Category: blog

At what point does cultural appreciation become cultural appropriation? Lipsitz, writing in the the 1990s, argued that cultural appreciation becomes cultural appropriation “when an element of culture is adopted from a marginalized group without respect for its cultural meaning or significance or with the purpose of exploiting the culture for economic or social gain.”

Are dreadlocks a cultural thing? Dreadlocks have been under the ownership of many cultures, with images of locks in Hindu Vedic scriptures preceding their contemporary radical symbolism, and Indian holy men wearing locks long before the time of Rastafarian messiah King Hailie Selassie in the 1930s.

Which braids are cultural appropriation? Ghana braids or cornrows become “boxer braids” — I’m looking at you Kim Kardashian — and Fulani braids become “Bo braids”, named after 70s it-girl Bo Derek. By taking these styles and not giving credit to the originator, they are literally erasing black hair culture.

Is it OK to dress up for Day of the Dead? The cultural holiday, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional celebration in Mexico where people honour the lives of loved ones who have died. It has meaning and cultural significance, so to dress up in sugar skull makeup without understanding any of the history is disrespectful and pretty insulting.

Can I get a lotus flower tattoo? Lotus flower tattoos can be placed anywhere on the body but their most common placements are the foot, the back, or the arms. Lotus flowers have an extensive list of meanings and are usually very personal tattoos.

Is the word Avatar cultural appropriation? This use of the term avatar in game culture is a form of cultural appropriation, and this mostly unacknowledged issue has important implications for video games scholars.

How do Native Americans feel about the Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop? A spokeswoman for the Cherokee Nation said face paint, crying war chants and “Tomahawk chop” gestures “mock Native culture as if we are vestiges of the past.” A spokeswoman for the Cherokee Nation said face paint, crying war chants and “Tomahawk chop” gestures “mock Native culture as if we are vestiges of the past.”

Is French braid cultural appropriation? While cornrows are considered cultural appropriation, French braids are generally acceptable. This is because they are not a historical style of a single cultural minority group.

Has a black person won Survivor? Towery was the first African American contestant to win Survivor, succeeded by Earl Cole of Survivor: Fiji, Jeremy Collins of Survivor: Cambodia, and Wendell Holland of Survivor: Ghost Island and Maryanne Oketch of Survivor 42.

Is it cultural appropriation to wear Japanese clothes? The short answer is yes, wearing the garment often does fall into the area of cultural appropriation — but not in exactly the same way as, say Victoria’s Secret using Native American “inspired” headdresses in their fashion shows. Turns out there are lots of ways to appropriate!