Her major was fashion design when she was in college. The one that especially gets to me is hippy, New Age, non-Indigenous spiritualisation of our heritage. Kevin Winter / Getty Images. I'll explain how I see it: When you walk into someone's house and see something you like, you can certainly take it without permission, if you want. Also, the more I read about waist beads, the less I want them. Ever occur to you that maybe some people wear the earrings for different reasons? Can people of this culture freely use this item without discrimination? copying another nations visual arts style and design and producing artefacts and materials that originate from that nation. The black and brown bodies who typically wear hooped earrings, (and other accessories like winged eyeliner, gold name plate necklaces, etc) are typically viewed as ghetto, and are not taken seriously by others in their daily lives. How dehumanizing! Last medically reviewed on August 24, 2021. Some people noted that since she grew up locally, her hair and outfit simply showed respectful participation. To sum up: White culture cant be appropriated. Full stop. if you cant pronounce my name or spell it take off those hoops / I use those instead of your because hoops were never yours to begin with. Aguilera attached an image of herself and the others who spray-painted the wall exposing their own hoop earrings. But this also is totally dependent on individuals. If its not your culture being appropriated, is it really your place to say anything? The problem lies in the fact that white food bloggers continue to rebrand and fuse dishes from other cultures. Youre welcome. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Healthline has provided our top picks of surf products to get you into. Waist beads have many uses and meanings. But they should also take time to acknowledge its cultural roots. Razor blades? Belly chains are common among women in India. All cultures have complexities and nuances that contribute to, but go far beyond, their art, clothing, and jewelry. Failing to assimilate can carry heavy consequences, including fewer opportunities for work or career advancement and racist violence or threats. Cultural appropriation is considered taking a cultural element from a certain culture, where the jewelry is considered an important part of that culture. Wearing body chains, especially the waist beads, isn't a form of cultural appropriation but rather cultural appreciation. Social media users have also pointed out the grammatical error on the bottle, which reads blanco tequila when it should actually read tequila blanco.. | It's about treating other people and their traditions/ideas/beliefs with respect. While the beads don't seem to hold any religious meaning, they do still seem to have a feeling of specialness and tradition to them. Committing the Heinous Crime Of Cultural Appropriation! Appropriation also tends to involve some misuse of cultural elements. Kim Kardashian West has been accused of cultural appropriation after launching a brand of figure-hugging underwear called 'Kimono.' fashion Kim Kardashian Kimono lingerie line sparks Japanese anger Is it cultural appropriation to wear waist beads as a non-African woman? White and any other color girls should be able to wear whatever earrings they want because this is America and women can wear what they want to feel good about themselves without being earring-shamed (hows that for feminism?!) We must take into account the problem of cultural appropriation even though these accessories seem attractive and are a part of a current popular trend. To me this is not some sort of appropriation but rather adaptation. They are also popular in African culture. Cubists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque used appropriation in their collage and pastiche paintings, often lifting images . But the more respectful thing to do is ask first if they're ok with it. And why waste time talking to and interacting with other cultures in the intellectual environment of a university when you can lecture people about their privilege then tell them to Google things when challenged by skeptics or even engaged by sympathizers? And this is why. Essay about Cultural Appropriation. What is cultural appropriation? Wearing Miss EmpowHer waist beads is a form of cultural appreciation, not appropriation. Her portrayal clumps together Native American beliefs and traditions from several different Indigenous groups, reducing these cultural traditions to stereotypes and fantasy instead of acknowledging them as actual cultural practices that are still part of Native American culture today. Mehndi ceremonies also make up an important part of wedding traditions in the Middle East and South Asia. Teenager Jalaiah Harmon created this dance and originally shared it on Instagram. Recently, especially during the pandemic, the infatuation with body jewellery has returned. When it comes it body chains and waist beads, however, the definition may not be the same, but like all kinds of body jewelry, some people think of the body chains as elements that represent cultural appropriation. Why do you care about this "Cultural appropriation"? Getting henna body art might seem like a harmless way to appreciate something beautiful. Cultural appropriation has always been an underlying issue in the fashion industry, with many top designers flippantly turning elements of culture into everyday fashion accessories. Remember that African people, like all other societies and cultures, are always happy to share parts of their culture and not really protective of it. Cultural appreciation vs cultural appropriation. 