(Troubling) Cultural Cross Dressing I was watching a movie about a chinese turn of the century historic figure (played by Jet Li) who started a martial arts academy now famous and franchised all over the world. I forget his name and his kung fu franchaise. The movie depicted him as a gangsteresque kung fu master turned compassionate national hero who battled many foreign prize fighters to reclaim China's national pride. I was reminded of Malcom X for some reason. Jingoistic storyline aside I noticed something almost as troubling as Michael Jackson's fashion sense. Jet Li's storyline friend was an intellectual, nationalistic instigator and businessman extraordinaire. He had a Qing Dynasty Queue, round goldrim glasses, neat straw hat, a slim western tie with mandarin collar and a blazer. Jet Li -the story hero- wore the traditional garb of course. I believe our choice of clothing speaks volumes about us as individuals and as a people. The film shows all of the foreign imperialist collaborators wearing full western outfits from head to toe and of course with the ability to speak english. The nationalistic chinese intelligentia wore a mixture of the "traditional" with articles of westernism such as a top hat or a bow tie. And those simple country folks wore only one style of clothing, which presumably looks the same for generations. Thus the movie was saying that if a chinese wore only western clothing then he or she is a traitor. If he or she cross culturally cross dressed e.g. top hat with manchurian hairstyle then a forward thinking intellectual. If you're just plain old country then you're salt of the earth but you're a simpleton. I noticed that historical figures such as Chiang Kai Shek, Yuan shi Kai and Sun Yatsen had everybody's wardrobe. Different strokes for different folks I guess. In some sense I respect the Arabs for consistency in dress. When they come they do so representing their identity. They don't need to emulate those who are more powerful. It seems like a lot of former colonies have difficulty in discontinuing the subjected mindset.
On the otherhand I see no reason to revert to the costumes of the past. I was watching another serial about the establishment of the Qing dynasty over the Ming Empire. It was their policy of forcing their new Han subjects into looking more Manchurian and that policy is to get a haircut and grow a pig tail or die. Different sources abound regarding the "pig tail" policy and why it was implemented. One thing is certain: the pigtail is as foreign as the top hat and bow tie.
I think everyone should wear hooded capes and kilts. There isn't any all weather all situation attire than a cape which protects you from the sun, snow, and the elements that may afflict your backside. And the kilt...i can't think of any clothing with easier access for peeing or procreation. Best of all it is unisex, simple and sensitive to our burqa wearing bretherens.
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