Appreciation

Simon Smerconish ’19

James Tang ’18:

Cultural appropriation is defined as the practice of one culture incorporating the traditions and customs of a minority culture into its own. This may seem like an idealistic cosmopolitan phenomenon that encourages cultural blending and exchange between socially and ethnically dissimilar populations. However, as it is often the case, the minority culture feels degraded and offended in this situation. As Rayhan Ali ‘19 reminds us, “Cultural appropriation not only cheapens the customs of cultural minorities but also can alienate them from aspects of their own identity.”

There exists a fine line between celebrating someone else’s culture and misrepresenting and possibly offending those who are more familiar with the original traditions. However, while there is no doubt that insensitive instances of cultural appropriation have occurred throughout pop culture, we must learn to separate the differences between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. 

Oftentimes, people who travel to foreign countries fall in love with the native traditions. Tourists, for instance, bring back souvenirs as a reminder of their remarkable experiences. In this case, people are appreciating other cultures, not appropriating them. Recently, the South Africa J-Term purchased and dressed up in dashikis, a traditional African shirt or dress. While some have viewed this action as a careless and offensive representation of African heritage, Harry Pusey ‘19, a member of the J-Term, says, “When we wore the dashikis, we weren’t trying to insult anyone. Our local guides and even the shop owners encouraged us to buy them. We just wanted something to help us remember the trip and all of our experiences.”

Julia DePillis ‘18, echoes this saying, “I do feel as if students who are lucky enough to experience a J-Term trip to another country should be able to and have the right to commemorate their journeys. I feel as if the dashikis were products made and distributed intentionally to attract foreigners and tourists and therefore are perfectly appropriate souvenirs that our fellow students should be able to enjoy.”

The students’ actions in the South Africa J-Term were not examples of cultural appropriation. Not only were the students appreciating local heritage, but they were completely aware and educated of the circumstances they encountered. Furthermore, the students were in close contact with locals throughout the duration of the trip to make sure that they were not offending anyone at any given moment.

These small instances of cultural immersion and appreciation should not be overanalyzed and labeled as blatant cases of cultural appropriation. By doing such, it diminishes the severity of real instances of cultural appropriation.

When discussing the aspects of other cultures, education is also vital for understanding the difference between appropriation and appreciation. People need to be careful that they are educated and well versed when discussing and taking part in aspects of another culture. Take for example the chapel held a few months ago with the stated objective of attempting to give students an understanding of a typical Quaker Meeting.

However, branding this particular chapel as being akin to a Quaker Meeting, apart from the lack of noise, is wholly disingenuous. Quakerism, though at its conception was a decidedly Christian denomination, has since become spiritually distinct from other faith traditions with contemporary Quakers embodying a number of different spiritual outlooks. Quaker’s emphasis on following an inner light revealed in each individual through silent meditation alongside their fervent advocacy of pacifism and social harmony are just a few attributes which distinguish Quakerism from other faiths. Although Quakers do reflect in silence together during Meetings it is understood that it is with the purpose of attempting to listen for this “inner light,” or spirit of virtue, that exists within every individual compelling them to do good in the world. Thus, simply emulating a single characteristic of a typical meeting without even discussing the fundamental beliefs of Quakerism is a prime example of neglecting to be sensitive to a minority faith as well as attempting to incorporate a tradition without an understanding of its core tenets. However, if we were to explore Quakerism with more of an educational and explorational approach, this should not be considered cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation is a very real and relevant problem in our society today, but often times people don’t completely understand what it is and mistake people who are appreciating culture for appropriating it. As long as students are well versed in other cultures and remain in contact with local people, students should be celebrated for appreciating culture. While it is important to recognize the exploitation of other cultures, we urge EA students to take the opportunities to explore and embrace other traditions and cultures.

