glitter-down-the-shitter/<br />I'd love for anyone affected to please get in touch and consider an interview or writing a piece about your experience for my blog <br />I hope this is a helpful read<br />Risa Jade xMaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-84604211972128290582015-02-05T10:33:47.598-08:002015-02-05T10:33:47.598-08:00I am Chinese and I do not find this ad offensive, ...I am Chinese and I do not find this ad offensive, I find it creative. What bothers me the most that you seriously do not have any understanding of Chinese culture and clothing, not Japanese either. Do you even know what a Kimono looks like? like mentioned in other comments, the limited knowledge you have of Chinese clothing and the fact that you are writing this misleading article is embarrassing. Everybody has opinion but you just showed your ignorance and reinforced the 'minority' position of chinese people which arguably might not even exist. You are weak and make me think you were doing all this for fame. If you are not Chinese and don't know about our culture, don't write anything on our behave...Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-1000811657544514242014-11-04T18:36:34.248-08:002014-11-04T18:36:34.248-08:00She isn't a racist. She obviously loves the cu...She isn't a racist. She obviously loves the culture. You are entitled to your feelings, but remember that she isn't making it ugly. She is inspired by it all. And, maybe that model rocked it in the audition for the job. Maybe she was the best one. She deserves credit for that. Therefore, she deserved that job. Everything doesn't have to be seen as a negative. Isn't intention more meaningful?Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-26177533493083138262014-09-13T03:47:41.578-07:002014-09-13T03:47:41.578-07:00Boycotting lime crime! Thanks Mai I feel like I...Boycotting lime crime! Thanks Mai I feel like I've learned a lot from your post x what an awful company and scary woman!Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-68640626532879809872014-05-07T03:31:07.725-07:002014-05-07T03:31:07.725-07:00I understand your point, but, being balanced, if I...I understand your point, but, being balanced, if I had to write a post everytime my Spanish culture is confused with the Mexican one or everytime that tourists think that all Spanish wear dots dresses, dance flamenco and support bull fights... I would spend my life attached to the computer. I just ignore them as I would ignore a fool.Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-86675208733012618012013-07-08T09:08:57.304-07:002013-07-08T09:08:57.304-07:00I'm Chinese and I'm not sure if the campai...I'm Chinese and I'm not sure if the campaign is racist or just in very poor taste. I agree that the make up is very exaggerated and reminds one of "black face", but I think the clothes are fine because it's really NOT a kimono, as others have pointed out. This is the type of clothing style prevalent in Qing dynasty. The original qipao is very loose fitting and have wide sleeves (you can google qing dynasty clothing). It only evolved into the tight modernized version much later. But I have to agree it's a very cheaply executed version, and hence the general poor taste of the ad.Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-63724318128894540512013-01-27T21:03:02.186-08:002013-01-27T21:03:02.186-08:00Great post. I agree that it was an insensitive dec...Great post. I agree that it was an insensitive decision to use a caucasian model as opposed to an Asian model. Especially considering that the fantasy palette theme is supposedly inspired by Chinese culture. When I first saw the campaign, there was nothing Chinese about it to me. I am not Asian but it does irk me when people are ignorant about culture in general. From what I can understand, the campaign is like a slap in the face to not just Chinese women but other Asian cultures as well (its how I feel when people generalize all Asians as Chinese and then I have to frikken explain the difference between cultures/languages because there is a clear difference between each culture). Creative my ass, if she did this to Latin American culture; I would be just as upset too (and many latina chicks would be out for her blood for real). I'm Peruvian & Guatemalan and can't stand it when people assume that I'm Puerto Rican or Mexican just because they don't know their geography. I think people need to get their heads out of their Caucasian-centric asses and realize the vast ethnic diversity that exists now. <br />Sorry for long post, I just sympathize with the issue as well because I do have a great love and interest for Asian cultures. