The Racism & Appropriation of Africana Traditions Masterpost

spiritroots:

You’ve heard of hoodoo and “voodoo,” but what can you do? Everything you’ve ever wanted to know or ask about cultural appropriation and the various magic traditions, cultures, and religions that have their roots in Africa. I’ve featured a number of different posts that cover a range of topics and perspectives from various sources and bloggers. Updates and additions will be made over time!

---

So, what is cultural appropriation, and why does it matter?

• An explanation of what it is and why it’s harmful
• What the idea of cultural appropriation isn’t implying
• Why it won’t work even if you try anyway
• Santeria Church on Cultural Appropriation by Non-Initiates
• The Impact of Cultural Appropriation on Hoodoo

How can I avoid racism and cultural appropriation of Africana traditions?

• What do “Afrocentric” and “Africana” mean?
• What are “ATRs” and which ones are open/closed/semi-closed?
• List of non-Kemetic African deities who are closed/semi-closed
• Is it okay to purchase Africana magic and/or spiritual services?
• Is it okay to wear African clothes from Africa and other cultural items?
• Which tarot decks to buy (or not) for supporting diviners of color
• Understanding Eurocentricity in mainstream witchcraft and magic
• Eurocentric standards & racist criticisms of magic
• Racist stereotypes in the magic community

What are hoodoo, rootwork, and voodoo?

• The definitions of and differences between each of those terms
• An overview of Haitian Vodou
• Hoodoo has nothing to do with Satanism

Is hoodoo really open or closed? What’s the real story here?

• Why are there many different opinions about this topic?
• Why do so many black rootworkers feel it’s closed?
• If no one can stop me from practicing, then why not do it anyway?

How do I know if I can practice hoodoo or what I can/can’t borrow from it?

• Can I practice hoodoo and/or is it okay to be interested in it?
• If I can’t practice hoodoo, what are the boundaries of what I can borrow?
• Can I practice ancestor work?
• Is it okay to use voodoo dolls? [x][x]
• Can I mix hoodoo with other types of magic and/or witchcraft?
• Can I incorporate hoodoo into brujeria and practice hoodoo as an Afro-Latine person?
• What if I have recent black ancestry, but don’t identify as black?

I have reasons why as a white person I still want to practice hoodoo. Heard those other arguments before, please tackle the REAL questions?

• Why can’t I practice hoodoo if black people practice white traditions?
• What about if I’m Irish because the Irish were slaves too?
• What if my white ancestors had nothing to do with slavery, and they weren’t oppressors at all? (About Vodou, still relevant to hoodoo)
• What if I am white but from an African country?
• At the end of the day, what about my personal opinion?

If I’m already a rootworker, how do I avoid appropriation in the craft?

• What about all the cultural appropriation I see in botanicas?
• Is it okay to burn ancestor money?
• Hoodoo has Jewish influences, how can I avoid appropriation?
• Books to avoid due to cultural appropriation & misinformation
• Why Cat Yronwode & Lucky Mojo are extremely problematic [x][x]

---

Posted 4/14/2018, updates pending. If you have questions, please ask bloggers who are legitimate practitioners of African descent or Afro-Latine heritage if your question relates to an Afro-Latine tradition. If you have concerns or anything listed here is problematic in some way, feel free to contact Yejide the OP!