What is Cultural Appropriation Anyway
Cultural Appropriation is defined by Ziff and Rao as "the taking - from a culture that is not one's own - of intellectual property, cultural expressions or artifacts, history and ways of knowledge."
Sparknotes Version: Cultural appropriation is taking from another group and not giving credit where credit is due.
Cultural appropriation can take place in different industries and can exploit different ethnicities.
Film.
And unfortunately so much more.
Now, there is nothing wrong with wanting to celebrate or take part in another culture. The problem comes, when that cultural characteristic is being used for profit. It’s even more of an issue when that same culture is denied the opportunity to benefit from their own work. It becomes EVEN uglier, as that culture continues to be repeatedly shown in these selective representations leading to stereotypes and discrediting the beauty and complexity of their heritage.
So what can you do to stop becoming part of the problem?
You can educate yourself. Learn where, how and most importantly WHO is making the designs and structures behind your clothes.
And remember, when in doubt, just don’t.
TL;DR?
Watch this video by goddess Amandla Stenleg on appropriation of black culture in Amuricah.
(image via nastygal, indiancountrytoday, variety, people)
