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)