Souvenirs are a popular and affordable way to bring back memories from time spent abroad, but they can also cross the line of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation involves the inappropriate adoption of an assumed element of another’s culture for personal status or gain. Souvenirs are meant to represent a sliver of a place not our own, and some argue that this exchange is what travel is all about. However, the vast plundering of Indigenous cultural artifacts, treasures, and traditions during the colonial era provides clear historical examples of unconscionable exploitation.
In the 21st century, cultural appropriation is not just inevitable but potentially positive. We must stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them. Cultural appropriation takes many forms, covers a range of types of action, and has many consequences. Souvenirs can be totality souvenirs, linking souvenirs, life souvenirs, and pilgrimage souvenirs.
Souvenirs can facilitate the dissemination and promotion of culture, and culture gives souvenirs unique characteristics and cultural connotations. They are fast becoming crucial for promoting cultural tourism while maintaining a pivotal role in enhancing a country’s image. Design is essential for souvenirs, and travelers can avoid cultural appropriation when buying items from around the world.
Quality souvenirs can boost local economies and preserve and pass down particular cultural artefacts. However, certain souvenirs can cross the line of cultural appropriation, as they can be inappropriately adopted for personal status or gain.
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Are henna tattoos cultural appropriation?
Wearing henna is often considered cultural appropriation, but it is not a clear-cut answer. Henna artists worldwide believe that henna is accessible and wearable to everyone, regardless of their cultural or religious affiliation. Henna is seen as an art medium and is welcome for anyone who enjoys art. It is meant to be enjoyed with or without any particular occasion in mind. Eastern cultures enjoy wearing henna for holidays, special occasions, and observances.
Western-born individuals who learn about henna often come from a place of wanting to be respectful, understanding, and knowledgeable about the art form. The global henna artist community views henna not just as a part of cultural experience but also as a beauty treatment, similar to professional nail, hair, lash, eyebrow, or make-up services.
Can a white girl dress up as Jasmine?
Dressing up as a Disney princess, Jasmine, is fair and acceptable, but it’s not acceptable to wear makeup to make your skin tone darker. Appreciating cultural differences is different from mocking and making fun of them. Dressing up inappropriately goes beyond Halloween costumes, perpetuating stereotypes and implanting false ideas. It teaches others that similar behavior is acceptable in society and that it’s okay to mock certain aspects of people’s culture or history.
The cycle of cultural appropriation and offensive costumes continues, with a minimal chance of putting an end to it once and for all. If you’ve made this mistake in the past without realizing it, you still have the chance to rectify it by acknowledging the problem and your role in it. This may involve learning more about cultures or preventing yourself and others from making the same mistake.
How to avoid cultural appropriation in costumes?
Aaliyah Jihad’s presentation on cultural appropriation explains the difference between cultural exchange and appropriation. She highlights the importance of considering whether a costume is racially, ethnically, or culturally based, and whether it belongs to a specific group. She also discusses the difference between using a sacred item for self-expression and being open to learning from other cultures about the use or behavior of the costume. This helps individuals make informed decisions about their cultural expression.
How to appreciate culture without appropriating?
Cultural appropriation can perpetuate negative stereotypes, insult, disrespect, or exploit others. To avoid this, it’s crucial to learn and listen to others, consider context, and ask about the origins of different customs. This understanding can broaden your worldview and encourage cultural exchange. Be a willing participant in sharing your own traditions while appreciating those of others.
What is the cultural significance of souvenirs?
Souvenirs are tangible objects that convey personal and cultural meaning, allowing individuals to maintain a material connection to cherished past experiences. They are also representations of acquired cultural capital, enabling visitors to preserve memories and share experiences with others. The relationship between souvenirs and local culture is inextricably linked, as souvenirs are often a tangible expression of a place’s unique traditions, heritage, and identity. Locally produced handicrafts and souvenirs are intended to reflect elements of local culture, promote authenticity, and bridge cultural divides.
Souvenirs are often locally produced and reflect the authenticity and creativity of the destination, thus playing an important role in promoting local identity and economic development. By combining traditional culture with modern design, souvenirs become symbols of identity, creativity, and beauty that reflect the culture and traditions of the destination. In summary, souvenir development provides economic benefits by supporting local economies and businesses, generating income, and contributing to the economy of the destination.
The opportunities and challenges of souvenir development are key factors influencing the success and sustainability of the souvenir business. The integration of additive manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing offers opportunities for personalized and creative souvenirs, enabling tourists to participate in the design and personalization process. Developing souvenirs based on local culture and history provides a unique selling point that attracts tourists while supporting the preservation of cultural heritage.
The use of local crafts and traditions in the production of souvenirs can enhance the economic performance of local artisans and communities, contributing to income generation and economic development. Additionally, the use of technologies such as augmented reality in souvenir development can increase visitor engagement and enthusiasm, providing innovative and interactive souvenir experiences.
What is the purpose of souvenirs?
A souvenir is an object a person acquires for the memories they associate with it, such as a memento, keepsake, or token of remembrance. It can be collected, purchased, and transported home by the traveler as a memento of a visit. The tourism industry designates tourism souvenirs as commemorative merchandise associated with a location, often including geographic information and produced in a manner that promotes souvenir collecting.
The souvenir trade is an important part of the tourism industry, serving a dual role: improving the local economy and allowing visitors to take a memento of their visit, encouraging a return visit or promoting the locale to other tourists as a form of word-of-mouth marketing.
Promotional items at trade shows also serve a similar function. Self-generated souvenirs, such as photographs, are the most collected by tourists as they document specific events and places for remembrance.
What are some cultural appropriation activities?
The term “inappropriate cultural appropriation” is used to describe the use of Native American cultural elements by non-Native groups for purposes that are not respectful or in alignment with Native American cultural norms. This can include the use of Native Americans as mascots, the portrayal of Native Americans in costumes for Halloween, and the wearing of Native American headdresses at festivals.
What are commonly culturally appropriated items?
Cultural appropriation involves the use of Native American tribal names or images as mascots, wearing jewelry or fashion that incorporates religious symbols, or wearing items of deep cultural significance and status that must be earned, such as war bonnets, without having earned the right. Authentic Native American war bonnets are sacred ceremonial items earned by people of high status in traditional tribal societies, and people from these cultures consider it disrespectful and offensive when someone who has not earned the right to wear one doesn’t wear an authentic or imitation headdress.
Copying iconography from another culture’s history and wearing them without regard to their original cultural significance may also be considered appropriation. Critics argue that divorcing iconography from its cultural context or treating it as kitsch risks offending people who venerate and wish to preserve their cultural traditions. The adoption of First Nations’ art forms and strong geometric forms was in sympathy with the Arts and Crafts Society’s commitment to modernist design but without serious consideration of the ethics of the appropriation of Aboriginal motifs by Western artists.
