Cultural Appropriation Definition and Examples

Sports activities groups have a protracted historical past of cultural appropriation, however some have began to do the appropriate factor. The Washington Soccer Workforce changed its name in July 2020. Different groups, just like the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves are nonetheless holding on to their names, regardless that they’ll thought-about offensive to Native American folks.

The favored recording artist raised eyebrows for her February 2020 Rolling Stone cowl by which she was criticized for carrying a standard headdress from Cambodian and Thai cultures. “If it was appreciation, the story would help the tradition that’s being depicted. Nevertheless it’s aimed solely in the direction of the Black group. I’m all for standing up to your tradition, however don’t use another person’s to speak about your personal,” one Instagram commenter responded.

Kim Kardashian has gotten lots of flak over time for styling her hair in Fulani braids, or cornrows, a historically Black coiffure. In 2018, Kardashian West responded to controversy over her referring to her blonde braids as “Bo Derek braids.” “I do know the origin of the place they got here from and I’m completely respectful of that,” she told Bustle. “I’m not tone deaf…I do get it.” She additionally got here underneath fireplace once more in 2019 for naming her shapewear line Kimono.

For Halloween 2013, Rihanna dressed up in basic chola type — skinny arched eyebrows, flannel shirt buttoned on the high, gold hoop earrings, saggy khakis — related to a contemporary subculture of Mexican American girls. “Privileged folks need to borrow the ‘cool’ of disenfranchised folks of shade, however don’t need to face any of the discrimination that accompanies it,” wrote Julianne Escobedo Shepherd. Rihanna, who repeated elements of the look on the September issue of Vogue UK, mentioned she thought it was “ladylike however punk.” Her outfit on a 2019 cover of Harper’s Bazaar China by which she wears conventional Chinese language clothes sparked related criticism.

The Queen of Pop has been pushing buttons for the reason that ’80s, and her apparel for the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards landed her back in the headlines. Madonna took the stage in an ensemble impressed by the North African Amazigh folks. Some accused her of disrespecting the culture, whereas others mentioned it was an honor. Madonna didn’t reply to the criticism, however has repeatedly dismissed accusations of cultural appropriation. “I’m not appropriating something,” she has mentioned. “I’m impressed and I’m referencing different cultures. That’s my proper as an artist.”

Over time, Miley Cyrus morphed from Hannah Montana to an individual who wears her hair in Bantu knots whereas twerking in front of Robin Thicke. These days, it’s a 2017 Billboard interview about her newest, extra rootsy type, that had folks speaking about cultural appropriation. Requested about why she gave the impression to be distancing herself from Black tradition, Cyrus mentioned, “It was an excessive amount of ‘Lamborghini, bought my Rolex…’ I’m so not that.” Said one commenter on Twitter, “Miley Cyrus wore hip hop tradition like a fancy dress. Deserted it. Stereotypes it now.”

The Hell’s Kitchen chef bought into scorching water of his personal not too long ago after the opening of his new Asian-inspired London restaurant Fortunate Cat. Meals critic Angela Hui was not impressed with Ramsay’s selection of head chef for the eatery, a person whose analysis into the delicacies consisted of touring “forwards and backwards to Asia for a lot of months.” Hui additionally referred to as out the menu’s interchangeable use of Chinese language and Japanese elements. “Chinese language? Japanese? It’s all Asian who cares,” she wrote on Instagram. Ramsey referred to as her remarks “derogatory and offensive.”

Selena Gomez donned a bindi, a coloured dot historically worn on the middle of the brow by Indian girls of varied spiritual and cultural communities, for a number of performances in 2013. The bindi can symbolize reference to the “third eye” or as a approach to distinguish married girls. “The bindi is an auspicious spiritual image that shouldn’t be thrown round loosely,” Rajan Zed, president of the Common Society of Hinduism mentioned. However Gomez isn’t backing down. “I’ve discovered so much concerning the tradition, and I believe it’s stunning,” she said. “I believe it’s enjoyable to include that into the efficiency.”

A Native American war bonnet is a feathered piece of headgear historically worn by revered leaders. Whereas definitely not the one individual to put on the headdress in an out-of-context setting (right here’s taking a look at you, competition apparel) the response to at least one mannequin Karlie Kloss at a Victoria’s Secret runway present in 2012 was swift. “Any mockery, whether or not it’s Halloween or Victoria’s Secret, they’re spitting on us,” mentioned Erny Zah, a spokesperson for the Navajo Nation. Kloss later tweeted an apology. “I’m deeply sorry if what I wore throughout the VS present offended anybody,” she wrote.