1Using black hairstyles, like braids or cornrows. I'll give you this Greek "white girl's" response below. Alexa is a freelance writer and communications consultant, with experience working on the Hill, at the RNC, and for National Review. Cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation: Why it matters. Tomorrow: Robert Phiddian considers appropriation and humour. When any one look closely to different people all over the world, you will see the is fast and recent adaptation of different cultures and not only body chains or beads. He even goes so far as to explain jazz, a music style created by Black artists, to a Black character and take on the role of white savior in his efforts to keep jazz alive. I just wanted to let you know people from that culture might find it offensive and hurtful.. It also includes the unauthorized use of parts of their culture (their dress, dance, etc.) Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. The race wars have come down to a battle over jewelry. If your use of cultural items or practices exploits that culture in any way, you're appropriating whether you realize it or not. There is absolutely no additional cost to you if you take action (click, purchase, subscribe) with one of these links. Being white and wearing a dashiki might be interpreted as problematic; wearing one with cornrows or dreadlocks in your hair almost certainly would be. This year's Met Gala theme China: Through the Looking Glass was just begging for cultural appropriation, which led many starlets to play it safe with minimal references to China.Emma Roberts, however, earned herself Twitter backlash for wearing chopsticks in her hair.. Chopsticks in the hair is one of many broadly "Asian" styles tried on by Western dressers (for what it's worth . One defense of this email says that they were talking about the appropriation of chola style, but, as Urban Dictionary confirms my recollection of when I first heard the term in the 90s, dramatic thin, dark, drawn-in eyebrows and dark lip liner are the most recognizable hallmarks of a chola. In addition to this, astrology also has associations with the body chains featured as part of the Roman and Greek art associated with the planet/star Venus, and subsequently, the goddess of love. But then once again I dont know how I feel about white people always wanting to do or ear things from other cultures like I dont really see other people doing the same to them but them you always have people saying culture is suppose to be shared but them again not really. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.". Body chains are just that - an accessory made of metal worn on your body. I've seen plenty of WOC making and selling waist beads and waist chains to people of all different backgrounds with no problem! Surf Therapy: 5 Products We Recommend in 2023, How Parental Support Affects Mental Health of LGBTQ Youth, Exercise May Be More Effective Than Medication for Managing Mental Health: What to Know, Q&A: Why Jewels New Meataverse Mental Health App Is a Game Changer, The Top 9 Online Psychiatry Services for 2023, sports teams with offensive and inappropriate names, naming teams after animals, plants, or noncultural concepts, choosing body art that doesnt carry cultural significance, presenting yoga as a wellness practice favored by white women, acknowledging yogas origin as an Indian spiritual practice, smudging, or the burning of white sage, by non-Indigenous people, getting tattoos or wearing accessories featuring religious symbols when you dont practice that religion, researching a planned tattoo to make sure it doesnt have religious or cultural significance, purchasing inaccurate knockoffs of cultural designs and art, like Navajo-inspired blankets or clothing with tribal designs, buying household items, art, and jewelry directly from the artisans who made them, writing a novel that combines stereotypical elements of various cultures and rebranding it as a new culture, researching and writing a historical fiction novel that accurately represents any cultures included, sharing photos of private or sacred cultural traditions on social media, asking permission before taking (or sharing) photos of festivals or other cultural practices, food bloggers creating recipes inspired by cuisines of other cultures without acknowledging the real work or significance of the traditional dish, learning about the cultural significance of key ingredients or preparation steps before modifying traditional recipes. Most people mistake waist beads for being worn by black women and believe that non-African women commit cultural appropriation by wearing them. We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve . Cultural appropriation can happen in different areas in society, including the way people view . Katy Perry has been called out for cultural appropriation several times over the years. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips. Consequently, white people continue to benefit and hold positions of power. Cultural appropriation, then, happens when another culture borrows any of these cultural elements, typically without asking permission or crediting the source culture. 