How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation
Now that you've gotten a brief summary of what cultural appropriation is, you want no part of it! But what if you still want to celebrate another culture without being culturally insensitive? I FEEL YOU. Here are some steps in how to support other cultures and designers, without appropriating.
1. Do your homework:
Sure you might not be using Geometry in everyday life like during your bus ride to work (take that Mr. Agnew!), but you should still try to learn something new everyday. This includes cultural awareness, especially in political times such as these.
If you see a design or symbol that you're not familiar with or is not original to your country, simply do some research. Hopefully the designer or fashion brand has given an inkling of information about the product other than "tribal" or "exotic." EYE ROLL. But if they haven't (which is most likely), you'll have to dig a little deeper
We have the Internet at our fingertips— LITERALLY. So use it for something other than video games, pop culture news and sports playbacks. Don't know where to begin? Google the design’s appearance, the brand's collection name or even ethnic fashion trends of the season (gross right?)
I know this is work and shopping is supposed to be therapy, not a guilt trip. But familiarizing yourself with another culture not only makes you smarter, but empathetic! (Add that to your Tinder profile!). And it's worth it. Trust me. There's nothing more empowering and more attractive than knowledge. Nurture your mind, to nurture your soul.
Some communities have done the work for you, offering cultural awareness websites for anyone to go to learn more about another community, their designs and help fight the good fight! Check out Cultoriosity for a broader list of websites, or for specific culture sites such as First Nations, African, Latino, Asian and more.
2. Buy Directly.
There's no greater connection than supporting these designers directly, rather than buying from a secondary site or even worse, ending your generosity through the actions of a charity.
Don't get me wrong, charity and third party support organizations are great! They have the moo-lah, the resources and can reach a greater international audience to help out a community than if they were to do it themselves. But these companies and their actions are only temporary fixes. Charity work does not stop the problem, but blankets it. Eventually supplies deplete bringing cultures back to square one.
By supporting cultural designers directly, you are financially supporting their business and creativity, which in turn economically supports their communities. These communities supply local workers who feel supported emotionally and mentally as they are taught lifelong skills that strengthen their personal and social abilities. By having a third party organization dropping in to "save the day," the communities are not learning these beneficial skills that will help them survive on their own after the organization either runs out of funding or moves on to another project.
3. Spread the word.
READ. LEARN. PARTICIPATE. SHARE. Now's not the time to be social media shy! Show off that bracelet you bought from artisans in Peru, or that skirt you purchased from India. How about that hand stitched purse delivered from Nigeria or that hat made in New Zealand? Not only will you look like a world traveler, but you'll be shopping for a cause!
4. Talk to someone.
Still not sure if you're appropriating a culture? Ask someone.
Ask the opinion of friends, extended family, peers, classmates, even strangers. START A CONVERSATION. Cultural appropriation will continue happening unless we discuss it and openly fight it.
(images via tenor, giphy, reactiongif, real life gif)
