8.9 Cultural appropriation and representation

Cultural appropriation is a complex issue rooted in power imbalances between dominant and marginalized groups. It involves the adoption of cultural elements without respect or understanding, often leading to commodification, misrepresentation, and erasure of cultural significance.

The impact on marginalized communities is significant, reinforcing stereotypes and contributing to economic exploitation. Debates surrounding appreciation versus appropriation highlight the need for cultural sensitivity and awareness. Strategies for respectful engagement include education, amplifying marginalized voices, and seeking collaboration and permission.

Definition of cultural appropriation

• Cultural appropriation refers to the adoption or use of elements from a marginalized or oppressed culture by members of a dominant or privileged group
• Often done without understanding or respecting the original cultural context and significance
• Can involve taking intellectual property, cultural expressions, artifacts, history, and ways of knowledge from a culture and using it for personal or commercial gain

History of cultural appropriation

• Cultural appropriation has a long history rooted in colonialism, imperialism and power imbalances between different cultural groups
• Dominant cultures have historically taken elements from indigenous and marginalized cultures as a form of conquest and erasure
• In the United States, there is a legacy of appropriation of Native American, African American, and other minority cultures by the white majority
• Globalization and increased cultural exchange in the modern era has led to more instances and awareness of cultural appropriation on a worldwide scale

Types of cultural appropriation

Commodification of culture

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• Occurs when elements of a culture, such as clothing, music, or spirituality, are turned into commodities to be bought and sold
• Strips cultural artifacts and practices of their original meaning and significance
• Examples include the sale of mass-produced Indigenous-inspired designs by non-Native fashion brands and the commercialization of yoga in the West

Misrepresentation in media

• Happens when a dominant culture portrays a marginalized culture in a stereotypical, inaccurate, or offensive way in media like films, TV shows, and music videos
• Can involve the use of racist tropes, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes (e.g. the "noble savage" or "exotic other")
• Contributes to the spread of misinformation and negative perceptions about certain cultural groups

Inappropriate use of artifacts

• Involves the disrespectful or sacrilegious use of items that have deep cultural or spiritual significance to a particular community
• Examples include the misuse of Native American headdresses as fashion accessories and the commodification of religious symbols like the bindi or Maori tattoos
• Shows a lack of understanding and regard for the sanctity and importance of these cultural elements

Impact on marginalized communities

Erasure of cultural significance

• Cultural appropriation can strip away the deeper meanings, histories, and traditions associated with certain cultural practices and artifacts
• Divorces these elements from their original context and reduces them to shallow aesthetic trends or stereotypes
• Leads to a loss of cultural identity and heritage for marginalized communities who see their culture being misrepresented and misused

Reinforcement of stereotypes

• The appropriation and misrepresentation of cultures in media and popular culture often relies on and perpetuates harmful stereotypes
• Portrays marginalized groups in simplistic, essentialized ways that ignore their diversity and humanity (e.g. all Native Americans as "savages", all Asians as "exotic and submissive")
• Reinforces prejudice, discrimination, and oppression against these groups and makes it harder for them to be seen as full, complex human beings

Economic exploitation

• Cultural appropriation often involves the commodification of cultural elements for the financial gain of the dominant group, without any benefits going back to the original community
• Marginalized groups are not compensated for their intellectual and cultural property, while privileged individuals and corporations profit off their creations
• Contributes to economic inequality and the continued marginalization of certain communities who are unable to benefit from their own cultural resources

Controversies and debates

Appreciation vs appropriation

• There is often debate over what counts as cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation or exchange
• Some argue that respectfully engaging with and learning from other cultures is not inherently appropriative and can lead to greater cross-cultural understanding
• Others point out that there is a fine line between appreciation and appropriation, and that it depends on factors like power dynamics, cultural sensitivity, and giving credit and compensation to the original culture

Freedom of expression

• Some people defend cultural appropriation as a matter of artistic freedom and the right to self-expression
• They argue that policing cultural borrowing stifles creativity and the natural evolution and blending of cultures over time
• However, this perspective often ignores the power imbalances at play and the harm done to marginalized groups who don't have the same freedoms and privileges when it comes to expressing their culture

Cultural exchange and fusion

• In an increasingly globalized and multicultural world, cultural exchange and fusion are inevitable and can lead to the creation of new art forms and identities
• However, there is a difference between equal cultural exchange and appropriation that involves taking from a marginalized culture without reciprocity or respect
• It's important to consider the dynamics of power and privilege involved and to ensure that cultural fusion is done in a way that uplifts and benefits all groups involved

Representation in popular culture

Misrepresentation in film and TV

• Hollywood and the entertainment industry have a long history of misrepresenting and appropriating marginalized cultures in film and television
• This includes the use of racist stereotypes, whitewashing of characters, and the exoticization and fetishization of certain cultural groups (e.g. the "Dragon Lady" trope for Asian women)
• Leads to the spread of harmful and inaccurate perceptions of these cultures and a lack of authentic representation for marginalized communities

Stereotypical portrayals

• Marginalized cultures are often reduced to simplistic stereotypes and caricatures in media representations
• Common stereotypes include the "noble savage" trope for Indigenous people, the "gangster" or "thug" stereotype for Black characters, and the "nerdy" or "foreign" stereotype for Asian characters
• These one-dimensional portrayals erase the diversity and complexity of these cultures and perpetuate prejudice and discrimination against them

