What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we love black culture?
As a black woman, that's the greatest question I have today as I look around this world.
It seems that being able to dress up as a black woman is more important than being able to stand up for a black woman.
Some of the creations, traditions, and cultural expressions of black people have been criticized and disrespected by white people for years. Only for those same components of black culture to be miscredited to white people. The appropriation of black culture has been a very popular and touchy, yet complex topic. There are those that get it, those that try to understand, and others who are just straight up oblivious. Although I will be discussing appropriation of black culture, others people like Native Americans, Asians, Latino/as, and Mexicans have all had their culture fallen victim to cultural appropriation. There's a misunderstanding between cultural appropriating and appreciating along with the overlooking of cultural assimilation.
In this blog, I will touch the surface of these concepts and hope to gain insight to other perspectives.
"Culture, in a sociological sense, is quite broad, and refers to the practices, beliefs, ideas, values, traditions, rituals, language, speech, modes of communications, material objects, and performances that are central to the social life of any given group of people. ....Appropriation is defined as the illegal, unfair, or unjust usage or taking of something that belongs to someone else"
-Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.
Appreciation
Cultural Appreciation also known as cultural exchange: the reciprocal exchange of symbols, artifacts, rituals, genres, and/or technologies between cultures with roughly equal levels of power (meaning one of the cultures can't be oppressed/marginalized). There is a level of respect and knowledge that comes with appreciating another culture. This examples of this includes giving credit where it's due, not wearing items, that is considered sacred, for a "fashion statement" or because it is "trendy", or trying to "pay homage" in ways that mock the values and traditions of another culture. Of course, there will be some blending and mixing of contributions, but all origins of the different parts of cultures should remain intact and not forgotten. There are correct ways to appreciate and participate in aspects of another culture without stealing from or disrespecting the individuals in that culture. This can be learned by communicating with those of the specific culture.
Assimilation
Cultural Assimilation also known as cultural dominance: the use of elements of a dominant culture by members of a subordinated culture in a context in which the dominant culture has been imposed onto the subordinated culture, including appropriations that enact resistance. This means that the subordinated culture is almost required to adhere to standards or else they will face consequences. Others may argue that black women try to imitate white women by straightening their hair, bleaching their skin, wearing blonde hair/extensions, and putting in colored contacts. However, they fail to acknowledge that black women, along with others, have been forced to assimilate to the ways of the dominant society (Caucasians) for survival.
Links to hair discrimination articles:
We are conditioned, by the dominant society, to hate the culture that we come from, the color of our skin, the hair that grows out of our head, and even our traditions and ways of life. We must be/act like "them", look like "them", talk like "them", and not ourselves in order for us to be "American" or to be on "their level" of existence. Everything about us is "wrong", unless they do it, then it's acceptable and praised. In order to be accepted and have a chance at a "good life", we are challenged to change and conform to the norms of society to get a good job, a chance at an education, and treated equally in life period. So, the women's heads are filled with lies as they fill their scalps with lye to be accepted. However, it doesn't matter the amount of chemical used to straighten my hair or bleach my skin, how proper I speak, or how educated I am, I could never change the fact that I am black.
Appropriation
Cultural Appropriation also known as cultural exploitation: the appropriation of elements of a subordinated culture by a dominant culture without substantive reciprocity, permission, and/or compensation. To add to this definition, the most significant ways of appropriation is often done with lack of respect, understanding, or proper representation. Basically, bashing and oppressing a culture for things they do, then hypocritically crediting their own culture for those contributions. Caucasians have been capitalizing on black culture. As far as I can go back and as many aspects I could cover, I will limit this to black music, language, and hairstyles because those components are deeply intertwined.
Beginning with black music, the art form Rock-n-Roll was originated by black musicians such as Ike Turner, Chuck Berry, and Big Mama Thornton. However, after having their sounds "borrowed," it was credited to artist such as The Beach Boys and Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley was so popular with the dominant society that he was labeled the "King of Rock-n-Roll" even when he admits himself that Rock-n-Roll was around long before he came around. Fast forward to today, black musicians are denied the credit they deserve. In today's music, white artists such as Iggy Azalea, Post Malone, and Macklemore have been portrayed as the new faces of Hip Hop when the music they create is no where near close to the meaning of the genre. In the Grammys, Macklemore won "Best Rap Album" up against Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Jay-Z, and Kanye West (some of the most popular, talented artist that's been in the industry for years now.) Yet, he comes out of the blue and wins a Grammy. He admitted that Kendrick Lamar had a better rap album hands down, but also "knowing how the Grammys usually go...they had a great chance of winning."
