A business named “Big Dick Energy Coaching” whose website is registered with address located in Surrey, BC, Canada used Lord Ganesha’s image as logo with the name of their company name. Hindu Community called it a live case of cultural appropriation which hurt their sentiments. A petition was started by India Cultural Association (ICA) Of Vancouver urging the business to stop using inappropriate words “Big Dick” right under the image of the Hindu deity Lord Ganesha.
The community members feel these words are disrespecting Lord Ganesha and the sentiments of the Hindu Community at large. The Hindu community feels it is inappropriate to use words “big dick” in conjunction to the image of the deity revered to Hindus.
It is believed that the use of derogatory words along with a religious symbol is purposely orchestrated by the business owner to incite hate among a particular section of the society. The business owner was approached on social media by a large number of individuals requesting to change the logo/symbol or remove the derogatory words; to no avail. The business owner clearly acknowledged about Lord Ganesha and has blatantly denied to make any changes. The person is not willing to remove the picture from her logo or change the wording beneath.
Therefore, this is not an act of ignorance but a deliberate act of systemic racism by purposely using images or words that would incite hatred or disruption of peace among the multicultural society. This is a cultural appropriation and not acceptable.
A petition is started by India Cultural Association of Vancouver to urge the concerned authorities to stop the business from using Lord Ganesha’s image in their logo with inappropriate words. Visit change.org to sign the petition.