Appropriation Of Culture And Culture

It is a term that has dominated the media; from Halloween costumes to NFL mascots, headlines across the nation blare the words: “cultural appropriation.” Yet, many still are not quite sure what the term means. To put it simply, cultural appropriation is the exploitation of a culture that is not one’s own.

The Hispanic Culture is beautiful because it varies from clothes, food, and music in the different types of Hispanics from North America, Central America, and South America. The Hispanic culture is being appropriated by people who don't care for it, they are being appropriated from people who want to make money off it. From Puerto-Ricans to Mexicans, Latinos are tired of their culture, who they are proud of and embrace without shame to be taken by companies, designers, and musicians. As a Hispanic I am one of those people, I'm tired of our culture and heritage being stolen from my ancestors. The Hispanic Culture should not be a tool for people to make money off of by appropriating it.

or the other is not looked upon as politically incorrect or wrong-minded. However, it allows

In Western culture, people seldom realize the amount of cultural appropriation that occurs around them. Westerners are blinded by cultural mockery and cultural appropriation without realizing its offensive effects to minority groups. During the Halloween holiday, in Western culture, people of all ages dress up in a variety of costumes such as horror themed, fairy tale themed, job themed, cultural themed and much more. Harvard University members have argued that a cultural themed costume is a form of cultural appropriation. Also in Western culture, in the music industry, white artists have utilized and exploited aspects from minority cultures to boost their fame. Costumes, props, ideas, music, and others considered as cultural appropriation is often overlooked but it is apparent when closely examined.

Cultural appropriation is shown in many ways among the public. When a member of the majority takes an element of a minority culture and attempts to make it their own, they are appropriating the minority’s culture. Appropriating a culture is disrespectful and can lead to loss of valuable meaning of cultural practices. This is shown in many ways, such as the use of blackface or wearing a significant piece of Native American history as a fashion accessory. Each of these elements is an example of appropriation of a minority culture and is never acceptable and needs to be stopped.

Avoiding cultural appropriation does not mean you can't ever participate in a culture that isn't directly associated with you. I believe that sharing culture and creating a more equal environment helps us better understand each other. So with that being said, I’m asking everyone to do their research and study other cultures. My mom always tells me that you don't have to wait until you're in a classroom setting to learn, educate yourself. Research, find the purpose and ultimately decide whether your act is appreciation. Keep in mind that you don't have to own something to enjoy it . Appreciate, don’t

In America, cultural appropriation has been a prominent topic in the media. From the afro in the 70’s and perms in the 80’s, some ethnic groups see some ethnic groups culture fashionable and “aesthetic.” Though not intended, those specific groups (mostly African American and Native American cultures) see this as a form of mockery and feel discredited when someone with power in the media takes a certain style and profits. I believe that if you take a specific item out of it’s original context it is cultural appropriation by using certain items in the media as everyday

Cultural appropriation is trivializing historical oppression. Many cultures have a history of violence that resulted in trauma that has lasted until today and will go on for several more generations. This past can make certain terms, clothing, hairstyles, or even seemingly harmless costumes be harmful to the group it is being taken from. For example, the NFL team the Washington Redskins refuses to consider renaming their team and changing their mascot after demands from Indigenous activists. Based on the history of the term “Redskin” it’s clear how celebrating genocide can be insensitive. Situations such as this one when colonization, genocide, or slavery is exploited for profit and/or fun can play down the historical oppression of a culture.

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. What happens when it’s not so flattering? One might say that it’s a way of showing appreciation for different cultures, but that’s where they are wrong.There is a fine line between cultural appreciation, and cultural appropriation. And one must not cross it. Like Bill Nye says “please, consider the following”.

The drastic change in punishment for the crime of theft in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Britain, demonstrates the social and cultural shift away from capital punishment. The two court cases from the Old Bailey, that will be used in this paper demonstrate the changing social and political attitudes toward thieves. This change is ultimately connected to the slow growing humanitarian sentiment of society along with alternative punishment options.

There are many examples of cultural appropriation today, such as henna tattoos, bindi’s, sports team names, and even clothes. These cultures or traditions have become a fad for people, especially in America. People who are within the culture tend to get offended when their culture is made into a fad. There are many arguments in newspapers, blogs, and articles that are against cultural appropriation. I, myself have come upon many posts on Tumblr.com that have to do with Cultural appropriation. Huffingtompost.com also has multiple articles on the subject.

Cultural appropriation can be defined as, by Wikipedia, “A concept in sociology dealing with the adoption of the elements of a minority culture by members of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture…cultural elements which may have deep meaning to the original culture may be reduced to “exotic” fashion or toys by those from the dominant culture”(Cultural Appropriation). However, cultural appropriation is a much deeper and methodical concept than a simple definition. It can be defined in numerous ways by people from various points of views and environments. It is so often overlooked on how it affects cultures and ethnic groups. First and foremost, cultural appropriation is the act of enacting or adopting a cultural aspect from another

To me, cultural appropriation is when an individual or group take another culture and attempt to make it their own. In my discussion post I talked about how that around Halloween time, a popular costume is the “sexy little Indian girl”, when someone who is not of this culture wears this costume, it is culturally appropriation. Cultural appropriation usually happens without permissions and there is usually little to no respect or knowledge of the culture. Cultural appreciation is learning about another culture with respect. I believe that in order for more cultural appreciation to take place there need to be less cultural appropriation. However, with that being said, I think that people need to become more educated on culture, and how to respect cultures. I have learned so much in this class that I would have never knew if I had not taken this class. The halloween costumes, as one example, need to go and individuals and companies need to stop marketing “sexy little Indian” as a costume.

Cultural appropriation, whether it be intentional or not, should be avoided at all costs because cultural appropriation allows our society to continue to (1) express appreciation for a culture, but not for its people, (2) glorify those who adopt features of the oppressed cultured group but discredits its members. (Thesis)

Cultural appropriation is the ultimate dichotomy. The conqueror or oppressor says that a group of people are worthless, that they are less than human and don’t deserve equal rights. The oppressors strip these people of their rights, their dignity, and often, their culture. At the same time, this isn’t good enough for the conquerors. The culture that these people have created and the fruits of their labor are frequently bastardized and pulled into the culture of the oppressors. What remains is often a shell or husk of the beliefs and art of the people who created the culture. Western culture takes what they see to be the best elements of a culture and