'Mexican Gangsters', that's how young Thai men identify themselves, even when they are not violent or deal with illicit drugs at all (like the real Latin Gangs). This is a way for them to appreciated another culture and try to imitate it, this Thai men most only had a shallow understanding of the foreign urban culture and Mexico in general. To make it clear, Mexican Gangsters just appreciated and follow the style of the real gangs; that makes them look like gangsters without being one, the just copy their clothes, tattoos or even hairstyles.
Young Thai men are a clear example of appropriation of another subculture, in this case Latin gangsters, because they are taking things of a very different culture and use those things in their own culture (where it doesn't belong).
'Mexican Gangsters'
Thailand culture
I'm not against cultural appropriation and don't have a lot to say about this topic, I just think that it can (eventually) make disappear or change a culture.
to see more information of Bangkok's Mexican gangsters click here.
hi rosa, i agree with you about how cultural appropiation can change a culture, but thats how cultures are made. cultures are a mix up of many things, the big amount of these things are not of their own place or time. change is part of creating things.
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