In 2017, Canadian visual artist Sue Coleman was accused of appropriating and amalgamating styles of Indigenous art into her work, resulting in further criticism. Kwakwak’awakw/Salish Artist Carey Newman stressed the importance of artists being accountable within Indigenous communities as the antidote to appropriation.
Why are souvenirs important?
Souvenirs are an integral component of the tourist experience, functioning as mementos of significant moments and serving as tangible evidence of these experiences.
What are examples of cultural appropriation?
Cultural appropriation is the act of using cultural imagery and materials, such as dress and music, in ways they were never intended. This can include dressing up as someone with a disability or wearing a sombrero in a Mexican costume. Blackface, a related behavior, involves altering physical features to mimic distorted racialized stereotypes. This is particularly concerning when historically dominant groups take cultural practices and artifacts from historically marginalized communities, reinforcing existing inequality. The impact of cultural appropriation varies, but it is particularly concerning when it occurs among historically dominant groups, as it reinforces existing social and institutional power imbalances.
Is Moana costume cultural appropriation?
The current approach to portraying characters based on ethnicity is reducing powerful figures to their ethnic grouping, such as Moana, a young Polynesian woman. This is based on real mythology, but Disney-fied the story, making it easier to represent her without dressing up as all Polynesian women. This has led to a lack of tolerance and equality for people who are different from them. However, the fact that white kids and non-Polynesian children want to dress up as characters like Moana doesn’t mean they should be shamed.
Instead, they should appreciate and adorn a person of a different culture, which should be allowed and celebrated. This normalcy helps create tolerance and allows kids to accept that people who are different deserve equality.
📹 Blackwashing: The “Good” Cultural Appropriation
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“Africal culture” doesn’t exist. I’m from Kenya and we have 47 different tribes. That’s just Kenya. We have 54 different countries in Africa each with their own tribes and their own customs. Braids can be traced back to vikings and Egyptians as far back as 30000 years ago. I’m not going to North Africa or Europe to ask vikings and Egyptians whether I can braid my hair or not. If I want my hair to look a certain way, I’ll make it look that way.
I’m Afghan and take pride in my cultural customs, foods, dress, etc…My wife is White – my mom bought over $2k worth of Afghan dresses for her (3 in total) and we wear them only a few times a year. My wife is now concerned about wearing these dresses, not from receiving flack from the Afghan community…they relish and are flattered…she’s more concerned about Americans looking down on her for entering into a culture that she married into. Despicable. I hate this new mentality.
I can so relate to this. I work with a Chinese doctor. one day I decide to wear my hair in a natural state like wear an afro! I had a head band with a bow. at the end of the shift she pulled me aside into her office and said that my hair was “unruly, unmanageable, and lazy” .she told me that I would have to straighten out my hair!! go the next day.. majority of our clientele that I serve is Caucasian. I am the only black person that works in the office.. then then I made a statement that I pointed out to her that she wears her natural hair and the rest of our employees wear their natural hair how come I can’t wear mine. she just rolled her eyes at me. repeated the fact that I have to straighten out my hair!
Cultural Appreciation happens with intent and education. For example, my mom LOVES traditional Japanese culture and sewed herself a kimono. But she did her research to ensure she got the right fabric, folded it the right way, and wore all the proper accessories. She got so many compliments from Japanese people. The only hate she got was from other white people.
Only Austrians should be allowed to wear braids since the oldest known reproduction of a braided hairstyle goes back around 30 000 years to the Venus of Willendorf, a female figurine that was found in modern day Austria. Disclaimer: Of course I don’t really think that. It just goes to show how braids are universal and have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. Every culture has their own interpretation of braided hairstyles, and of course everybody should be allowed to wear them. We should also make sure that nobody is systemically discriminated against for wearing their natural hair like the kids that got suspended from school.
I’m a Japanese American and could give two shits about Katy Perry wearing a geisha outfit. Her costume may be in poor taste, but it did not affect my quality of life nor my political rights. Just because a group like the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) deems the outfit offensive, does not mean that it’s racist – or even damaging. The modern day media is turning into a kind of de facto cultural police. And we may see some unintended consequences to this well-intentioned behavior.
“…Just because one person found it okay, doesn’t mean they speak for all members of that community…” Well I find this statement intriguing in that, if reversed, the same is true; Meaning that if one person says they’re not okay with it, they don’t speak for the entire group either. Hmm, go figure.
As an artist this makes me sad. Since little i have loved other cultures,mix them and create my own identity as individual,my race and culture it’s just a small part of who i am as a soul, I just happened to be Puerto Rican but…i didn’t create Salsa, Bomba, Plena,etc. I don’t own that. For me art is amazing and should not be limited. I do understand that some people have use it to offend and make fun of the non-dominant culture/race but it’s not always the case. People like me like creating new things, “out of the box.” I feel like there’s so many rules to create something artistic. Believe it or not fashion is a form of art and should not be limited . I didn’t decide to be inspired by cultural things, it just happened and i don’t want to change that because that’s part of who i am.
So, I’m Italian (not like “my great great grandfather came from Italy, so that makes me italian!!!1!!11!!, I’m ACTUALLY Italian) and I guess I should feel very offended about how you Americans stole pizza and changed it into an abomination with pineapples! I should also feel offended when you try to imitate our accent which does not sound at all like us. Then I guess I should feel offended if anyone tries to learn Italian… You see how ridiculous that sounds? Get over yourself and grow up for a change.
my mom is Norwegian so she has viking culture (she always had braids, like my grandmother, her grandmother… Yeh my english isn’t the best). She learnt that as her culture, as all my Norwegian family for ages, and now me (well, I don’t wear braids anymore because if mom doesn’t do them I suck at it). Here in Europe (at least in my country, as some sensitive people want me to point it out or they are gonna faint) no one talks about this culture appropriation term, it’s new for me. I have read a lot of comments, and I have the feeling that many people says “black people started doing braids before than vikings, so you have no right, forget your culture right now, it’s a shame”. Wtf!? I don’t care who did it first, I am white yes, but I have the same right to wear them. As I would be really happy to see someone share my culture Edit: can u stop answering to this comment please? Stop trying to change my mind. I said this 1 year ago, I am bored of notifications of salty people
Am I the only one who watched this article? She didn’t say you could not wear dreads or kimonos at all. What she is trying to tell you is the context. Just last year in the news actress Zendaya was criticised for wearing dreads, but when white celebrities wear dreads, Miley Cyrus comes to mind, they are called artist and edgy. Does that mean Miley Cyrus can’t wear dreads? No. That is more of a reflection of the community rather than Miley Cyrus. Also she talked about how many of these things are sacred, such as native american headdress/war bonnet, so it is extremly disrespectful when they are worn as accessories. These would be like if someone cut the pages of the bible out and made them in to a bar and panty set, it just is rude. I understand that a lot of people who do these things do not intend to offend people, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
“Culture” is an abstraction and impossible to quantify, so your argument that depends on distinguishing “dominant” from “marginalized” cultures is untenable using empirical methods. To use your bluejeans example, how can Chinese in Shanghai make the argument that they are “assimilating” a culture that is “dominant” (are they under American occupation?) much less doing something that is “necessary for survival”? Or, since Europeans peoples are a numeric minority of the world, could they not use the argument that they are “assimilating” the culture of the world majority by adopting cultural trappings not native to the European continent, such as braided hair? Or could they not use braiding native to Celts and Scandinavians to argue that braided hair has been “theirs” all along? Your argument is completely ad hoc and inconsistent.
