It’s winter in Centretown and while waiting for a bus, a young girl walks up and stands beside you. She is Caucasian and has dreadlocks.
Some people might not notice or care.
Others would say that she is taking on something that is not her own and by doing so is disenfranchising the “original” culture.
While this is an example of cultural appropriation, it is also a respectful act necessary to establish a free and equal society.
What is cultural appropriation?
This is when someone who is seen as being outside of a culture takes on the elements of that culture. This gives the act or characteristic a new meaning, which some say is a form of oppression that trivializes cultural minorities.
“I’m fed up with the appropriation of my culture by those desperate to be trendy, hip, ironic,” writes a Native American blogger. “Just because it’s popular, doesn’t make it right.”
The blogger continues by saying that intent is irrelevant. “Racism equals privilege plus power…One can be racist without knowing it.”
Another blog states that appropriation is a “byproduct of imperialism, capitalism, oppression, and assimilation” and “is not an acceptable way to honor, respect, or appreciate People of Color. If you wish to . . . then you should learn how to recognize, confront, and dismantle systematic racism instead of appropriating dreadlocks, a symbol of the wearer’s commitment to Jah Rastafari and Black resistance to racism.”
In some situations, it is debatable that certain things come from only one culture.
Consider dreadlocks: they are typically thought to be part of the Rastafarian culture. However, ancient Indian, Scottish, Maori and Greek populations are a few examples of the first peoples to don the hairstyle.
Some things do have one origin. However, limiting a person to only acting within the boundaries of their culture is another example of racial segregation, which maintains discrimination.
And what about the generations of Canadians who come from a multicultural society?
Some may be more influenced by those around them, than by those from past generations.
To place restrictions on individuals that keep them from respectfully expressing themselves violates their right to freedom of expression.
It also limits the freedom of an entire society to explore and enjoy other cultures.
If one race was not allowed to enjoy the creations of another, then I wouldn’t be able to write for this paper.
It was the ancient Chinese who first developed print publications.
What about those who enjoy a morning espresso, yoga or have nose piercings?
Everything has an origin, but that shouldn’t determine its destination.
There are certainly valid opposing arguments.
Appropriation can turn practices into commodities and can romanticize certain cultures while neglecting to acknowledge the historical, social or political context.
It can render current injustices invisible, or trivialize them.
Historical cultural traditions are important and valuable, but I’m not sure that allowing people from outside the culture to enjoy them makes them any less important.
And while it’s true that culturally attributed physical characteristics or behaviours could be used to ridicule a group of people, for example, racist Halloween costumes depicting Native Americans, those are not examples of respectful acts.
Respectful appropriation is possible. It is the intent behind the act that decides if it is okay or not.
It is crucial that we all pursue information and activities that dismantle social injustice, while reconnecting with each other.
Oppression limits the possibilities of people from all levels of privilege.
To maintain distinctions between cultures and races would not develop into equality or combat intolerance.
Rather, it would perpetuate it.