The Essence of Cultural Appropriation
Aside from the formal or academic terminologies surrounding cultural appropriation, the concept can be simplified as cultural disputes over the authenticity of specific items, beliefs, or even events. These acts or practices often occur outside standardized mechanisms of cultural exchange and recognition.
Cultural Appropriation as Cultural Acquisition
Cultural appropriation can be viewed as a form of cultural acquisition—a process of re-identifying the cultural subject. Culture is deeply tied to identity, from the personal to the public, the national to the international, and the individual to the collective.
Much confusion or disorientation can arise when individuals or societies become disconnected from certain cultural aspects, especially within evolving social contexts.
Disconnection and Manipulation
One form of this disconnection is oblivion or cultural forgetfulness, which can be manipulated on a larger scale. Appropriation itself, however, is an intentional and systematic process carried out by one party to claim ownership—tangible or intangible—of another group’s cultural products or byproducts.
This act violates the original cultural significance and meaning, depriving it of value and emotion tied to its heritage. Such acts may be conscious or unconscious, especially when awareness of their cultural implications is absent.
Cultural Disputes and Power Dynamics
The result of these processes is often cultural disputes and disagreements, which may surface in everyday life or escalate into high-level discussions seeking ethical or political resolution. Both parties often seek association with the same cultural symbols—though for differing intentions, motives, or purposes.
In some cases, appropriation arises from the complex nature of the cultural subject itself; in others, it may be an intentional act of transgression against specific cultural values.
Symbolism and Significance
Cultural appropriation always involves engagement with symbolic meaning. While some may dismiss it as trivial, others argue that if it were truly insignificant, such disputes and tensions would not persist.
This engagement exposes deep emotional, political, and historical layers in how societies construct and protect cultural symbols.
Common Forms and Examples
Cultural appropriation can be found across various cultural fields—including food, fashion, literature, and music. Other representations of cultural significance may also articulate essential components of cultural identity, serving as the heart of communal expression.
References
Young, J. O. (2010). Cultural Appropriation and the Arts. Wiley-Blackwell.
Ziff, B., & Rao, P. V. (Eds.). (1997). Borrowed Power: Essays on Cultural Appropriation. Rutgers University Press.
Rogers, R. A. (2006). From cultural exchange to transculturation: A review and reconceptualization of cultural appropriation. Communication Theory, 16(4), 474–503.
Scafidi, S. (2005). Who Owns Culture? Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law. Rutgers University Press.
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