Cultural appropriation -- is there a right way to go about it?

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

Let's have a serious discussion about cultural appropriation. As I understand it, CA is when members of one cultural group take such a liking to something that originates in a foreign culture, that they embrace it and try to make it their own. This is a natural, unavoidable process, since culture is such a fluid thing, and is composed, at its deepest level, of communication. Any given culture at any given time is likely to be lacking in something, and it seems to me they could just as soon borrow something to fill the hole from some other culture that doesn't have the same lack, rather than beginning the slow process of evolving a purely indigenous solution.

But cultural appropriation can often be controversial. Even though the originator culture doesn't physically 'lose' anything when a meme of theirs is 'borrowed' (or 'stolen', depending whom you ask), I often have seen expressed by originator cultures a very real sense of having been ripped off by the appropriators.

I recently read the lyrics to 'Funky Days are Back Again' by Cornershop for the first time, although I've heard this song more times than I can count. It turns out this song is a sardonic reaction by an Indian Brit to the revived popularity of Indian cultural items in Britain last decade, just as it was back in the hippie days.

I'm American, not British, but after reading these lyrics, I felt ashamed of my Bhangra and Asian Underground (mostly sitar- and tabla-tinged drum 'n bass). I felt ashamed of the statue of Ganesh on my bookshelf. I felt foolish for having gone to India for my honeymoon. And I even felt like throwing away my Indian cookbook. 'Okay Cornershop, heh, ya got me. I think the Indian aesthetic kicks some major ass.' Their song was aimed at whiteboys like me.

But why would it offend somebody from another culture if I prefer a few things from their culture as much as, if not more than, the corresponding ones from my own? One would think they'd be delighted to share a bit of their traditions. They'd certainly prefer that to a steady stream of racist mockery, no?

I'd like to think I'm better than that. After all, I'm still a big fan of Indian music, even after it's not in vogue in the West anymore. I even own albums that would get me laughed at by the cool kids when that sound WAS in vogue -- I'm thinking primarily of Bollywood soundtracks. Working in healthcare I meet a lot of Indian people, and I regard and interact with them as normal people, not just sources of cool music and tasty meals. Though naturally, knowing bits of their popular culture does make a good icebreaker! Some are people I like and get along with, some not, just like everyone.

Moreover, I'm perfectly secure in my identity as a White American. I don't wish I were Indian or seek to become Indian, if that were possible. I realize that being Indian involves a whole different approach to human relations (esp. family relations) than I was raised with, and which I WOULDN'T TRADE FOR. I just happen to like their music, food, visual art, and some of their philosophy. Why is that shameful?

I've noticed that some more humorless Asian-Americans are fond of lamenting about how White Americans 'just don't understand' the large amount of social pressure and interpersonal pain that is an integral part of being a member of a traditional Asian family or enclave. Is the enjoyment of one of these cultures' aesthetic works something one has to earn by growing up with the less pleasant aspects of the culture? Am I not entitled to their sweets, because I have not tasted of their bitters?

For an example closer to home here on BL, witness the vitriol spilled in the thread a few months ago about dreadlocks, I believe it was in Second Opinion. It amazed me how many people had very strong opinions about who had (and didn't have) the right to sport dreadlocks, and what the hairstyle signified.

In short, what I'm asking is this: If cultural appropriation is inevitable, how can it be done in a way that only respects, and never belittles, mocks, or fetishizes, the original inventors? I'm not talking about pleasing everyone -- as long as a sincere attempt has been made on my part to do it respectfully, what an insecure person thinks of me is his own problem, not mine.

But nor do I feel like getting beat up or ostracized.

 

[yougene]

I think it's an ethnocentric knee-jerk reaction. Culture in many ways is something that you own. When people outside the identity start adopting facets of the culture it's like a boundary has been violated. Think for example, when parts of "underground culture" go mainstream. I think we've all seen(and probably experienced ourselves) the violation that people feel.