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247699494340761986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-21007161982029557712012-09-05T05:27:43.094-07:002012-09-05T05:27:43.094-07:00Excuse me? I'm an Chinese beauty blogger who&#...Excuse me? I'm an Chinese beauty blogger who's a huge fan of Mai and I really would love to say this- asian girls have still so many stereotypes aimed at them, everyday, and it hurts. When I walk on a set of a TPF style photoshoot, a lot of girls, most of them inexperienced models, will look at me weird, me with my glasses and "nerdy" looks. I have worked with people who still perpetuate the White Supremacy idea everyday. Asian girls today have little or no self esteem compared to girls from other cultures because simply, there are no beauty role models to look to, because companies like Lime Crime hire Caucasians to model as "Chinese" or "Oriental". The reason why companies do that? Because half the time they believe in the White Supremacy idea rather than stick their necks out to hire a real Chinese girl with real representation that is accountable to the Chinese people. I understand that Doe Deere was being "creative and inspired" but what she did is just perpetuate the stereotype of being a China Doll. Chinese women should be empowered, instead of having to deal with racial issues like this. Doe may have not meant to be racist, but she sure as hell was.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-56558740675415700082012-08-08T02:19:48.016-07:002012-08-08T02:19:48.016-07:00Oh my gosh. It is a makeup line. It is about bein...Oh my gosh. It is a makeup line. It is about being creative and inspired. Get over it. Get over yourself. Do you have nothing else in your life, that you can spend so much time whining over this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-59309983039442939592012-07-24T00:18:31.133-07:002012-07-24T00:18:31.133-07:00I must agree, I feel it as being very nit-picking ...I must agree, I feel it as being very nit-picking too. I'm Czech and it's like whenever somebody says Czechoslovakia I know it's not correct, it's quite ignorant not to know that country is non existent for almost 20 years but I don't make a big whole drama out of it. Or if somebody says Czech Republic is East European country and pictures poor Ukraine. That is also offensive yet very common. There are so many misconceptions in the world and there's not point to make big deal out of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-51835527173534007432012-05-06T22:29:46.495-07:002012-05-06T22:29:46.495-07:00When I first saw the campaign, I had two thoughts:...When I first saw the campaign, I had two thoughts:<br /><br />1. I found the choice of model odd and not well thought out. This actually isn't solely an ethnicity issue; just something about it does not fit. After it's release, I ended up reading many places that the model and company owner are friends. This reason may be why she was chosen rather than being the best face for this campaign. <br /><br />When my husband saw me looking at the image on our computer (he knows nothing of the company, campaign, palette or even of makeup in general) his first words were: "That girl isn't Asian. She's trying to be, right?" (I remain silent) "It looks like they were trying to make her face look Asian. And what is that weird tear thing?"<br /><br />2. While I did not find the picture offensive, I found all of the text accompanying it very offensive. I found it not only offensive to a variety of cultures, but to women as well.<br /><br />All in all, I didn't find the picture offensive but after reading all the accompanying text, the whole campaign left a bad taste in my mouth.<br /><br />As a side-note, I also am left cock-headed at her use of the word "pun". "China doll" is not a pun... perhaps a word, a phrase, an idea, a nick-name she created, but pun? No.<br /><br />As another side-note, I have heard a lot of things about this company. Both good and bad. My only experience with the actual product is the lipstick, of which I own three of. I haven't experienced any of the issues I read about. What I care about, and what I find massively more alarming, are the reports of the personal aspects of the owner. <br /><br />I firmly believe in there being two sides to every story, giving benefit of the doubt in addition to second chances as we all make mistakes, mature and learn. Due to all of this, I remain unsure of where I stand on this company. I am currently an affiliate and keep an affiliate banner on my page. I have been trying to research her, to determine if this is an affiliation I would be comfortable keeping and a company I would be comfortable promoting. I don't want to take gossip for fact until I have seen enough to be sure...and I'm just still left unsure.<br /><br />Thanks for the very well thought out and written article! I really appreciate how honest you kept it and how you respectively stand by your opinions.Christinahttp://nailblog.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-68395853098132768582012-04-14T17:59:39.496-07:002012-04-14T17:59:39.496-07:00I'm a little late to this, but I don't see...I'm a little late to this, but I don't see why this campaign is so offensive.