Your corn roll argument was going somewhere and then went flat. You said jobs have banned corn rolls and people are looked down on cornrolls but when Kylie and models do it they are given praise. Here is where your reasoning begins to taper off. Different types of jobs. Modeling is not the same as being a bank teller. In modeling you have to be fashion forward but some of those fashions don’t work in the real world outside of certain professions. You are comparing modeling and Kylie (who doesn’t really have a job outside of being a Kardashian and model) to day to day jobs where some things are not acceptable. Should braids be a big deal. I’m sure the white girl bank teller who came in with braids to the office would get the same treatment if not worse than a black person. But in truth since it is more common and natural for black women I don’t see a problem with them wearing it to the office. But don’t compare modeling jobs to office jobs.
The argument: “you can’t do it because it offends members of a culture” doesn’t hold water. Inter-racial marriage, and same-sex marriage are truly offensive for some people. That’s no reason to ban them. On the other hand, the whole argument ignores how culture and art evolve: by miscegenation! Allaways! “Good writers borrow from other writers. Great writers steal wholesale” Take what we now call “Japanese”, “Chinese” or “Mexican”. In all cases, “native” cultures were the result of imperial expansion, war and conquest. The mongol conquerors of China eventually became …Chinese. Yoga is the best example. Cultural appropriation by the West, right? No. A decision of the Indian government to divulge throughout the world and demonstrate the superiority of Indian culture, at a time when its military and economic inferiority was all many Westerners could see
So I get the argument that black people / other minorities have been criticized for their culture, while white people have been praised for using it… OK so if that’s the case, why not encourage these other cultures to be shown in a positive light so that everyone can be a part of it without it being an issue, rather than telling everyone else what to do based on the color of their skin (aka racism). It seems like the SJW mindset isn’t about achieving justice through lifting up the less fortunate, it’s about bringing everyone else down to their level instead.
If you are so concerned about culture appropriation then, strip off your pants, button up shirt, closed toed shoes, stop straightening your hair and put on a loincloth or nothing at all. Run around with rings around your neck and ritualistic cuts on your body, because most of the clothing that Blacks wear today are appropriations from Western European White cultures. Most of the food you eat is from another culture. Most of the customs you do are from other cultures. I am sick of blacks saying only whites can be racist, only whites appropriate culture, and only whites (anything bad). Personally, I don’t really care what you wear or what you do. just stop trying to make my race, me, and just other people in general the bad guy for every problem you have.
laughs in the fact that tons of cultural styles and fashion are inspired by and borrowed ultimately from other cultures and that everything is a big melting pot more than people realize Dreads were literally in Asian culture first before it was picked up by other cultures and groups. But I guess it only belongs to Africans/African Americans now. No one else who came up with the style before that matters or deserves to wear it anymore… And what about anyone who wants to rock a bald head? Ever think about where that style originally came from and what culture it was popular with that we all decided to “steal” from? Mediterranean cultures like Egypt, Greece and Rome. So I guess if you ain’t from any of those cultures, u can’t shave ur head without being offensive now. Sorry! Or what about languages? So many languages, especially english, borrow words from other languages and make it their own without giving much credit. Guess we can barely speak now too. let’s also not forget the reality check that the only country who really even knows or cares about cultural appropriation are countries like America and twitter, whereas in places like Japan, Japanese people get excited to see foreigners embracing their culture(i.e. Katy Perry, while everyone else was mad at her), and in South Korea there are historical places where tourists can go and get dressed up in traditional Korean garb and hairstyles. Literally no one else cares, even most of the country’s cultures you’re trying to defend and gate-keep from people who maybe just wanna enjoy what another culture have to offer because they admire it.
i’m gonna say it again and maybe she’ll respond: Franny, you contradicted yourself in your own damn article. First, Pharrell appropriated native american culture, and then later you said that cultural appropriation occurs when privileged groups take from marginalized groups. That would imply that blacks are privileged… so which is it sweety? i know you probably think you can have it both ways because that’s how you “feel,” but that’s not possible here
As a white woman, I’ve been accused of appropriation by other white people, specifically when it comes to Hindu culture. What I find the most frustrating about this is that I understand the symbolism behind bindi and mehndi, and I always exercise extreme care to wear them correctly (respecting the source faith) when I do so. They are not fashion statements to me; they’re deeply meaningful to me as part of a culture whose faith I’m exploring while trying to understand my own beliefs.
There are no special rules that make it ok for one culture and not another. The constant assumption that one culture did it first makes it theirs is flawed. Celts were doing their hair up in locks as far back as their history goes. Guess only Canadians get to use phones. This is as silly as the myth that back people cant be racist. As long as you are not trying to belittle a culture go for it. Im part native american, I dont get upset every time I see a black person eat corn. Our homeland was taken and corn was a food stolen from us. We were killed to get the seeds.
“Remember that one member doesn’t speak for all member in that community?” So I need the make sure I got the generous approval of all members of a community before I use something designed in a different culture than my own? So before I wear this shirt I got from my Chinese collegues, I need to make sure I also got the approval of 1,4 billion more people in the country and millions more people of Chinese decent who live in other countries?
It’s a complicated issue, and if you have never been part of a marginalized group I doubt you can empathize. But, as an example, Native Americans. Europeans took their lives (first 100 years 500 tribes went extinct), took their land, and those who survived were moved far from their homes to different environments (Trail of Tears) and every treaty the U.S. government made with them, the government broke. (Appalling.) Their children were sent to “white” schools, taken away from their families, weren’t allowed to speak their language and were indoctrinated into white culture. (Not to mention history from a white man’s viewpoint and horrific Western movies.) Essentially we have taken almost everything away from their cultures….what is left for them is precious. It is beyond comprehension that now you want to abscond with that, too. All under the guise of we are just having fun and we like how it looks. Honestly, how many of you know, really know, other peoples’ cultures? Perhaps some cultures wouldn’t be offended, and that is fine then. But, most people do not consider the implications of acting in a symbolic as well as physical manner like exploiters…one more thing you think you are entitled to take?
I like how Nicki Manaj wearing Chun-Li (mocking of chinese traditional dress) and Doja cat dressing up like fake Kimono is totally okay and acceptable but when an Asian person braids their hair in modified Traditional Tibetan style (Also Asian) it’s an insult to black community because black people created braids. (Completely untrue because we are actually one of the oldest civilizations whether you learned in school or not) Also, Chinese had braiding style for almost 7000 years in different ways, it never existed and it’s also an insult to black community. The other day, a black lady said Asians are nothing but watered down blacks and all our traditions are stolen from Africa. Even before we even met one. But when a black person makes a mockery out of Asian radiational outfit, it has nothing to do with cultural appropriation. Noted. By the way, In your logic, south Asians created dreads since it was the first recorded. STOP WEARING Dreads!
