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Cultural Appropriation: Problematic Halloween Costumes: Topic Proposal 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 …show more content…
This effort to stand out on Halloween comes at the expense of minorities, resulting in real harm and not just “offense”. As discussing appropriation of all minority cultures would be quite difficult, for my research paper, I am going to focus on culturally appropriative Native American themed Halloween costumes and the impact that it has indigenous people. A tentative thesis statement might be something similar to the following: The appropriation of Native American culture and identity in Halloween costumes trivializes the significance of cultural symbols and elements, perpetuates racist stereotypes, and contributes to the systemic oppression of indigenous people. With my paper, I intend to educate my audience about the harmful effects of cultural appropriation and why it is not the same as cultural appreciation. I want to persuade my audience to practice cultural sensitivity and take the time to properly learn about the culture they wish to …show more content…
For example, Rock’n’roll stems from the miscegenation of rhythm’n’blues and hillbilly music, which all are black music genres. However, Rock’n’Roll is known as a “white” music genre because it was appropriated and repackaged to suit white artist as the American industry refused to associate with black artists. In addition, Elvis is credited as the “King of Rock and Roll” in today’s music industry. I would also be sure to cite and provide examples (real incidents or hypothetical situations) of cultural borrowing in different contexts. After all of those segments, I plan to examine how culturally appropriative Halloween costumes contribute to racism and the exotification of Indigenous people. I will also make sure to address and acknowledge some counterarguments, particularly the counterargument regarding freedom of
In “Eating the Other: Desire and Resistance”, bell hooks explains how black culture has been going through a process of commodification. According to the author, costumes, culture and history of the black has been turned into products and promoted in a way to increase consumption. hooks uses the term “cultural appropriation” to explain that this commodification is a way to seduce marginalized groups and minorities, making them feel as recognized as the dominant culture in terms of acknowledgement of its accomplishments. This takes place mainly due to all the segregation in which black people passed through in the past, so the dominant culture tries to pass an image of reconciliation and equality (hooks 26). “Commodification” is a concept used
The noose, Klan hood, and the Native American headdress represent how America mistreats other people. The noose and the Klan hood show that America is a place that discriminates against black people in its own society. Even though the Nazi party murdered millions of people in cold blood, they still saw our racism as a point they could use to persuade their citizens that we are evil. The Native American headdress has the same metaphor but for the Native American people. Our ancestors killing the Native Americans is another example of how we are malicious. It is saying “Look what they did to the blacks and Native Americans, they will invade us and will treat our people the same way!”. The American flag is a fascinating part of this poster. The
It is important for an individual to dress in a unique way that does not represent any particular culture. It is never correct to appear for the event dressed up either an Asian, black person or Mexican for Halloween. Wearing a dress code that represents a particular racial group fails to make a suitable costume. The desire to appear in a dress code that depicts a general minority during Halloween is a clear indication that the individual is stereotyping the specific group. It is important for i...
Ms. Suzy Weiss discusses in her essay the arguments between if wearing a costume created from an idea around human aspects will be racists. University of Michigan school is showing students the proper way to dress for Halloween; the only “right” way to dress would be a desalinated zombie. Suzy is arguing that this is too sensitive and students will not be upset if they see a girl in a hula skirt if she is not from Hawaii. If these rules are given as a tool she believes that a whole background of tradition is needed. Halloween is for different stereotypes, people use different ethnic costumes because it's the one day a year you can dress out of your comfort zone, it's not for slamming a different culture.
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.
Professor and vice dean at the University of Miami School of Law Osamudia James' commentary "Can a white child dress as a Halloween character from another race" addresses the now-controversial topic of appropriating another race or culture. James argues that an acceptable costume depends on avoiding stereotypes, discrimination, and white supremacy. I agree with James about avoiding offensive costumes, however, James' description of offensive costumes makes it very difficult to picture anything acceptable to wear. Ideally, a person would avoid white supremacy and discrimination, but I find it very hard to picture a costume which does not use stereotypes in one way or another. Somehow, she manages to relate white supremacy to Halloween in a ineffective
For decades, Native Americans have been misrepresented in our society by the government and media. Hollywood is the main form of misrepresentation and cause of cultural confusion, concerning Native Americans. However, music plays a large role in misguiding society’s view of the Nations.
“Kylie Jenner accused of ‘cultural appropriation’ for wearing cornrows,” is an article from Fox News, published on July 15, 2015. It displays the controversial issue of the interpretation of Jenner’s braided hairstyle to be seen as inoffensive and also including the online reactions to it. In this article, Fox News personifies Jenner as an impeccable expressive youth.
Cowboys and Indians is the popular game played by many children played as a game of heroes and villains. Natives are villainized in American pop culture due to the history being told by educational institutions across the nation. There are not many positive roles popular in the media about Native Americans. Many roles are even played by white people. The costume representation is not accurate either. The disrespect towards them is especially seem on Halloween, when people dress as Natives in cute and sexy ways that they think represent their culture. War paint, beads, feathers and headdresses are ceremonial accessories that represent their culture, it not a fun costume to wear. Only if they are being criticized and ridiculed, like they have been in the past. Racism has also been a huge problem when it comes to using creative names for sports teams, like the Redskins for example. Redskin is a derogatory and offensive term towards Native Americans and many white people do not see it as wrong due to the privilege they inherited throughout history. The disrespect towards them has grown and today it seems that if Natives were not getting ridiculed, they are for the most part ignored. The concerns that King describes in his book explains how the past has wired Americans to believing everything they have once learned. White people
The development of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the late 1940s and early 1950s by young African Americans coincided with a sensitive time in America. Civil rights movements were under way around the country as African Americans struggles to gain equal treatment and the same access to resources as their white neighbors. As courts began to vote in favor of integration, tensions between whites and blacks escalated. As the catchy rhythm of Rock ‘n’ Roll began to cross racial boundaries many whites began to feel threatened by the music, claiming its role in promoting integration. This became especially problematic as their youth became especially drawn to ...
Cultural appropriation should be understood that it is not the same as cultural appreciation and why it is so wrong. Taking someone else's culture and turning it to fashion or a trend is not just disrespectful but downright offensive. Cultural appropriation is defined as the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own. But then does that not mean we can not learn about other cultures other than our own? Sure we can, it is just how we decide to understand one's culture by the tradition and history.
The next reason we’ll be looking at are the stereotypical images commonly seen in literature and mascots. Mainstream media such as “Dances with Wolves”, “The Lone Ranger”, and “The Last of The Mohicans” and mascots in professional sports teams like Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Blackhawks all include representations of Native Americans that for some, are offensive. With this in mind, ...
Cultural appropriation is starting to largely affect today’s society. Recently in Illinois, a college campus has been the center of a large cultural appropriation debate from
And you have to understand the severity of culture vulturing. Even the highest selling rapper of all time Eminem had to admit on his song, "Without Me" that he made money off the culture in the way of the lyric, "I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley, to do black music so selfishly, and use it to get myself wealthy."
Often the object that is taken away from the minority culture is only made popular, when it is worn or re-created by someone who is a part of the dominant race. Cultural appropriation can be seen throughout the media and popular culture; making it common and hard to distinguish. In the fashion, music, dance, and art industries, minority artists do not often receive the credit they deserve for their work, which is a form of cultural appropriation . In the United States, the two groups who most often experience cultural appropriation are Native Americans and Blacks. Reasons for this begin with the founding of America, a country built on settler colonialism that stripped them of their land land, enslaved them, stole their art, and forced them to assimilate into the European culture. Cultural appropriation in music, popular culture, and fashion happens today because the white dominant culture continues to embrace stereotypes rooted in white American’s power and position in the world through