What is it?
Cultural appropriation is when one culture adopts something from a culture that is not his or her own. It may be a piece of clothing, a hairstyle, or exercise.
SOME sociological studies add another element to this description, “particular 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."
What are some examples of it
- Mixing food styles
- Incorporating different culture’s fashion
- Incorporating different cultures music
In the media + people’s reactions
- Native American headdresses at festivals – Widely panned, people said it was bad and it was the desecration of native American’s culture
- Commercialisation of yoga – People think that “White people” have stolen yoga.
- Marc Jacobs fashion set – Criticism over using turbans and hijab
- Kendrick Lamar – Criticised for appropriating Asian culture
Is it a new thing and what’s changed? In short No .. it’s not new. Cultural appropriation is not a new thing at all, music genres have been borrowing each other. Asian music borrows western music concepts. Pop music has been borrowing some RnB.
Food has ALWAYS been appropriated, Chinese food being made “western”, western food being made “Chinese”.
Fashion has always borrowing from cultures. Braids, dresses, scarves etc.
In recent times, it has been seen as a very bad thing, as it is stealing or taking advantage of other cultures (OTHER cultures do the same soo).
**FASHION , music and food world in general**
Just some images..
- FUSION korean, western food…. “Western” Chinese food…
Is it wrong, is it bad?
Some say it’s wrong bad, some say it’s bad. Some say it depends on if you are making money from it, the culture you are borrowing off and so forth…
Some say it’s not on the basis that it’s human nature! People are curious about new things and will even copy if they like it.
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My opinion
I think that you can’t own a culture, borrowing it is not taking it away from another culture. Additionally, borrowing it is paying homage and giving appreciation to another’s culture.
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What are your thoughts?