Cultural Appropriation

The adoption of elements of a culture done by those of another culture and in doing do, the meaning of these cultural elements are often lost or altered. Because of this, the exhibits of these elements are seen as disrespectful or a desecration of the culture by those of the original culture.

Cultural appropriation is sometimes portrayed as harmful, framed as cultural misappropriation, and claimed to be a violation of the intellectual property rights of the originating culture.[2][3][4][5] Often unavoidable when multiple cultures come together, cultural appropriation can include using other cultures' traditions, fashion, symbols, language, and cultural songs without permission.[6] According to critics of the practice, cultural (mis)appropriation differs from acculturation, assimilation, or cultural exchange in that the "appropriation" or "misappropriation" refers to the adoption of these cultural elements in a colonial manner: elements are copied from a minority culture by members of a dominant culture, and these elements are used outside of their original cultural context—sometimes even against the expressly stated wishes of representatives of the originating culture.[5][7][8][9]

Often, the original meaning of these cultural elements is lost or distorted, and such displays are often viewed as disrespectful by members of the originating culture, or even as a form of desecration.[7][10][11][12] Cultural elements which may have deep meaning to the original culture may be reduced to "exotic" fashion by those from the dominant culture.[7][8][13] Kjerstin Johnson has written that, when this is done, the imitator, "who does not experience that oppression is able to 'play', temporarily, an 'exotic' other, without experiencing any of the daily discriminations faced by other cultures."[13]

Conversely, cultural appropriation or borrowing can be viewed as inevitable and a contribution to diversity and free expression.[14] This view distinguishes outright theft of cultural artifacts or exotic stereotyping from more benign borrowing or appreciation. Cultural borrowing and cross-fertilization is seen by proponents as a generally positive thing, and as something which is usually done out of admiration of the cultures being imitated, with no intent to harm them.[15][16]

Background

Extended definition of the term. Who coined the term? Disciplinary history? Significant figures, theorists, etc.?

Uses in other disciplines

Art Costumes Religion & Spirituality Sports Language African-American Culture Fashion

See also

Cultural Misappropriation, Appropriation (music), Civilizing mission, Constantinian shift, Crossover music, Cultural appropriation in the fashion industry, Cultural diffusion, Enculturation, Fusion cuisine, Half-breed, Isolationism, Native Americans in German popular culture, Native American hobbyism in Germany, Noble savage, Post-colonial copyright crisis, Recuperation (sociology), Syncretism, Westernization, Xenocentrism,

References

"Cultural Appropriation." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, Web. 18 Mar. 2017.

External links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_appropriation