How to appropriately celebrate diversity
Due to the open and accepting immigration laws put into place, most Canadians have spent their life surrounded by a multitude of diverse culture coming together to live harmoniously within the same borders. One would think this exposure to multiculturalism would result in a community filled with respectable and tolerant individuals. Unfortunately, racism is still prevalent in many communities and a notorious form of bigotry on the rise among young people is cultural appropriation. Whether it is the Native American headdress one wears as a Halloween costume, or the cornrows famously worn by Caucasian celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, this phenomenon although often unintentional, is both ignorant and
Famous fashion designer Marc Jacobs had his Caucasian models sporting Bantu knots, a traditionally African-American hairstyle for his runway show in 2015. Rather than accrediting the hairstyle to African-American culture, Jacobs simply ran his campaign and did little to recognize the history of the hairstyle. This failure to educate his followers led to an even bigger scandal, when a well-known hair website called Mane Addicts decided to create a hair tutorial for the knots, simply calling them “twisted mini buns.” The complete disregard for the hairstyle’s African-American origin generated controversy among online users of every culture and had people of color raging at the ignorance presented by not only a prominent fashion designer but also a popular hair website as well. These debates only further exemplified the double standard that is held in America; African-American hairstyles are looked down upon when worn by people of color, but celebrated as diverse when a member of the dominant culture chooses to wear
Baldwin was successful in telling readers of The New York Times about the disrespect of African American culture by using pathos, ethos, and logos.
The period of industrialization affected the life of average working American through massive alterations. They were unable to mixed their culture with other race and also suffered from minority subordination. Average of the working Americans was impacted by industrialization through unequal treatments (Cobb, 2004). The dominant minority group treated African Americans as people who were unacceptable in the society. In matter of fact, industrialization attributed to practice of racism such as facilitating minority subordination, removing power of the skilled trades as well as loss of culture. The reason is because during the period of industrialization, African America lost their culture. In addition, African Americans faced difficult situations
Black women have been the essence of style, originality all while receiving nothing but bad response from critics who secretly envy them. Natural hair tends to be another widespread trend. I think that some do the natural so they can connect with their African roots while I think others just like the look, or maybe it’s easier. No matter what grade of hair society has one marked term for black hair which is “nappy”. Besides pertaining to actions, the word ghetto is used to describe just about every aspect of a black girl's life. "Girl your hair look ghetto" and "You talk/sound ghetto" are two common phrases used around school. Colored hair, weaves, extensions, dyes and relaxers/perms are all things black girls have encountered. If your hair looks "too" nice, it's assumed that you're wearing weave or that you've gotten a fresh
She states, “Individual preferences (whether rooted in self hate or not) cannot negate the reality that our collective obsession with straightening black hair reflects the psychology of oppression and the impact of racist colonization” (Hooks 540).
“The Forty-five slaves laded on the banks of the James River, in the colony of Virginia, from the coast of Africa in 1620” (Brown, 1969 p. 1-2) slowly flourished in the upcoming history and into the American Revolution War. The Revolution itself had a significant impact upon inspiring African-Americans and their resistance against slavery. Most African Americans believe that their ancestors and culture further questions themselves of their true heritage. The destruction of slavery, which had began from previous cultures and continued through generations. And their inability to communicate as slaves, and the impact of slavery after emancipation all negatively affected African-American Culture. Slavery was no doubtfully a significant impact upon
Foertsch discusses the racial progressiveness in the United States that was similarly demonstrated by the Japanese and Indian citizens. She explains the affects it had on the African American cultures in America, and the transcripts of major colored influences, "The interest in things atomic within postwar black newspapers varied according to the moment in time and even more significantly according to the inclination of the editorial staff." (103). Depending on the publisher, African American's formulated different opinions on the issues of atomic superiority. When popular newspapers were printed in a negative light, the views of African Americans changed. Accordingly, a community of opposite influence would hold a polar opinion, thus creating
The African American culture seems to be a lot less unified than others in today’s society. There are some recent situations that bring me to believe that as a culture African American as less unified. One situation that sparked my interest the most was the recent critics of and actor by the name of Nate Parker he was about to release a movie the spoke in great detail about the slave rebellion in the 1800. Right before the release of his movie there was a leak that brought out his rape allegations for the 1999 during this time in college which brought out about extremely horrible press and publicity which made people not want to go and support his movie and him as an actor. I know that it can seem as if people mostly women did not want to
My persona doll name is Ann, an African American. Ann has an afro puff hair style, shaped in two big balls. The children laugh at her hair and states, what are those balls on your head. Ann is upset and very emotional about this, because her mom does her hair like this, to last for a month. One of the white children stated your hair is ugly Ann. She also said you need to wear your hair like minds. Ann pulls on her hair all day in the classroom, as she looked sad.
