Cultural Appropriation in Advertising, Governments and Fashion

Cultural appropriation defines as someone taking or borrowing aspects of another culture that is not their own. Author Lilly Workneh gives a clear definition when stating, “Appropriation [of a culture] occurs when a style leads to racist [assumptions and] generalizations…where it originated, but is deemed as high-fashion, cool, or funny when the privileged take it for themselves” (Workneh). Whether it is intentional or not, appropriating a culture involves partaking in the continuation of disempowering certain groups that are typically already marginalized within society. In spite of the slight confusion, cultural appropriation is far more than the idea of pizza merging from Italian immigrants and eventually becoming a food many people label as American. Many people tend to make the argument that there is no such thing as stealing a culture and that a culture is not a tangible object that some groups of people have the automatic right to claim and others do not. However, people in favor of cultural appropriation typically do not see that there is a difference between the appreciation and subtle appropriation of cultures. Appreciation of a culture does differ from cultural appropriation in many ways. There is a fine line between the two, but that fine line is still considered paramount within society. To simply put it, cultural appropriation is when somebody attempts to adopt specific aspects of a culture that they do not belong to. On the topic of appropriating a culture it

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.

What is cultural appropriation? It’s a term that has been used a lot in the past few years but also not enough. It’s lack of usage in everyday conversation leads to many misconceptions about what it really means. When you hear those words, you may think of angry social justice warriors who want to tell you want you can and cannot do. And while you have the right to do what you want, those “SJWs” have every right to be angry about appropriation. Though you may think we’re being “too sensitive” about what classifies as appropriation, it’s important that you know why we’re so upset over it. So, what is cultural appropriation?

“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

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.

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 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

Besides being the revolution song of the 00’s, American Idiot can’t be a more accurate representation of society today. The underlying message of this song is that we as American’s are being brainwashed by false media: what is normal, how to compose ourselves, what to believe in, etc. The composers wanted its audience to know that they stand by the thought of a country founded on the principles of “Liberty and Justice for All”: a place where social injustices are as uncommon as a pink elephant with golden

the artist is trying to express his view on the political view in uncivilised areas

A river lies in the foreground. A lot of green crops were planted beside the river. Infinite mountains were lighted by the sun makes this paint looks high key. Hills are pretty arid, comparing to the river. Fire and smoke break the quiet atmosphere in the valley. On the top of the painting, a great part of smoke means that the threat is coming and may swallow and destroyed the entire valley. Ross Edward Dickinson may want to express the anxious feeling on American future by drawing this painting. All the hues in the painting make people nervous and watchful.

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

Appropriation is defined as the borrowing of cultural signs. Our current culture is full of appropriation. It has been around for decades, but now the “hillbilly” has “regained the spotlight in American culture” (284) We are able to see this in the media, music, and in performances too. For example, common TV shows such as Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Jersey Shore, and Duck Dynasty reinforce this idea that you can work and if you work hard enough, you can afford the makeup, the stylist, and the entry fees, you have made it and you can also show it. Today, some specific examples of appropriation that we may see in not only our TV shows, but also from some of our favorite entertainers are hairstyles. Some hairstyles that have been appropriated from

these ideas originate from. The media needs to stop glorifying these celebrates and see that they are being extremely offensive to these cultures.

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.