The Importance Of Cultural Appropriation

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.

Cultural appropriation is something that is starting to become a very big epidemic in America’s society today. Appropriation occurs when a style or high fashion is developed from racist generalizations or stereotypes of other cultures. Many see no problem with this appropriation and some might take it as paying homage to a race, but others may see it as a sign of disrespect.

“You see, the discussion surrounding appropriation takes on so many more layers than most think-piece authors care to engage with-layers that desperately need to be brought to the discussion”(Jaikaran, Elizabeth). “Movements that advocate the equality between races, religions, and cultures are extremely prominent in our modern-day society”(Cohen, Amanda). Cultural appropriation in pop culture allows for cultures to be spread and ultimately accepted by a wide variety of people.  Once an audience sees someone they follow do something,  they will likely accept it and try the same things; people in the media pave the way for everyone else and can start a movement.  Putting cultures in separate groups and not allowing for certain styles to be used by others is the root of discrimination of cultures. The main influencers in pop culture have been knocking down these separations and preaching the idea of mixing cultural styles into every aspect of life.  Pop culture has some of the most influence on society and the example that it sets for people to follow is needed

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

Racial and cultural appropriation has become increasingly significant in society within the past 30 years. “The idea of “cultural appropriation” has recently entered mainstream

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.

The Open Casket painting made by Dana Schutz was one out of many different art pieces that were included in the Whitney Museum exhibition, which led to protests and controversies. Many people have found this portrait of Emmett Till disrespectful to his memory, and think that she’s using Emmett’s death as a way to make money. However, Schutz declared from the beginning, that her work wasn’t for sale. Other individuals believe that because Dana Schutz’s nationality is white, she doesn’t have the right to make a drawing of an African American. Instead of dividing artists by the color of their skin, people should utilize this artistic work as a way to engage in moral discussion as opposed to censorship or destruction of an artwork. It’s wrong for a person to say that a subject should be off-limits to some creators because of their race. Parker Bright, an artist who assisted the exhibition, stood in front of Dana Schutz's painting, and wore a t-shirt with a phrase that said “Black Death Spectacle.” Bright felt as if Schutz’s painting isn’t doing any justice, and that she doesn’t have the privilege to speak for African Americans. Moreover, a writer named Hannah Black wrote a letter to the Whitney exhibition curators demanding that the painting must be destroyed entirely. Furthermore, many media outlets received an email supposedly written by Dana Schutz requesting her portrait to be removed from the Whitney Museum, but it turned out to be

The idea of culture means different things to different people. Groups and communities are often separated by having clearly defined cultural traditions, clothing, and attitudes. However, these cultural distinctions are sometimes adopted by others who do not belong to the community that the appropriated ideas are from. This cultural appropriation is often present in popular culture in the United States. Several examples exist in the American pop music industry. While most instances of cultural appropriation in American pop music may seem to consist of white performers appropriating “black” culture, another important example is the appropriation of Native American culture.

A man stands proud and tall, an elegant headdress of feathers adorning his head. He is not at a ceremony, nor is he going to war to preserve his way of life. He is not Native American, either, and he is not alone. At the Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival, people like this man gather in throngs to listen to alternative rock and electronic dance music. They often claim to be honoring Native American tradition, but others consider his choices offensive. Cultural borrowing and assimilation have been, and continue to be an integral part of American society, but some think that this diffusion has gone as far as theft. In order to determine that, however, on must cast a discerning eye on both arguments.

At a birthday party there is an African American boy wearing a sombrero while hitting a piñata. Down the street, there is a Russian girl who dances with a Japanese fan that her neighbor gifted. These two children, according to the current media, are displaying cultural appropriation. In America, citizens have the rarity of experiencing what many call the “Melting Pot” of different cultures and ethnicities. To many other countries, the different cultural exposures are not of such a common privilege. Cultural appropriation is what sets us back from connecting to other cultures around the world. I understand that it may bring misunderstanding of what certain clothing items and practices really mean respect and value wise. However, demonstrating

Cultural appropriation is the adoption or theft of icons, customs, beliefs, or styles from one culture or subculture by another. McWhorter argues,“But what began as a legitimate complaint has morphed into a handy way of being offended by something that should be taken as a compliment.”(McWhorter 1)A multitude of people may believe when there is adoption of one culture it should be seen as a compliment as well because they are appreciating the culture by imitating it into their own. “It used to be that we said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But now there is new way to see the matter: Imitation is a kind of dismissal.” But if not fully understandingthe significance of what is being adopted then to the owning culture it is seen as appropriating and not appreciating. If it was indeed appreciating, time would be taken out to fully understand what and why the culture indulges in the custom or belief and so on. Just noticing a particular act of item in a culture and putting it into your own without the proper

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 a huge topic, within today’s society, many question what is cultural appropriation and what is not. The definition of cultural appropriation is, “....the use of ideas, symbols, artifacts, images, objects, etc., derived from contact between different cultures. It often implies a negative view towards the minority culture by the dominant one and is often culturally insensitive”(Biron). Examples of cultural appropriation would be portraying a culture through stereotypical depictions of them or wearing a culture as a ‘trend’. Another example would be wearing a headdress to portray a Native American or wearing a sombrero and a poncho to depict a Mexican. Just those words sound degrading and racist each of these ethnicities. Many think it is socially acceptable to be insensitive to a culture, because they classify the appropriation as them appreciating the culture. Cultural appropriation shows only the stereotypical view of culture and has no regards to the actual culture. Many look at the cultures as inspiration for ideas, but that does not mean to steal the ideas completely. Cultural appropriation is not only insensitive, but also racist. Blackface, for example, was used to portray an African American by painting the face of an non-black actor black. The NFL team Redskins uses an offensive and racist word to label their team; their mascot is a “Native American” wearing headdress. First and foremost, not all Native American cultures wear headdresses, these depictions of Native culture show natives as all the same. Minorities have faced appropriation for decades, but why did this problem only recently come about?