Okay, I definitely DO NOT identify with the super-right wing, especially the American-style right (how can I?  I’m Canadian!  And I’m pro-equal marriage, too), but more and more, media outlets from the likes of Gawker Media (e.g. Jezebel, etc…) and Salon are annoying me with their super-politically correct perspective.  For example, it seems to me that every other post that isn’t celebrity-related seems to be about girls’ dress codes or cultural appropriation.  Yes, sometimes school dress codes ARE sexist, but oftentimes, similar dress codes apply to boys as well (it’s just that boys and girls tend to wear different types of clothing.  I am sure that people would be up in arms if a boy went to school in a girls’ uniform but was sent home to change because it wasn’t the “right” outfit).  And in any case, by NOT having a dress code, we are preparing an entire generation of casual, “anything goes” behaviour.  I have seen with my own eyes young people showing up at interviews looking like they’re “chilling” on a weekend.  Untucked shirts, loose-fitting denim, running shoes.  We are NOT talking about interviews for a job at McDonald’s, but corporate positions in an office setting.  In Toronto’s financial district.  Besides, I would NOT be that casual even if I had an interview at Google or Facebook.  I can dress like that AFTER I get the job.

As for cultural appropriation, sure, they SOMETIMES have a case.  However, other times, I find things more funny than racist.  Take for example, the man bun.  Man buns were worn by practically all boys and men in ancient China – if you’ve seen Mulan, you know what I’m talking about.  In fact, I’ve joked about how one from that time period can be transported to 2015 and could easily get a barista job at an indie café just by “looking” the part.  Of course, the ancient Chinese “man bun” was worn a bit higher (and doesn’t look like the modern hairstyle at all), but those guys’ hair was long enough for a modern version.  And in any case, if we can’t take things from other cultures, then my university might as well change their marching band’s uniform.  Not everyone is of Scottish descent, yet band members wear tartan.   And with such so-called “rules,” a bride of Indian descent might as well NOT have non-Indian bridesmaids if she wants them to all wear saris.  A non-Korean bride might as well NOT wear a hanbok if she’s marrying a Korean man.  Of course, this is different from mocking another ethnicity.  THAT I have issue with.  I DON’T have a problem with someone dressing up as, say, Mulan if they’re NOT East Asian.  Just don’t do yellow face or fake eyes.  Wear a mask and a wig.  I mean, I’m not going to wear a blonde wig if I want to be Cinderella, Rapunzel or Alice (in Wonderland).

Do we really have to be so politically correct that we can’t say anything anymore?  I feel that way sometimes.  And I have been PERSONALLY CRITICIZED by people – especially those who work in more left-leaning industries like social work and even media (and usually older and of non-Anglo descent.  I find that people my age know better) – because I have both a western and heritage name and because I have mostly “integrated” into “mainstream” (read: “Anglo”) society.  I find that EXTREMELY INSULTING.  “Why is your name Cynthia?” is NOT a question one should be asking.   Most CBCs (Canadian born Chinese) in my circle have western names from birth.  We also have Chinese names.  Why am I “losing touch” with my heritage if I don’t use my cultural name?  Why am I “losing touch” if I celebrate Thanksgiving (by the way, my parents used to marinate our turkey with soy sauce and stuff it with sticky rice.  I prefer Mediterranean quinoa pilaf)?  Or throw my cousin a baby shower?  And why do we never talk about this?  Are people just too conscious about saying the “wrong thing” to people who are of a different culture?

So what do you think?  Am I turning conservative?  I really hope I’m not because I don’t want to be associated with certain groups (e.g. Kim Davis and the like).  I see myself as a bit on the old fashioned side, but definitely socially conscious!

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