Of those who believe the accusations against Datsik to be legitimate and true, we’d all rather not mention him at all. However, this morning, Datsik contemporary Flux Pavilion tweeted, “Of the few questionable moments in Datsiks career. I’m still baffled that no one called the appropriation card on a Canadian kid wearing a Chinese farmers hat calling himself a ninja.”
Of the few questionable moments in Datsiks career. I'm still baffled that no one called the appropriation card on a Canadian kid wearing a Chinese farmers hat calling himself a ninja.
— Flux Pavilion (@Fluxpavilion) February 5, 2019
The tweet is most surprising because it really seems to have come out of nowhere.
For those unfamiliar with the term, cultural appropriation is defined as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.”
Datsik’s use of the Chinese farmers hat (called dŏulì in Chinese) could be considered appropriation, especially given his use of the clothing as an element of his branding, himself being Canadian.
On the other hand, cultural appreciation is also a thing. Speaking about his brand to Your EDM in a 2017 interview, Datsik said, “Damn, I’ve been into ninjas since day 1. Fresh out the womb I was a ninja.” He expounds on this in an interview with AXS, “I’m fascinated with their style and way of life. I also eat sushi almost everyday, ever since I’ve always been into them. On top of that, I’ve started randomly going to finding sick cosplay, things on Etsy and whatever else and copping all of these random ninja items. It’s kind of become a little obsession.”
Datsik surely isn’t speaking about his Ninja branding much these days, so his own input on the subject is sorely missing. Whether someone’s culture is being appropriated or appreciated is often up to the scrutiny of people who care about such things, and the side which calls out appropriation is typically louder.
That being said, others responded to Flux Pavilion, reminding him that he was called out for it at the time.
trust me, people called him out for that
— rob (@robgassermusic) February 5, 2019
A buncha ppl did… But then he went to Asia dressed like that and they loved it. So we left it alone. Lol
— 38. (@ArmanniReign) February 5, 2019
well @MYRNEmusic tried pic.twitter.com/U7k7hsl1VK
— Mace (@ghostmacekilla) February 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/retronomic0n/status/1092767564948799489
this is one of those moments where you gotta ask: is it “no one” or is it the people you’re hanging around?
cuz its been an issue if you paid attention
— teddy (@teddicles) February 5, 2019
Ah, the appropriation card. Honestly, there’s a difference between cultural appropriation and equal cultural exchange.
I guess the way to do equal cultural exchange is to RESPECT the culture you’re in and respect its spirit. I think that’s why Datsik (wasn’t?) called out for it.— Mr. Mongoose, I don’t feel so good (@mrmongoosemusic) February 5, 2019
