TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY ARTIST PEREGRINE HONIG HIT WITH 'CULTURAL APPROPRIATION' CRITICISM OVER WESTSIDE HOUSING TRIBUTE T-SHIRT!!!

The most prominent artist in Kansas City confronts another round of fierce criticism over her latest work and allegations that she's insensitive toward people of color in communities impacted by gentrification.

More to the point, and in the opinion of Kansas City's one and only Westside based news outlet (other than Fox4), a relatively unknown Latino artist is playing the race card against Peregrine Honig in order to bolder his lackluster career.

Here's the argument of the obscure artist Rodolfo Marron III:

"Here we go, cultural appropriating artist Becky strikes again.

"How many young brown men have been shot and killed in the Westside over hood affiliation?!?

"Now this gringa comes in with this mierda? Nah!

"When black and brown folk throw up gang signs, they are thugs!

"When wypipo sport that shit on a t-shirt, it’s an aesthetic choice!

"Fuck that tone-deaf Christina Columbus bullshit!!!"

Since the posting, there has been a smattering of support for Mr. Marron despite his vaguely sexist language that is probably excused because his attack is directed against a white female.

Never mind that Mr. Marron himself is a newcomer to Kansas City's Crossroads/Westside area and many lifers in this rapidly evolving barrio might, in fact, call the LA native artist a member of the new gentry.

Still, here's an important fact regarding the shirt that should be clarified amid local criticism that was omitted from comments by a social media mob:

The design was donated by Peregrine Honig as part of a fundraising effort for Westside Housing amid their upcoming 45th anniversary which they'll celebrate on September 12th. The organization initially welcomed the help as part of an ongoing collaboration in their mission to provide affordable housing in a neighborhood that has seen skyrocketing demand for real estate and rising rents.

Even better . . .

TKC INTERVIEWED ARTIST PEREGRINE HONIG TODAY ON THE TOPIC OF THIS CONTROVERSY AND OUTCRY OVER 'WESTSIDE' CULTURAL APPROPRIATION!!!

Here's part of what she had to say:

"I understand that some people can be triggered by recontextualizing an iconic symbol and I'm open to a conversation about what that might mean to different perspectives," Ms. Honig said. "I think the debate surrounding who can and can't say something deserves consideration but that wasn't my intention with this work . . . Some of the responses have really hit home for me."

She spoke to her history on Kansas City's Westside:

"I've lived here for more than 10 years and I'm grateful that a wonderful organization like Westside Housing has been an ongoing partner in collaboration."

What I sensed from Ms. Honig is that she was sensitive to the complaints about appropriation, probably far too much so.

And the brief chat leads TKC to this moment of clarity . . .

A PIERCED & STRUGGLING LATINO ARTIST CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF THE WESTSIDE AND ALL ASSOCIATED HAND GESTURES IS NOT ONLY STRAIGHT OUT OF THE PC THUG PLAYBOOK BUT ALSO A LAUGHABLE PLOY TO GARNER ATTENTION!!!

What can be gleaned from his social media tirade is that he doesn't know much about the neighborhood and was desperately searching for a reason to be offended. On the topic of "appropriation" his criticism about crime and equality is misplaced inasmuch as the world doesn't really need a social justice crusade for t-shirt design.

Maybe he's talking about the greater West Coast "Westside" and if that's the case . . . Snoop Dogg probably has the final say on "appropriation" . . . Sadly, the rapper is out of the political game after it proved too stressful. But I digress . . .

To be fair, Mr. Marron might have his heart in the right place but dumping the burden for the social ills of gang violence, gentrification and colonialism on the skinny shoulders of Peregrine Honig is probably expecting too much.

And while composing this artsy screed . . . A new development has arisen . . .

TOMORROW A DEBATE AMONG "PEOPLE OF COLOR ONLY" WILL CONSIDER THE WORK OF PEREGRINE HONIG AND HER ALLEGED APPROPRIATION!!!



Description:

"TOMORROW! @kcaoca will be hosting “Culture Vultures: Black and Brown Pain for Aesthetic” in response to recent cultural appropriation within the arts. This conversation asks self-identifying POC individuals to join us and engage in a constructive dialogue about these issues. T-shirt designs by @archiegobber @hawcontemporary @peregrinehonig"

The fighting and harsh feelings among the artistic community on this topic has been vicious, probably because there is so little at stake. However, we can't help but notice a trend . . .

Very much like a controversy involving Prospero's book store this year . . . What we're seeing is that local progressives are enforcing an increasingly strict code of conduct and ideology backed up by social media mobs. This liberal "volk" (for lack of a better English word) has grown increasingly merciless as Midterm elections approach and their wrath isn't spared when one of their own members strays from the party line.

While Peregrine Honig might make a convenient punching bag in this situation, overall the trend is troubling inasmuch as cultural, political and ideological unanimity that's rigidly enforced is rarely a manifestation of a vibrant artistic community and instead betrays far more sinister motivations and tactics of the Kansas City creative class.

You decide . . .