Cultural appropriation is a huge problem problem in today’s world, if you think Hitler was bad when it came to racism, this should be about ten times worse because it is invisible to most. At least Hitler was “open” and transparent about his cause, people weren’t confused even though they were brainwashed by adverts and other methods of propaganda but that’s a topic for another day. This essay will be exploring the uses and intentions of cultural appropriation in street culture, and it will allow you to see that racism is still very much alive and thriving. Let’s fist break down the term ‘cultural appropriation’ to completely understand it’s meaning and intentions. Culture refers to the ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular people …show more content…
Urban dictionary states that street culture is popular styles of urban centres. It also has to do with how people act in this environment due to their culture (and how their culture is being portrayed). Musical artists use street culture in a lot of their music videos but it is very offensive to most people if they can see how their culture is being appropriated.Today, cultural appropriation is the act of taking the very physical, mental, or social features of a minority group that is used to belittle, mischaracterise, and otherwise isolate them and personify those features for personal social entertainment or monetary gain.” (), this was on a website that I read and actually shows the intentions of cultural appropriation. It is used to belittle people and it also creates racism by showing an over exaggerated version of a certain …show more content…
We’ve heard this word many a time in movies and we probably guessed that it refers to an african american male. In the movies they always show someone who isn’t black calling a black male a nigger, that black male would always get upset and go berserk, punching the guy. This can be seen in the movie Rush Hour, it’s a funny example but it brings the point across. People who aren't african american get upset when they can’t use the word ‘nigger’ but this word shows oppression just like ‘’kaffer” shows oppression to black people in South Africa, the difference here is that the black people in South Africa will never call one another a “kaffer” and become very offended and even cringe if someone would use that word. Whilst the use of the word “nigger” is used by african americans to refer to african americans. “For some, the use of an ‘a’ on the end of the expression marks a distinct contrast with the ‘er’ ending, the former denoting endearment or camaraderie and the latter racism.” () The word “nigger” is seen as a derogatory term, when someone refers to someone else as the N-word they are giving that person certain qualities and attributes and in this case it could mean that a black man is inferior because of their skin colour. In a more positive aspect of the word when used by black americans to other black americans, it could mean “buddy” or “friend”. The tone in which the word is said
As a black American male, the word nigger conjures up within me hate, hostility, violence, oppression, and a very shameful and unfortunate part of American History. The word symbolizes the everlasting chains of a people plagued with hate and bondage simply because of skin color. For many black people, including myself, nigger is the most pejorative word in the English language. Even when compared to racial slurs like kike, honkey, cracker, wet back, spic, jungle bunny, pod, tarbaby, and white trash, nigger is noted as the worst insult in the English language. The word nigger suggests that black people are second class citizens, ignorant and less than human.
Cultural appropriation has been a controversial subject of debate for decades; hence it is not something “new” as society likes to think. The issue of cultural appropriation seems to have recently emerged in the 21st century because technology has allowed information to be more widespread and easily accessed. The borrowing of cultural elements of minority cultures, particularly black culture and indigenous culture, (hairstyles, music, fashion, art, etc.) by fashion labels and designers, celebrities, and the dominant culture often elicits unforgiving backlash from liberals. For example, Kylie Jenner has frequently been called out by the black community for continuously
The Meaning of the Word “Nigger” I can recall the first time I paid close attention to the word nigger. In junior high a school fight would occur about every week and of course the whole school would gather together and watch. Well this particular fight sticks out in my mind because it was between two boys of different races, Hispanic and black. During their conflict the Hispanic boy bluntly called the black boy a nigger, and that was when the rest of the black students became verbally involved. I remember screaming out “ who do you think you are calling him that?”
In the article “What is Cultural Appropriation and Why is it Wrong? By Nadra Kareem Nittle and article “The Difference between Cultural Exchange and Cultural Appropriation” by Jarune Uwujaren. It talks about how cultural appropriation and about people wearing and using other cultural things such as the style of the clothes. It is usually known as borrowing but now it is not just borrowing since people who wear things/ objects with meaning and significance from other cultures do not even know the meaning. However, in cultural exchange it is much different when someone uses or does something that other cultures do for example, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the U.S, but it is the Latinos that live in the U.S who are celebrating and they are proud
The word “nigger” has two main variances today, and they were both expressed beautifully by Tupac. The word carries with it a privilege also, a privilege that only certain people are allowed to use this word. And it is what African descendants call each other as a way of connecting in a brotherhood type of fashion. In areas such as “Bomton” - otherwise known as “black compton” - “brothas” can casually see each other at the convenience store and address the other as “my nigga” or “niggah” however they prefer. Now imagine the same scenario but with two Caucasian males saying the exact same. It’s weird right? That is because the word is still highly debated to the present. It is unclear whether the word should be banned from everybody’s mouth or if it should all be left to identify
Infused with the emergence of the hip hop culture, the graffiti revolution primarily took place in New York City in the 1970s to the 1980s. Graffiti art has historically been viewed as a form of vandalism, a curious enigma viewed by the governing class, and a general menace to society especially in large urban populations such as cities. Within the 1970s to the 1980s the urban youth began extensively spray-painting subway cars, trains, and walls, giving a voice to the disenfranchised, anti-authoritarian rebels who were seeking an identity to be seen and heard by the city that was now discrediting them. This type style of graffiti-inspired art is still present within the many art communities around the world, ever transforming and altering in
The word “Nigger” was a term used in reference to a slave. A slave meaning, you were the lowest scum of the earth, Illiterate and uneducated in every sense. Today, the usage of the word is spilt in to different context, it is used to refer to one another. A lot of children today use the word freely, not because they are ignorant to the history and putridness of the word, but solely because they are not really offended by it and the only time they hear it, it's being said by someone else who is of color. As I looks back over the years, I can’t really remember anyone distinctively ever calling me the N-word, or better yet, not in a derogative fashion. I don’t think that anyone has ever called me the word to my face or in hearing distance. Growing up in New York City, the only time I ever heard the word “Nigger” was from people who called themselves “Nigger”. I remember sitting in class daydreaming on the word, thinking to myself, “How could anyone call themselves a Nigger and be proud of it?” Yet It’s Hard to hurt me with words, but I had never heard that word used with such vengeances. What does this word mean in my everyday life?