One issue I find with this whole “cultural appropriation” movement is that we’re pointing fingers before we’re clear on who’s actually wrong. Kylie Jenner is my prime example. She literally just decided to wear some cornrows, and people started crying “appropriation!” I doubt the majority of people saying that cared about why she chose the hairstyle or what she thought of black people wearing cornrows. They just decided she had no right to wear cornrows because she wasn’t black, and while they may have mentioned the issue of dual perceptions, those mentions had nothing to do with the actions of Kylie Jenner herself. What I want people to be clear on is that she wasn’t wrong for wearing cornrows. Those in the wrong were and still are all those who continue to promote the idea that cornrows are bad only when black people wear them. And the solution to that problem is much deeper than telling people what and what not to wear. The same applies to those who wear Native American headdresses on Halloween. As you’ve observed, they don’t think they’re doing anything wrong because they don’t know and don’t care enough to know (in the same sense that you may not care to know how to build a microchip) how to properly represent Native Americans. For all they care, they’re being respectful in every sense. Again, however right it is, it’s a fool’s errand to tell these people what and what not to wear. It’s just an impractical solution. The more practical solution seems to be tackling the judgements and misinformation that lead to these appropriating behaviors.
First of all there are cornrows on Roman coins, and dreads were in Egyptian culture. Black people aren’t the only ones who can naturally have dreads. Also, dreads aren’t something a job won’t hire you for only if you’re black. There are some things that just aren’t acceptable in the business world whatever race you are. When have you ever seen a white person with dreads working for a corporal job? Never. If black people really are made fun of for wearing cornrows, dreads etc. how does banning white people from having them solve the problem? Also, if white people are praised for everything we do and we wear dreads wouldn’t that help make them more acceptable? And the biggest thing is you say that you can do it as long as you respect and appreciate the culture, but like you also said one person understanding that you are respecting and appreciating the culture doesn’t stand for the rest of the culture. You are likely still going to be harassed in public about it from another member of that culture. So that’s basically bullshit. Also, race doesn’t equal culture. No matter the color of your skin if you indulge in a culture long enough to make it your own that is your culture. If someone is Asian and they grew up and indulged in American culture all their lives then they are a part of America. You can also be part of many cultures at once. For example, if that person moves from Asian into America or if someone is black and also Jewish. You can just as easily join a culture if you indulge in it long enough.
Okay, as I watched that, I went ahead and wrote down the problems with her arguments. 1. She says groups are penalized for their hairstyles. This is true. She says that because these groups have had to suffer for their hairstyles, no one else should be allowed to wear them. This is not true. She says people are praised for taking the culture. Says who? Maybe it is refreshing to see people accepting differences from other cultures that were normally hated? No one is praising them for stealing culture. They are praising them for being culturally diverse and open minded. They are seeing that they found inspiration in their fellow man and they are saying you know what? That is beautiful. It is, we have been wrong. Ive had black women tell me it is the white mans responsibility to end racism. So what exactly is the problem with normalizing hairstyles black people have worn? Make them normal. Let them become accepted. Isnt that what she wants? To NOT be persecuted for those hairstyles? 2. She says it is great if you love the culture but show respect for it. Understandable. She then goes on to show an example; some dude using deeply personal cultural tattoos that have meaning to families in order to sell sun glasses. Okay. I get how that is cultural appropriation. He is completely shallow about it, doesnt care about the actual culture at all. So then what is her idea of showing respect? Does that mean we can wear aspects of other cultures so long as we actually have a genuine interest in those cultures?
Ok, a few questions- 1) if white people start wearing braids and it becomes the norm, then wouldn’t it make it acceptable and not an issue for African Americans? 2) The other way around-once all hairstyles are accepted (which is now becoming a thing), then would it no longer be a problem for white people to wear braids?? 3) my SO is Puerto Rican and Cuban, but he has a light complection- if he were to wear something from his tribal ancestors- wouldn’t people just ASSUME it’s cultural appropriation? Because he has light skin?
this is stupid. culture is meant to be shared. like…give credit where credit is due. soccer first came from england (earlier forms may have originated in china but they differ too much from modern day soccer) and england is recognised for creating the most popular sport in the world. but can you imagine a world without brazilian soccer these days. If England had successfully stopped brazil from adopting soccer due to “cultural appropriation”, ppl like ronaldinho, pele, cafu etc. would never have been able to grace the world with their skill. If chess hadn’t spread from india, Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen would never have become famous. The point is that culture is meant to spread so others can add their twist to it.
It seems like you’re comparing the use of braids and cornrows in a corporate environment to the use of those hairstyles in celebrity culture. It’s not even remotely the same thing. Of course cornrows are inappropriate during board meetings, but so are other hairstyles that aren’t traditionally seen as African American.
So…. as a Norwegian, my culture has been basically F over. Vikings are miss represented so often and used for marketing all the time. Games, movies and tv shows take elements from them all the time. Like Valhall, the warriors heaven, used all the time in media. Yet, no one cares? Anyone have a comment on this?
First of all, who made you the guardian of minority culture? Second, I thought multiculturalism was a good thing. If there is no cultural exchange within a society then how is that deemed to be multicultural? Or are you really looking for separation? I’m British and all around the world people play sports that originated here, (football, golf, rugby, cricket, hockey, table tennis, badminton, squash, table tennis etc.) borrow our laws and system of government, use our inventions, eg the Internet,wear our clothes,( the business suit is just our national dress,) and steal our traditions, like Halloween. To be honest, America has made it much better and here’s the crux of the matter. When aspects of culture are “appropriated ” they’re usually improved. If you don’t like being miss represented, join the club. You should watch how we are portrayed in Hollywood films. We are either the baddies or just plain dickheads. Seriously find something important to get worked up about.
I’m gonna be the devils advocate when it comes to hair cause I see cultural appropriation a lot when it comes to that. I’ll preface this with saying I’m from the Caribbean….Braids and dread locs are not exclusive to Africa or African Americans. I’m not saying they didn’t originate with us but other cultures that had no contact with Moors or other Africans until later were already braiding/locing hair too. Dutch braids, French braids, Celtic braids, the Greeks braided hair, the Romans braided hair, east Asians braided hair, middle eastern ppl too. Same with locs pre Columbian Aztec priests had them, Sadhus monks and Ngagpas monks of tibet have them, Spartans had them, and Egyptians of course. All of these cultures had some form of braiding. Now yes we put some seasoning on it and made it an art but this groupthink cultural appropriation thing is getting redundant. Not everyone is trying to be offensive 🤦🏾♀️ I can understand staying away from things that are sacred and showing respect to the origins but we call cultural appropriations for everything these days. We want to be included in things and seen as the creative diverse people we are but the moment non black ppl do something that’s supposedly ours cause they genuinely like it and respect it and want to be involved we cancel them and call them culture vultures and in the same breath invite them to the “cookout”. Make it make sense.
