For the past few days, there’s been a bit of an online kerfuffle about race and craft and the group Knitta, Please. As a result, the Knitta, Please website now defaults to MagdaSayeg.com. Here’s a link to a post about it on my friend Cinnamon’s blog because she provides the Cliff’s Notes version with links. My ears perked up at a mention of the craft world being all white. And yes, the indie/DIY craft world is really really white. Do I think that it’s on purpose? No. Indie/DIY craft may have started a craft resurgence, but that doesn’t mean the story of the resurgence is over. How wonderful would it be to have another craft wave where we all started learning more about craft history or different cultural techniques?
Over a decade ago, there was a similar kerfuffle about Riot Grrrl. There’s even a really amazing article about it, Riot Grrrl: Revolutions From Within by Jessica Rosenberg and Gitana Garofalo. There’s an even more amazing online perspective of Riot Grrrl.
The difference between the two? It can be argued that the history of feminism is all white. It cannot, however, be argued that the craft world is all white. That’s one of the most beautiful things about craft, that it’s found in every culture existing now or previously. There needs to be more online about it, and it’s a project I’ve been working on… but without funding, it’s a beast (and slow!) to tackle. Here are just a few examples of craft in different cultures out of the thousands.
So, I say, bring it. Evoking a challenge a wider range of craft coverage online, in fairs and on bookshelves. Bring it on. Please.
Felting in Iran
Batik from Ghana
Tibetan Butter Sculpture
Chinese Woodblocking Prints
African Cloth about Culture and Politics
Chilean Political Tapestries by the Arpilleristas
Lots of Native American craft links! Beads! Weaving!
WarRug.com: Afghan made rugs (Political motifs? Bonus!)
Palestinian Embroidery Techniques: Dresses That Tell Stories
History and Glossary of Traditional and Contemporary African Textiles
(Photos, top to bottom: Tibetan butter sculpture, Afghan war rug, felting in Iran)
I really like this article.
I’d have to argue, though, that it isn’t true that the feminist movement is all white – like all other histories, white people, white women, get a lot of the credit especially in times when racism is at its most intense (during 1st and 2nd wave), but in all parts of feminist history there are women of colour making change and leading movements, and challenging the mainstream white feminist thought of the time – from Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth to Audre Lorde and bell hooks, to Cherrie Moraga and Alice Walker.
But anyways, this article is amazing. Thank you for writing it.
That butter sculpture looks nothing like our butterheads here in Minnesota!!
Found you through my old friend Paul and Make and Meaning. I like what you guys are doing over there.
Can’t wait to explore more of your site here!
Ash,
It’s funny you mention the history of feminism not being all white. Originally I wrote that sentence as “It could be argued (by some)…” and at the last minute took the “by some” part out because if you were to look at certain media you could very well be mistaken that feminist history is all white! Which is crazy!
And (as you said) that’s most of the problem… most histories we see are ethnocentric instead of being all inclusive. I’m guessing it’s because its “easier” when writing about the behemoth that is feminist history to break it up into pieces and race is the “easiest” way to do it? I love the work of all the women you mentioned, but had never heard of Cherrie Moraga before, thank you for introducing me to her!
And thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
***
Hi Teresa!
Minnesota butterheads?! I’m intrigued! Thanks for your kind words, I’m glad to have met (e-met?) Paul and the rest of the M&M people, so so inspiring!
Gosh I am really not getting all this fuss about it, but maybe I just have always loved all crafts from all cultures and have never thought of it or experienced it belonging to one race or class.
I have been exploring the issue further, and yes, my impression is that the indie craft movement ‘seems” to be more white, although “seem” is the key word, since I haven’t found any stats to support it is. Like you I share an appreciation and understanding of crafts worldwide from all strata of society but maybe the problem lies in that people are not specifying which part of the crafts world they are talking about, when in fact they may be talking more about “indie craft” movement they see on the internet. Or the people complaining and making that statement are so narrowly focused they have no concept of the history of crafts beyond the narrow scope they see on the internet and what is au courant.
Been an illuminating exploration and I agree discussion is valuable.
all the best for the Holidays and the New Year
corrine