Sruti Ahmed

COMM630

Abstract#7

Cultural appropriation begins with a fashion event that raises issues of race, or culture, the use of
different cultural object as fashion on the runway. These events which are shared widely online
provokes two major responses. Critics bring charges of cultural appropriation suggest that racism
is the reason why the event took place. On the other hand, some people think it is cultural
appreciation. According to them, there is nothing wrong to get inspiration from cultural practices
and objects of people of color and these are acts of appreciating, admiring, even loving racial
difference and diversity.

Even though food, attires, hairstyles do not belong to anyone or any particular race, certain
culture might have more meaning behind their use of a specific object than other culture. People
use objects from different culture without knowing the meaning and how to use them properly.
Although nobody would stop them from doing so, people might get offended. Before wearing
anything from different cultures, the symbolic meaning of those must be considered. There’s a
difference between honoring a culture and stealing from just to show off.

Earlier this year, Gucci was criticized for the disrespectful act of putting turbans on white models
because it is a symbol of faith not a fashion accessory for Sikh people. In 2017, Victoria’s Secret
faces backlash for putting a native American style headdress on one of their models, Chanel was
criticized for “taking away Aboriginal culture with the launch of boomerang and Marc Jacobs
came under fire for using dreadlocks on white models which is a style of Black people.

Even the big pop artists like Selena Gomez, Beyonce are not beyond this controversy. Using
dress or accessories from different culture for their song and style when it has nothing to do with
the song, might be perceived as stealing an entire culture and ethnic identity. and turning it into
just a costume and ordinary fashion accessory.

Some cultures have gone through oppression and everything in that culture echoes the pain and
suffering of people. These people were oppressed in the first place and didn't get respect when
they were displaying culture for themselves. The issue is respect for other cultures, not the
absorption of ideas, and the balance of power. People should have a monopoly over ideas,
thought and expression, due to being born as members of a specific group. Something that
looked upon negatively on the actual culture, looks exotic on the oppressors. With cultural
appropriation, culture can be misrepresented, used to fit in others’ ideologies and made a joke
out of it. Admiring a culture shouldn’t lead to cultural appropriation. Things like bindis, saree,
hoop earring and Native American headdresses are important parts of people's cultures and
lifestyles, it allows racism. A culture is reflection of history and a sense of belongingness.
Culture is a significant part of somebody’s life that cannot be taken away. The entire concept of
culture cannot be changed.

The accusations of appropriation don’t come out of nowhere. Appropriation wouldn’t be a thing
if not for a long history of oppression by a privileged class against a minority. People should
learn to be more respectful of others’ cultures and not participate in any offensive practices.
Culture can be a very important part of a person’s identity, and however unintentional the action
is, if culture is appropriated, someone is getting hurt and people should apologize for such
behavior.

Race of the person who is adopting aspects of another culture doesn’t make the action wrong, but
rather it depends on their intention in doing so. It is this respect that creates distinction between
cultural appropriation and cultural exchange.