This is a fun comment section. I see things I agree with from both sides :p. I believe cultural appropriation exists but I’m not really concerned about the minute stuff like dreads or tattoos. I’m concerned about the possible macro level issues like businesses profiting off of something that may be indigenous or traditional. But at the same time I’m torn because that doesn’t mean that people who come from the tradition don’t also make a profit off of it. Say practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine or Yoga. You can find basically everyone (of any ethnicity, prolly any country) doing it… so I beg the question, did they start off as appropriation when non-members began making profit but then later turn into exchange, or, are the titles misleading as a whole and there’s nothing mutually exclusive about being a non member and indulging in such practice? Rate my question from curious to intellectual. lol jk.
The real things you have a problem with in this article, in order: 1. Stupid dress codes that prohibit certain hair styles 2. People prioritizing money over significance 3. People belonging to the same group not behaving the same way and having the same opnions 4. People aren’t always accurate with their costumes etc. 5. People don’t agree with your definition of oppressive 6. People using any elements of any other culture, no matter what culture they belong to 7. Unless the culture being borrowed from is western culture, then it’s totally different. Stop treating western culture like every other culture! The things on here that might be legitimate complaints (1, 2, 4) don’t need the concept of “cultural appropriation” to be criticized. And most everything else is actually rather frightening and should be opposed. But go on, just put it under a label that makes it sound like people are stealing, that way you can obscure the issue and still sound like you’re in the right.
For example I’m of African/Ghanaian decent, but I have been invited to an Indian event which is to celebrate Diwali by one of my best friend who is Indian. I have come to enjoy and appreciate her culture not disrespect her or preach her religion. I was told by one of my parents that I shouldn’t go somewhere which is against my ethnicity or religious culture as I’m an African Christian. That was racist, that’s not disrespectful as long as I understand it and show appreciation.
2. what do you mean by “respect” their culture? How do you know the guy behind the glasses didn’t respect the culture? 3. Ok so we need to ask all people before doing something? Also why should I listen to your stance on culture appropriation you don’t speak for anyone but yourself. 4. Why does katty Perry need to mimic the culture perfectly? Why can’t she combine cultures? How does this hurt people? 7. So If someone is more oppressed they get to protect “their culture” but the oppressed don’t need “permission” to use other’s culture? I understand being forced to speak English is assimilation. How are PoC being forced/assimilated to do “white things”? (clothing, music, ect.) Also as a side note, what do you think about when MLKjr said “content of character > color”? Do you disagree?
This article includes so much nonsense, I dont even know where to start. (Im not a native speaker btw) 1.) If black people get fired because of their hairstyles and white people dont, its racist. This has to be changed. But this woman in the article is racist, too. You want to make different standarts for people with different skin colour. Thats the very definition of racism. 3.) One person doesnt speak for all members of that group. Thats true. So if a few people of a minority are offended by “cultural appropriation” they also dont speak for all, right? 4) Acutually many Japanese people from Japan really enjoyed Katy Perrys presentions of their culture, only a few japanese snowflakes in America didnt. And why is it stereotyping when she and her dancer wear traditional japanese dresses even if they mix it with some chinese things? 7) Asians/Chinese arent marginalized. They are the most priviledged race. According to your sick logic, they do cultural appropriation when they wear jeans. Please stop being racist.
It amazing how so many people who are commenting will say culture appropriation does not exist while not truly understanding what it means. She is saying it’s fine to wear braids, or get a henna tattoo, or even wear another cultures clothing n style, just don’t look down on the person from that culture who was raised and taught to wear n express their culture in the same way.
Recently a semi famous black women (for the life of me I dont know who she was) dressed up for Halloween w/ the Native Headdress and a Bikini. I am was soo disgusted by people defending her. She stepped out of line plain and simple. I think in one of the articles they discussed the care and love that goes into the headdress and garments and this hieffer wants to just slap that on w/ a triangle top ad she thinks that is okay? Also thanks for discussing the Indian wedding. I am invited to one and I am going to where a Sari. I have always found them beautiful but felt like I could never wear one. This will be the chance and I am pumped about it. And the food.
Charles Manson must be thrilled that people like you are cooking up this race war that he (and you apparently) always wanted and he’ll get to see it before he dies. Thanks for unraveling 50 years of progress in race relations, you must be so proud. Well done. Bonus: you don’t know what the word “myth” means.
Here’s the thing. When a person from one culture adopts an aspect of a different culture, a bridge is built. This bridge makes them more likely (though admittedly not 100%) to empathize with that new culture and the people in it, to appreciate and explore, and more deeply understand that new culture. For example, some people who are very into yoga journey to India and go to ashrams and meditate as they further explore Hindu culture. I don’t understand how this is a bad thing. If you say, “Okay, only black people can do x” “only white people can do y” “only Latino people can do z”, you are putting us into boxes with walls between us. These walls make it very easy to de-humanize and “other” people from a culture not your own. As another example, people who live in border states are less likely to want to build a wall (because of the diversity they are exposed to) than people who live in overwhelmingly white, inland states, where they do not explore nor are exposed to Latino culture, and therefore do not necessarily have the same awareness or empathy. Now, there are situations where costumes, dress, and words carry deep historical pain. Blackface and the n-word were used for centuries to dehumanize black people. In those cases, yes, of course I understand how it can be offensive; white people should not don blackface nor should use that word. But in the vast majority of cases, cultural adoptions are done as a sign of appreciation, and are not ill-intentioned. Sometimes liberals get into a competition of self-righteousness of “who can be the most vehemently offended” and it gets out of control.
As a German woman I’d appreciate it a lot if you guys could stop wearing buttons on your clothing, and refrain from using perms, BB cream, Fahrenheit, the binary numeral system, ray tracing, Petri dishes, concrete pumps, drilling machines, the Richter magnitude scale, SMS, SIM cards, refrigerators, hole punches, adhesive tape, echocardiograms, condoms, clarinets, accordions, microphones, telescopes, centrifuges, Christmas market, advent wreaths and calendars, carabiner hooks, modelling clay, wheelchairs, bicycles, cars and earplugs. Thank you.