Who we are? Where we come from? And What has been some of our experiences since we landed on American soil? The migration of Africans has been very remarkable in the making of African American History and Culture. African American culture is a descriptor used to identify Americans who are of African descent that are from the United States. African Americans cannot be track down to any particular descent considering they were held captive and shipped from different parts of the country.
As I reflect on who I am and which culture I identify with, I am met with reservation. My parents are both Black Americans, they were both born and raised in the United States, their parent were also born and raised in the US. It is obvious that we derive from African descent; our skin color and physical features yet I find it difficult to relate or identify with my African heritage as slavery has played a pivotal role in separating us from our African origin. African enslavement left us devoid of a way to define ourselves. It severed familial ties and deprived us of any viable opportunity to reclaim them.(www.huffpost.com) We are descendants of African slaves but when I speak to someone who was born in Africa or research African culture, I
The misconception of African American and Black Studies has played a huge influence on society today. History has approved that as human we naturally evaluate ourselves and others. We especially use every part of our lives to make judgement and to infer. But what J Ownes Smith and Nathan I Huggins try to illustrate is the fact that why can we as black student study what is being taught because it is based on misconception’s and stereotypes of our people. We know that stereotypes face someone perception and their knowledge, beliefs and expectation of the next people. But if these beliefs and expectations are created by political socialization, a system that create basic ideas about politics and potential values. Those values written by majority of white agencies would have an effect on how black studies and student because they are retaining information base on their beliefs and
“It is socially and psychologically dysfunctional to be unfamiliar with one’s own culture and heritage” (Stewart & Anderson, pg. 8). This quote stated I totally agree with but what about acknowledging another culture whether it’s your own or not? As a non African American I still believe that African American Studies should be its own discipline and area of study. African American Studies serves a purpose of its own, a purpose different from history and sociology. All ethnic groups such as African Americans have their own unique culture and history that should be fully understood. From what I know, history tends to just refer to slavery and civil rights and ignore the rest of the contributions African Americans had on society but from chapter one in the book I read that, “African American Studies explains and acknowledges the heritage, culture, and ancestral roots in Africa” (Stewart & Anderson, pg. 4). So with this being said, I
The African American persistence of resistance of being view as second class citizens has long continued since the African slavery as slavery resisted their master by performing poor work, escaping their masters through canals or railroads, inciting a revolt and assisting the Union during the Civil War. African American had fought for freedom since the Revolutionary War in hope of recognitions of their valor and loyalty to the country, but none was acknowledged. African American began to take their stands as multiple citizens were treated unjustly whether in, at times, peaceful protest, in courts, forming organization to help their goals of equality.
The counter-story of Tiana Parker was not told by Parker, but by her supporters. In accordance of the school’s policy book, dreadlocks and afros are faddish and not to be worn by students. The book, however states that girls are allowed to wear weaves. Commentators in support of Tiana pointed out that weaves are an expensive and sometimes painful method of altering Black hair (Klein 2013). Weaves worn by Black women are commonly straight, wavy, and have loose curl patterns, all of which give a Eurocentric appearance (Robinson
Traditions are practices/beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. In traditional African societies, a kinship ties people through birth or marriage. There are two kinds of relationships in customary African tradition; those bound by blood, which are called consanguine, and those constructed by marriage, called affilial. There are four key descents that determine inheritance and marriage. However, the most common descent is patrilineal, which traces ancestry through one's father. While in America, we are vary tolerant of tracing our descent from both parents.