Appropriation

Patrick Zhang ’18:

Every October when Halloween rolls around, I can’t help feeling conflicted. Though I love the spooky festivities that I associate with my favorite holiday, I know that each year I’ll bear witness to countless individuals masquerading as some grotesque stereotype of my culture. When November ultimately arrives, my face might actually be sore from the number of times I’ve rolled my eyes at some non-Asian’s Instagram post of themselves sporting a poorly made Cheongsam (a traditional Chinese garment).

Apart from the fact that Halloween costume manufacturers couldn’t do justice the intricately woven silken elegance of an authentic Cheongsam, this example of cultural appropriation never fails to disturb me. While mainstream American white society hasn’t apologized for essentially enslaving Chinese immigrants in building the very railroads American industry later prospered on, while lynching, fetishizing, and discriminating against this population, individuals choose to ignore the proverbial skeletons in our nation’s closet. Instead, people honor the invisible victims of exploitation by parading around in the clothes that would have made them a target for verbal and physical abuse only a few decades ago. However, while people of color are still suffering the effects of systematic oppression, white individuals can simply shed off whatever culture they’ve decided to try on without having to acknowledge the despondent reality that communities across the country face. Who needs accountability when you look so good in someone’s stolen cultural identity anyway?

Yet, cultural appropriation isn’t unique to Halloween. From the use of Native American dreamcatchers as decorative decor to Aztec-inspired patterns plastered on unrelated items, cultural appropriation is widespread across modern western society. However, the prevalence of this issue should not validate its normalization, but instead serve to emphasize its problematic nature.

One of the most disturbing aspects of cultural appropriation is the objectification of an entire culture, while reducing that community of people into a disposable fashion statement, costume, or decoration. This in itself is a type of colonial-esque exploitation. The only difference is that those who engage in appropriation are plundering communities of their identities and cultural symbols instead of land. Yet, the consequences of this social pillaging are just as dangerous.

Cultural appropriation fuels a racist double standard based upon white privilege. Often times the very cultural symbols individuals appropriate are considered inappropriate by mainstream white society, but are suddenly deemed acceptable when a white person sports that particular aspect of a person of color’s life. Cerena Robertson ‘19 explains “[black hairstyles] have been utilized for centuries in black culture to protect black hair from damage.” Cornrows and braids, though, are deemed “unprofessional” and “ghetto” by white society. Yet, when white individuals like the Kardashians sport the same hairstyles, they’re praised as “urban” and “fashionable.” The concrete effects of this hypocrisy can manifest itself in racialized economic disparities. In 2017, a black employee at Banana Republic was fired when her braids were considered improper for work, while Valentino profited over its 2016 “African inspired” spring/summer line, which featured cornrow-clad white women on the runway.

However, though cultural appropriation is a clear manifestation of racism and inequality, this is not to say that individuals cannot explore other peoples’ cultures. The key is to do so with courtesy and respect. If a white individual is invited to participate in certain cultural customs by a person of color, they should feel free to engage in that experience. Additionally, non-POC should understand the cultural and historical significance of whatever aspect of an ethnic identity they are partaking in, as to not objectify that culture nor invalidate the struggles of that community. This idea is especially true in the wearing of African dashikis. Emily Wingfield ‘18 explains “dashikis represent a deep cultural connection with the African continent and a declaration of pride for the roots that we as the black community have…[the wearing of dashikis] should in no way be taken lightly.” Individuals should also feel comfortable with simply observing a cultural practice from the outside. Robertson explains, “I consider hijabs to look cute but wouldn’t wear a hijab since I’m not a Muslimah.”  Yet, if a white individual isn’t content in appreciating from afar and truly admires a culture, they could meaningfully engage with POC communities and advocate on behalf of POC issues as an ally.

Surprisingly, this concept is not one hard to understand. By utilizing common sense as well as simple courteousness and communication, appropriation can easily be avoided. “Consult with members of a certain cultural group for their opinion on the matter [of appropriation]…to help give yourself a better understanding of what constitutes appropriation,” says Adelynn Anderson ‘18. Communities of color have been expressing this idea for years. It’s time for people to listen.