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Cultural Appropriation

The Wrong Way to Use It

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Cultural Appropriation

  • A person from the dominant culture (for example: the most visible and accepted culture in a society) takes parts of an oppressed culture (one experiencing any form of repeated or prolonged discrimination) WITHOUT PERMISSION.

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  • “It's the loose idea of borrowing, sharing and being inspired by other cultures. Cultural appropriation in this sense is an awesome thing. We learn, and we grow. Cultural misappropriation is a land of darkness. It's a place where one culture (most often one that has an historical record of oppressing other cultures) engages in the unauthorised taking of some aspects of another (most often a minority) culture.”

-the guarian.com

 

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MISUSE of RELIGIOUS or VALUABLE SYMBOLS

London brand KTZ has had more than one instance of stealing and copying Indigenous designs. Specifically, it was a design from a sacred Canadian Inuit garment worn by a shaman named Ava — reproduced, changed a little, and made part of the brand’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection. Salome Awa, Ava’s great-granddaughter, complained about the appropriation and theft, which resulted in an apology and removal of the copycat garment.

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HEADDRESS

“Due to their historical importance and status, traditional Native Americans now consider the wearing of headdresses without the express permission of tribal leaders to be an affront to their culture and traditions.”

WHY IS A HEADDRESS IMPORTANT?

“The Native American headdress is a well-known symbol of strength and bravery to the indigenous people of North America. Headdresses are important because they have been worn by the most powerful and influential members of the tribe.”

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HOW TO DECIDE:

  • It is acceptable and perfectly fine for non-Indigenous people to wear or embrace Indigenous art and materials, provided that the art and objects were was made locally by the Indigenious people, and was made for sale.
  • Some Indigenous Peoples believe it brings collective healing by proudly displaying their identify through selling their artwork and objects or wearing their art. However, if a non-Indigenous person sells Indigenous style jewelry or materials then it is cultural appropriation.
  • In short, wearing Native patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought them from an actual Native designer. And if there's something that you really shouldn't be wearing — i.e. a headdress with special religious or tribal significance — the artist you're buying from will likely let you know. Leave those for display or appreciation, not to wear.
  • https://303magazine.com/2021/04/native-american-fashion/

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My friends:

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Resources:

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