Just what is an Ethnic Woodcarving?

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I just saw Susieq's new post showing another of her excellent Santa carvings. As she titled it as an "ethnic" piece it got me to thinking just what is an ethnic carving. In this case it evidently meant that the Santa was Black. Now I'm not trying to start an argument here but if the color of the figure determined whether it was ethnic or not wouldn't a White-faced Santa also be just as ethnic as any other color? Here's a short version of how Wikipedia defines ethnic:

"An ethnic group is a group of humans whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage that is real or presumed ethnic identity is further marked by the recognition from others of a group's distinctiveness and the recognition of common cultural, linguistic, religious, behavioural traits as indicators of contrast to other groups."

Aren't we all ethnic in some way? Could I enter one of my "white" Cowboys into an Ethnic woodcarving catagory or would his background be considered so washed out that he no longer had any link to ethnicity.

I'm just asking!

[kitaye]

You are stirring the pot.

However, I will give my opinion. Ethnic doesn't mean skin colour only. An ethnic carving would include costume and accessories that represent a certain group be it modern or historical.

[brent]

Just my two cents worth, ( if it is worth that much)!!!

Ethnic=cultural

[Lynn O. Doughty]

No....I'm not stirring any pot just asking a simple question. If there were an "Ethnic" carving category just which types of carvings could be entered into it? To me, a Wrangler from the Old West is part of "American" culture as he would have the background, the beliefs and the costume but I seriously doubt if any weight would be given to those definitions should such a figure be entered into such a category. Now if I entered a Mongolian Horseman he would no doubt be considered "ethnic" as would a reindeer herder from Lapland and I'll bet both of those would be accepted without question. But are they any more ethnic than the fella from Wyoming?

[Mitchell]

I have not seen anything saying that a cowboy in a western scene would NOT be considered "ethnic".

IF there were such a category (that's a big IF and seems to be just for arguments, eh, discussions sake), I don't think the cowboy scene should or would, be excluded.

[Buckskin]

Here is my half a nickel.

To me a Cowboy (black or white) would be ethnic to American West Heritage.

It matters not to me one way or another. A great carving or a great human being is not predicated by the color of its skin.

[susieq]

I might as well weigh in on this..... I try to be sensitive to the feelings of others. I could come right out and call it a black santa. Or an African American santa. But since some people who are part of those ethnic communitys have expressed a dislike for those terms, I feel the term "ethnic" is more generic and perhaps less offensive to those who might be offended. As stated earlier, the term "ethnic" applies to any specific cultural group...once you see the carving, you understand which ethnic group it is.

I hate that we have gotten to this point but I would not offend anyone for the world. I have always been an equal opportunity friend and though I will never be nominated for mother of the year, I am proud of the fact that I raised two girls to judge folks by their character, not by their appearance/religion, race, etc.......

[susieq]

PS. by the way, I am German, Irish and Cherokee with a little English and maybe some Scott thrown in somewhere.....

[Howard Lobb]

I'm Canadian A,,, Our whole country went through tis very topic a few years ago at great expense to the tax payer with no definitive answer at the end.... The truth is we are a nation because of the ethnic diversity and the Torrance the only thing that seems to determine what a Canadian is, is where we live now, is my observation.
Ps.. We have cowboys in the mix here as well. They are historicly from every nation..... They live love and work here as Canadians A H

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Susan: If you can document your Cherokee heritage you should immediately join the SWAIA (SWAIA - Santa Fe Indian Market®) and start carving Cherokee oriented Santas. Next August you should head west to Santa Fe and the SWAIA Indian Market where you will, because of the high quality of your work, enjoy immediate collectability. You should also take along an extra wheelbarrow to haul home all the money you will make in sales. I guarantee it. I have a 14 year old nephew who is on the Cherokee rolls and if there was any way that I could convince him to join and enter my work under his name I promise I would give him half of the proceeds. I agree that it is a true shame that so much value is placed on ethnicity but for those lucky enough to have a valid claim to some they should take advantage of any opportunity that such a claim might afford.