""What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we loved black culture?" - Amandla Stenberg
Misconceptions about Cultural Appropriation
- The term cultural appropriation was first introduced in the 1980s as a way for educators to discuss issues of colonialism and the relationships between majority and minority groups. This term, along with others such as gaslighting and triggering, eventually made its way into popular culture.
- Cultural appropriation can occur when a member of a majority group profits either financially or socially from the culture of a minority group. Madonna's 1990 music video for the song, "Vogue", is an example. In the video, Madonna uses a style of dance created by drag performers. Although those artists are featured in the video as a sign of respect, Madonna made financial and social gains in a way the drag performers did not.
- Another example of cultural appropriation is when a member of a majority group uses the culture of a minority group in a belittling way or uses an aspect of the minority culture in a way it was not intended. The use of Native American people as mascots for businesses or wearing the ceremonial headdress of a Native American as a non-native person is an example of such appropriation.
- Cultural appropriation can also occur when a member of a majority group adopts an element of a minority culture without experiencing the same consequences as the minority culture. Black people have historically faced discrimination in the workplace due to their hairstyles. When a non-black person wears dreadlocks, which is traditionally associated with black culture, they do not generally receive the same backlash professionally. Therefore wearing dreadlocks as a non-black person is a form of appropriation
How to have a conversation about Cultural Appropriation
- Understand the difference between appropriation vs. appreciation. The line between honoring a culture and demeaning it can be razor thin. Before adopting or using an aspect of another culture, evaluate your intentions and what you hope to gain by doing so.
- Be open to feedback and criticism. When a person from a specific culture explains that your actions are harmful, you must be willing to learn and listen. Though this might feel uncomfortable, it is an opportunity to gain perspective and new understanding.
- It's not about shame, its about understanding. Calling out instances of cultural appropriation is not about punishment. Few of us are experts on our own culture let alone the many in which we come into contact with daily. The goal for recognizing appropriation should be to create equity and reduce the unintended impacts of social bias.
- It is not the job of people of color to educate others about their oppression. Minority groups cannot always be expected to teach others about the ways in which society has marginalized them. Majority groups have a responsibility to research the impacts of borrowing from minority groups without relying on those groups to speak out first.
- Avoid making the conversation about you. When pointing out instances of appropriation, be mindful of distinguishing between your feelings and those of the impacted community. While it is always appropriate to speak out against someone using racial slurs or making intentionally derogatory comments about a minority group, we cannot take the position that every instance of personal offense also affects the larger community. If you truly feel like action needs to be taken, check in with community leaders before speaking out on behalf of an entire group of people.