<br />And btw, I'm chinese and live in a chinese culture. <br />Also, I dislike Lime Crime and would never buy from them. However, I think that you are dissing them for no good reason.<br />MAYBE the word oriental would be considered offensive, but that is so slight, its not even an insult, its just an outdated word.<br /><br />First of all, you seem to have little understanding on chinese clothing. The qipao is not the only chinese period wear that exists, and you seem to think so, and that seems even more racist, to think that the only costume representing the Chinese is the Qipao. There are shitloads of chinese dresses, and she does not have to be completely faithful to a certain era of advertisement at all, wouldn't that make it boring and uninspired? Even the Kimono came from China, so you should really brush up on your own knowledge before criticizing anyone. Or at least edit your post, because anyone that comes here may think that you are justified for attacking her on the dress, which you are not. <br /><br />Her advertising spill also just doesn't come off as offensive, its as if she is trying to appeal to the Chinese crowd by praising us for random shit.<br /><br />Then, we have the model, Hanna Beth. Omg, so what if its a caucasian? We Chinese use them all the time as models as well! Limiting advertisements to only asians representing asian beauty/inspiration is also kind of racist!? Its not as if she did a slitty eyed look either, which in fact, tons of advertisement campaigns do, and they should be dissed for that, not Lime Crime.<br /><br />In fact, you have been pissed with Lime Crime's campaign for absolutely no reason, and this is one of the reasons why Lime Crime is still going strong, because people attack Doe in the wrong ways, not for her god forsaken terrible business practices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-55849832607085848712012-03-31T22:44:52.465-07:002012-03-31T22:44:52.465-07:00I'd prefer to stay anon on this one since I am...I'd prefer to stay anon on this one since I am remaining neutral for many reasons. I have a lot of Asian family, I am an educated woman with two master's degree's, and I am very familiar with Asian culture because I grew up in it (my family is Hong Kong Chinese & Filipino). I agree with so many things you say, yet also see much of the attack on the ad campaign as 'nit picking' at best. I know the dress is inaccurate, but it's not intended to be presenting a seductive body (at least this is how I take it), so focusing on loser-fitting clothes seems understandable. <br /><br />The only small point I wanted to make is that I learned a few years ago that there are many places--even some shockingly metropolitan areas in Southern California--where the term "Oriental" is still a commonly used word. I do not use it (it became non-PC where I'm from at least 15-20 years ago), but when I was in college and asked why there was a shift from "Oriental" to "Asian," the "educated" answer I was given is that "oriental" is too over-generalized, not that it is so much offensive. It means "of the east," as opposed to "Occidental" which means "of the west." It has been phased out because there are so many places that qualify as "oriental" that it is too non-specific when you are referring to people of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, or Filipino cultures (or any other over-generalized Asian culture). It would be the same as to call all Americans, South Americans, and Europeans, "Occidentals" which is a more obvious over-generalization. If you really want to get nit-picky, I think you should know that in my area, it is considered offensive to say "Asian" instead of "Chinese" or whatever other culture you are referring to, because these Asian cultures are so very different. Many of these cultures have actually hated each other for centuries, and they certainly do not like to be confused with one another. <br /><br />I suppose, when you get right down to it, the real question is: "When are we 'nit picking TOO much?" Just a thought. Please don't kill me.<br /><br />Nice blog, btw ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-52503642138251373652012-03-29T03:33:33.528-07:002012-03-29T03:33:33.528-07:00Ummm so you are saying that stereotypes only occur...Ummm so you are saying that stereotypes only occur culturally - NOOO its exactly like blonde bombshell or feme fatalle... or any other aspect... Like tropical hawaiian! do they all wear hoola skirts? no... its an inspiration or a theme... you are taking a passive victim stance... be strong and embrace that LC is trying to mash a bunch of looks with inspiration from asia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-84804527660754216982012-03-29T03:25:59.274-07:002012-03-29T03:25:59.274-07:00I agree with anonymous! this is really harmless.I agree with anonymous! this is really harmless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-65172528362781840712012-03-29T03:25:15.856-07:002012-03-29T03:25:15.856-07:00I