There are negative consequences in alot of cases I'm sure, but the convergence of cultures is just as important as the celebration of their diversity.

 

[Solitude_within]

In short, what I'm asking is this: If cultural appropriation is inevitable, how can it be done in a way that only respects, and never belittles, mocks, or fetishizes, the original inventors? I'm not talking about pleasing everyone -- as long as a sincere attempt has been made on my part to do it respectfully, what an insecure person thinks of me is his own problem, not mine.

I think that your intention can be shown through the demonstration of your own version of appropriation. If you give the impression of mockery toward a certain culture, then this is how it will be received. If you act sincerely and adopt features that honestly appeal to you, you're in no need of justification or explanation.

Some people may ridicule you for your choices, but their opinion means nothing if your own confidence remains unshaken.

 

[ebola?]

>>
In short, what I'm asking is this: If cultural appropriation is inevitable, how can it be done in a way that only respects, and never belittles, mocks, or fetishizes, the original inventors?>>

I guess by treating these inventors as multifaceted people like yourself, defined not exclusively in terms of our images of them through the lens of their cultural products.

ebola

 

[Jamshyd]

It is one thing to appreciate things from other cultures for what they are (ie. different), and a completely different thing to take things from other cultures and assume they are a a natural evolution of yours.

The Case of "Hellorr": In Thailand, commoners do not pronounce their Rs (generally turning them into soft Ls). Only kings, singers, and newscasters pronounce the R. Now, as "Hi-So" (High Society) Thais purchase American and Japanese culture, it seems to be the norm that speaking English definitely makes one Hi-So (since, I assume, it means that this person has an advantage when it comes to the latest cultural items that one can buy from the west). But to speak English, one needs to learn how to pronounce one's Rs properly. In a state of ignorant paranoia, many Thais are to be found adding American-sounding Rs after almost about every vowel, just in case. This results in people greeting you with "hellorr!"

The Case of my school's statue of the Buddha: The Buddha is a Thai Ancestral spirit. Every day, the superintendent is charged with the honourable task of offering food, incense, and drink to the little shrine beside the statue in which the Buddha's spirit is said to live. If the superintendent fails to offer the spirit its daily ration, the spirit will get pissed off and desert the little shrine by the statue. Oh, and so long as you keep a tiny Buddha statuette right behind your car's windshield, you're all good!

Please. And you're ashamed of admiring Indian aesthetics and putting a Ganesha statue on your shelf?

 

[Dead_Flowers]

I would liken it to identity theft. Folks often take pride in the country and define themselves through nationalism and culture. When another culture adopts particular foreign customs, the folks whos custom was adopted experience a certain loss of identity. As a custom becomes multicultural, it becomes more difficult to define oneself in relation to that custom, regardless of it's origin.

 

[swilow]

Theres a fine line- I mean, uber-cultural preservation leads to things such as facism, racism, NAZIsm, etc. as indiviudals begin thinking "collectively" and fooling themselves into theinking the past events of their ancestors reflects on them and must be upheld to preserve the future of said indivduals; and then there is the complete decimation of cultures such as Australian Indigenous culture, which is barely clinging to a semblance of what is used to, which is the converse of this preservation ideal.

As humans, most cultures are our heritage, and so I am happy to use what I can from other cultures. However, I would not try to use something "sacred" to a culture as an ornament unless I appreciated what it meant to that culture. A picture of Ganesha, or a beautiful Rainbow Serpent dot-painting I am happy and pleased to surround myself with, as they are beautiful in what they mean to me and from where they have come from- I feel uncomfortable using crucifixes or judaic/kabbalah symbology, even though it appeals to me, as the origins of such aren't in line with my own desires and they largely evoke a sense of weight on my shoulders.

The maiin thing is that we are all humans, and so if we want equality and peace for everyone, we can neither destroy cultures nor fervently preserve them, but attempt to intengrate our present thinking into theirs and vice versa. Alone, no particular culture or philosphy has allowed humanity to flourish unhindered (all though it could be argued that Indingeous Australians or the African Bushpeople flourished until interrupted by the west) and so we must all find a common ground to exist on.

