It also includes the unauthorized use of parts of their culture (their dress, dance, etc.)
It can be natural to merge and blend cultures as people from different backgrounds come together and interact.
Elements of Cultural Appropriation
Taking a step backward, how do we define cultural appropriation?
Appropriation
Appropriation refers to taking something that doesn’t belong to you or your culture.
For example, consider a White American wearing their hair in cornrows.
The following are some real-world examples of cultural appropriation to consider.
Voguing
Do you remember the “voguing” craze made popular by Madonna back in the 1990s?
Past and present examples include the Chicago Blackhawks, Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins, and Edmonton Eskimos.
(The Redskins and Eskimos have since undergone name changes.)
It’s something to be avoided at all costs, and something to educate yourself about.
Do what you’re free to when you’re free to as you learn to do better.
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