👥Race and Gender in Media Unit 11 – Cultural Appropriation in Media

What's Cultural Appropriation?

• Cultural appropriation involves adopting elements from a marginalized culture without understanding or respecting the original context and significance
• Often involves a power dynamic where the appropriating culture exploits or misrepresents the marginalized culture for personal gain or entertainment
• Can include appropriating clothing, hairstyles, accessories, music, dance, language, religious or spiritual practices, and other cultural expressions
• Differs from cultural appreciation which involves learning about and engaging with a culture in a respectful and informed manner
• Cultural appropriation can perpetuate stereotypes, erase cultural identities, and contribute to the oppression of marginalized communities
• Appropriation often involves commodification, where sacred or significant cultural elements are turned into products for mass consumption (dreamcatchers, bindis)
• Can also involve claiming ownership or authority over cultural practices or knowledge without proper attribution or compensation to the originating community

Historical Context

• Cultural appropriation has roots in colonialism, where dominant cultures would exploit and appropriate from the cultures they colonized
• During slavery in the United States, white people would mock and appropriate African American culture through minstrel shows and blackface performances
• In the early 20th century, artists like Picasso and Matisse appropriated elements of African art without crediting or compensating the original creators
• The rise of globalization and mass media has accelerated cultural appropriation by making it easier for dominant cultures to access and exploit marginalized cultures
• Historical power imbalances and systemic oppression contribute to the harm caused by cultural appropriation
  • Marginalized communities often lack the power and resources to control how their culture is represented and used by others
  • Appropriation can erase the struggles and lived experiences of marginalized communities by presenting a sanitized or stereotypical version of their culture
• Debates around cultural appropriation have intensified in recent years due to increased awareness and activism from marginalized communities

Examples in Media

• Fashion industry has a long history of appropriating designs, patterns, and styles from various cultures (Native American headdresses, African prints, Asian-inspired garments)
• Music industry has seen numerous instances of white artists appropriating black music genres and styles (rock and roll, hip hop, reggae)
  • Elvis Presley and other early rock musicians were heavily influenced by black blues and gospel artists but often received more credit and success
  • Iggy Azalea and other white rappers have been accused of appropriating hip hop culture and using "blaccent" without understanding the genre's roots
• In film and television, white actors have often been cast in roles meant for people of color (whitewashing), or have portrayed stereotypical or offensive versions of marginalized characters
  • Scarlett Johansson playing an Asian character in "Ghost in the Shell"
  • Johnny Depp's portrayal of Tonto in "The Lone Ranger" relied on Native American stereotypes
• Cultural festivals and events like Coachella have been criticized for appropriating and commercializing Native American and other indigenous cultures
• Social media influencers and celebrities often face backlash for appropriating black fashion, hairstyles, and slang without giving credit or understanding the cultural significance

Impact on Marginalized Communities

• Cultural appropriation can be deeply hurtful and offensive to marginalized communities who see their culture being trivialized, misrepresented, or exploited
• Appropriation often involves cherry-picking certain elements of a culture while ignoring the historical and cultural context behind them
  • Wearing a Native American headdress as a fashion accessory ignores the sacred significance and earned status the headdress holds in many Native cultures
• Can contribute to the erasure of marginalized cultures by presenting a dominant culture's interpretation as the authentic or mainstream version
  • When white artists achieve success with appropriated music or fashion, it can overshadow the originators and make it harder for marginalized artists to be recognized
• Appropriation reinforces power imbalances by allowing dominant cultures to profit from marginalized cultures without facing the same oppression or barriers
• Seeing one's culture appropriated can be psychologically damaging and contribute to feelings of being disrespected, silenced, and invisible
• Cultural appropriation in media can spread misinformation and stereotypes about marginalized communities, shaping how they are perceived and treated in society
• Marginalized communities may feel pressure to conform to the dominant culture's expectations or stereotypes perpetuated through appropriated media representations

