Cultural Appropriation

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A culture pertains to a type of intellectual development. It’s the particular customs and practices of a specific social group (Young, “Cultural Appropriation and the Arts” 3). “Cultural appropriation refers to a specific power dynamic where members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people that they continue to systematically oppress” (Kuo). A certain tradition is used in a mainstream context, and it is observed as trendy, fashionable, or a newly discovered style, stripping away its foundation, original uses, and any history behind it. Cultural appropriation is far more complex than borrowing a hairstyle or wearing a headdress. Disregarding the history and oppression experienced by the individual group by sporting symbolic …show more content…
However, this isn’t the case. The offense is present when someone doesn’t acknowledge the oppression experienced by said culture or doesn't take into account the importance and history behind said object that is being appropriated. Whatever is being used or worn is for the appropriators’ personal entertainment only, and they pay no regard to its significance (Kuo). “...someone who wears Native headdress or a bindi because it’s now cute and fashionable is taking from another culture’s spiritual and/or cultural practices but not understanding the value and importance” (Kuo). In addition, since the beginning of the colonization of the United States, people have been stripped of the aspects of their culture and conformed to participate in that of the colonizer. Indigenous peoples were forced to accommodate to government policies, and their own traditions were taken away. Children were obliged to abandon their native languages and learn English, all the while pirating Western culture. White culture became dominant (Kuo). “Appropriation that undermines a culture in these ways would certainly cause devastating and clearly wrongful harm to members of the culture” (Young and …show more content…
Warbonnets are the well-known feathered headdresses worn by dozens of Indian tribes. They are made from tail feathers of a golden eagle, with each feather being earned by an act of bravery. Depending on the tribe, the symbolic meaning of the feathers varied (Native American Headdresses). “... wearing a feathered headdress was a matter of fashion or a general symbol of authority… for the Plains Indian tribes, feather warbonnets were a sacred display of a man's honor and courage, and each feather told a story. Eagle feathers… awarded to Plains Indians who serve in the military or do other brave deeds today” (Native American Headdresses). Porcupine roaches, made with stiff animal hair, are traditionally worn by male warriors and dancers. Although it varied from tribe to tribe as well, very often these headdresses were worn in battle. West of the Rocky Mountains, basket hats were commonly worn in various different shapes and styles (Native American Headdresses). “In California and the Plateau tribes, basket hats were normally worn only by women and girls, and their designs were mostly decorative… basket hat designs often conveyed information about a person's clan, achievements, or status within the tribe” (Native American
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