Cultural Appropriation

Words: 2370
Pages: 10
Open Document
A culture pertains to a type of intellectual development. It’s the particular customs and practices of a specific social group (Young, “Cultural Appropriation and the Arts” 3). “Cultural appropriation refers to a specific power dynamic where members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people that they continue to systematically oppress” (Kuo). A certain tradition is used in a mainstream context, and it is observed as trendy, fashionable, or a newly discovered style, stripping away its foundation, original uses, and any history behind it. Cultural appropriation is far more complex than borrowing a hairstyle or wearing a headdress. Disregarding the history and oppression experienced by the individual group by sporting symbolic …show more content…
However, this isn’t the case. The offense is present when someone doesn’t acknowledge the oppression experienced by said culture or doesn't take into account the importance and history behind said object that is being appropriated. Whatever is being used or worn is for the appropriators’ personal entertainment only, and they pay no regard to its significance (Kuo). “...someone who wears Native headdress or a bindi because it’s now cute and fashionable is taking from another culture’s spiritual and/or cultural practices but not understanding the value and importance” (Kuo). In addition, since the beginning of the colonization of the United States, people have been stripped of the aspects of their culture and conformed to participate in that of the colonizer. Indigenous peoples were forced to accommodate to government policies, and their own traditions were taken away. Children were obliged to abandon their native languages and learn English, all the while pirating Western culture. White culture became dominant (Kuo). “Appropriation that undermines a culture in these ways would certainly cause devastating and clearly wrongful harm to members of the culture” (Young and …show more content…
Warbonnets are the well-known feathered headdresses worn by dozens of Indian tribes. They are made from tail feathers of a golden eagle, with each feather being earned by an act of bravery. Depending on the tribe, the symbolic meaning of the feathers varied (Native American Headdresses). “... wearing a feathered headdress was a matter of fashion or a general symbol of authority… for the Plains Indian tribes, feather warbonnets were a sacred display of a man's honor and courage, and each feather told a story. Eagle feathers… awarded to Plains Indians who serve in the military or do other brave deeds today” (Native American Headdresses). Porcupine roaches, made with stiff animal hair, are traditionally worn by male warriors and dancers. Although it varied from tribe to tribe as well, very often these headdresses were worn in battle. West of the Rocky Mountains, basket hats were commonly worn in various different shapes and styles (Native American Headdresses). “In California and the Plateau tribes, basket hats were normally worn only by women and girls, and their designs were mostly decorative… basket hat designs often conveyed information about a person's clan, achievements, or status within the tribe” (Native American
Show More

Related Documents: Cultural Appropriation

Cultural Appropriation: What Is Cultural Appropriation?

What is cultural appropriation? Cultural appropriation is a sociological concept which views the the adoption or use of the elements of one culture by members of a different culture as a largely negative phenomenon. This topic is something that is not looked upon like other topics such as Kim Davis vs. gay marriage supporters and presidential debates such as Trump’s rhetoric, Clinton’s emails etc vs. the public. Due to cultural appropriation and its necessities, it has become largely popular over…

Words 1413 - Pages 6

Examples Of Cultural Appropriation

because we all bring our own experiences and meld them with others. Cultural appropriation is not only not a problem, it is non-existent. To understand why cultural appropriation is not a real thing, it is necessary to discuss examples, when taking another culture’s elements becomes racism, and how using elements of another culture shows admiration. There are many hairstyles that a few people will argue is cultural appropriation. This includes dreadlocks, cornrows and, braids. With dreadlocks, it…

Words 745 - Pages 3

Cultural Appropriation Examples

Cultural appropriation applies when someone takes/uses elements of a culture to which they do not originate from, they normally do it without permission or consent of those who do belong to that certain culture. Cultural appropriation shows a lot through racial lines and features white people taking and using elements of a culture from people of color. Sociologist see this as a way of intermingling into one another's society, but even though I have definitely been involved in some sort of cultural…

Words 307 - Pages 2

Cultural Appropriation Essay

Cultural appropriation has recently gained attention in the media due to the use and abuse of traditional dress as costumes and fashion statements. To clarify, cultural appropriation refers to the adoption of elements from a culture separate from one’s own. It is highly controversial and, unsurprisingly, many majority groups deny the existence of the practice entirely. To say that cultural appropriation is not a problem in today’s society is to reject the history and derivation of significant aspects…

Words 683 - Pages 3

Cultural Appropriation In Canada

globalization. What’s otherwise known as cultural appropriation typically occurs when dominant cultures acquire features of a minority’s culture for their own benefit, which can take the form of fashion, music, art, language, symbols, rituals or even hairstyles. Such practices often perpetuate stereotypes, erasing the significance of part of the culture, and reinforcing power imbalances between dominant and marginalized groups. The article The cultural appropriation debate isn't about free speech — it's…

Words 1511 - Pages 7

Cultural Appropriation In The 21st Century

Cultural appropriation in the 21st century is now more prevalent than ever. With the recent display of cultural traditions being appropriated by celebrities, a discussion has been sparked across the country showing an array of opinions. Cultural appropriation has been around since the early beginning of colonial America. Native American traditions, African-American traditions, and other minority groups traditions have been made to seem exotic and exploited through various forms. Some broad examples…

Words 443 - Pages 2

The Awakening: A Cultural Appropriation Of Culture

Cultural appropriation is a phenomenon that possess a great threat to society as it is not being analyzed and utilized properly. The problem when analyzing this phenomena arises when trying to define it. Defining cultural appropriation is arduous because society struggles to define clear boundaries between who is oppressed or disenfranchised. To the best of their ability society has defined cultural appropriation as a sociological concept which views the adoption or use of elements of one systematically…

Words 442 - Pages 2

What Does Cultural Appropriation

advertised presents as a reminder that cultural appropriation is a undoubtable important discussion, and it needs to be discussed with all people from different cultures. Cultural appropriation is when a dominant culture adopts an idea from a minority culture and it can come off as racism. The whole concept of cultural appropriation is a careless because because it can be adopted as racism or stereotyping a culture. The topic of cultural appropriation has been around since the early 1950s,…

Words 500 - Pages 2

The Tempest Cultural Appropriation Analysis

gymnasium. The theatre majors had also previously seen Romeo and Juliet performed by the same class about a month ago. Each year, the MFA program features one area of social discussion for each play; for The Tempest, they covered cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is a sociological concept, which views the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture as a largely negative phenomenon (Wikipedia). In an effort to highlight this topic, the director, Kyle Vincent…

Words 1882 - Pages 8

Cultural Appropriation Of Black Culture

Culture appropriation is not just an issue for black culture, but an issue many other minority groups. For instances, Native American and Canadian head dresses worn in Victoria Secrets fashion shows, those head dresses were not made to be used as costumes for everyday entertainment, they are meant for traditional ceremonial purposes. Historically, minority groups have always been oppressed by dominant groups in different ways, in particular black people. A colonial past, that continues to effect…

Words 401 - Pages 2