Cultural Appropriation in Advertising, Governments and Fashion

Grace Bonner’s groundbreaking reputation stems from her success in pushing black male identity in fashion beyond the streetwear and her identity as a mixed-race individual is integral to her practice. Cultural appropriation prevails as a controversial issue in the fashion industry. As designers constantly seek for inspiration beyond their immediate culture, their designs often result to be imprudent and objectively offensive. Jenni Avins, however, reminds us that “we have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them. It’s naive, paternalistic, and counterproductive. Plus, it’s just no how culture or creativity work.” Adopting elements of different culture is natural by-product of the interaction of different customs and globalization that indicate a diverse and rich society. This, however, should not function as a leeway for designers to abuse cultural appreciation as cultural appropriation or racism. Many don’t realize that wearing elements of different cultural backgrounds inadvertently perpetuate segregation and stereotypes, especially when a subculture becomes haute couture: universally promoted by and promoting Western refinement. Those who claim that ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ fail to recognize their inherent privilege or be aware of the history of oppression that the population of a subculture suffered from.

“America” expresses the speaker 's feelings towards America. The poem 's theme in a broad sense is describing the conflicting feelings of the speaker towards America. Though America is constantly fighting the speaker, he expresses that “I love this cultured hell that tests my youth” (McKay, 928)! This mixture of love, bitterness and hate towards America that is expressed in this line continues to be expressed throughout the poem. According to James Keller the speaker “expresses an admiration that is requited with contempt” (Keller). Though the speaker admits that he

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.

Sometimes words cannot exactly explain what we want to convey, so we need a visual to support it. A similar thing was observed in the article of Alan M. Dershowitz, he cleverly makes use of Ben Shah’s painting in the article to grab the attention of folks. The author writes about a murder case of a paymaster and a guard of the South Braintree by Sacco and Vanzetti, both were Italian immigrant anarchists. Surprisingly, the truth was not revealed that whether Sacco and Vanzetti were the killers and this case is still unsolved. I agree with the author that the trials could not get to the fair results. I believe that the painting is an ironic symbol of the justice. It silently expresses a lot what the text can’t. I think the painting adds words

The stripes in the painting represents bars in a jail cell. The face in the picture is an African American woman that looks tired and worn out. She feels imprisoned because her right to vote is not given to her. As stated in class, the work of art questions patriotism, equality justice and happiness. The stripes on the American flag are a vertical shape and signify valor, purity, and justice. In the artwork the stripes are horizontal as a jail cell. Ringggold was trying to imply that African American do not have justice and are not treated equally to Whites. This artwork is abstract. It resembles real things in the real world but is

The symbolism between the Painter and the Mural is a salient contrast within Vonnegut’s story. This contrast is an intentional comparison used to highlight the ultimate behavior of humanity amongst a form of population control as inhumane as gas chambers. The painter acts as symbolism of humanity’s rejection. The mural acts as the glorification of the control. The Painter gives off a careless attitude and a slight rejection towards the population control in the story. In response to the orderly’s comments the painter scorns, “You think I'm proud of this daub? You think this is my idea of what life really looks like” (Vonnegut). This reveals the painter’s attitude towards population control. Furthermore, it solidifies the fact that the painter represents humanity’s rejection. In direct relation, of course, is the mural. The mural itself, is a representation of all the important people of the hospital staff. Moreover, the mural acts as a glorification and acceptance of the population control. Together, the painter is seen filling the faces of these people, simultaneously rejecting that the mural, “[l]ooks just like heaven or something” (Vonnegut). What the contrast reveals in a deeper sense is humanity (the painter) continuing to accept the inhumane population control (painting the mural) regardless of their rejection. It worthy to note that the acceptance of population control varies from each human being. That is

The United States is abundantly diverse in distinct cultures. There are cultures coming from all around the world mixed up into one little area. So the crossing of cultures is inevitable. It will not be hard to catch yourself using another cultures customs, beliefs, styles, and/or traditions without putting much thought into it. Ultimately when one of these many things is borrowed, from one culture to the other, no insult is purposefully made. Depending on what was adopted or stolen if not careful enough it could be a huge insult to the owning culture. This is where the term cultural appropriation comes into play. Many are confused as to why using something from one culture and making it their own could cause offense to the owning culture. A lot of people think the concept is

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.

