End cultural appropriation
By: Alysha Payne, Columnist
Cultural appropriation is the use of elements or views of one culture depicted by members of another, usually larger culture, in a negative way. And cultural appropriation is actually a major issue in Hollywood today.
This weekend Azealia Banks, a Black rapper, spoke out against it. If you did not hear about the argument that happened between her, Iggy Azalea, a White rapper, and T.I., another Black performing artist, Banks accused Azalea of being a primary contributor of cultural appropriation. This is not the first time Banks has attacked Azalea for the music she performs and the way she dresses.
To backtrack a little, what do I really mean by “depicting in a negative way?” I bet a lot of people already know what I could mean by this, so I will get straight to the point. Cultural appropriation is one of the primary contributors that hinder Black America today. I can’t even tell you how many times I have turned on a TV and saw our culture being made fun of or taken like it’s a joke. White celebrities get cornrows or dreadlocks and gel down their “baby hairs” for music videos, award shows, and more. Being completely truthful, sometimes it can feel like an indirect attack in our direction. Our culture is being used for publicity and we are still getting mocked in the process.
Also, what is the true definition of culture? According to my anthropology professor it is “a man’s non-biological means of adaptation.” Culture is strictly a human thing and no definition that you would find of the word “culture” suggests that it can’t be interchangeable or should remain sedentary. It is simply a form of adapting to your surroundings, therefore, one should not assume that someone is appropriating another culture because it isn’t usually what other people of that race do. However, cultural appropriation is not assimilation or acculturation. The underlying meanings behind them are completely different.
The fact of the matter is that negative and stereotypical use of any minority culture should be stopped. It can’t wait any longer and it actually is a serious issue. And yes, some people are not appropriating minority culture. There are actually some who truly appreciate our history, empathize with our current issues, are helping us move forward and who feel more comfortable expressing themselves in a way that isn’t what is expected of them. Those are not the people this article is intended for.
Many people, however, still do believe that any form of black/minority culture used by members of the dominant race is stereotypical and should not be taken as a joke because in a sense, they are mocking us. About the way we dance, the braids we put in our hair and the clothes we put on our back. If somebody was making fun of things you did in your everyday life, or placed stereotypes on you that didn’t even describe you as an individual but you’re still being judged based on it, how long could you sit back and just watch? Don’t keep expecting us to.
They make fun of us, so we’ll make fun of them too and bully them online (as ppl have been doing to Iggy for the past year). seems like a good solution and not problematic at all. especially if you apply it to actual REAL and BIGGER issues.
Great article, Alysha. I’m not a person of color and I certainly haven’t had the life experiences as one. We see white people taking the cultures of various groups and turn them into a cheap mockery of the people in said groups. Minority groups are mocked by the majority because it’s “different” to their own culture (or lack of).
Hope to read more of your work.
-Adrienne
Mocking?? I’m sorry you see it that way but lets be real. When one race that makes up 8% of the population commits 51% of the violent crime in our country people are going to associate them with that. Most of this crime is against other blacks.