What Are Considered the First Examples of Appropriation in Art

Examples of Cultural Appropriation and How to Avert It

Cultural appropriation is a term for when members of i culture prefer attributes of another culture. These elements can include music, attire, food, art, or other iconography. The connotation of appropriation, which is "to accept for oneself," differs from honoring or being influenced past other cultures. When cultural appropriation is intended to mock a culture that a person does not vest to, it is considered offensive or politically incorrect.

hands holding international flags

Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation

Multicultural societies typically include a degree of cultural influence. When members of one civilisation acquire about positive or desirable parts of another culture, they are naturally influenced by these elements. Cultural diversity oftentimes includes advisable examples of cultural appreciation that are meant to accolade the original culture.

However, cultural appropriation tin occur when a dominant civilisation adopts cultural elements from a historically marginalized population and claims them as its own. Inappropriate or politically incorrect cultural appropriation disregards another population'southward history, which can include oppression and persecution by that same ascendant culture.

Types of Cultural Cribbing

Drawing the line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation can be difficult. You may be surprised that a seemingly appreciative behavior could be considered appropriation. Here are some examples of everyday debates about cultural appropriation.

Halloween Costumes

It seems like in that location are new debates over cultural appropriation every October. Halloween parties are total of questionable costumes that seem to depend on the eye of the beholder. The controversy typically involves dressing upwardly equally a person versus dressing up every bit an unnamed person from another culture.

An instance would be Halloween costumes influenced by Moana (2016). Later on watching the film, thousands of girls from all races dressed upwards in Moana'south signature Polynesian outfit for Halloween. Many considered the costume to be cultural appropriation when worn past white girls. Others argued that because the costume was of Moana herself and not an bearding Pacific Islander, it was not offensive.

Using Sacred Symbols as Fashion

Cultural influence is a vital element of the way earth. The cowboy hat, the Mandarin collar, and silk scarves are examples of way statements adapted from cultural styles around the world. But when is it okay to article of clothing something from another civilisation, and when is information technology considered cultural appropriation in fashion?

The answer often lies in whether you are considering clothing or a symbol that is sacred to another civilization and positively benefits that civilization. If you buy a turquoise bracelet made past a Native American artist, you are both honoring and supporting the culture of that artist. However, if you lot wear a ceremonial headdress to sell a production, every bit a Victoria's Clandestine model did in a 2012 style show, it is considered highly offensive.

Sports Mascots

Although cultural appropriation is a modern concern, it is hardly a modern problem. Sports teams formed in the early one-half of the 20th century are riddled with problematic names, logos, and mascots. From the Atlanta Braves' tomahawk chop to the derogatory proper name of the Washington Redskins, these symbols typically include racist depictions of Native American culture.

These names and symbols are considered to be cultural cribbing because they do not honor Native American culture. They perpetuate negative stereotypes and, despite pleas from the Native community, many professional teams have not changed their names. However, many prominent schools, such equally Stanford University and Dartmouth College, take abolished the name and images from their programs.

Renaming Cultural Attributes

A less visible example of cultural appropriation involves taking something from another civilisation and renaming information technology every bit your own. The history of music is especially full of these examples, as music is sacred in nearly every culture around the world. Information technology can be hard to see the difference between being influenced by music from another culture and appropriating information technology.

Elvis Presley is a historic instance of cultural appropriation in music. A pioneer of rock 'n roll, Elvis created a mode and sound that was nothing like his white listeners had ever heard. But, if they'd been listening to the African-American artists Elvis covered in the beginning of his career, they would know that Elvis was a product of gospel and dejection music.

Elvis and his producers did not set out to appropriate black music, simply by renaming generations of musical influence without crediting original artists, they led listeners to believe that Elvis created his sound all on his own.

How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation

Now that you know what cultural appropriation is, how tin you lot tell if you're being beholden or offensive? Answer the following questions to find out.

• Are you trying to get a express mirth from your comment or costume?
• Are you dressing upwards as a specific person who happens to be a member of some other civilization? Or are you dressing up as a random person?
• Is what you desire to wearable or practise considered sacred to another culture?
• Practise people who vest to that culture say it's offensive?
• If you are influenced by another civilisation, have you given credit to your influences? Or are you lot claiming your piece of work as your ain?
• Does your costume involve greasepaint or brownface, which is ever considered offensive?

Based on how you respond any of the above, you may want to reconsider what y'all're going to do. Learn more nearly the culture you're trying to honor by talking to people from that heritage or background. While information technology'due south not always necessary to be politically correct, sensitivity and empathy are vital parts of whatever culture.

davidwrin1973.blogspot.com

Source: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/cultural-appropriation-examples.html

Share this post