OPINION
What news does not tell you Jessica Lu staff writer
Cultural appropriation has quickly become one of the most prevalent news topics of 2017. Although many of the people speaking out have good intentions, in some cases the overwhelming accusations have become frivolous. Cultural appropriation, according to Cambridge English Dictionary, is “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture.” At first, I thought this definition was excellent; it aligned with the impression I got from reading the news. But the more I researched about this topic, the more I believed that we as a society have lost sight of the true meaning behind cultural appropriation. Now, in no way am I claiming that cultural appropriation is okay. It is not. But the Cambridge definition, while not totally incorrect, represents only a small detail in the big picture. A better explanation written by Maisha Z. Johnson for Everyday Feminism defines cultural appropriation as “a particular power dynamic in which members of a dominant culture take
elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group.” Too often, the call of cultural appropriation instead deals with how a certain race should be banned from wearing an article of clothing that is common in a differing culture without specific reasons explaining why other than said person not having the right skin color. However, a key component of cultural appropriation involves the difference of perception based on race. Historically, minority groups who embraced their heritage faced hostility, relentless taunting, or plain intolerance because of the way they dressed. Even now, African Americans face unjust job discrimination because of their natural hair or choice to wear cornrows or dreadlocks. “I know that some of my friends that have natural hair are discouraged from wearing their afros and locs in the workplace,” said Ms. Latoya Pitts, English teacher. Now compare this to the awe and praises directed towards the same hairstyles worn by Kylie Jenner or Justin Bieber.
The past clearly shows that the distaste directed towards minorities suddenly transforms into overwhelming compliments only if it is a white person experimenting with ‘a trendy, bold new look.’ An unsettling example of cultural appropriation includes how some concert goers choose to dress to look edgy. “Those wearing sacred Native American headdresses to look ‘indie’ and ‘festival-y’ to Coachella disregard the cultural and spiritual significance of [the headdresses] to a group they don’t belong to,” said Xadi Ndiaye, 11. America is a thriving center for diversity, and we pride ourselves on our cultural fluidity and exchange of ideas. After all, our heritage relies on contributions from myriad societies. But that is not to say cultural appropriation has no basis and should be dismissed. Nor does it mean it is acceptable to liberally accuse of cultural appropriation solely based on the difference of race. Cultural appropriation is more than what the news makes it out to be. The discussion on it needs to change.
Y ES
Kardashian Controversy
“Legend or not Aaliyah is a black woman and you’re not. It’s offensive and you shouldn’t push this limit, but ok…,” a user tweeted to Kardashian.
Photo courtesy : Tribune News Service
For Halloween, Kardashian was criticized for her costume as famous African American R&B singer Aaliyah from music video “Try Again.” But was it cultural appropriation?
User on Twitter
NO
“There was no blackface, there was no sacred symbol being desecrated, there was no misrepresentation of beliefs. So because of these kinds of clearly ridiculous and highly publicized situations, when people hear accusations of cultural appropriation, they assume it’s just “millennials whining.”
Xadi Ndiaye, 11.