This past Halloween, I read a comment on a celebrity’s Facebook
page that accused the girlfriend of the celebrity of cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation is a term I have not heard before. After a quick search,
I was intrigued to research it more due to the massive debate about whether or
not it is wrong or not. This post will be longer than usual as there is so much
information that I want to share to make sure this topic is covered. While I
may not cover it all, I want to give enough of an overview that I do not leave
anyone confused. I will discuss what it is, the arguments for and against and
how we proceed.
First, what is cultural appropriation? The official
definition is a term from Sociology which deals with the adopting of elements
from one culture by members of another. It is often portrayed as harmful and is
claimed to be a violation of the collective property rights of the originating
culture. In most cases the adoption of the cultural elements are by a dominant
culture from a minority culture. Many sociologists feel cultural appropriation
is avoidable as multiple cultures live among each other the exchange of
cultural elements will occur. These elements may be borrowed and applied by the
dominant culture against the wishes of the minority culture and the original
meaning of the cultural element is lost or distorted and seen as disrespectful.
While some view it as inevitable and a contribution to diversity and free
expression.
Examples of cultural elements:
- Food
- Fashion, hairstyles, makeup and body modifications
- Art, iconography and adornment
- Religion and spiritual symbols
- Technology
- Language, including slang
The debate about cultural appropriation is deep and greatly
divides people who fight against it and those who feel it isn’t as big a deal
as the social justice warriors (SJWs) believe. The proof is in how people
define the term and the examples they use.
The opponents of cultural appropriation are deeply
passionate about it and argue with which fervor will leave many feeling shame
that they would use these cultural elements. Opponents believe it is wrong when
the minority culture is subordinated in social, political, economic or military
status to a dominant culture or a history of ethnic or racial conflict. The
views of colonialism, context and the difference between appropriation and
mutual exchange are a part of their main argument. According to many opponents,
cultural appropriation is different from acculturation (the cultural
modification by adopting or borrowing) and assimilation (the process of taking
in and fully understanding information or ideas). The main argument is that the
cultural element is taking out of context and is often misapplied. For example,
Native American sweat lodges and vision quest ceremonies are being used and run
by non-Native Americans who do not understand the significance or the dangers
when someone doesn’t know who to perform the ceremonies properly. Another
example is the bindi mark which appeared at Coachella in 2014. The bindi is a
traditional Hindu head mark with religious significance. Many Hindus were
highly offended by those who wore the bindi as they did not fully understand
the meaning and it was more than a beauty mark. One strong argument against
cultural appropriation is when someone can or will enjoy an aspect of a
culture, like the food, but still be prejudice against the people who brought
the food to this country. “Cultural appropriation shows that you don’t have to
like a person or respect their identity to feel entitled to take from them”
(Johnson, 2015).
As much as there is passion against cultural appropriation, there is an equal fervor by those who think it is simply today’s oversensitivity. Take one definition posted by a user on Urban Dictionary, “The ridiculous notion that being of a different culture or race (especially white) means that you are not allowed to adopt things from other cultures. This does nothing but support segregation and hinder progress in the world. All it serves to do is to promote segregation and racism.” Another user posted: “The idiotic conflation of culture with racism. Essentially the absurd belief that the cultural exchange that has served to enriched humanity throughout all of human history is wrong because racists exist.” And lastly, “A pile of SJW bullshit stating that its racists to indulge in foreign cultures.” Of all the user definition posted, the majority were negative like the ones I’ve quoted. Proponents of cultural appropriation view it as benign or mutually beneficial. It is mutation, product diversity, technology diffusion and cultural empathy. For example, George Lucas borrowed elements for Star Wars from Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress who borrowed from Shakespeare. John McWhorter, a professor at Columbia University and contributing editor at the New Republic, wrote “The idea that when we imitate something we are seeking to replace it rather than join it is weak.” The concept has morphed from the original idea to a parody. According to McWhorter, people get angry simply when whites happily imitate something minorities do as if imitation is a kind of dismissal rather than a sincerest form of flattery. Another article expressed concern over the fervor against cultural appropriation as “unchecked by reason, therefore unworried by hypocrisy, snowflakes creep closer to actual violence” (Wakefield, 2017). The fight against cultural appropriation is seen as simply anti-white sentiment.
So what do we do? I’m not sure where I read this but someone
made the comment that social justice warriors and “snowflakes” (a term for an
extremist liberal offended by every statement ot belief that doesn’t exactly
match their own. I see this behavior with conservatives too but that’s another
post), are trying to reinstate an apartheid, a complete separation of cultures,
after decades of fighting to remove such separation. In a way, this statement
is correct, however, in my opinion, I see both sides of the coin. In many
terms, cultural appropriation is bad and even insulting while others are simply
the passage of time that it has become a part of both cultures. For example, an
element from a culture should never be a costume or the butt of a joke which perpetuates
an ethnic stereotype, according to Jenni Avins of The Atlantic. Just as a
sacred symbols should not be worn as accessories. For example, in the last
decade, individuals started wearing the Catholic rosary like one would wear a
necklace. A rosary is not jewelry, it is a tool of prayer. It is not a talisman
for protection. In her final words of her article, Maisha Johnson said “I am
encouraging you to be thoughtful about using things from other cultures, to
consider the context and learn about the best practices to show respect.” This
statement makes sense to me, when respect is shown, I see no problem when
someone of one culture borrows from another culture; however, the problem is
someone may think they are being respectful when they are not or you may have
some who, no matter how respectful a person may be, is insulted when someone
outside the culture uses an element. This is when I feel the fight against
cultural appropriation goes too far.
In conclusion, we live in a society in which we must walk on
eggshells especially when you are white. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
heard “not bad for a white woman” when I’ve cooked a delicious meal of traditional
Mexican food or other ethnic foods. As if the color of my skin hinders my
ability to follow a recipe and cook. On the other side, there are other aspects
of different cultures that I would never feel comfort wearing or participating
in, simply because I am not a part of that culture. Bottom line, if you are
going to borrow something from another culture, be respectful and give credit
where credit is due. I would want the same consideration if someone wants to
borrow from my culture. What are your thoughts?
Reference
- Avins, Jenni. The Dos and Don’ts of Cultural Appropriation. www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/the-dos-and-donts-of-cultural-appropriation/411292/. October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- Johnson, Maisha Z. What’s wrong with Cultural Appropriation? These 9 Answers Reveal its Harm? www.everydayfeminism.com June 14, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- McWhorter, John. You Can’t Steal a Culture: In Defense of Cultural Appropriation. www.thedailybeast.com/you-cant-steal-a-culture-in-defense-of-cultural-appropriation. July 15, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- Urban Dictionary. www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Cultural%20Appropriation. Retrieved November 30, 2017
- Wakefield, Mary. The Mad, Bad Crusade against ‘Cultural Appropriation' www.spectator.co.uk/2017/04/the-mad-bad-crusade-against-cultural-appropriation/. April 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
