What is Cultural Appropriation?

Summary

This video script delves into the complexities of cultural appropriation, a term that has sparked intense debate since its first appearance in 1945. The script explores the various facets of culture—intellectual, shared ways of life, and creative production—and how they intersect with the concept of appropriation. It discusses how dominant cultures often take elements from marginalized cultures without acknowledging their origins, leading to misrepresentation and harm. Drawing on historical examples like Marlon Brando's 1973 Academy Awards protest, the script emphasizes the real-world implications of cultural misappropriation and the need for a more nuanced understanding of cultural ownership.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cultural appropriation is a debated concept that can feel ambiguous, as it often involves subtleties that are drowned out by the argument that appreciation cannot be appropriation.
• 😀 The term 'cultural appropriation' first appeared in print in 1945 and is attributed to Professor Arthur E. Christie, with its usage becoming more prevalent after 1980.
• 😀 The concept of stealing or misusing a culture was present as early as the 19th century, and marginalized groups have long spoken out against cultural appropriation.
• 😀 Culture can be understood through three main categories: intellectual/spiritual/aesthetic development (ideas and ideologies), shared ways of life, and creative/artistic production (objects and art).
• 😀 Cultural historian Raymond Williams' 1976 definition of culture helps understand that it is a complex, evolving entity that is shared among a group of people.
• 😀 Culture is shared and constantly evolving, meaning it’s difficult to think about ownership in a clear-cut way, as cultural products belong to a group rather than an individual.
• 😀 Legal ownership of cultural products, like music or art, is complicated by the fact that culture itself is not a fixed entity, constantly changing and evolving.
• 😀 The argument that America is a 'Melting Pot' of cultures is often used to defend cultural appropriation, but this ignores the real-world consequences for marginalized groups whose culture is misused.
• 😀 Cultural appropriation is harmful when people from dominant cultures take elements of marginalized cultures, divorce them from their original meaning, and use them for entertainment or personal gain.
• 😀 The real-world impact of cultural appropriation can be seen in historical and contemporary contexts, such as the misrepresentation of Native American cultures in Hollywood films, which has real implications for how Native people are treated and perceived.

Q & A

What is the primary reason cultural appropriation can feel ambiguous?

Cultural appropriation can feel ambiguous because while obvious instances of misusing other cultures are easy to identify, the subtleties of the conversation are often overshadowed by the argument that appreciation cannot be appropriation.

Who first coined the term 'cultural appropriation' and when did it appear in print?

The term 'cultural appropriation' first appeared in print in 1945 and is attributed to Professor Arthur E. Christie.

What are the three main categories of culture according to Raymond Williams?

According to Raymond Williams, culture can be categorized into three main areas: intellectual, spiritual, and aesthetic development; shared ways of life; and cultural production (which includes art, music, literature, and other creative works).

How does cultural production differ from the other two categories of culture?

Cultural production is the most tangible aspect of culture, consisting of physical objects and creations like art, literature, music, and films, whereas the other categories focus on shared ideologies and ways of life.

What is the relationship between culture and ownership, and why is cultural ownership difficult to define?

Cultural ownership is difficult to define because culture belongs to a group of people, not an individual, and is constantly evolving. Legal frameworks like copyright and trademarks can't easily apply to culture, as cultural elements are fluid and communal.

What is the argument against the belief that cultural appropriation doesn’t exist in America, and what historical context does it refer to?

The argument against this belief is that while America may be seen as a 'melting pot,' cultural appropriation occurs when elements of marginalized cultures are adopted without considering their context or the struggles of the people from those cultures. The history of American immigration and internal migration shows that cultural products are often more accepted than the people who create them.

What is the core issue with cultural appropriation in terms of power dynamics?

The core issue with cultural appropriation is that it often involves a dominant group taking cultural elements from marginalized groups without understanding or respecting their significance. This dynamic perpetuates power imbalances and misrepresentation.

How did Marlon Brando’s 1973 Academy Awards protest highlight the real-world consequences of cultural appropriation?

Marlon Brando’s protest, in which Sacheen Littlefeather spoke on his behalf, highlighted the real-world consequences of cultural appropriation by drawing attention to the harmful misrepresentation of Native American cultures in film, which contributed to broader societal discrimination and misalignment of historical truths.

Why does cultural appropriation not just involve cultural objects but also misrepresentation of history?

Cultural appropriation involves more than just objects because it often distorts the historical and cultural context from which these elements originate. This misrepresentation can lead to harmful stereotypes and reinforce power dynamics that marginalize the original culture.

What can be the real-world implications of cultural appropriation for the people whose culture is being appropriated?

The real-world implications include misrepresentation, the erasure of cultural significance, and the reinforcement of stereotypes. People from the appropriated culture may face discrimination and harm due to how their culture is distorted or commodified by dominant groups.