 

[Ataraxis5]

I think it's a matter of cultural identity that people get angry about it. People will see their culture as a whole package, so when you take just one part of it, it's understandable, especially if you take something with religious significance.

But as swillow said, we're all humans. Apparent cultural differences despite a common underlying structure is part of what makes us unique, and I see nothing "wrong" in appreciating or learning from those differences.

 

[Jabberwocky]

In short, what I'm asking is this: If cultural appropriation is inevitable, how can it be done in a way that only respects, and never belittles, mocks, or fetishizes, the original inventors? I'm not talking about pleasing everyone -- as long as a sincere attempt has been made on my part to do it respectfully, what an insecure person thinks of me is his own problem, not mine.

There are individuals in every culture that are going to have contempt for borrowers and adapters. One special deference to the members of the originating culture is not wearing Tshirts, jewelry, or having bumper stickers that use sacred symbols. Another is to be all ears when people talk about their culture, avoid assertions about their culture, and questions with presuppositions that function like assertions.

Its good to make an effort to not demean or trivialize cultures in ones borrowings. There are some people who will get offended to spite best efforts.

If all else fails its probably best to just submit the whole matter to a good trademark attorney.

 

[Dtergent]

There is no way to judge, in a sweeping way, the appropriation of a cultural aspect. What you are talking about is very broad and may happen from a personal level (even unknowing) to an institutional level, in so many many ways.

I sometimes find appropriations problematic because of impracticalities. I don't only mean practicalities with social or environmental implications (inappropriate materials, resource practices, etc.), but also things that do not resonate with a certain worldview that you carry, or the social structures around you.

From a homogenized culture (that's most of us who are on this board), it is hard for us sometimes to understand iffiness of cultures when things that they hold important are "mis-appropriated". I believe it is because, in our cultures, laws and legalese have replaced symbolic and "colorful" social controls, and these areas of our judgment have been relaxed.

Fetishizing something can also easily be solved by doing what ebola? is saying. Remember that people are multi-faceted, as are their symbols and practices. What is just an image or symbol for us, can carry many meanings and uses to other people. Of course you shouldn't stop yourself from doing what you want just because some person might find you comical. But also understand where the discomfort comes from upon seeing "direct superimpositions".

I had a revelation about this when I recently came from India. It really touched me to see people whose way of life is so dictated by their environment. Crops, colors, scents, language practices, etc. so intertwined with every unique region. As a shock to myself, I came home only with handful of funny Bollywood stickers and some sandalwood powder to remember. I expected to bring all sorts of memorabilia and stuff, but instead I came home eager to explore ways to use what was around me with such creativity and ease.

On the whole, I think the fascination with the exotic can lead us to important questions about our own cultures. How appropriate are you? Cultures and practices were primarily built around local context-- terrain, local crops, weather, etc. As long as you retain this where you are, there are bound to be things that can speak to you that you don't have to look far for. Are there forgotten symbols, materials, practices that resonate with you? Or, can you take what you want about your fascinations, and make them "more at home" with your context?

So many contexts should give birth to so many ways of life and sets of symbolisms. Any negation of that diversity-- both by creating abnormally same contexts or homogeneous behaviors despite different contexts-- is not a good sign at all of our evolution. In a way, abundant energy has made it possible for many cultures to do both. I think our implicit awareness of the importance of this diversity causes the uneasiness sometimes.

Of course, everyone can choose the level or amount of thought he or she gives to an appropriated practice/thing. It can be "wow this looks cool" or a deep fascination/passion. The thing is that, rigid or impractical folly has almost always led to that appropriation (or the society) dying out. Same on the individual level.

(It's so long! )

 

[Noodle]

^
Wow!!!

 

[mariacallas]

^Exactly. That's my grrl

 

[ebola?]

We should also remember that we are all cultural hybrids.