What is Wrong with Cultural Appropriation?
By: Bianca Jones
Image: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni
Throughout the years, cultural appropriation has become one of the most talked-about topics amongst celebrities and ordinary people. However, in some cases it’s not cultural appropriation at all. To further understand this topic, you will first need to understand the concept of cultural appropriation itself.
“Cultural appropriation is the act of adopting elements of outside, often minority culture, including knowledge, practices, and symbols, without understanding or respecting the original culture and context,” the dictionary explains.
Occasionally, people will incorporate specific cultures into their lives in the wrong way, as seen in the fashion industry, without considering its origin or significance. In the Fall of 2018, Gucci debuted its “Indy Full Turban”, which resembled a Sikh turban. A Sikh turban - better known as a Dastar - is headwear associated with Sikhism and it is an important part of the Sikh culture. People were outraged and had much to say about this. Gucci has yet to apologize for their misuse of the headwear.
"The turban is not a trendy new fashion accessory used for white models,” Twitter user Harjinder Singh Kukreja stated.
Situations like this have not only been committed by those working in the fashion industry, but by ordinary people too. If a white person throws on a dreadlock wig and gold grill before presenting themselves as African-American, that would be considered cultural appropriation.
Believe it or not, false cultural appropriation is just as common as actual cultural appropriation. People often accuse others of cultural appropriation without having a valid reason, especially in America. Holidays are usually when the term gets thrown around the most. It is not uncommon for others to celebrate the holidays of other cultures, such as Día de Los Muertos. Día de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday where families honor their deceased loved ones with food, drinks, and other festivities. People of all backgrounds are invited to partake in this celebration, but some feel that those of different backgrounds should not. Some deem it “disrespectful” for non-Hispanic people to paint their faces like sugar skulls, even if they are celebrating the holiday. Most of the time, those who claim that the recreation of sugar skulls through makeup is cultural appropriation don’t ever explain why exactly it is considered disrespectful. These claims are also being said by those who are not Hispanic, which causes people to question their argument.
The reasoning behind Hispanic people wearing sugar skull makeup is to represent their loved one(s) who passed on. If someone was to wear sugar skull makeup to mock the Hispanic celebration, then that would be categorized as cultural appropriation. If someone of a different background wants to celebrate Día de Los Muertos with sincere intent, that would be seen as being cultural appreciation. By this standard, wouldn’t celebrating Halloween make most people guilty as well?
Halloween is not just a holiday revolved around watching scary movies and trick-or-treating. It allows people to dress as a certain character or person for an entire night. One could dress up as Mulan even if they are not of Chinese background and people wouldn’t say anything about that, right? Perhaps someone chooses to dress up as a role model of theirs who happens to be from a different culture. Most people would not take issue with the costume choice either. Of course, most trick-or-treaters are children. So, does innocently dressing up turn into appropriation as these children age? For most who celebrate Halloween, no, it doesn’t. Even the majority of adults who participate are not condemned in these circumstances.
So where does society really draw the line in regards to this topic? When it comes to personal style, braids are a huge part of many cultures. Braids are worn by multiple ethnicities due to the style's uniqueness and there are so many variations that allow individuals to express themselves.
Kim Kardashian wore her hair in the aforementioned style and received a wave of comments accusing her of cultural appropriation. When Post Malone wore his hair in several braided styles, he was admired for his fashion sense. People are often biased with whom they accuse of cultural appropriation. When a white woman wears braids, it is considered inappropriate.
It seems that white men get the most compliments out of everyone, but why is it so different for white women? People tend to pick and choose who they want to accuse, often to suit their personal agenda. As an African-American woman, I have not once been offended by people of other cultures wearing braids. Many African-Americans I know are not offended by this either. So who really has the issue? In many cases, anti-fans of celebrities will use any opportunity that arises to tear that person down. Kim Kardashian, who has many anti-fans, seemed to fall victim to that very scenario. Post Malone, a white man who is loved by many, managed to pull it off without backlash. It is true that genuine cases of cultural appropriation exist, such as blackface.
In today’s society, many people misconstrue the true meaning of cultural appropriation, moreover intentionally. Ultimately, people should not be quick to judge another in such a manner, especially without considering that person’s reasoning and intent behind their actions. Most of all, people should stop using the term cultural appropriation inappropriately in order to persecute people they do not favor.