What Is A Final Example Of Cultural Appropriation

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.

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

Pop culture has had a huge impact regarding this problem, whether it be in the music industry or fashion industry. Many ‘fashion’ designers find it okay to take designs from indigenous culture. Examples, are Junya Watanabe, a Japanese, designer created a collection that included African prints, hair styles, and Maasai beadwork (Gant). Maasai beadwork signifies different meanings to the African culture, having it displayed in a fashion show degrades the symbolic meaning it holds. Dsquared2, owned by two white men, were ‘inspired’ by Native American culture

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

Cultural appropriation has become more popular topic with the growing diverse U.S population. It is a controversial topic that has been exposed in both negative and arbitral ways by many activists, celebrities and social groups. Since many different nationalities and ethnicities making up the U.S. population, its not uncommon for cultural appropriation to most often across racial lines. Some may fill that we all use and enjoy different aspects of other’s culture all the time. What’s wrong with that? Some may also consider they using the culture’s elements is some form of admiration. but does admiration of another’s culture justify cultural appropriation? That question has yet to be fully answered completely. To truly understand if any of the questions are taking cultural appropriation to far, we must understand what cultural appropriation is.

Have you ever had an item that was extremely important and precious to you? Has a friend ever taken it from you without your permission? (1)

Cultural appropriation is when someone adopts aspects of a culture that’s not their own. That's only the icing on the cake. It’s particularly a power dynamic in which members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group. Cultural appropriation is not the same as cultural appreciation, (when people share mutually with each other, because cultural exchange lacks that systemic power dynamic). When it comes to wearing fashion based on other cultures, it’s hard to know if you’re being tacky, cool, or offensive. Practicing appropriating culture let’s people show love for the culture,

Especially since we do not have the same or even close to similar systemic inequalities that we did in the 1950s, the use of cultural aspects that may not belong to the culture of the artist is indeed as celebration of the culture. I think the charges of “culturally appropriation” that are popping up in response to white artists who emulate black culture or in response to certain trends or Halloween costumes are largely misguided. Those who argue about cultural appropriation may mean well, but they are conflating racists who are intolerant of these cultures to people who are merely copying or representing these cultures. It makes sense to be disgusted by blackface, which is a mockery of black people and has always been such- blackface is inexcusable

Cultural appropriation and multiculturalism are seen as opposites that can either be seen separately or together, as in one example portraying both. Cultural appropriation is a dominant group participating or expressing in a minority groups’ aspect of their culture. Prior to the dominant group’s partaking in this, the aspect of the culture would have to be frowned upon or have been socially unaccepted. The main part that makes something cultural appropriation is that once the dominant group took part in this, then the certain aspect of the minority group was praised and people changed their view on it from a positive outlook to a negative one. Cultural appropriation is considered as mocking by some while others simply are confused on how an element of a culture is socially accepted if the dominant group of society wears it. For example, certain Disney characters are seen as appropriating a culture because they only represent the nicer elements of the culture. Multiculturalism, on the other hand, is the essentially a similar thing but it produces different outcomes and it is done for different intentions. An element of a group’s culture spreads outside of the only the people of that culture and is often practices/expressed, praised, celebrated, or simply acknowledged in a positive manner. Multiculturalism, in its very obvious definition, also means valuing everyone – every culture and person. For example, Disney movies have

In America, and throughout the world, there are numerous conversations being had about race and its role in society today. Everywhere you look, in every news story and Facebook status, there is an ongoing debate regarding race and inequality. One of these major discussions regards cultural appropriation, which is an infamous problem around Halloween. Many individuals are confused by this concept of appropriating culture simply because they cannot distinguish the line between appreciation and appropriation. Thus, these blurred lines lead to offending cultures as well as perpetuating privileges and disadvantages within society.

In the simplest of terms, cultural appropriation is loosely defined as an act that occurs when someone of a dominant culture adopts or utilizes certain aspects of a culture that is not their own. However, appropriation goes far beyond that, and can be especially harmful to the marginalized groups that are having their culture appropriated by dominant groups. A deeper look focuses on the power dynamic that exists within and constitutes appropriation. In other words, when members of a dominant group or culture and take elements of a culture that has been systematically oppressed by the dominant groups in America, they are enacting appropriation. The issue becomes more problematic when these dominant groups (which are typically white people) use elements of a subordinate culture without acknowledging or being aware of the original context or source of the materials being appropriated. This isn’t to say that there cannot be cultural exchange (appreciation), or assimilation either. It is important to distinguish appropriation from assimilation, which often occurs when a less dominant group has to adopt elements of the dominant culture in order to survive or endure the systems put in place. For marginalized groups, assimilation helps to avoid even greater struggles, while appropriation is often a case of a dominant group having a choice as to whether or not they want to adopt certain elements of another culture. This emphasizes the power imbalance that serves as the main dynamic

Cultural exchange is something that has been happening for centuries. It allows people to learn more and experience other cultures through “mutual understanding, equality, and respect” (goodmenproject.com). Now there seems to be confusion on where cultural exchange ends and cultural appropriation begins. Cultural appropriation is the “taking [of] intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else 's culture without permission”(racerelations.about.com). Instead of educating and spreading knowledge about different cultures and practices, the way cultural exchange does, cultural appropriation puts people of color at a disadvantage because it allows outsiders to profit off of their culture, while the people of color who produced said culture still have to endure oppression and injustice every day. Although cultural appropriation is something that happens in all aspects of our lives, the two most prevalent areas are in the fashion and music industry.

The true definition of cultural appropriation involves a person adopting elements of a culture outside of their own as a form of expression. However, the way some people embody other people’s culture becomes negative because they fail to acknowledge that a custom is in fact not their own. Then other members of society begin to credit that person with inventing something that belongs to another culture. There are others comfortable with adopting another culture’s elements who take this concept lightly and do not realize how beauty and racial superiority are used to justify this theft. They are lowering the self- esteem of the younger generations who are a part of these stolen cultures. Appropriation takes away the pride the original group that is associated with the culture have in individuality and makes them seem as if their culture is a part of the American lifestyle. The intention behind acknowledging appropriation and giving credit to the culture will hopefully encourage generations to open their minds and begin to understand another group’s identity before trying to imitate it.

In a world so cruel, one judge another in a blink of an eye. Cultural Appropriation appears to be an enormous problem, not just in America, but all around the world. Cultural Appropriation is using or taking ideas from another culture, especially without showing an understanding or respect for this culture (Young 6). According to research, it is one of the biggest “must be discussed” topics, and it does not help or benefit anyone in any type of way. It creates a massive division of cultures, and allowing it to divide us will only keep us from progress and acceptance. The best way to end cultural appropriation is to share and accept each and everyone’s culture.

Racial discrimination and stereotypes are a couple of many huge social problems in our society we can refrain from as a gesture of value and respect for one’s culture and identity. Racism is a form of oppression: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior (Oxford University Press, 2017) This character has been visibly demonstrated in workplaces, schools and campuses, in the community, government agencies, and even at home.