This is from the Nasty Gal Blog, which is now promoting the use of bindis as fashion that anyone can wear.

Here’s a direct quote from the page: 

“We make a point of listening to feedback and making concessions where appropriate. We want to make it clear that we of course value and honor the religious and spiritual implications and application of the bindi. We also believe in playing with style, having fun, and incorporating all aspects of beauty and expression around the world. “

This is cultural appropriation. Taking something that is not yours and stylizing it as your own WITHOUT its original context, disregarding its meaning. It doesn’t matter how much you “value and honor” it; if you can’t keep your hands off of it, then you’re disrespecting it. It doesn’t belong to you.

Just take a look at their “Do’s and Don’ts” for wearing a bindi:

Absolute bullshit.

Oh, and don’t bother commenting on the page itself. You’ll only have your comment deleted and your IP address blocked so you can’t see the page. Just ask the girls at angryasiangirlsunited.

So please, if you can, reblog this, share it, and contact the Nasty Gal Blog about this outrage through their Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. This is disgusting.

EDIT: They have taken down the article, and they have issued apologies to everyone who posted on their Facebook page.