Cultural Appropriation and How It Can Cause Harm

Introduction

Cultural Appropriation, in some perspectives, is perceived as the act of one culture adopting elements from another culture, often at the expense of the culture being borrowed from. It has become increasingly evident in various aspects of everyday life, including commodity designs, games, movies, celebrations, and fashion. While some individuals may see cultural appropriation as a benign borrowing of cultural aspects, it can have detrimental effects, particularly when it involves minority cultures. Many people view cultural appropriation as offensive, disrespectful to the culture being appropriated, perpetuation of stereotypes, and a form of commodification that disrespects the cultural foundations deserving of respect.

For instance, imagine the offense Christians would feel if non-believers frequently used the image of Jesus Christ to create trivial or sacrilegious depictions. Even if the intention behind such usage is not malicious, Christians would find it inappropriate and disrespectful to employ sacred symbols and representations in a manner inconsistent with their religious beliefs. Consequently, cultural appropriation can be hurtful to the affected communities, especially when those who adopt elements of their culture lack a proper understanding of its significance.

It is crucial for people worldwide to consider the sentiments and perspectives of all cultures, in order to comprehend the harm that cultural appropriation can inflict on those whose cultures are misappropriated. Cultural appropriation is a complex issue that continues to persist, often with individuals mistakenly believing they are honoring other cultures by adopting or imitating their traditions. However, the unintended consequences can include the reinforcement of stereotypes and the perpetuation of misrepresentations, ultimately causing more harm than good. This essay aims to shed light on the harm caused by cultural appropriation and encourage a more respectful and informed approach to cultural appreciation.

The Negative Side of Cultural Appropriation

Misunderstandings and unintended offense

In today's globalized world, there are individuals who believe that they are honoring minority cultures by wearing traditional attire or adopting cultural practices. Unfortunately, these actions are often based on a misguided understanding of what cultural appreciation entails. While those from dominant cultures may believe they are showing respect, those whose cultures are being appropriated often perceive these actions as disrespectful. Cultural appropriators may be ignorant of the significance of the elements they are adopting, leading to misunderstandings and unintended offense.

For example, in the fashion industry, cultural elements are sometimes used for profit without considering their cultural significance. Models may wear clothing or accessories that hold deep meaning in another culture, reducing these items to mere fashion statements. Such actions are often driven by ignorance and a lack of awareness about the cultural significance of these artifacts.

Another example of cultural appropriation is the adoption of cultural celebrations, which may hold profound cultural significance, by those who do not fully understand or respect their meaning. For instance, Cinco de Mayo in Mexico commemorates a historical victory over the French, while St. Patrick's Day in Ireland honors the death of Saint Patrick. When these celebrations are adopted and misrepresented by individuals from dominant cultures, it can lead to offensive stereotypes and misrepresentations. Such actions can be hurtful to the cultures being appropriated and can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Misrepresentation in media

Furthermore, cultural appropriation often involves the misrepresentation or exaggeration of cultural elements in various media, including video games and movies. Developers and filmmakers may modify and decontextualize cultural elements, emphasizing stereotypes and perpetuating harmful narratives. For example, research on video games has shown that black male characters are often portrayed as athletic and fierce, while Native American male characters are depicted as vengeful warriors. Female characters from these cultures are reduced to simplistic roles, often as sexual objects.

While the personalities of various characters in media may draw inspiration from the backgrounds of real people, it is crucial to ensure that historical stereotypes and misrepresentations do not persist. The portrayal of certain communities as uncivilized or the perpetuation of historical biases, such as viewing African Americans solely as slaves or criminals due to their race, should not continue into the modern era. Suh, Jun, and Gary have highlighted the difficulty faced by misrepresented cultures in convincing the world that they do not conform to the stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. For instance, the stereotype associating people from Arab nations with terrorism can be deeply ingrained when reinforced through widespread media such as movies and games. These misrepresentations can make it challenging for individuals from these cultures, such as Muslims or Arabs, to live peacefully in other parts of the world, as others may persistently view them through a negative lens. Cultural Appropriation becomes a significant problem when it leads to the misrepresentation and endangerment of both cultures and people.