Debates and Controversies

• There is ongoing debate about what constitutes cultural appropriation versus appreciation, inspiration, or exchange
• Some argue that cultural appropriation is inevitable in a globalized world and can lead to cultural innovation and evolution
  • Fusion cuisine, which combines elements from different culinary traditions, is sometimes cited as an example of positive cultural exchange
• Others argue that the power dynamics and history of oppression involved in appropriation cannot be ignored, and that not all cultural mixing is equal
• There are debates about who has the right to use or profit from certain cultural elements, and how to determine authentic or respectful usage
  • Some indigenous communities have developed protocols or guidelines for outsiders who want to engage with their culture to prevent appropriation and ensure respect
• Questions of intent versus impact when it comes to cultural appropriation
  • Even if someone does not intend to cause harm, their actions can still have a negative impact on marginalized communities
• Disagreements over whether appropriation can ever be done in a respectful or positive way, or if it is inherently problematic
• Controversies often arise when celebrities or public figures are called out for alleged cultural appropriation, leading to public backlash, apologies, or defense of their actions

Ethical Considerations

• Cultural appropriation raises ethical questions about power, privilege, respect, and representation
• There is a responsibility to understand and honor the cultural context and significance of the elements being borrowed or adapted
• Important to consider the potential impact on marginalized communities and whether one's actions could contribute to erasure, stereotyping, or exploitation
• Ethical considerations around giving credit and compensation to the originators of cultural elements
  • Ensuring that marginalized communities have control over their own cultural narratives and expressions
  • Providing opportunities and platforms for authentic voices and representations from within those communities
• Reflecting on one's own positionality and privilege when engaging with cultures outside one's own
  • Being mindful of power dynamics and historical context
  • Listening to and centering the perspectives of marginalized communities
• Considering the difference between inspiration and appropriation
  • Drawing inspiration from other cultures in a respectful way versus claiming ownership or misrepresenting cultural elements
• Ethical responsibility of media creators and gatekeepers to promote authentic and respectful representations of marginalized cultures
  • Avoiding stereotypes, tokenism, and cultural exploitation
  • Hiring and empowering creators from marginalized backgrounds to tell their own stories

Alternatives and Best Practices

• Emphasizing cultural appreciation, education, and exchange rather than appropriation
  • Learning about and engaging with cultures in a respectful and informed way
  • Supporting and amplifying voices and creations from within marginalized communities
• Hiring and collaborating with people from the cultures being represented to ensure authenticity and respect
  • Involving cultural consultants, sensitivity readers, and community members in the creative process
  • Giving credit and compensation to cultural collaborators and influences
• Being transparent about one's sources of inspiration and the cultural context behind them
  • Acknowledging the origins and significance of cultural elements being used
  • Using one's platform to educate others about the cultures being engaged with
• Supporting marginalized creators and businesses directly
  • Buying from artists, designers, and entrepreneurs within those communities
  • Amplifying and promoting their work to wider audiences
• Continuously educating oneself about issues of cultural appropriation, privilege, and oppression
  • Being open to feedback and criticism from marginalized communities
  • Committing to ongoing learning and growth in one's cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Using one's privilege and platform to challenge cultural appropriation and advocate for more respectful and equitable representation in media and society

Pop Culture Case Studies

• Kardashian family has faced numerous accusations of cultural appropriation, particularly of black culture
  • Wearing cornrows, dreadlocks, and other traditionally black hairstyles as fashion statements
  • Appropriating and profiting from black fashion and beauty trends without giving credit
  • Alleged blackfishing by some family members, using makeup and styling to appear racially ambiguous
• Katy Perry's 2013 AMAs performance involved dressing as a geisha, which many criticized as culturally insensitive and reinforcing stereotypes of Asian women
• Coldplay and Beyoncé's music video for "Hymn for the Weekend" was criticized for cultural appropriation of Indian culture
  • Using Indian clothing, jewelry, and settings as exotic backdrops without context
  • Perpetuating stereotypical images of India as a mystical, colorful land
• Gwen Stefani has been accused of appropriating Japanese and South Asian culture throughout her solo career
  • Hiring Harajuku Girls as silent backup dancers, inspired by Japanese street fashion
  • Wearing bindis and saris in music videos and performances
• White celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Ariana Grande have been criticized for appropriating black culture and aesthetics for profit and clout
  • Wearing cornrows, durags, and other black hairstyles and accessories as fashion
  • Using African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and slang in their social media posts and interactions
• Cultural appropriation in sports mascots and team names, particularly those referencing Native American cultures (Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians)
  • Reducing diverse indigenous cultures to stereotypical caricatures and symbols
  • Ignoring the objections and experiences of Native American communities who find these representations offensive and harmful