What is cultural appropriation (CA)?
To appropriate, in basic terms, means to take without permisson. CA then happens when another culture “borrows” any of these cultural elements, without asking permission or crediting the source culture.
How is culture defined?
Culture is defined from the traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices of any given ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Who is targeted for cultural appropriation the most?
BIPOC.
What does BIPOC stand for?
Black, Indigenous, People of Color.
Okay, so how are they targeted?
Here are some examples; Black music/dance, Native American fashions, decorations, tribal tattoos, hairstyles, makeup, food ect.
Cultural appropriation robs oppressed groups the credit they deserve. Appropriation tends to involve some misuse of cultural elements. In other words, people who appropriate generally pick & choose only the elements they consider appealing & ignore the rest, along with any important cultural context behind those elements. Example; henna art. Henna was originally used to help cool the hands & feet in hot climates. Getting henna body art might seem like a harmless way to appreciate something beautiful. But when you wear henna for nontraditional reasons & fail to acknowledge it’s actual meaning & importance, you’re appropriating, not appreciating.
So, how do you appreciate the culture then?
Well appreciation, means you have an interest in all elements of the culture, not just specific aspects that look pretty, prove financially lucrative, or offer other benefits. All cultures have complexities & nuances that contribute to, but go far beyond their art & clothing. You can’t truly appreciate without this deeper awareness. Support the right shops. Give the people who live in that culture the buisiness.
Can white people be appropriated?
No. Absolutely not. “White culture” can’t be appropriated. Why? Because white people have long been the oppressors denying other cultural groups their language & traditions & forcing the to assimilate & conform.
People who appropriate cultural elements don’t recognize or honor the true meaning or purpose of those elements. They also fail to give credit where credit is due.
The misrepresentation leaves BIPOC in a marginalized position where they lack the same opportunities for recognition, success & profit. Appropriating these items for your own use without taking time to recognize & explore their significance diminishes, demeans & disrespects that culture & it’s people. Consequently, white people continue to benefit & hold positions of power.
Many people have been guilty of CA without realizing it. Many trends stem from elements appropriated from other cultures. It’s okay to make mistakes but it’s also important to inform yourself so you avoid further appropriation going forward. If a BIPOC says your behavior is culturally appropriative, take that criticism and learn from it. Educate yourself.
Now please listen to what I am going to say here..
-Don’t insist it’s fine because you have a friend from that culture.
-Don’t challenege them because “they can’t speak for every member of their culture”.
-Don’t explain you didn’t mean to cause any harm or tell them they’re being too sensitive.
That is very important to learn. When a person from a specific culture explains that your actions are harmful, they’re harmful. The only good option is to listen, learn & change your behavior. Point blank. Do your own research. Don’t expect someone to fully educate you on what counts as appropriation.
Another example of CA;
BIPOC get discriminated against because of a hairstyle that relates to their culture, while you (white person) of the dominant group can get away with appropriating that same hairstyle, making it trendy & never understanding the experiences that contributed to the invention of the hairstyle in the first place. In other words, you jumped on a tend because it seems cool but in doing so you show insensitivity to the people for whom that trend is their life & not the latest fad. Black culture often starts with derogatory criticism until the white folk finds value in & ultimately capitalizes on it.
Lets dive a little deeper, I read an article the other day that taught me a ton more information. Headscarves. Headscarves ties to Black enslavement. In 1786, in an effort to control the bodies of Black woman, the US Government implemented tignon laws after it became apparent that the European men were attracted to creole woman in Louisiana. Seen as a threat to the white woman of the country, Black woman were required to wear headscarves as a signifier of their “slave class” social statues- whether they were enslaved or not. (I will link the article at the end)
Is racism tied into cultural appropriation?
Yes. Racism & capitalism converge into CA. Consumer culture simplifies the complexities of culture, often resulting in a replica rooted in stereotypes. Society cuts & commercializes pieces of BIPOC culture for white consumption. (I will get more into that another day)
What about ainme/Japanese culture?
We all know anime is loved by many Americans. We see white celebrities/people on TikTok benefit from fame & fortune when they exploit Japanese culture. East Asian woman in the U.S. face the pressure to distance themselves from their own culture in order to avoid stereotypes, fetishizing & discrimination.
The same goes for POC. POC struggle for affirmation, then develop tools to resist anti-Blackness, only to have white folks claim those tools as their own & erase the significance.
Also, Latinx. They as well struggle for affirmation & develop tools to resist their culture & it's pretty well know white people love Latinx culture. You can't love the culture without loving the people in it.
Those are just a few examples. I could go on for days about this. I will be posting more about this another day.
Before I wrap this up, I want to share an interesting take on a chart I found recently. We all know Covid has been hard on small businesses. In Jan, 2021 for the paycheck protection program (PPP), the percentage of white people who were approved was 65%, Hispanic 14%, Asian 12%, African American 8% and American Indian or Alaska Native 2%. If you are a white person taking and selling things that don't belong to you... why? You already have the upper hand, just look at those numbers, they speak for themselves,
Self-expression is a privilege.
I hope this helped anyone confused on cultural appropriation. There will be more to come!
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