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Holly Richardson: Faux outrage over a dress undermines the times that call for real outrage

Related Topics: Kayfabe, Salt Lake City, Dress

Keziah Daum found out the hard way how easily offended some people are when she posted pictures of her prom dress. Found in a “vintage” shop in Salt Lake City, the high-collared, form-fitting red dress was a beautiful Chinese-style dress. A few days later, she was slammed on Twitter for “cultural appropriation.”

Keziah did not mock Chinese culture, nor did she derive any financial benefit, nor was she exploiting a power differential with the wearing of a qipao, as one might expect with true cultural appropriation.

Rather, I think she honored another culture. So, apparently, do people in China, who are bewildered by the (faux) outrage.