+

+ What is cultural appropriation?

n When a member of a dominant cultural group adopts elements of a minority group’s culture

n Ex: Ideas, Clothing, Personal Adornment (piercings, etc.), Music, Art, Religious Symbols, Language/Slang, Dance

Example: Katy Perry at the American Music Awards in 2013, “trying on” geisha stereotypes.

+Why is it problematic? n Involves a power/privilege dynamic: n Dominant/privileged group takes

from minority/oppressed group

n Inaccurate representation, often seen as mocking or racist stereotype

n Done without full understanding of the element’s religious, cultural, or historical significance.

n Turns something important and sacred into a fashionable style choice.

+ “A Japanese teen wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of

a big American company is not the same as Madonna sporting a

bindi as part of her latest reinvention. The difference is

history and power... Ignorance of culture that is a burden to

Asians, African and indigenous peoples, is unknown to most

European descendants or at least lacks the same negative impact.”

-Cultural Appropriation: Homage or Insult? By Guest Contributor Tami, from What Tami Said

+Why these costumes Hurt n At the end of the day, you can

take your costume off – Your costume is free from the lifetime of systematic oppression, awful stereotypes, racism, and discrimination that many face.

n Perpetuating these stereotypes through costumes may seem harmless, but it marginalizes the lived experience of those who are being impersonated.

+The difference between Appreciation and Appropriation n Appreciation:

n  Enjoying another culture’s food

n  Exploring different religions

n  Traveling to new places and trying to connect with their customs.

n Appropriation: n  Wearing a religious symbol of a religion that you don’t follow n  Headgear (such as head dresses, sombreros, hijabs) of another

culture, especially as a costume

n  Dressing up in a costume that plays on/furthers stereotypes of other cultures

n  Denying cultural origin to art forms, styles, and other cultural products (e.g. dreadlocks, twerking, rapping, R&B)

+How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation n  Know the difference between stereotypes and culture (and do

some research if you’re not sure J )

n  Understand the significance of the fashion trend, costume, or holiday to its culture of origin, and if your participation in this is respectful to that culture.

n  Reflect on where a certain trend may come from – Often times, certain styles become popularized via white appropriation of certain cultures (ex: cornrows). If you feel that’s the case, refer back to point 2!

n  Remember, it’s not about being “politically correct”. It’s about recognizing one’s privilege, and understanding the influence of one’s actions on marginalized groups.

+Special Focus: Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)

n  Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that traditionally is observed from October 31st-November 2nd n  Gathering of family and friends to pray for and

remember loved ones who have passed away. n  Traditions vary from area to area, but are

sacred nonetheless

n  Día de los Muertos is NOT: n  The Mexican version of Halloween n  A celebration of death– It is a happy day of

remembrance n  An event that should be capitalized upon as a

reason to drink, dress up, or party.