1. Celebrities get treated differently than normal people? Wow. News for sure… yawn So, any black celebrities that got flak for wearing said hairstyles? No? Hm. 2. …Sue him. No, seriously. Let’s see how that one goes… “B-but I got offended…” “Dismissed!” 3. Neither does one person that is offended represent the whole culture. See how that goes both ways? (Insert joke about bisexuality here) 4. How does that crush the idea that it’s harmless? You can playfully joke on the idea of (cultural) ignorance (“Attack on Titan? Oh I love Chinese cartoons!”) – and then you can be actual ignoramus that isn’t even willing to make the effort to do some basic research. And then you can be aware of the context and still choose to mix things up just to see what the reaction will be. Or go for a specific aesthetic even if it crosses the usual borders. Which one was the artist in question? No idea. But either way, I don’t really care. You can criticise her, though, and I’ll defend your right to do so… Even if you wouldn’t reciprocate. 5. More victimhood. Someone will always be offended no matter what you do or don’t do. You just have to live with that. 6. Yep, the revolution eating its own children… But wait, what about THEIR FEELINGS? Also, did you just say that a marginalised group that can’t enforce anything just made a huge celebrity to apologise for something that group dims as sinful? Well it’s time to throw the notion of “powerless minority” out the window. “Picking and choosing” will make fashion more interesting.
This is a great way to explain appropriation!! I have a couple of very good friends who were among the ones who got FIRED for wearing their hair in corn rows!! But the white lady who got hers done in Cancun on vacation was fawned over! While I myself ALMOST did that in Cancun because I find it is just gorgeous….I changed my mind and I’m glad I did! Keep posting this educational stuff girlie!! The world needs it just the way you put it out there!!!
Imo I don’t believe assimilation and appropriation are that much different honestly. And you’re opinion about every race other than white being a minority is completely false. It’s true while being in AMERICA but not the entire world. So your point on saying that it’s different for other races to use white people stuff because other races are a minority is completely false.
What ever happened to sharing cultures with one another? Whats the point of telling people they can’t wear this and that because of their race? If were all equal people, shouldn’t we treat people equally instead of telling them what they should and shouldn’t wear? I mean it’s probably a good idea not to wear something from another culture because somebody might get upset, but regardless that doesn’t mean the person wearing it should be labeled as disrespectful. They like it, that’s why they wear it! Thats like saying, “Hey this is my culture, not yours, GTFO.” Rude, no need to be selfish. This Francesca woman has an attitude issue. All her articles are her ranting.
First of all what I don’t agree with is this idea that ” it’s only appropriation if a white person is committing it” but in my opinion all kinds if people appropriate all kinds if cultures everyday. Which brings me to another point that this woman is making it about race when race is a social construct and culture is a completely different thing. For instance so many people appropriate Irish culture for the goofiness or negative aspects of it for Saint Patrick’s Day and even worse italian-americans are portrayed horribly in the media and their culture for Halloween even has been appropriated to when it comes to organized crime and mafias like an Italian-American is always portrayed as a gangster. So I completely disagree with the fact that this is only a race thing as she is making it because it’s not whatsoever
I’d say that even though the intentions of this article are good the overall generalization that people of colour must identify and protect cultures due to the colour of their skin. Like a black child being adopted into an Asian home maybe not identify with her cultural background as much as someone else. Or someone who is Indian growing up in a predominantly black neighborhood might have a much bigger relation to black heritage. Further more the arguments to cultural appropriation can become unstable when you think that people can be mixed race. At what point is your skin tone too white to be part of the black community and isn’t that contributing to colourism? Too many variables. I’d limit cultural appropriation to things that have sacred meaning like Bindis, hijabs and native headdress
The concept of culture appropriation is an interesting one since there are so many disagreements within it. I’ve seen many arguments started between poc on what truly constitutes “true appropriation”. This gets even more complicated when it it’s American/Canadian poc disagreeing with non-American/Canadian poc, arguing who has more authority in the argument. I remember this being really big during the whole debate about that painting of the white woman in the kimono, Japanese Americans (and a few non-Japanese) had a lot of problems with it, yet non-American Japanese rather appreciated the use of a kimono in the art. Woah, this comment ended up longer than I expected, guess that’s an example of how complicated this really is.
I thought this article was pretty clear cut but so many people below are getting offended over the wrong things. She never said you can’t be friends with or get involved with other cultures. She just said not to treat cultural aesthetics as… well, just aesthetics. Don’t get tribal tattoos if you aren’t really involved in the culture and have no plans on really getting into it. Because to someone, said tattoos are could be seen as sacred- and it can be something they themselves get a lot of flak for despite being native to the culture- so it can be pretty aggravating when they see some shallow white person wearing the same symbols for “fun” without truly understanding/appreciating it.
Once opon a time we thougt that we were one great culture, that there was no boundary between africans, europeans, asians, americans and australians. We were the left side, people used to watch us badly because we uesed to wear dredlocks. Now it’s just the same, there will be always biggots, even black biggots who judge you for how you dress. The cultural apropriation is just another way to cage your mind. “Babylon System is the vampire”, Amarica is Babylon and now even black people became vampires. Never forget, we’re just one big culture, differences are in our minds, ther’s no cultural appropriation, just more lies america wants to teach you. Stay free world. We’ll never be america. “Building church and university Deceiving the people continually” Keep singing bob marley songs and keep living freely. There will always be someone who judges you and try to teach you that we’re not just all the same.
The Japanese loved Katy Parry’s music article though….. Sooo.. Is it ok when the majority of that culture find it ok? Honestly I think people should just do what ever they want. Also, Asians are a global majority, and China is a super power, so why are they allowed to appropriate marginalized, minority European cultures with suit and ties? LOL.
From what I’ve heard, and please correct me if I’m wrong, it’s actually fairly simple. If you’re going to dress in Kimono, do/get henna, wear your hair in Bantu knots or braids, ect… that’s one thing. No one is saying you can’t. But you have to know and appreciate where it comes from and the significance of it. Celebrities have been appropriating other cultures, not because of the things they’re wearing, but because they’re not appreciating the significance of what they’re doing. I probably could have worded that better. Lol
I had an exchange with a gal online today that said ONLY black people should wear corn rows and anybody else that did was being racist and showing cultural appropriation. I find that completely over general and ridiculous. She went on to say, I was an angry white man, and I had a lot of work to do. What I see, is her being racist, judge-mental, and angry- simply because I think anybody can wear corn rows if they want to. If my white girlfriend has her black best friend put corn rows in her hair- that’s not racist. Your thoughts?
Cultural appropriation between marginalized cultures is something I struggle with (eg Dia de los muertos isn’t part of my Latin@ heritage). How should one balance solidarity without smearing out the diversity of heritage? I feel something done to show solidarity can been seen as appropriation, and I don’t always see where the line is.
Why does this article have so many dislikes and negative comments? Did people actually watch the article and reflect on the content, or did they just see the term “cultural appropriation” and have a breakdown?? So many people online refuse to engage with content, making assumptions and raging without understanding.
I’m sorry, i would fire kim kardashian if she wanted to work in a law firm the way she dresses and wears her hair. A model is something completely different. They all get away with extreme looks. But they also work towards normalising certain looks which in the end could benefit anyone who works in an environment where there are certain standards for dressing and looking. If corn rows are often glamourized by different models, then maybe your employer will not mind it anymore. But he has the right to expect a certain way of presenting yourself to his clients. This whole cultural appropriation thing is an absolute myth.
