What is Cultural Appropriation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

The Oxford Dictionary defines cultural appropriation as, \u201cthe 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.\u201d In other words, it\u2019s the act of taking aspects of a culture that isn\u2019t yours and using it for your own benefit without knowing the significance or history behind it.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example: a Korean hairstylist named Hippie Buddha who typically wears African American styled braids in her hairstyles her clients\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Photo: The Daily Dot<\/p><\/div>\n

Throughout generations, type 4 hair has had many negative connotations to it, such as being called \u201cnappy\u201d and \u201cunkempt\u201d, yet those stereotypes tend to vanish when a non-Black person wears the style it is suddenly turned to \u201cglamorous\u201d and \u201cbold\u201d.<\/p>\n

Photo: SheaMoisture<\/p><\/div>\n

Many people argue that wearing African American hairstyles is okay because it\u2019s \u201cjust hair”. However, Black people have gone through discrimination and harm against them due to their hair alone throughout history.<\/p>\n

Appropriation vs. Appreciation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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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\u2019s equal footing between cultures when coming together, appreciation happens. When a dominant culture takes from an oppressed culture, appropriation happens.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [divider type=”thin” text=”Go to top” full_width=”no” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”2\/3″ el_position=”first”]\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n[\/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1\/3″ el_position=”last”]\n

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[spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”] Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich\u00a0cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country’s history\u00a0(Johnathan Franklin, NPR, Feb. 1, 2022)\u00a0 A former Loyola University Chicago student of mine, Elana Cattledge, wrote a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60,48],"tags":[61,62,63],"class_list":["post-743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dei","category-social-justice-human-rights-awareness","tag-cultural-appropriation","tag-culture-not-costume","tag-stereotypes"],"yoast_head":"\n