It was not until recently I realized that cultural appropriation was such a contentious issue... Supported by the downy soft pillows and enclosed by the thick wool of my comforter, I lay in the company of the hazy cold blue light given off by my phone. After a long day of school and homework, it was certain that the best way to unwind was endlessly getting lost in the depths of Instagram. The cold blue light reflects the shadow of my confused stricken face. Images of people with oversized and wry lips flood my screen. Their swollen and bruised mouths contest their horrified expressions. In the comment section reads, “Kylie Jenner lip challenge”.

The eye is immediately drawn to the incredible brightness on the left half of the image, showing the people who are going to be gunned down mercilessly as the viewer’s eye is further directed by the man’s undoubtedly distressed visage towards the very things threatening his life. The lack of color is apparent as it all feels very muted outside of the only source of light being placed on the men who are in danger. The darkness and tones of brown and gray on the soldiers in contrast to the very bright, and light tones of the one countryman and his compatriots appears to display a sort of good versus evil struggle going on. If your eyes are not instantly drawn to the illuminated men then it is very likely that the guns would command your awareness, being at the literal center of the image painting. The firearms pointed at the men can only signal severe negativity as you only ever point any type of gun at something you intend to shoot, and you only shoot if you intend to kill. The entire painting is very heart-rending as it depicts men taking other men’s lives for seemingly no reason at all.

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

The first point that draws you to the conclusion of millennials having a narrow viewpoint of America is because it only depicts Islamic Terrorists as an enemy of the nation. Griffith’s thought process on this could be that millennials seem to be brainwashed by certain parts of the media into thinking Muslims are an enemy of the nation. This painting also brings out Griffith’s thoughts on the entertainment

This image reflects America to me by, showing that giving people what they need leads to success. To me, America is a country only provides good health care, housing, and food to the wealthy. America was founded on the idea that everyone has freedom and liberty, yes everyone has the right to freedom but i believe you aren't free until you have everything you need. Some nations are are good at providing what everyone needs, but America is a country I feel provides needed things only to the people who can pay for it.

America makes you believe that if a family comes to live here that the families will live life to the fullest. With this picture, the art makes it clear that not everyone has the luxury to live the American Dream. With the billboard above the flood victims, it is showing the exact opposite of how their lives are going. These people could be standing in line at a bus stop or maybe even a shelter waiting for some food. The United States went through a depression where many people suffered in life. This picture is showing that they were struck by the depression and are living at the lowered standard of life. With the depression, many people had lost their jobs and their houses. The picture shows that they are flood victims lost everything they

The fashion industry is one of the most prevalent and visible forms of influence on today’s society. Billboards, malls, magazines, TV, movies, advertisements, runways, etc. are filled with fashion campaigns usually distributed to make a statement and to influence the consumers. Often times, the fashion industry engages in offensive promotions like romanticizing eating less and the “thigh gap” or producing clothing that has “depression” plastered all over it. One of the most offensive trends of the fashion industry is the use of cultural appropriation to promote their company or clothing. Cultural appropriation is the taking of something produced by members of one culture by members of another culture. The products of that culture usually have a special sacred or cultural significance to them, which is why cultural appropriation is seen as offensive and exploiting rather than appreciated. The public tends to overlook these extreme messages and appropriation from the fashion industry, brushing them off as trendy and ideal. This becomes a problem because the fashion industry’s blatant use of cultural appropriation in editorials and ads influences people to show admiration for products from other cultures yet still remain prejudiced against the people who created and continue to practice that culture.