I’m so grateful to come back to this comment section 4 years later and finally see an abundance of common sense fill this section! Finally! This gives me peace that this “woke” movement where people are making up ridiculous reasons to be offended while desperately trying to sound intelligent being offended will END!
As a historian, artist, and architect, I know that people have been borrowing ideas from other cultures for thousands of years. The seed of any idea can come from anywhere, and inspiration is used by all cultures from all cultures. What you’re really doing is trying to dictate what people are allowed to do in seeking self-expression. Be offended if you choose to do so — it’s your right. But self-expression is enshrined in the constitution for a reason, and being offended doesn’t allow you to force your views on others. May people continue to explore and use elements of other cultures and bring us closer together, and may your misguided political correctness be your downfall.
Braided hair came from Viking culture not african. Have you tried braiding a black person hair? It ain’t easy. It’s a symbol of pride and worrier culture that some of us take pride in. Including race because that’s something else that people are trying to shame you for nowadays. If your white be proud of your race and your culture
Kylie Jenner never claimed to create the style. She captioned “Bo Derick vibes”, because Bo Derick did the same style. But neither of them claimed to create it. Are we not allowed to call that thick high pony tail, “the Ariana Grande pony tail”? Do we need to call it a Greek ponytail, because the Greeks supposedly did it first?
SO I’M CZECH AND DON’T EVEN TRY TO USE WORD R O B O T It was used in czech play during anti-war age. Also word “robota” was used as a term describing forced work on king’s fields. It was almost as slavery. They had to work there and they got nothing. SO don’t use this word if you are not Czech or Slovak. Thank you, have a nice day.
I’m Italian so if you guys have one of these things you’re appropriating my culture: pasta, pizza, cellphone, piano, violin, jacuzzi, microchip, radio, moka, battery, polypropylene, mechanical pen, vaccines (of new generation in the 90’s), typewriter, computer, hard-ware open source, nuclear reactor, film/movie, anestesia, radar, electrical cable, vespa (first scooter), compass, telescope, nitroglycerin, blue jeans (the name blue jeans comes from bleu de Gênes which means blue from Genova), plastic, natural gas, etc.
These type of people would shoot their head if they saw my culturally diverse country that normalizes “appropriating” one another’s culture. In my country, we are really proud when domestic/international tourists (or “priVilegeD people”) wear our traditional clothes/accessories unless there is a bad motive. It’s just really weird that this mindset exists because almost all of my country’s schools have parade where we can wear our/other local ethnicities’ traditional clothes, even our leaders have an event similar with it.
I got punished as a teen in mid 90s for having braids. When I complained that several mixed race boys had them I was told “but you’re not black, you’re white”. My school let me keep them after I pointed out that girls of colour had chemically straightened or lightened hair. If I had the knowledge & wit I have now I would’ve had had my nose ring put in & used religious reasons for it. We live in a multicultural society even more so now since the Internet. I was wrongly arrested a few weeks back & when I asked for a copy of the Koran to read (was 2nd wife to a Muslim for 11 yrs) I was miraculously treated so much better. I live in Portsmouth, England & was disgusted by their change in attitude towards me when they got worried they may look racist. I’d already told them I’m of no religion when I was booked in but was suddenly brought a prayer mat & compass.
Why does this have so many dislikes? I don’t understand why people don’t wanna get educated about the problems with cultural appropriation. Like if you’re wearing a hairstyle, traditional clothes, traditional jewellery as a “trend” then that’s cultural appropriation. If you’re using traditional elements for a song and dance, that’s also cultural appropriation. You claim that their culture is just a “trend” when IT’S NOT! Their culture is never a trend, its tradition and it should be respected. Most importantly, please talk to people who are part of the community to get yourselves educated on why it’s wrong
Why are you so offended? People can wear what they want.Most of the people who wear this costumes are not racist. You shouldn’t be offended by it if they didn’t have any bad intention when wearing it.I understant that some cultures are discriminated but that doesn’t mean that all the people who wear that clothes are racist. They just love your culture, they didn’t do anything bad, it’s not like they said something offensive to you.
I honestly don’t understand how you can compare Kylie Jenner wearing braids to school girls wearing braids. That’s two different professions. It would make more sense if white schools girls were praised for wearing braids but black school girls were called ugly. Even a white school girl from the UK was sent home by teachers for wearing braids because it was ” Messy.” Celebrities on a whole get away with many things ordinary probably wouldn’t like wearing extremely provocative outfits. I mean Lady Gaga gets praised for her unique and crazy outfits but tell me if you saw a regular person wearing that wouldn’t you think they were crazy?
But why is it then that mostly people who were born and raised in the USA are complaining bout it but the people of those countries of heritage are actually CELEBRATING FOREIGNERS to wear their traditonal clothing etc? Some countries are happy to be (re-) discovered and acknowledged for merely EXISTING so I think the USA needs to puta limtiation the term APPROPRIATION before BREATHING becomes actually a SIN.
I’m a white guy and I fell deeply in love with blues music years ago. I play harmonica and guitar, I’m listening to old blues all the time, I’m interested in the culture, the story of the the pre 1950’s bluesmen, … I’m in total admiration for those guys. Nobody ever invited me to do it. At several occasions, people have been saying that me playing and singing blues songs from the slavery times was cultural appropriation. How does that makes sense? How can you explain that without calling it fascism?
I can braid my hair and have dreadlocks even though I am white. 2 reasons why. 1. Dreadlocks form naturally. We cannot culturally lay claim on something that transpires naturally for pretty much every human being on earth. 2. Braids and Dreadlocks have both been a large part of Scandanavian Culture as far back as 500. Vikings were often seen with dreadlocks and are depicted with them according to ancient wall-paintings. Braids are equally so, they have been done in every culture for many, many years.
The argument of saying that it’s wrong for businesses to have a hairstyle policy against certain hairstyles, while celebs are being praised for those same hairstyles is NOT A FAIR COMPARISON! Having a dress code in a corporate environment is completely different than in the fashion/entertainment industry. Context is important. One type of fashion is acceptible in certain environments, but not in another. I know plenty of people that dress entirely differently for work than how they would every dress outside of work. It doesn’t me their employer is shunning their culture and fashion sense, it just means that the job requires a certain type of presentation to fit within their goals as a business. If you don’t like it, find another job.
African American women often straighten and dye their hair to look European, but apparently European’s can’t braid or dread their hair. What’s the word I am looking for? begins with H and sounds like a big grey mammal that wallows in water, with big tusk teeth. Hairstyles are not cultural appropriation, black face is.
If you have ever celebrated Christmas then you have culturally appropriated. It started in Germany. One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen is a black woman with dyed blonde hair talking about cultural appropriation. All the while using the invention of television and Internet that was invented by another culture The Greeks, the Vikings, and the Celts wore dreadlocks long before any reported dreadlocks in Africa.. So who is appropriating whose culture?
