Cultural Appropriation
Cultural Appropriation
Cultural Appropriation, also known as cultural exploitation is the act of borrowing or taking something from another culture and using it outside of that cultural context (1). Cultural appropriation is usually considered as borrowing culture without understanding its cultural significance and changing its original cultural meaning without permission from the culture in question.
Culture is defined as the practices, beliefs, ideas, values, traditions, rituals, language, speech, modes of communication, material objects and performances that are central to the way of life of any given people (2).
Cultural appropriation is linked to cultural politics. It is associated with the exploitation and forced assimilation of marginalized cultures. The relationship characterized by cultural appropriation is often one of a dominant culture exploiting and taking cultural practices from a subordinate, less powerful culture. In the case of marginalized culture borrowing from a dominant culture, such as a new immigrant may borrow the language and culture of his or her host country, this is described as assimilation rather than appropriation. Assimilation differs from appropriation because it is considered a necessary part of survival for people who do not represent a dominant culture. The relationship of power is very important in understanding what is appropriation and what is assimilation (3).
Cultural Exchange
Cultural Exchange occurs when two cultural groups who cannot be characterized by an oppressive relationship, share cultural norms, ideas, and traditions with each other. The important distinction between appropriation and exchange is the respect and consent given by the cultures that are being borrowed from. An example of cultural exchange could be two people of different cultures teaching each other important and sacred traditions of their culture. This differs from appropriation because of the lack of understanding and consent in appropriating another’s culture.
Common Examples of Cultural Appropriation
Swastika
The Swastika was originally used as a sacred Hindu and Buddhist symbol for prosperity, good luck and liberation. The Nazis appropriated the symbol in the early 20th century to represent their parties radical views. Most people today associate the Swastika with Nazis and the atrocities committed by them in the 1st and 2nd world war (4).
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, which are rooted in African and black culture, have a history of representing empowerment and protest against authority. It can be considered cultural appropriation when a non-black person chooses to wear their hair as dreadlocks (5).
Native Headdresses
The use of native Headdresses has been widely cited as one of the most common forms of blatant cultural appropriation. As a sacred item, a headdress is a restricted item and can only be worn by those who have earned the right to wear one. In many instances, headdresses have been worn in popular culture, on television, at music festivals, and as Halloween costumes by people with no legitimate cultural right to wear them (6).
Cultural Appropriation in Popular Culture
Fashion Industry
The Fashion industry has been heavily criticized for its appropriation of Native American clothing, headdresses and other styles. They are also criticized for over-using and mis-representing cultures of all types including lines described as “African Themed” which many critics refer to as not only appropriation, but as ignorance toward an entire continent (7)
Madonna
Madonna has been criticized for her use of Indian saris, bindis, and clothing during a photo shoot for Rolling Stone Magazine and also for participating in a geisha-inspired photo spread for Harper’s Bazaar magazine (8).
Katy Perry
Katy Perry has been criticized for a number of instances which are considered cultural appropriation or culturally insensitive. These include: use of a Geisha costume complete with a painted “yellow face” during the 2013 American Music Awards (MIC), her portrayal of Cleopatra in the music video “Dark Horse”, and her use of braids in her music video, "This is How We Do" (9).
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has been criticized for his use of dreadlocks. Critics suggest that he has little to no understanding of the cultural significance of the hairstyle but has received praise for being different and “edgy”. (10)
Differing Opinions on Cultural Appropriation
Critics of the idea of cultural appropriation argue that there should be no monopoly on culture. They reject the idea that borrowing from another culture can be offensive to the culture in question and that labeling cultural appropriation as a negative thing only leads to segregation.
References
1. Young, J. O. (2008). Cultural appropriation and the arts. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.
2. Understanding Cultural Appropriation, and How To Avoid It. (n.d.). Retrieved April 08, 2016, from http://sociology.about.com/od/Ask-a-Sociologist/fl/Cultural-Appropriation.htm
3. Why Assimilation Is Not Appropriation. http://groupthink.kinja.com/why-assimilation-is-not-appropriation-1062057775
4. How the world loved the swastika - until Hitler stole it - BBC News. (n.d.). Retrieved April 08, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591
5. Dreadlocks tangled in cultural appropriation controversy - The DePaulia. (2015). Retrieved April 08, 2016, from http://depauliaonline.com/2015/10/11/dreadlocks-tangled-cultural-appropriation-controversy/
6. An Open Letter to Non-Natives in Headdresses. (2012) from http://apihtawikosisan.com/hall-of-shame/an-open-letter-to-non-natives-in-headdresses/
7. It's 2015: Why Does Fashion STILL Have A Problem With Diversity? (2015). http://www.refinery29.com/racism-fashion-industry-cultural-appropriation
8. Cultural Appropriation in Music: From Madonna to Miley Cyrus. (2015). http://racerelations.about.com/od/hollywood/a/Cultural-Appropriation-In-Music-From-Madonna-To-Miley-Cyrus.htm
9. This Is What the Super Bowl Is Really Saying With the Katy Perry Halftime SczXhow. (2015). Retrieved April 08, 2016, from http://mic.com/articles/109296/this-is-what-the-super-bowl-is-really-saying-with-the-katy-perry-halftime-show#.vdiFgIhuf
10. O'Neil, L. (2016). White people with dreadlocks: Justin Bieber adds fuel to the cultural appropriation debate. Retrieved April 08, 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/white-people-dreadlocks-justin-bieber-cultural-appropriation-1.3522221