have been reading all the comments on this page ...I have been reading all the comments on this page and I feel that you must consider that stereotypes - whether we like them or not are apart of life. Can you honestly say you have never made a judgement based on a few facts such as female - "not as physically strong as a male" (which is generally true), or Mediterranean - "speaks loudly" - which is culturally accurate. Stereotypes is how society helps to understand one another, despite being very misguided at times. Psychology suggest that stereotypes are essential to understanding and making necessary judgments within humanity. They are not correct, no - but every single one of us is guilty of it towards a foreign idea and every single person is a victim of it. She was not 100% accurate no, but I think it is minor in the scheme of things. Think of all the other cultures that are outright slandered! Look at arabs - they are treated as criminals and the most despised people - for what? I think this is obviously someone who finds your culture very beautiful and tried to express that. Give the lady a break and perhaps educate her in a nice way. I never thought my self that oriental was offensive, just as the term Persia is to Iran, an older terminology, its a common mistake and I'm sure it was not purposefully intended to harm a whole culture. The choice of model may be that she is showing that certain beautiful aspects of a culture can be transferable trans-culturally... I am certain that being asian, you yourself would not exclusively abide by your own culture but borrow styles and looks form other cultures WE ARE A GLOBAL COMMUNITY NOW! WHY MUST WE BE SO RIGID? Does this mean that asians cannot duplicate traditional arabesque makeup? No, we all borrow and take from one another. Her words is mere poetical marketing appealing to the masses that is not specifically indicative of Chinese culture but more of women and like she said her interoperation of a fantasy character... We are really halting imagination here. Her choice of dress was probably by a props department and was more to do with the colour pallet and lighting camera - who ever stated that she was trying to mimic with a 100% authenticity and accuracy the chinese culture? INSPERATION = not imitation. Im sorry but you are a little too over the top about this and I'm sure there are some real issue to have a blog dedicated to. Racism is real but this is very minor in the scheme of things..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-3481724244162959942012-02-29T15:06:55.609-08:002012-02-29T15:06:55.609-08:00I do agree with you that there isn't anything ...I do agree with you that there isn't anything wrong with being inspired by another culture, indeed that's one of the first things I said in this post. I do think though that for others it can be seen in a negative way depending on your intent and your interpretation.<br /><br />A lot of why I think it's offensive isn't just in the advertising image, it's in the text accompanying the image and the description for the look. I think that for some (like myself), it's perpetuating Asian stereotypes which I myself do not find a good thing.<br /><br />I suppose it's a matter of perspective, I know others have said they personally don't find it offensive but do understand why others find it offensive.Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-54426920837662080302012-02-29T13:35:46.755-08:002012-02-29T13:35:46.755-08:00I don't think there's anything wrong with ...I don't think there's anything wrong with being inspired by another culture. As an Asian studies minor, I often find taking concepts and images from the countries I'm studying and incorporating them into my art. No, in my art, they are not displayed in a historically accurate manner. It's all about context. I don't think Lime Crime ever claimed to be representing Chinese culture, instead, she said she was inspired by elements of Chinese culture.Her look is obviously fusion--east meets west, and plays on the sort of mixed-up cultural borrowing that takes place occasionally when east meets west. People can find offensiveness anywhere. I just don't see it here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-37898571346966295422012-02-28T12:46:08.169-08:002012-02-28T12:46:08.169-08:00I'm not sure why you feel the need to be so an...I'm not sure why you feel the need to be so antagonistic but I'll reply to your comment anyway. Am I mad that she used the wrong kind of dress? Yeah I'm disappointed, especially when she's dealing with another culture, I'd appreciate some semblance of authenticity when she specifically says she's inspired by a specific era.<br /><br />I should also note that the term China Doll doesn't refer to Chinese dolls, it prefers to dolls made out of porcelain. The owners' use was a portmanteau of China + china dolls (made out of porcelain). <br /><br />I really don't understand how and why you're content to blow off the issue of the stereotype.Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11671620809035977456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-53737201133370759022012-02-28T06:12:33.048-08:002012-02-28T06:12:33.048-08:00You are mad at her because she used the wrong kind...You are mad at her because she used the wrong kind of dress for the commercial? Even though she had no where promised to use the kind of clothing you would have preferred? Okay. Fine. Of course you should get to decide it. I can't believe it wasn't OBVIOUS to Lime Crime that they should have had a poll to ask people what kind of clothing they would prefer the model to wear.<br /><br />And you're right, how dare she use a caucasian model to portay a look "inspired" by traditional chinese doll-looks. How DARE she use an alernative model to convey the feel she was trying to put into the procuct. How dare this women decide that she wants a certain model to do this job, instead of basing the joboffer on ethnicality and give it to another, maybe less qualified model, solely due to her Asian heritage?<br /><br />I get that the look used in the campaign is based on a stereotype. But there's no smoke without a fire. This look WAS predominant in China and the makeup is not a direct copy of it - it is inspired by it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-53665498706340264432012-02-20T18:05:54.257-08:002012-02-20T18:05:54.257-08:00I was also one of those people who first starting ...I was also one of those people who first starting making comments about this campaign on their FB (until my comments were deleted and I had LC's people making aggressive and still somehow sales-pitchy comments at me). In truth, my first offense to all of this was more of a reaction against the mindless twits who saw this and said "0o0oh, omg, I've always, like, LOVED Japanese culture," who were then "corrected" by the mindless twits who said "China dolls are from CHINA..." (they are originally German, by the way) and then I got infuriated by the fact that it's somehow ok for people to equate alluring/milky/submissive qualities with Asian culture of any kind and get away with it because they say "Oh no, it's ok, because OUR character is strong!" <br /><br />http://www.doedeereblogazine.com/articles/chinadoll-lives-on<br /><br />I was just reading Xenia's post about all of this and I just found myself getting angrier and angrier as I read it. I guess it's characteristic of her to have the "I'm sorry you feel that way" attitude that others have mentioned, but beyond that, she skirts the real issues that people have with the campaign and somehow dodges the questions that she herself wrote into her blog! I also love her passive aggressive links throughout the blog, you know, because we are so stupid that we need her to link us to the Wikipedia article for the word "pun" (and by the way, "china doll" is not a pun, and it's certainly not a phrase or character she made up - by the things it has come to reference it is the very definition of cultural stereotyping and appropriation).<br /><br />Also, I think someone needs to explain cultural appropriation to her, because she clearly does not have the time/energy/intelligence to look anywhere else for an explanation beyond Wikipedia. And clearly STILL does not get it.<br /><br />I apologize, but at this point I have not read all of your updates to this issue; I'm going to do that now. I just thought I'd start here because I was really pumped to see that someone was writing about this and people were still talking. Good. I, for one, have already begun giving away (for free) any LC makeup I was stupid enough to purchase in the past (which was, like, 3 things to be fair) some time ago.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16838472648749324969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147863230490359852.post-42291453303737535022012-02-19T07:40:52.976-08:002012-02-19T07:40:52.976-08:00This is a really interesting blog honey. I used to...This is a really interesting blog honey. I used to be a featured writer on Buzznet where Hannabeth also writes and i remember seeing these images and finding them quite amusing. Not only is the shoot and concept completely unimaginative it's also hugely stereotypical! <br />The photoshopping looks gross and also the model and owner of LimeCrime are good friends, so that's probably why she was chosen in the first place.<br />I've recently moved across to Blogger with my blog because of these reasons...Buzznet is a huge site just fill of all this kind of rubbish! Some bloggers on there are actually really good but the most part is just media trash and features like this LimeCrime photoshoot. <br />I understand about celebrating Chinese Culture or Japanese Culture or any culture for that matter, but there are right and wrong ways to go about it.<br />x<3Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08279150404667389819noreply@blogger.com