Cultural Appropriation Or Appreciation?
It's A Fine Line
Hi There,
I am sure you’ve heard of the term “cultural appropriation”. Some would argue that there is no such thing as appropriation, it’s just people enjoying a particular culture which THEY see as appreciation. But is there REALLY a difference between cultural appropriation & appreciation? YES, there is, BUT it’s a fine line.
To put it simply, cultural appropriation involves using elements of someone else’s culture, often without permission and typically for profit or social clout. This ranges from claiming something indigenous to a culture as one’s own without proper recognition of its origins. Here are some examples:
Hairstyles: Think of Bo Derek’s braids or Kim Kardashian renaming cornrows “boxer braids”.
Cuisine: An Anglo-Saxon man from Portland, Oregon with no ethnic ties Jamaica, opening a local Jamaican-themed restaurant
Clothing: An Asian woman wearing Native American headdress
Music: Iggy Azalea adopting an AAVE accent despite being white & Australian.
So, what’s the big deal? The lack of consideration or acknowledgment of how those connected to a particular culture may have experienced oppression for something one might deem a trend.
Let’s take a look at locs, often referred to as “dreadlocks” in many parts of the world. The term “dreadlocks” itself has a controversial history where it is believed that British colonists described them as “dreadful.” Many Black people who wear locs suffer employment discrimination and even social discrimination ON TOP OF racial discrimination in certain spaces. It can be jarring to see a blonde haired, blue-eyed Scandinavian man wearing locs as a style trend without facing any of the associated stigma or challenges.
THIS one is my favorite: Carnival. Carnivals in the West Indies go all the way back to the 18th century, when enslaved Africans used these festivals to celebrate what was left of the culture that was stripped from them by their slave masters. Furthermore, it was a form of rebellion & resistance to maintain some semblance of their identity despite their oppression. Today, it is a vibrant and colorful display of the culture through traditional folk music, costumes & ethnic dance.
BUT this is where things get complicated. The optics of white people participating in these celebrations can sometimes be seen as problematic when they partake without understanding or respecting the historic and cultural significance of Carnival. For example, wearing traditional costumes or engaging in dances without acknowledging their origins can be viewed as disrespectful. What’s even worse, when elements of the festival are commercialized or stripped of their cultural context for profit and simply treating Carnival as a fun event.
Imagine celebrating West Indian Carnival as someone of European descent, without recognizing the historical context- that this festival originated as a form of resistance and celebration by enslaved Africans who were oppressed by European colonists. Acknowledging this history is vital to creating a mutual respect between cultures.
In a world where mixed marriages are becoming more common, we see the ethnic blend of families. For me, that’s the best part- sharing in the culture of others. On the other hand, marrying into another culture does not make you an authority on that culture, nor does it give you the right to take elements of that culture in a way that dishonors it. For example, taking the family recipes of your spouse’s Italian grandmother, making cooking videos on social media using a phony Italian accent and selling those recipes for $7.99.
What are your thoughts on cultural appropriation? Were you aware of this? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts