Photo: TheCircular.org
What is Cultural Appropriation?
We’ve all seen it: non-Native American people rocking Native American headdresses at music festivals, non-African American people wearing box braids, non-Hispanic people wearing Day of the Dead makeup on Halloween, et-cetera. There comes a time when a line is drawn between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation.
The Oxford Dictionary defines cultural appropriation as, “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.” In other words, it’s the act of taking aspects of a culture that isn’t yours and using it for your own benefit without knowing the significance or history behind it.
Here’s an example: a Korean hairstylist named Hippie Buddha who typically wears African American styled braids in her hairstyles her clients’ hair with a technique that turns their type 2 hair into type 4 hair, which is the hair type that is often possessed by Black people.
Photo: The Daily Dot
Throughout generations, type 4 hair has had many negative connotations to it, such as being called “nappy” and “unkempt”, yet those stereotypes tend to vanish when a non-Black person wears the style it is suddenly turned to “glamorous” and “bold”.
Photo: SheaMoisture
Many people argue that wearing African American hairstyles is okay because it’s “just hair”. However, Black people have gone through discrimination and harm against them due to their hair alone throughout history.
Appropriation vs. Appreciation
The main difference between appropriation and appreciation is maintaining some level of respect towards the culture and staying away from appearing as trying to be a part of the culture. When there’s equal footing between cultures when coming together, appreciation happens. When a dominant culture takes from an oppressed culture, appropriation happens.
This could mean instead of wearing chopsticks in your hair, try learning the Chinese language. Instead of wearing a sombrero to a get-together, try learning how to cook Mexican cuisine.
About the Author
Elana Cattledge has 2 years of experience working with a variety of clients under various industries to provide digital marketing, graphic design, and client support. She strives to implement efforts in educating others about various social issues in her work.
