- Jun 4, 2019
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I mean, you can definitely see the similarities between elven ears and "passing" in minorities in our own world. An elf might not pass for a human beyond the obvious trait of their ears, but look at the likes of Maria or Hana, who passed for human, albeit with some ear docking as babies. It's very similar to people being light skinned enough to pass as white. In both instances, its seen a means to escape slavery and to get a better life for your child.
And I can definitely see how humans wearing elf ears can be seen as incredibly offensive. As mentioned, it raises the spectre of blackface but also reminds me of the "pretendians", white people who would pass themselves as Native American or as members of First Nation tribes, despite them not have a trace of Native American or First Nations in their family trees. Its actually disgusting, because its trying to claim an identity that the majority have tried to wipe out for centuries, adding insult to injury.
And I can definitely see how humans wearing elf ears can be seen as incredibly offensive. As mentioned, it raises the spectre of blackface but also reminds me of the "pretendians", white people who would pass themselves as Native American or as members of First Nation tribes, despite them not have a trace of Native American or First Nations in their family trees. Its actually disgusting, because its trying to claim an identity that the majority have tried to wipe out for centuries, adding insult to injury.