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What’s the Difference Between Appropriation and Appreciation?
VICE Asia
Overview
This video explores the distinction between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. It defines appropriation as using elements of a culture, particularly those with spiritual significance, as a costume or trend without genuine understanding or respect, often for profit. Appreciation, conversely, involves engaging with a culture respectfully, often by collaborating with or crediting members of that culture, and contributing to it rather than merely taking from it. The video emphasizes the importance of acknowledging cultural roots, giving credit, and providing platforms for cultural creators to avoid harmful appropriation.
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Chapters
- Cultural appropriation involves taking elements from a culture, especially those with spiritual significance, and using them superficially, like a costume.
- It lacks genuine understanding or respect for the original cultural context and meaning.
- This can be particularly hurtful when elements from marginalized cultures become trendy only when adopted by dominant groups.
Understanding appropriation is crucial because it highlights how dominant cultures can trivialize or profit from the cultural expressions of marginalized groups, causing harm and offense.
Celebrities adopting hairstyles from Black culture, making them seem 'respectable' or 'trendy' only after they are popularized by non-Black individuals.
- Using items like the Keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf with political significance, as a mere fashion accessory detaches it from its context.
- Artists incorporating elements of other cultures into their work solely as a trend or accessory for their own narrative, without deeper engagement.
- Profiting from cultural elements without genuine connection or contribution to the source culture is a key indicator of appropriation.
These examples illustrate how easily cultural elements can be decontextualized and commercialized, leading to disrespect and the erasure of original meaning.
Fashion brands using the Keffiyeh as a general fashion item, divorced from its political and cultural roots.
- Cultural appreciation involves genuine inspiration and a desire to contribute to the culture from which one is drawing.
- It requires working with and respecting people from that culture.
- This can manifest as actively seeking collaboration and giving credit where it's due.
Appreciation fosters positive cross-cultural exchange and mutual respect, allowing for inspiration without exploitation.
A fashion brand inspired by Moroccan culture hiring a North African model for their campaign.
- Brands can avoid backlash by consulting with and hiring individuals from the culture they are referencing.
- Giving a platform and voice to people from the culture is more impactful than having outsiders represent it.
- Acknowledging the origins and story of cultural elements, even through a small interview or credit, makes a significant difference.
- Creating space for cultural creators and ensuring the people of the culture are represented is essential.
Implementing these practices ensures that cultural exchange is ethical, respectful, and benefits the communities whose heritage is being shared.
Hiring cultural artists to create garments for a brand, rather than simply mimicking their style.
Key takeaways
- Cultural appropriation is using cultural elements as a trend or costume without understanding or respect, often for profit.
- Cultural appreciation involves genuine engagement, collaboration, and contribution to the source culture.
- Trivializing sacred or significant cultural items as mere accessories is a form of appropriation.
- Giving credit and acknowledging the origins of cultural inspiration is a fundamental aspect of appreciation.
- Involving and platforming members of the source culture is key to ethical engagement.
- Understanding the historical and spiritual context of cultural elements is vital before using them.
- Financial gain from cultural elements without benefiting or crediting the source community is problematic.
Key terms
Cultural AppropriationCultural AppreciationSpiritual SignificanceCostumeAuthenticGenuine PlaceMarginalized CulturesKeffiyehConsultPlatformRoots
Test your understanding
- What distinguishes cultural appropriation from cultural appreciation in terms of intent and action?
- How can using a cultural item like a Keffiyeh become appropriation rather than appreciation?
- Why is it important for brands to consult with and hire people from the culture they are referencing?
- What are the potential harms of using culturally significant items as mere fashion trends?
- How can individuals and brands ensure they are engaging in cultural appreciation rather than appropriation?