Vlogs, Blogs, and Videotape /// Saturday 22 June 2024

Tai Chi, Chai Tea, and Cancel Culture by Sarthak Singhal


Today, the misrepresentation of cultural practices is a concerning issue influenced by cultural appropriation, lack of understanding, stereotyping, and media influence (Esposito & Raymond, 2023). Tai Chi, a culturally significant practice in Hong Kong, faces similar challenges. Valued by older adults, Tai Chi involves slow movements that align with psychosocial theories of aging, which suggest that older individuals prefer less physically demanding leisure activities (YAO, 2015). Recent observations indicate a decline in Tai Chi adoption due to limited opportunities for practice and a lack of generational transmission (Forumosa, 2019). This decline can be attributed to the younger generation's preference for modern lifestyles (Maspul & Almalki, 2023). Online discussions have raised concerns about the cultural appropriation and commodification of Tai Chi in Western contexts (Reddit, 2021; Bond, 2020), inspiring this influencer video.