The 3 P's of Cultural Appropriation | Kayne Kawasaki | TEDxHultLondon

Summary

In this engaging TEDx talk, the speaker reflects on their journey from childhood dreams of teaching to finding fulfillment as a content creator specializing in UK Black history and cultural commentary. They introduce the 'Three Ps' of cultural appropriation—Cultural Property, Privilege, and Profit—illustrating how these elements shape societal issues related to race and culture. Using examples from history, pop culture, and personal experiences, the speaker educates the audience on the differences between appropriation and appreciation, while advocating for greater responsibility in acknowledging privilege and supporting marginalized communities.

Takeaways

• 🧑‍🏫 The speaker started with dreams of becoming a teacher or preacher, but after 8 years of teaching, felt unfulfilled and left.
• 💻 During the pandemic, the speaker explored content creation on TikTok, focusing on UK Black history and cultural commentary, which led to significant success.
• 📚 The speaker repurposed their teaching skills online, reaching a larger audience and discussing issues like cultural appropriation.
• 🛑 Cultural appropriation is defined as the unacknowledged, inappropriate adoption of customs, practices, or ideas from one culture by another, especially by a dominant culture.
• 🔑 The speaker introduces the 'Three P's of Cultural Appropriation'—Cultural Property, Privilege, and Profit—to help identify and understand when appropriation is inappropriate.
• 📏 Cultural property refers to essential elements that identify a culture, such as dreadlocks for Rastafarians, with a deep cultural and spiritual significance.
• 🧩 Privilege refers to the societal advantages dominant cultures have, and it comes with the responsibility to avoid misappropriating other cultures' customs and symbols.
• 🎃 The speaker highlights examples like Halloween and blackface, stressing that blackface is a clear form of cultural appropriation that is always inappropriate.
• 💼 Some individuals and brands, like Louis Vuitton, profit off cultures without giving back to the communities they exploit, which needs to be addressed.
• 📊 The speaker encourages action by supporting Black-owned businesses through platforms like Black Pound Day to promote economic empowerment and address historical privileges.

Q & A

What was the speaker's childhood dream and how did it change?

The speaker wanted to become either a teacher or a preacher as a child. Although they became a teacher, they eventually left the profession after eight years because they felt unfulfilled. They later transitioned into content creation, focusing on UK Black history and cultural commentary.

How did the pandemic influence the speaker’s career change?

The pandemic allowed the speaker to work from home, giving them more freedom. During this time, they started creating content on TikTok, which became successful, allowing them to quit their full-time teaching job and focus on online content creation.

What is cultural appropriation, according to the Oxford Dictionary?

Cultural appropriation is defined as the unacknowledged and inappropriate adoption of customs, practices, or ideas from one culture by members of another culture, often the more dominant or privileged culture.

What is the first 'P' in the speaker's framework for identifying cultural appropriation?

The first 'P' is 'Cultural Property,' which refers to essential cultural elements that help identify a culture. The speaker uses the example of dreadlocks as an important part of both Rastafarian culture and Black identity in the UK.

What is the significance of dreadlocks in the speaker's argument about cultural property?

The speaker highlights that dreadlocks are more than just a hairstyle for some Black people, especially those in the Rastafarian movement, where they hold cultural, political, and spiritual significance. The term 'dreadlocks' originated during British colonialism, where the British considered the hairstyle of Kenyan warriors as 'dreadful.'

What does the second 'P'—'Power'—refer to in the context of cultural appropriation?

'Power' refers to privilege, which is rooted in colonialism, imperialism, and the transatlantic slave trade. The speaker explains that people from dominant cultures benefit from societal structures that serve them and may appropriate elements from marginalized cultures without recognizing their power and privilege.

How does the speaker use the example of Halloween to explain cultural appropriation and privilege?

The speaker points out that Halloween often showcases cultural appropriation, with people from dominant cultures using elements of Black culture, such as dressing up as rappers or using Blackface. This is an inappropriate use of cultural elements that mocks and degrades the Black community.

What is the third 'P'—'Profit'—in the speaker's framework, and why is it problematic?

'Profit' refers to how people and companies make money off cultural appropriation. The speaker gives the example of Louis Vuitton selling a jumper they claimed was inspired by the Jamaican flag but used the wrong colors, profiting off Jamaican culture without giving back to the community.

How does the speaker suggest combating cultural appropriation and supporting marginalized communities?

The speaker encourages supporting Black-owned businesses, such as those featured on Black Pound Day, an online marketplace for UK Black-led businesses. This helps address historical and economic privileges and empowers marginalized communities.

What is the speaker’s overall message regarding cultural appropriation and privilege?

The speaker emphasizes that with great power and privilege comes great responsibility. Those from dominant cultures should educate themselves about cultural appropriation, avoid profiting from marginalized cultures without acknowledgment, and work toward creating a more equal and inclusive society.