Here's more of what he had to say about this:
Common slang/ebonics, or "African American vernacular English," is also culturally appropriated. I will use the most recent and probably popular example, Danielle Bregoli. For those of you who aren't familiar, she's basically a "problem child" that disrespects her mother on an episode of Dr. Phil. Bregoli tells Dr. Phil and the audience that they could "cash me outside, how bow dah" for laughing at her and her bad attitude. That catch phrase was basically her claim to fame and fortune by giving her millions of followers on her social media, interviews, promotions, and even her own TV show. Let that would've been a black girl. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of black girls who (aren't disrespecting their mother because black mothers don't play) actually talk and live like that everyday. I don't see them getting paid or going viral for if. If anything, they are getting shamed and called "ghetto," "ratchet," or "uneducated." This is only a mere representation of how our culture is exploited.
Link to article:
Black hairstyles, that have been called "ghetto", "unprofessional", or "distracting," have been white washed by Caucasians in America that reclassify these same hairstyles as "iconic", "trendy", "edgy" when its worn by someone of Caucasian descent. From afros, twist-outs, and braid-outs to blowouts and dreadlocks, our hairstyles have been critiqued and in some cases banned. As mentioned, it has prevented some from opportunities of success. It was unacceptable to wear our hair in it's natural state because it was considered nappy, unkempt, or distracting described along with it being "too big." There are many black women that still feels uncomfortable certain hairstyles in the workplace due to criticism. However, when a white woman wears the same styles, it's no problem. They are "innovative" and "stylish." This is a problem. Although research has shown that black girls maintain their confidence throughout adolescence and have positive body image, they are faced with so much adversity for a young age. This sends a message to young black girls that who they are isn't good enough, unless they portray whiteness and even then they would never truly measure up. Then, everything they do acceptable once deemed "cool" by the dominant society, but only when the dominant society does it.
"Being you looks better on me."
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| Silky Hair Sheet?!? |
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| Been around for years. All the black males had one for their hair. Used to achieve the formation of "waves" on the crown. Now, one for $50 when they really cost no more than $5 |
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| Urban Tie Cap? (Urban is the sugar-coated word for black/black origin). I've been getting zig-zag parts & baby bangs since I was a child. Now, it's considered a "graphic look" |
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| I always wore these as a kid with several plats in my head. Had been told they were distracting. Now, Urban Outfitters selling them $8 for one, but the GAG IS every local beauty supply sells them $1 for 8+. #CapitalizingOnTheCrown |
Solutions
If you're going to genuinely appreciate and respect a culture, you must acknowledge their struggles, understand the origins of culture, see them as equal, and fight with them in the face of injustice. You can't be oblivious to what they go through in America and in this world. It's all fun and games to dress up and "play/act black" until it's time to stand up for black issues. I appreciate those that do fight for justice. I have to condemn those claim they're for women's rights, all lives matter, and dabbles in black culture, but doesn't bat an eye for all the black girls and women that went missing in D.C. recently, Flint Michigan water crisis, police brutality, and the daily oppression we face. A wave of missing person reports flooded social media, but some girls still haven't been found. It didn't make the news feeds and some D.C. residents stated they didn't receive not one "Amber Alert." Yet, the FBI and investigators can track down Tom Brady's jersey. Seriously? Every form of media needs to tell the truth, portray things as they are, and give credit where it's due. They shouldn't bash certain people for being themselves and praise others for doing the exact same thing.
As the rise of the natural hair community continues, more black women have felt empowered to embrace their natural hair no matter what texture grows from within. I had to learn the truth and begin to embrace my blessing. The beliefs that my natural kinks are something to be contained by a sleek, straight ponytail are destroyed by my empowerment. I feel no need to fit in anymore or damage my hair because it's "too big" or not the norm. We have to continue to rewrite the message sent to these young girls and women. To own who they are, stand up for what is theirs, and don't let the media or dominant society control how they see and feel about themselves. They should love the skin they're in, the hair on their head, and their culture. We shouldn't have to put cancer causing chemicals on our bodies to be acceptable in society. Black girls and women shouldn't be penalized or denied an opportunity for being true to themselves.
If this country cared about black people like they do black culture, we'd be in a better place.
References:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.561.659&rep=rep1&type=pdf
https://www.thoughtco.com/cultural-appropriation-definition-3026068
Questions for the readers:
Have you familiar with this topic?
What are your thoughts on this topic?
Where should the line be draw between appropriation and appreciation?
How can we transition individuals from assimilation to greater acceptance of diversity in society?