Whitewashing and casting

• Whitewashing refers to the practice of casting white actors to play characters of color, often by changing the character's race or ethnicity
• Erases opportunities for actors of color and sends the message that their stories and experiences are not important enough to be portrayed authentically
• Examples include the casting of Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell and Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia
• Reinforces the dominance of whiteness in media and contributes to the marginalization of actors and stories of color

Strategies for respectful engagement

Education and awareness

• One key strategy for preventing cultural appropriation is education and raising awareness about the issue
• This involves learning about the histories, experiences, and cultural practices of different marginalized groups
• Seeking out information from authentic sources within those communities rather than relying on stereotypes or misinformation
• Being open to listening, learning, and correcting mistakes when called out for appropriative behavior

Amplifying marginalized voices

• Another important strategy is to amplify and center the voices and perspectives of people from the cultures being appropriated
• This means seeking out and supporting media, art, and products created by people within those cultures rather than those produced by outsiders
• Ensuring that marginalized communities have control over their own narratives and cultural productions
• Using one's privilege and platform to boost the visibility of creators from marginalized backgrounds

Collaboration and permission

• When engaging with cultural elements from a community one is not a part of, it's crucial to do so in a spirit of collaboration and with the explicit permission of people from that culture
• This involves reaching out to cultural leaders, elders, or organizations and getting their input and blessing before using their cultural property
• Ensuring that they are involved in the process and have a say in how their culture is represented and shared
• Giving credit and compensation for their contributions and intellectual property

Role of social media

Viral callouts and accountability

• Social media has played a major role in raising awareness about cultural appropriation and holding individuals and brands accountable for appropriative behavior
• The ability for people to quickly share and spread information has led to viral callouts of celebrities, politicians, and companies who engage in cultural appropriation
• This public backlash can lead to apologies, changed behavior, and even financial consequences for those who are called out
• Serves as a way to publicly shame and put pressure on those in power to do better

Hashtag activism

• Hashtags have become a powerful tool for marginalized communities to organize and raise awareness about issues like cultural appropriation
• Hashtag campaigns like #Myculture is not a costume and #Reclaimthe bindi have gone viral and sparked important conversations and media coverage
• Allow people to share their personal experiences, educate others, and build solidarity with others who have faced similar issues
• Can translate into real-world action and change, such as the retirement of racist mascots or the pulling of offensive products

Influencer responsibility

• Social media influencers, particularly white influencers with large platforms, have a responsibility to be mindful of cultural appropriation in their content
• Their posts and videos can have a huge impact in shaping trends and perceptions, especially among young and impressionable followers
• Need to be aware of the cultural significance of the clothing, accessories, makeup, and practices they promote and ensure they are not appropriating or misrepresenting marginalized cultures
• Should use their influence to amplify voices of color and promote cultural sensitivity and respect among their fanbase

Intersection with other issues

Racism and discrimination

• Cultural appropriation is deeply intertwined with issues of racism and systemic discrimination against marginalized groups
• The appropriation of Black culture in particular, such as in music and fashion, often involves the devaluation and exploitation of Black people while privileging white people who profit off Black cultural innovations
• Appropriation contributes to the othering and exoticization of non-white cultures and the reinforcement of white supremacy
• Addressing cultural appropriation requires confronting and dismantling racism and other forms of oppression on a societal level

Intellectual property rights

• Cultural appropriation often involves the theft of intellectual and cultural property from marginalized communities without credit or compensation
• Current intellectual property laws are often insufficient to protect the cultural creations and traditional knowledge of indigenous and minority groups
• There is a need for legal reforms and international agreements to prevent the misappropriation and commodification of cultural property
• Marginalized communities should have control over their own cultural resources and the right to give or withhold consent for their use by others

Globalization and power dynamics

• Cultural appropriation takes place within the context of globalization and the unequal power dynamics between dominant Western countries and the Global South
• The flow of cultural elements is often one-way, with Western countries freely appropriating and profiting off the cultures of formerly colonized nations
• Meanwhile, Western cultural norms and values are imposed on the rest of the world as a form of cultural imperialism
• Addressing appropriation requires grappling with these global power imbalances and working towards more equitable and respectful cultural exchange

Moving towards positive change

Increased diverse representation

• One important step in combating cultural appropriation is to increase the authentic representation of marginalized cultures in media, politics, education, and other spheres of influence
• This means hiring and empowering more creatives of color in the fashion, music, film, and other cultural industries
• Ensuring that marginalized groups have the opportunity to tell their own stories and shape their own narratives
• Rejecting whitewashed and stereotypical representations in favor of nuanced and diverse portrayals of different cultures

Cultural sensitivity and respect

• Moving forward, it's crucial for individuals and society as a whole to prioritize cultural sensitivity, humility, and respect when engaging with cultures beyond one's own
• This involves educating oneself about the histories and struggles of marginalized communities and being mindful of the context and significance of different cultural practices
• Listening more than speaking over and taking the lead from people within the cultures one wishes to appreciate or engage with
• Ensuring that cultural exchange is mutually beneficial and does not involve exploitation or disrespect for the original culture

Empowerment of communities

• Ultimately, the solution to cultural appropriation is the empowerment of marginalized communities to have control over their own cultural narratives and resources
• This means supporting the self-determination and sovereignty of indigenous groups, ensuring intellectual property protections, and returning stolen cultural artifacts
• Amplifying the voices and leadership of people of color in setting the terms for how their cultures are represented and shared
• Directing resources and opportunities towards marginalized communities to help them thrive on their own terms rather than being exploited by dominant groups
• Working in solidarity to dismantle the systems of oppression that enable cultural appropriation and marginalization in the first place