Have you ever taken offense when you saw someone dressed in traditional garments from your culture? In America, this happens quite often. Some people may not recognize it and some refuse to acknowledge that it even exists. Cultural appropriation is a situation in which a dominant culture steals aspects of a minority culture’s, such as hair, clothing styles, and music.
Cultural appropriation is becoming a mainstream ‘white crime’ in today’s pop music society. Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, and Robin Thicke are just a few
As Kennedy explains “used by black people amongst themselves [the N word ] is a racial term with undertones and good will--reflecting a tragicomic sensibility that is aware of black history” but how could such a contradiction exist (Kennedy 5)? How could the most “noxious” of words also also be used to show comradery and brotherhood for those who have been in the struggle. “He is my nig” or “That guy is my nigga”, phrases like these are uttered by black men to each other to express their most public form of masculine endearment towards one another. Note that it is uttered between black men, to black men, and from black men; Black bodies participate and engage with the “N-word” much more differently than any other non-black person would. The word must come from colored mouths to have a “positive” significance, if I, a Mexican woman, or for instance Nate, in Bernard’s class, say it--we change the meaning entirely.
Cultural Appropriation and Its Effects On Other Cultures This past Halloween I dressed up as a China Doll; in my black traditional Asian dress, white painted face, rosy pink cheeks, black eyeliner, and my hair held up in a bun with chopsticks. I originally thought that this costume would be rather attractive and fun. However, I began to question myself after a young lady approached me and asked, "Are you suppose to be an Asian person? " I immediately replied, "No, I am a beautiful China Doll".
In the essay “Nigger: the meaning of a word” Gloria Naylor discusses the essence of a word and how it can mean different things to different people in a myriad of situations. Depending on race, gender, societal status and age Naylor outlines how a word like ‘nigger’ can have different meanings within one’s own environment. Naylor discusses how a word can go from having a positive to a negative connotation merely due to how it is spoken and by whom. Naylor shares a personal experience with her audience as she describes the first time she really “heard” the word ‘nigger’. A young white boy in her third grade class spit it in her face. Naylor states, “I didn’t know what a nigger was, but I knew that whatever it meant, it was something he shouldn’t have called me.” (Naylor 460)
No word in the English language is as complicated as the word nigger. It became the primary word used to degrade black people sometime around the 19th century (Middleton and Pilgrim), and has since evolved into a colloquial term of endearment. Still, the harsh “nigger” retains its status as one of the strongest assets in the hate speech repertoire. Nigga, the well-intentioned offspring of nigger, also became commonplace during the 19th century (McWhorter). “Nigga” is prevalent in pop culture; listen to rap music or a Comedy Central special and find it used as often as one takes a breath.
In todays society there are many different cultures that individuals identify with. Culture is very important to many people and is something that helps define who we are. When different cultures are respected and appreciated it is a beautiful thing, it can bring individuals in society closer to one another. Ideally this understanding of one another’s cultures can lead to multiculturalism. If the appreciation for different cultures is not done correctly it can seem to be cultural appropriation. Any piece of a culture can be stolen, mocked, and disrespected, from music, clothing, food, etc. As a society with such a vast amount of cultures it is important to know the difference between multiculturalism
Street arts not only was a form visual of art but it was also a source of inspiration for other aspects. Street art was considered by as a very important revolutionary tool that encourages many who seem to admire such art. Street arts have been the main influence to some unexpected events in mankind hisorty. Its rebellious character had a huge interference into the european politics. One of the most interesting aspects about Street arts used as a revoltionary tool was that they were done by anonymous people who had no other intention that supporting the cause they believe in. Society was not only the target oif this propaganda, but it started to be the producer of it, creating a very interesting and anonymous dialogue (Thinking About the Origins of Street Art).