Mana, Shamans, and the Cultural Misappropriation behind Fantasy Terms

[MGibster]

I mean "actual Japanese" as in theoretical person of that actual ethnicity, not "actual" as in specific person was trying to do it. I guess that's the misunderstanding? But it's a bit weird that's the only thing you've engaged with, which makes me consider your motivation here.

My apologies, I honestly could not tell when you typed "actual Japanese person" you weren't referring to a hypothetical rather than an actual Japanese person. I can't read what you mean to communicate only what you actually put on the screen.

And if you think I'm a troll then please either stop communicating with me, report me, or both. Because passive aggressive comments like "makes me consider your motivation here" is just a crummy thing to say.

 

[Olrox17]

Isn't that kind of like asking Londoners if they feel more British (or god help you, English), or more Londoners? Because I mean, as a Londoner, I can tell you an awful lot (maybe the majority) will have Londoner as an identity higher on the list than British (let alone English).

Maybe? I honestly don't know enough about english regional cultures, beside the divide between england, scotland, wales and northern ireland, so you tell me.

Anyway, when we talk about italian regional cultures, we have to keep in mind that most of them have a really venerable history.
Just take Venice as an example. The republic of venice lasted from 697 AD to 1797 AD, more than a millennia. It was a fully independent, sovereign state, holding multiple dominions over the Mediterranean sea. It's not at all surprising that many modern venetians may see themselves as venetians first, italians second.
Similar things can be said for the republic of Genoa, the republic of Pisa, the republic of Florence, the kingdom of Sicily, etc.

I don't think it necessarily means people who live in Rome see themselves as "The Heirs of Caesar" or whatever (though as I think you pointed out, the whole Mussolini incident proved that was bubbling away - and whole Operation Gladio insanity probably didn't help, thanks CIA!).

I'll tell you this much: if that dumbass Mussolini ever got substantially more power and territory than he ever managed to hold, people would've started believing him. People frown on his roman imperial ambitions nowadays because it was just foolish posturing from the head of a nation that wasn't even ready for modern war yet.

 

[Sadras]

And yes good god re: Native American. It's like, I don't want less representation of one of the most marginalized groups that exists in the West, but could you stop just stealing their stuff and sticking it on non-humans for a bit? Huh?

Make our humanoids less human by the removal of cultural trappings (Japanese hairdo + armour + shamanism).
Make our humanoids more human by the removal of inherently evil, less intellectual + other offensive stuff.

Got it.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Maybe? I honestly don't know enough about english regional cultures, beside the divide between england, scotland, wales and northern ireland, so you tell me.

It does sound similar. I think whether someone is venerable or not doesn't necessarily impact how a modern population regards it, because venerable traditions can be abruptly cut off or vanish due to cultural change, and new regional identities can spring up very rapidly. I mean, the concept of Londoner is probably not really much more than 500 years old, and really only a strong identity for 200-odd years (and even then it was more a working-class identity for a long time), but it is very strong now (and cuts across class, race, politics, national origin and so on). And yeah they specifically see themselves as Londoners first, and British, English, European or the like second or lower. This is true for something like 7/10 people who live in London.

 

[Olrox17]

It does sound similar. I think whether someone is venerable or not doesn't necessarily impact how a modern population regards it, because venerable traditions can be abruptly cut off or vanish due to cultural change, and new regional identities can spring up very rapidly. I mean, the concept of Londoner is probably not really much more than 500 years old, and really only a strong identity for 200-odd years (and even then it was more a working-class identity for a long time), but it is very strong now (and cuts across class, race, politics, national origin and so on). And yeah they specifically see themselves as Londoners first, and British, English, European or the like second or lower. This is true for something like 7/10 people who live in London.

Then there could be a (relatively) new londoner culture, distinct enough from "generic" english culture to be considered its own thing.
A difference I spot between londoner culture and, say, venetian culture: londoner is a culture born from within the kingdom of England. It originated from within the kingdom, and never existed outside of it.

Venetian culture, on the other hand, was born more than millennia before Italy existed (similar things can be said about every italian regional culture). So a venetian identity, a roman identity, a florentine identity etc existed way before Italy, which is now the umbrella nation under which all those previously existing identities live.
Italy, as a political entity, is more akin to the EU than to England, if you get my meaning.

 

[Maxperson]

Oh, hey, that's me! I mean, kind of. I cannot claim to be an ancient roman, but I certainly am a modern roman, and as such I absolutely claim all of roman culture, including ancient roman culture, as part of my cultural heritage.

Yeah, but doesn't, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." give everyone a free pass to appropriate your culture while we are there?

 

[Olrox17]

Yeah, but doesn't, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." give everyone a free pass to appropriate your culture while we are there?

If that stops the barbarians from putting pineapple on pizza, then by all means!

 

[Maxperson]

See, the problem with that is, pretty much all of Europe and most North Americans, Australians and quite a few other people, have just as much of a claim to ancient Roman culture as you do.

Other than geography, what distinguishes you from any other Italian? I realize that there are a few different ethnic groups recognized in Italy, but, by and large, Italian people are Italian, not Roman. I'm not trying to be snotty here, I'm genuinely curious. My study background is in ethnic conflict, so, I understand the importantance of ethnicity, but, honestly, you're the first person I've ever seen who is claiming that Rome is a separate ethnicity and culture from Italian.

Guide to Roman Culture and Customs

Learn how to "do as the Romans do" while understanding Roman culture and customs with this handy guide of how to get by in the 'Eternal City'.

citywonders.com

.

 

[Maxperson]

Isn't that kind of like asking Londoners if they feel more British (or god help you, English), or more Londoners? Because I mean, as a Londoner, I can tell you an awful lot (maybe the majority) will have Londoner as an identity higher on the list than British (let alone English). I don't think it necessarily means people who live in Rome see themselves as "The Heirs of Caesar" or whatever (though as I think you pointed out, the whole Mussolini incident proved that was bubbling away - and whole Operation Gladio insanity probably didn't help, thanks CIA!).

So they have two cultures. If you couldn't have two cultures, African Americans, Jewish Americans, etc. couldn't exist. There would only be the American culture allowed to those born in America. If Romans and Londoners feel a separate cultural identity to their country, so be it.

 

[Maxperson]

If that stops the barbarians from putting pineapple on pizza, then by all means!

It's good to know that I am not a barbarian.