Disrespectful commodification of cultural elements

Another form of cultural appropriation involves the disrespectful commodification of important cultural elements. People often exploit cultural facets that hold great value within the originating culture for commercial gain. When elements from another culture are used for profit without proper acknowledgment, it can be seen as offensive. To draw a parallel, if a writer were to plagiarize another writer's work word for word without giving credit, it would be considered theft. Similarly, when elements of one culture are borrowed for commercial purposes without due respect, it can be seen as cultural theft. The borrowed designs often fail to consider the cultural significance and pride associated with the original culture, leading to offense. For example, if the United States' iconic red and blue stripes and eagle design were replicated for business purposes without permission, it would rightly be considered offensive and inappropriate. The act of borrowing cultural designs without proper recognition diminishes the cultural value and significance of these elements, causing offense to the source culture.

At its core, cultural appropriation often seeks to establish the superiority of one culture, typically white American culture, while portraying others as inferior. As mentioned by the author, movies and games frequently depict African Americans as violent criminals and Native Americans as uncivilized, contrasting them with the dominant culture, which is portrayed as heroes and idols. Historically, African Americans were subjected to Jim Crow laws and other racially discriminatory practices, painting them as uncivilized and in need of control. Even today, they are often stereotyped as drug addicts, murderers, and criminals, perpetuating harmful narratives that have persisted since the late 19th century. This long history of misrepresentation has led to the perception that African Americans make up the majority of incarcerated individuals. The misrepresentation of cultures, a form of cultural appropriation, has deep historical roots and persists into the modern era.

The Possible Benefits of Cultural appropriation

In contemporary society, cultural appropriation has taken on new forms. For instance, some individuals from dominant cultures may attempt to alter their physical appearance to resemble characteristics they associate with other cultures, such as changing lip, buttock, or breast size or artificially darkening their skin through tanning. While these individuals may not have harmful intentions, these actions can be perceived as offensive by the cultures being imitated. Historically, these changes were used by white individuals to portray African Americans as exotic and sexually attractive, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and objectification.

When discussing cultural appropriation, it's essential to acknowledge that the acceptance of one's culture by other communities can serve as a positive step towards introducing new movements and fostering an appreciation for that culture. In the 1950s, a significant portion of new music was created by African Americans. If cultural appropriation had been a prevailing issue during that era, similar to its contemporary relevance, one can imagine a world without jazz, blues, rock, and rap. Embracing this new music led to the acceptance of a new culture, which ignited a transformative movement in the music industry. In the present day, people have a deeper understanding of mature themes, especially in films, and are quick to address negative portrayals of certain races. This often leads to increased awareness and a desire to learn more about these cultures, ultimately spreading knowledge and dispelling stereotypes. The exposure of cultures through film, media, and other forms of expression plays a vital role in fostering cultural understanding and growth on a national level, particularly in the fashion industry and the development of media, as well as in other crucial social and political aspects.

A noteworthy example of this phenomenon can be observed in the global popularity of Korean culture, commonly referred to as the "Korean wave." This cultural movement encompasses various elements such as K-pop music, television series, movies, and live performances. Korean artists frequently organize shows not only in South Korea but also in parts of the United States and Europe, garnering fans from all around the world. The Korean people actively promote and spread their culture, making it a global sensation. However, it's essential to recognize that the dissemination of Korean culture is primarily driven by the Korean community itself. While their culture gains popularity and recognition, it's not seen as offensive when people from other cultures adopt some aspects of Korean culture as a result of its global appeal or for profit. The positive reception and engagement with Korean culture lead to increased tourism, cross-cultural exchanges, and a genuine interest in learning more about Korea. Cultural appropriation is less problematic when it occurs with respect and appreciation for the culture being borrowed from.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this essay demonstrates that cultural appropriation, particularly when it involves misrepresentation, perpetuation of stereotypes by dominant groups, and disrespect for cultural foundations, can deeply offend both the people and the culture being appropriated. The misrepresentation of African Americans as violent individuals prone to criminal activities and the portrayal of Native Americans as uncivilized are prime examples of these harmful stereotypes. Changing such deeply ingrained stereotypes can be challenging, especially when they are reinforced through popular media like games and movies. For instance, Arabs may find it difficult to convince others that they are not terrorists when they are consistently depicted as such in films and other forms of media. Additionally, culturally appropriated artifacts are often presented in disrespectful ways, without proper consideration for their cultural significance. For example, the adoption of feather headdresses by non-Native American individuals without an understanding of their significance to the culture can be seen as disrespectful. Similarly, using religious imagery for entertainment purposes would likely provoke outrage among adherents of that religion. Cultural appropriation can evoke similar strong reactions and offend the culture being misrepresented. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to familiarize themselves with other cultures and avoid harmful cultural appropriation. Before borrowing from a specific culture, one should carefully consider whether it might cause harm or offense to that culture and act accordingly to maintain mutual respect and peace.

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