Hiii!!! I just have 1 question. What happens if I, despite belonging to a different cultural group, have had direct contact with another cultural group. either through my close friends or by added members of my family, for a long time and I understand the meaning of the foreign cultural element such as hairstyle, clothing or accessory, and I want to use it because I already consider it as part of me? How am I able to use it without other people telling me that I am being disrespectful? if you don´t understand my question let me know, english is not my first language.
Okay so I got box braids and I did them myself. It took me about 10 hours. Before doing it I read all about it. What was it used for what it meant and the history behind it. But now that I’ve done it I do feel bad if I’m disrespecting the culture and people associated with the culture. Can you tell me if it’s wrong. I’m not an American i’m a minority group myself. I’m khasi from meghalaya. Can you please let me know if what I did was culture appropiation?
Thank you so much but can I ask if someone that is not for example from a privileged race really liked something in a culture and wants to wear it without it being linked to that culture like taking inspiration can u please tell me where the boundary sets at? Bc I think we should do everything with respect and it starts from asking
is short crimped hair appropriation? ive recently started crimping it but i cant shake the feeling that it feels really similar to natural hair. Black people tend to not be allowed to wear their natural hair so i feel a little iffy about it but everywhere ive looked has said its not appropritation so im confused
This is so confusing to me. If I cornrow my hair, which I’ve done way before Bo Derek, I’m appropriating? Is it then okay if I cornrow my friends’ hair still? Can I only wear cornrows around people who know me? 🙄 Do I have to shun anything I like that strangers might consider appropriation if it is visable? Is there a list somewhere of what various cultures consider appropriation? How about turquoise or jade jewelry? Help… I’m a bit lost How do strangers identify appreciation from appropriation?
Honestly I get her point. I wish black Americans could get the credit they deserve for certain things. BUT cultural appropriation is entirely an American thing. Africans, Europeans and Asians don’t seem to have those hang ups from what I’ve observed. They actually are happy that you want to indulge in it. As long as you aren’t disrespectful
So what about a little girl who seriously admires Geisha Robes, thinks they are beautiful, and wants to be one for Halloween? Because she admires and loves them, she looks up to them and their talent? Is she contributing to cultural appropriation? Not trying to start an argument, but I legitimately think that would be wrong. You’d be crushing a little girls dream.. I would think Maybe if you educated her on the History you could call it Cultural Appreciation instead of Appropriation right?
Thats like saying your white so wear your hair white, and you black so wear your hair black, your Spanish so wear your hair spanish……………………. If that was true and everyone followed that then there would be a lot of wigs and lace front companies would have to go out of business. And nationalities don’t get mad when white people tan their skin. I think its about common sense and if you not hurting or insulting and mocking or making in front of someone, but your actually complimenting someone every time you wear a style like theirs shows them that they think your hair looks fab so they want to look fab also. Guys wouldn’t care. Why women nit pick over things deep down you know its not wrong. Out of every race on the planet only white people have restrictions and or rules on what they can or cannot wear. Everyone else is free to do what they want?
No such thing as cultural appropriation and telling someone they can’t wear their hair how ever they wish or wear what ever they want is dumb . I have long hair and I have had my hair put in braids before and NO ONE said anything bad ( and I lived in what was called sin city out in Lee’s Summit Missouri which is a racially diverse area ) about me having them and it took well over 7 hours to do because my hair was so long . Even in the all black neibourhoods my friends lived in no one said anything about it and many people complemented me on them and I’m half white / half native american
If ur mistreating a cultural practice used by ONE CERTAIN group of people than yes that’s cultural appropriation. Like wearing a cheiftains headress from native American cultures. Yes that is highly offensive, only the cheif wears it. But if it’s something like headwraps, braids, dreads, tattoos, stuff that has been done ALL OVER the world and every culture has their own meanings then NO it cannot be considered cultural appropriation. It’s too diverse to be considered cultural appropriation unless ur wearing dreads specifically because of Rasta culture and ur abusing it instead of doing good and cultural appreciating, then yes that is wrong
What I get from this, is that someone can take something from another persons, culture and profit from it… Does that mean a white woman from Boise Idaho cannot open a yoga studio!? Also, that famous Chef, Rick Bayless who specializes in Mexican cuisine should close his restaurant!? I think there is a semantic game being played here… We can use assimilation & appropriation interchangeably… As well as, emulation & imitation… This is an interesting topic, with some gray areas as far as I’m concerned…
I’m Panamanian afro Latina and people pay almost $300 Dollars to wear a Pollera But I’m happy they do it cause we saw it as a Form of embracing our culture I went To South Korea and ai wear Hanbok and I think they love it They really appreciate Foreigner wearing their traditional Clothes My neighbor is Chinese and she Buy me QiPaos for new year it so cute I Went to a Trip To Japan and they love it Took I honestly Believe “CUlTuRAL ApPrOpriatOn” is a North American thing
I don’t think people realize a majority of everyday things we do were most likely derived from a variety of cultures around the world some stolen, borrowed, shared, it’s how we progressed and even go backwards in society they say in the future we will all be so mixed we will all be one race I wish I could’ve lived in that time but oh well maybe I can if I get reincarnated
My hair is very thick and dreads itself easily and quickly. I’ve had to have hairdressers release them (I’m Irish and Native/Iberian and German French and English descent, with more Irish and Cherokee than anything…but my phenotype is tan with freckles and thick wavy hair and green eyes). I had a black woman who was doing my hair ENCOURAGE me to run with it and go full dreads. She said I had the personality to pull it off, but chose not to in order to avoid SJW bs and judgement in general. I find it ironic that so many SJWs have face piercings.
The level of petty has to be pretty high when someone claims that there single culture owns one thing. They are called Dutch braids, your telling me that I can not wear corn rose even tho my viking ancestors created them. Cultures and customs are ment to be shared. People invented these styles to be used and appreciated. I have black ancestors to, ancestors who wore braids. That is part of my culture and so I will do as I please with my own body, even if my ancestors didn’t wear braids I still would, and only because i think they look good. You can say that as a white person I am benefiting off of a minority and to that I say who cares? I know we’re this hair came from and I appreciate it. Not to mention I bet you that suit your wearing was made by a white person, does that mean that your gaining off of their culture? I appreciate my clothes by wearing them and my food by eating it. If we spend every waking moment wondering every items cultural background it will only create a larger racial and ethnical divide.
sooo shouldn’t we be focused on making these hairstyles acceptable for all people rather than just trying to penalizing non black people for wearing them? like i get that it’s unfair that institutions ban these kinds of hairstyles, thats ridiculous and should be changed but i don’t see how calling out white people or celebrities for also wearing the hairstyles helps the cause at all? fashion models and celebrities can generally dress and style themselves how they want bc they’re fashion models and celebrities it’s not because they’re not black. That being said, it shouldn’t be a problem in the business world or for average people of any culture to wear whatever hairstyle they want.