FMT:
Dress codes and cultural imperialism
Dress codes must respect the cultural identities of all individuals and not impose a dominant culture’s clothing norms.
From Chew Kok Liang
I refer to the op-ed “Recurring dress code kerfuffle getting tiresome” (FMT, 12 Mar 2023), and incidents of the public being turned away in the public and private sectors due to a breach of a “dress code”.
A dress code is a set of rules or guidelines, formal or informal, that dictate how people should dress in a particular setting, be it in the private or public sectors.
It can be imposed for various reasons, including, maintaining a professional or modest appearance, promoting safety or hygiene, or expressing a group identity.
Cultural imperialism is the process and practice of promoting one culture over another.
Often this occurs during colonisation, where one nation overpowers another country, typically one that is economically disadvantaged and/or militarily weaker.
The dominant country then forces its cultural beliefs and practices onto the conquered nation, such as our former British colonial masters did in Malaya and North Borneo.
In some cases, dress codes can be used to promote cultural imperialism by requiring individuals to conform to the dress norms of a particular culture or society.
For example, a public institution might require women to wear a specific type of clothing that is traditional in a particular culture or religion, even if the woman does not identify with that culture or religion.
This can be seen as a form of oppression or marginalisation of certain individuals or groups, and reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate discrimination.
It is important to ensure that dress codes, formal or informal, are implemented in a manner that is sensitive to the cultural identities of all individuals affected by them.
Dress codes must respect and acknowledge the cultural identities of all individuals, and not impose a dominant culture’s clothing norms.
By doing so, dress codes can be a means of promoting inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, rather than a tool for cultural imperialism.
The issue of dress codes and cultural imperialism is complex and depends on the context and specific circumstances.
However, dress codes must be addressed with sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity, while also recognising its potential for oppression and discrimination.
Chew Kok Liang is an FMT reader.
It can be imposed for various reasons, including, maintaining a professional or modest appearance, promoting safety or hygiene, or expressing a group identity.
Cultural imperialism is the process and practice of promoting one culture over another.
Often this occurs during colonisation, where one nation overpowers another country, typically one that is economically disadvantaged and/or militarily weaker.
The dominant country then forces its cultural beliefs and practices onto the conquered nation, such as our former British colonial masters did in Malaya and North Borneo.
In some cases, dress codes can be used to promote cultural imperialism by requiring individuals to conform to the dress norms of a particular culture or society.
For example, a public institution might require women to wear a specific type of clothing that is traditional in a particular culture or religion, even if the woman does not identify with that culture or religion.
This can be seen as a form of oppression or marginalisation of certain individuals or groups, and reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate discrimination.
It is important to ensure that dress codes, formal or informal, are implemented in a manner that is sensitive to the cultural identities of all individuals affected by them.
Dress codes must respect and acknowledge the cultural identities of all individuals, and not impose a dominant culture’s clothing norms.
By doing so, dress codes can be a means of promoting inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, rather than a tool for cultural imperialism.
The issue of dress codes and cultural imperialism is complex and depends on the context and specific circumstances.
However, dress codes must be addressed with sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity, while also recognising its potential for oppression and discrimination.
Chew Kok Liang is an FMT reader.
If the time comes when Ayatollah Hadi or perhaps somebody else is in power, you can forget about diversity and multi culturalism.
ReplyDeleteThe buzz words will be "respect the sensitives of malays and islam".
Non muslim ladies will need to wear the tudung or a veil covering their heads when stepping outside their homes. Dresses must reach the ankles or they will be refused service in government buildings and muslim establishments.
By then, of course, the population will be 80 to 90% malay or muslim. People like Firdaus Wong and the Tee guy will identify as malay.
From being born Chinese, they will be transformed to being a malay.