Cultural Appropriation is a very common phrase in social justice discussions, however, uneducated people still claim that is just globalization; a simple cultural exchange or cultural assimilation, but we are here to prove that there are differences and we need to know them, so we can teach those people and show them how wrong appropriation can be. The influence of one culture on another is universal. What happens, though, is that the original meaning of symbol, ritual or another cultural artifact may be changed when it is put into another cultural context.
First, we have to understand the influences of one culture on another and how we are using their symbols. Usually, what happens, though, is that the original meaning of symbol, ritual or another cultural artifact may be changed when it is put into another cultural context. Normally who is the appropriator use it as a fashion design and do not care about the true and pure meaning, because what they feel is that the appropriate culture is a joke or not important enough. Do you want examples? dreadlocks; kimonos; turbans; hijab; bindis and many others important objects and clothes that were stolen and labeled as fashion item by -normally- white people, and doing that they are reducing a religion or a culture as nothing to capitalize while stripping away some of that object power.
In my country we experience a lot of this, as we are all mixed, our racial beliefs usually are measured in our color tone, so, if you are mixed but white passing, you will be labeled as white. But, even being in a mixed country, racism and appropriation are still strong and alive, in my country a white woman will be complimented and admired for braids or dreadlocks, claiming that they are style or even art. however, a black woman will be ridiculed for using it. That is wrong and that is what we are fighting against! We should not praise someone for using a racial symbol not being a part of that race or using it in a wrong way.
Still, white people claim that black people straightening their hairs or even painting them blonde are wrong because ”that’s their features”, We didn’t choose that. People of Color do that because our eEthnic clothes and hairstyles are still stigmatized as unprofessional- when we used it-, cultural foods are treated as exotic and wrongfully are judged by someone out of their historical context and experiences. This is something that affects us and we all should know our places and what we can do to change that. White people are pressing their own culture onto others and taking what they want in return, not caring about how it is the right and respectful way to use it.
Globalization is simple, a culture is incorporated and aggregate in another culture in a respectful way, it’s not stealing or using as a fashion toy. It is used for improving a culture and does not change his true meaning. Appropriation is stealing; is claiming that what you are wearing is just simple clothes; is taking advantage in a culture and oppressing who wears it in the right way. Don’t do that and don’t praise people who do that.
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