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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I appreciate the contacts after our meeting last night about the question of whether our luau plans will be culturally offensive to Hawaiians. From my short research this morning, the question seems to be whether we are going to disrespect sacred elements in our activities. Here’s a synopsis from one article I read:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748;background:white'>Authentic Hawaiian culture is rooted in respect for the land</span></strong><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748;background:white'>, nature, and the belief in the interconnectedness of all living things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin-top:0in;background:white'><strong><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>For example</span></strong><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>, the misappropriation of the hula dance, which is a sacred and storied tradition, can be seen as disrespectful and offensive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white;box-sizing: inherit'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>When hula is performed without proper understanding or without honoring its cultural context, it diminishes its significance and reduces it to a mere form of entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin-top:0in;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin-bottom:var(--global-md-spacing);font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>As consumers and participants in popular culture, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves about the cultures we engage with and to support initiatives<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>It is important to note that these arguments are not universally agreed upon, and there are differing viewpoints on whether Hawaiian themed parties are appropriative or not. </span></b><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>The intention behind these parties can also play a role in the perception of their appropriateness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin-top:0in;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin-bottom:var(--global-md-spacing);font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>Some argue that if done with respect, understanding, and collaboration with the Hawaiian community, </span><strong><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>these parties can be a way to appreciate and share the beauty of Hawaiian culture</span></strong><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin-top:0in;background:white;box-sizing: inherit;margin-bottom:var(--global-md-spacing);font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:Heebo;color:#2D3748'>Ultimately, it is essential to engage in open and respectful dialogue to better understand the impact of cultural appropriation and work towards cultural appreciation and understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So, Arona knows someone who might be able to give us some perspective on this. She will be reaching out to them and we can continue the discussion about how we can make our event as respectful as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Many thanks to everyone who is doing their utmost to make our next Dark Café an awesome event from everyone’s perspective!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Kristen Jocums<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>(706) 718-8055<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>