I think a lot of this conversation boils down to whether it's ok to use a depiction of a deity, other religious iconography, or something with specific culteral significance in a commercial fashion. Personally, I think it's disrespectful and appropriative (no matter what the religion is) to use iconography et al. for fashion/clothing/graphic design or whatever other superficial use. Buddy Jesus is pretty much the only example I can think of that's not disrespectful, and that's only because of the specific context of its origins. Outside of that context (a parodied Subeta item, for example) it loses its meaning and becomes disrespectful.

Sorry if this has been covered, I skimmed the posts but wanted to add my two cents.

As a Japanese user, I think most of the Japanese-themed items on subeta are pretty well done.

I will say most of the "geisha" items, particularly the CWs that are vaguely Japanese inspired with Geisha in their names annoy me, although I'm not particularly offended. It just seems like one other way that non-Japanese people are constantly exoticizing and othering Japanese culture that warrants an eyeroll before I move on.

is a yikes in my opinion, first of all geishas generally don't even wear the white makeup, usually it's maikos. Also idk if it's the art or what but it seems like a gross parody of a maiko's makeup. Especially when maiko are so lovely but this is very much not. I can't put my finger on it but it just feels like an insensitive and ignorant yellowface.

but items like , I love that! after spending some time in a more rural area during my college days and having to hear "ew raw fish???" all the time, I especially appreciate the sushi love and representation.

I guess what I mean by all this is that when cultures are properly understood, appreciated, and represented it's fine, but once there's ignorance and insensitivity these items can quickly become offensive.

I asked around in communities I'm in and the consensus from people who've experienced raceism from white supremacy is that the items I mentioned in my first post are offensive and inappropriate. I also asked for resources and was pointed to this project: https://decolonizingyoga.com/ . While it's not about Hinduism specifically, it does address the concerns and the harm done when the spirituality and practices of PoC are appropriated.

Incidentally, today I came across this article: https://www.gossamer.co/articles/made-in-england . It's one instance of the kind of thing being discussed in this thread, but maybe learning a bit about history will help white users.

You guys have really messed up on this one. When I filed a ticket asking about insensitive subeta items I was told the staff thought the best course of action was for me to create this thread. I was reluctant to start a thread myself, because this is exactly what I expected, but I was assured that mods would be keeping an eye on it.

You allowed this thread to be largely derailed. Most posts here are white people talking about their own religious views or saying they hope Subeta keeps "cultural items". Comparatively few PoC have chimed in and I can't say I blamed them. This thread was a complete mess. You didn't enforce the rule about replying directly in any way that was at all even. I was insulted right off the bat by another user and you stood by and said nothing. (I wonder if anyone called white users "Nazis" if you'd be as ok with that.)

I did ask white users to people be considerate when chiming in, keeping in mind that this discussion was not about them and suggesting that they do their homework first. I obviously can't enforce that, because I'm not a moderator, but you know who could? You. I didn't see any effort on your part to keep this a civil conversation among the people for whom this matters, and I didn't see any of you step in to educate anyone about the very basics of what's being discussed here.

And after a few more items were suggested, we stopped hearing from you entirely.

You say you want to be actively anti-racist and that you want to make Subeta a place that black and brown people can enjoy. You've failed at this. Being anti-racist means stepping in and help do the work of educating others or, at the very least, not letting us get insulted just for expressing our views and concerns.

I'm not really surprised (considering how well that other recent thread about that food item went...) but I'm not going to pretend this went well.

I'm not afraid of saying this. I'm strongly considering leaving Subeta because, you know what? I don't want to stick around a place where I can easily be accused of having Hindu nationalist views and where people can have their words twisted and arguments derailed simply because some white people don't approve. This is not a dramatic announcement that I'm leaving, but I wanted to say this in case you actually are willing to think about it and do by users of colour in the future.

By the way, you might want to consider making your staff more diverse.