Cultural Appropriation (PURC111) Week 7

Cultural Appropriation Purposive Communication (PURC111) Week 7  Agenda Understanding Cultural Appropriation Forms of Cultural Appropriation Examples of Cultural Appropriation Effects of Cultural Appropriation How to avoid Cultural Appropriation ...

Cultural Appropriation Purposive Communication (PURC111) Week 7  Agenda Understanding Cultural Appropriation Forms of Cultural Appropriation Examples of Cultural Appropriation Effects of Cultural Appropriation How to avoid Cultural Appropriation  What is CULTURAL APPROPRIATION? “Cultural appropriation refers to the use of elements of one culture by members of another culture, in ways that are perceived as unacknowledged or inappropriate.” (Young and Brunk, 2009) How to know if something is Cultural According to Vezina (2019), Appropriation? Cultural appropriation happens when a dominant culture takes the traditional cultural expressions of a minority culture. How to know if something is Cultural Cultural appropriation happens when there is… Appropriation? a change of cultural context; a power imbalance between the appropriator and the appropriated; a lack of involvement of the cultural holder.  Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Exchange and Cultural Assimilation Sharing culture across communities and even continents is an inherently human process. Cultural exchange should be something mutual. Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Exchange and Cultural Assimilation Cultural appropriation takes place when the cultural element is: taken and used for profit altered and modified for wider acceptance become disconnected to its origin and cultural significance Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Exchange and Cultural The Assimilation Whitewashing of Rock and Roll An example is White musicians adopting blues and rock-n-roll from the 1930s to 1970s. They made Black music forms more acceptable to White audiences in segregated America, gaining fame and wealth. While Black artists found success too, White producers, executives, and artists benefited the most from this "cultural exchange."  Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Exchange and Cultural Assimilation Cultural Assimilation is the incorporation of a culture into the host society which may result in the loss of cultural identity of an ethnic group. Like cultural appropriation, cultural assimilation also occurs in an unequal social context. Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Exchange and Cultural Assimilation With this in mind, why might we define a White person wearing dreadlocks as cultural appropriation but not a Black person straightening their hair? Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Exchange and Cultural Assimilation history of discrimination and policing ○ ridiculing of Black features, colorism ○ white people describing black hair as “rough as wool” ○ grooming policies in the school and the workplace (explains the wearing of wigs/”weaves” by African-American women) rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards ○ white hair – “good hair” for being kept and straight ○ black hair – unkempt, dirty, smelly form of resistance against oppression and stereotypes African pride, heritage and identity Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Exchange and Cultural Assimilation When Black individuals adopt hairstyles traditionally associated with European or "white" beauty standards, it can be seen as an act of cultural assimilation, aligning with the expectations and norms of the dominant culture. Forms of Cultural Appropriation Material Appropriation Taking physical objects or artifacts from a culture, often without permission or understanding Forms of Cultural Appropriation Material Appropriation A war shirt from the Crow Nation (indigenous people from America) displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to Crow custom, no one in the community had the authority to transfer the shirt out of tribal control. The shirt was donated to the MET by a wealthy art collector It is currently displayed as art, devoid of its cultural context. Forms of Cultural Appropriation Nonmaterial Appropriation Using intangible elements of a culture, such as language, traditions, or rituals, without understanding their Feng Shui (2004) directed significance by Chito S. Roño Forms of Cultural Nonmaterial Appropriation Appropriation Elements of feng shui are used as the central plot device of the film leading to: misrepresentation of feng shui, which can create negative stereotypes about Chinese traditions and practices The cultural significance of feng shui is misunderstood or ignored. Feng shui is reduced from a Feng Shui (2004) directed respected Chinese practice to a mere by Chito S. Roño horror trope. Forms of Cultural Appropriation Asoka Habibi Trend Trend Stylistic Appropriation Adopting elements of a culture's artistic or aesthetic style, especially in fashion, music, or art Forms of Cultural Stylistic Appropriation Appropriation Asoka Habibi Trend Trend Makeup TikTok trends such as the Asoka and Habibi trends foster stereotypes, and reduce the culture to mere trends and aesthetics. Forms of Cultural Stylistic Appropriation Appropriation Forms of Cultural Appropriation Motif Appropriation Borrowing symbols, patterns, or designs that have cultural or spiritual significance Olympics logos of Sydney (2000) and Vancouver (2010) Forms of Cultural Motif Appropriation Appropriation Both logos utilize motifs from the aboriginal and indigenous cultures of each country. The members of these indigenous group were often not involved or consulted. Commercialization of the culture of marginalized groups. Who benefits from the use of symbols? Certainly not the indigenous Olympics logos of Sydney peoples. (2000) and Vancouver (2010) Forms of Cultural Appropriation Subject/Voice Appropriation occurs when individuals or groups outside a particular culture use that culture's subjects—such as its people, history, experiences, or traditions—as material for their own artistic, literary, or Tiki Tiki Tembo creative projects written by Arlene Mosel Forms of Cultural Subject/Voice Appropriation Appropriation The story does not reflect any authentic Chinese traditions, and the name “Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo” is entirely fictional with no basis in Chinese culture. The book is filled with stereotypes and inaccurate portrayals of Chinese customs. This appropriation stems from the author's limited understanding of a culture to Tikki Tikki Tembo which they do not belong. (1968) written by Arlene Mosel  Effects of Cultural Appropriation It lets people show love for the culture, but remain prejudiced against its people. It rewards some while the creators themselves never get credit for it. It spreads lies about marginalized cultures. It prioritizes the feelings of privileged people over justice for marginalized people. Cultural appropriation happens when there is exploitation involved. How to make a fair exchange of culture possible? Research into the culture. Understand and respect the culture. Cultural appropriation happens when there is exploitation involved. How to make a fair exchange of culture possible? Understand and respect the culture. Is the culture involved in the creative process? How can the cultural holder be compensated? Are members of that culture included in the final result. Prepared by: Rone Harold B. Cruz, LPT