Cultural appropriation has become a prominent topic of discussion in recent years, especially in the realms of fashion, entertainment, and social media. At its core, cultural appropriation refers to the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often by those in a position of power or privilege. While cultural exchange is a natural part of human history, appropriation differs in that it typically involves a lack of respect, understanding, and acknowledgment of the culture being borrowed from. As globalization brings cultures into closer contact with one another, the consequences of cultural appropriation are far-reaching and complex.

In this article, we’ll explore the global impact of cultural appropriation, its harmful effects, and how society can move toward more respectful cultural exchange.

What Is Cultural Appropriation?

Cultural appropriation occurs when individuals or groups from a dominant culture borrow elements of a marginalized culture without permission, understanding, or proper context. These elements can include fashion, music, language, food, spiritual practices, and art. Often, these borrowed elements are stripped of their original meaning or significance and used in ways that are seen as disrespectful or trivializing.

For example:

• Fashion: When high-end fashion designers adopt traditional garments from Indigenous cultures or African communities as trends without acknowledging their origins or significance, it can be seen as appropriation.
• Music: Pop stars or musicians from mainstream cultures adopting and commercializing music genres like reggae or hip-hop without giving credit to their roots or creators.
• Spiritual Practices: The use of sacred items like feathers, dream catchers, or yoga practices without understanding their deep cultural or spiritual meanings.

The Harmful Effects of Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation can have a wide-ranging and harmful impact, particularly on marginalized groups whose cultures are being appropriated. Some of the key negative effects include:

Loss of Identity and Respect

When elements of a marginalized culture are appropriated without context or respect, it can lead to the erasure or devaluation of the original culture. The history, struggles, and significance of those cultural elements may be overlooked, resulting in a distorted or shallow version of the culture.

For example, Indigenous cultural practices that have deep spiritual or historical meanings can be reduced to “fashion statements” or “trendiness” by individuals who do not understand or respect their origins. This kind of treatment minimizes the lived experiences of people in those communities, undermining their heritage.

Exploitation of Marginalized Communities

Cultural appropriation often occurs when elements of marginalized cultures are commodified by people in positions of power—whether it’s a celebrity, a fashion brand, or a corporation. This can lead to financial exploitation, where the original creators and communities do not receive any recognition or compensation for their contributions. For instance, Native American headdresses, which are sacred symbols, are often sold as novelty items in costume shops or worn at music festivals by individuals who are not a part of that culture.

Perpetuation of Stereotypes

When cultural elements are appropriated, they are frequently presented in a simplified or stereotypical manner. This can reinforce harmful misconceptions about the cultures being appropriated. For example, wearing a kimono as a fashion statement without acknowledging its cultural significance can perpetuate the idea that certain cultural practices are trivial or ornamental rather than deeply meaningful.

Cultural Appropriation and Power Dynamics

Cultural appropriation is deeply tied to power dynamics. Historically, marginalized cultures have been subjected to oppression, colonization, and discrimination, while dominant cultures have had the power to take what they want from those cultures. This imbalance of power often plays a role in why cultural appropriation is considered harmful—it is not simply a matter of sharing or borrowing, but of taking from those who have historically been disenfranchised and often have no voice in how their culture is represented.

Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Exchange

It is important to distinguish between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange. Cultural exchange is mutual, respectful, and involves individuals or groups learning about, sharing, and appreciating the practices, art, or traditions of another culture in a way that honors its origins. Cultural exchange is typically built on collaboration and consent, whereas cultural appropriation involves one-sided borrowing and often leads to exploitation.

For instance:

• Cultural Exchange: An example of cultural exchange would be when two cultures engage in dialogue, sharing practices and ideas while respecting each other’s contributions. A food festival showcasing authentic dishes from different cultures, with chefs from those cultures present, can be a form of exchange that promotes understanding and appreciation.
• Cultural Appropriation: When an individual from a dominant culture adopts a cultural symbol, like wearing a bindi (a forehead decoration with significant religious meaning in Hinduism) for aesthetic purposes, without understanding its context or significance, it is appropriation.

The difference between appropriation and exchange lies in the intent, understanding, and respect shown toward the culture being represented.

Globalization and Cultural Appropriation

Globalization has brought cultures into closer contact than ever before, and while this can foster understanding and cross-cultural appreciation, it also opens the door for cultural appropriation. As more individuals and corporations engage with cultures that are not their own, the risks of misrepresentation and exploitation increase.

For example:

• Western Media and Pop Culture: The global reach of Western media and pop culture has resulted in the widespread dissemination of elements from other cultures—especially those of Indigenous, Black, and Latinx communities. Unfortunately, the commercialization of these elements often leads to the erasure of their historical and cultural significance.
• Fashion Industry: The fashion world has often been criticized for appropriating elements from Indigenous cultures and traditional attire, such as feathered headpieces, brightly colored textiles, and accessories, without understanding their cultural and spiritual meanings. The Western fashion industry frequently profits from these elements while ignoring the voices of the communities whose traditions they are borrowing from.

While globalization has made cultural interactions more commonplace, it has also amplified the power imbalance between cultures and contributed to the exploitation of marginalized communities. The pervasive nature of social media has only further complicated this issue, as cultural symbols can be quickly shared and appropriated without any context or consideration for their significance.

Moving Toward Respectful Cultural Exchange

There are steps we can take to ensure that cultural exchange is respectful and equitable, rather than exploitative:

Acknowledge and Educate

One of the most important things that individuals and organizations can do is to educate themselves about the cultures they engage with. This involves understanding the history, significance, and current struggles faced by the people from whom elements of culture are being borrowed. Acknowledging the origins of a cultural practice or symbol and crediting the community is a vital step toward respectful engagement.

Support Authentic Cultural Voices

If you are interested in exploring or incorporating elements from another culture, consider supporting artists, designers, musicians, and creators from that culture. This ensures that the people who have the cultural knowledge and lived experiences are compensated and recognized for their contributions.

Engage in Mutual Respect and Collaboration

When participating in cultural exchange, it is essential to approach the process with respect, humility, and a willingness to learn. Collaborative efforts that engage individuals from the culture in question can create opportunities for shared understanding and representation. This might include working with cultural consultants, co-creating with local artists, or simply asking for permission before using sacred symbols.

Amplify Marginalized Voices

Creating platforms that amplify the voices of marginalized communities is crucial in shifting the power dynamics inherent in cultural appropriation. By supporting marginalized creators and allowing them to share their own stories, we can promote a more inclusive and respectful exchange of cultural practices.