Cultural Appropriation?

[freep]

If this from the article noted above doesn't say it all, it says most of it:

"The 'old world' of tartan has to take care that it is not hidebound by the past: it may raise an eyebrow but it should not disdain the 'new world' of tartan. After all, the north American 'Kirkin' o' the Tartan' is not too distantly removed from the Gaelic sentiments of spirituality from Carmina Gadelica: the symbolism of colours used in new tartans is not too distant from the Victorian invention of the funeral tartan; the speckled grey of Prince Albert's Balmoral tartan or the blue and green of the Rangers and Celtic football club tartans."
--http://www.tartansauthority.com/tartan/tartan-today/

A professor of Native American history once expressed strong dislike for the statue called, "End of the Trail" which shows a warrior on horseback, his shoulders are slumped, his head hanging as does that of his horse, his lance points earthward. . . It is the end of his people.

Except for one minor detail, his people are still here. They have changed, however. Evolved to meet the needs of time's onward press. They are still here, still proud, still embrace their culture and religion and still Native American.

I kind of see the kilt in the same light. From its inception as a modification of a brat through feileadh mòr, onto feileadh beag, into the modern 'formal' kilt, and thence to utility kilt it has likewise evolved. It is against nature to try to stop evolution, of peoples, of governments, of . . . well, anything. Especially fashion!

So, where will the kilt go from here? Beats me. I do know that I'm probably going to wear my kilts in ways that would cause more than few on this forum to grind their teeth. Sorry for that, but you see, I can't help it. I'm wearing a garment rooted in the past (a past that is partly mine, but truly, that's irrelevant) in ways that make me smile. Not in laughter, but in the satisfaction of doing something that works for me and feels right. I respect the origins of the kilt and its creators and truly believe I do nothing with my kilt that any of those who created, then altered the kilt over centuries have not already done. I do hope it doesn't bother you overmuch. Sorry if so, but again, I can't help it. I'm just an unwitting agent of evolution, right?

Slainte