'Cultural appropriation is a two-way thing': Yinka Shonibare on Picasso, masks and the fashion for black artists Jonathan Jones Picasso was so enthralled by African art, he used it to start a . Does my use amplify and support the voices of people of that culture, or does it prevent them from being heard? worn around the waist has appeared in several aspects ofAfrican culturesuch as dress, Is it okay to wear jeans on a golf course, Are Hey Dude Shoes Good for Standing all Day, How to use Waist Beads for Weight Loss Steps. Be prepared to do your own research. Belly dance, as it is known and practiced in the West, has its roots in, and a long history of, white appropriation of . When someone points out an instance of cultural appropriation, what should you do? By replacing the traditional artisan with a machine to pump out the product quickly and cheaply is cultural appropriation. You know who can tell you what democracy looks like? The Greeks. Some people may beg to differ from our point of view, but nothing shows cultural appreciation better than wearing such waist beads and body chains, among other kinds of body jewelry. Your willingness to engage in compassionate and respectful discussion with others can help encourage them to seek out more information themselves. It is noted that by 500CE, the statues from the Persian Empire that neighbored the Byzantine Empire didnt show Venus statues wearing the body chains, but it showed kings wearing the body jewelry. Shop now at Lovisa! All the same, taking a little extra time to research and better understand a culture and its language, and communicate with people from that culture, could easily help prevent such mistakes. Learn more. Many trends stem from elements appropriated from other cultures, so you might not realize your actions have passed the point of appreciation. Meanwhile we wonder, why should white girls be able to take part in this culture (wearing hoop earrings just being one case of it) and be seen as cute/aesthetic/ethnic. But wearing them merely for aesthetic reasons without knowing anything about them is cultural appropriation. Find gold & silver nose rings made from titanium, surgical steel & sterling silver. The end result? Appropriation has become so commonplace that it has even infiltrated the practices of our own First Nations artists, e.g. Time to wake up, my white sisters. "Cultural appropriation," Kaili told The Huffington Post, "is when a dominant . ear to nose chains cultural appropriation. Instead of a chain, a thread may occasionally be worn around the waist. What is (the wrong of) cultural appropriation? Why Language Matters, 7 Ways of Honoring Other Cultures That Are Really Just Cultural Appropriation, Cultural Appropriation in Fiction: Here Are Some Tips to Consider When Your Writing Includes Different Cultures, nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/cultural-respect, stu.ca/lnap/henna-its-history-and-cultural-significance, tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21565503.2019.1674160, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1468796819866498, sites.austincc.edu/accent/cultural-appreciation-vs-cultural-appropriation-why-it-matters, herculture.org/blog/2016/5/3/henna-cultural-appreciation-or-cultural-appropriation, open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/3-2-the-elements-of-culture, pbs.org/whatihear/web-series/cultural-appropriation/, Theres a Big Difference Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation Heres Why It Matters, How to Be Human: Giving the Right Compliment to Someone About Their Body, 68 Terms That Describe Gender Identity and Expression. Oh, and that slogan you leftists love to chant at protests? The question is inspired by a spasm of social-media cruelty that caught wide attention last week. Ah, yes, learning via search engine because we all know the Internet is never wrong or contradictory. Griffith University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. (n.d.). Still, as several Black women have pointed out, the hairstyle goes beyond a celebratory look. This might include beliefs, traditions, language, objects, ideas, behaviors, customs, values, or institutions. Ill give you this Greek white girls response below. The well-renowned international shoe designer collaborated with Noongar artist Peter Farmer in 2017 to make two pairs of high . i still need to learn more behind the meaning but i dont think it its culture appropriation. There is evidence that these beaded chains were worn as early as the fifteenth century for a variety of reasons, including rites of passage and as a prestige symbol. While the early days of trade opened the door to cultural exchange, it simultaneously made way for cultural appropriation. PSA: Not everyone can be appropriated from, How to determine whether youve crossed a line, When and how to call in someone you know, Yoga in America Often Exploits My Culture but You May Not Even Realize It, Is It Cultural Appropriation? Also, are you saying wearing jewelry and makeup isnt fashion until white people make it so? Waist chains appear to have been a very fashionable piece of jewellery based on the abundance of historical works of art from India that date to the Indus Valley culture. (2016). Chef Jenny Dorsey examines why fast-casual chains get a pass on culturally appropriating dishes in an essay for Eater. Just as proximity cant identify you, the overindulgence in First Nations colour and adornment wont bring you any closer to being donned with a traditional name, or get you acceptance into a nation/clan. Appropriation refers to taking something that doesnt belong to you or your culture. In 1960 when the Mai-Kai, a tiki restaurant in Florida, sold 10,000 "Mystery Drinks" presented by half-dressed "Mystery Girls," the U.S. military was using the Pacific Islands to test . Fashion . Would a person of that culture see my actions as respectful? To fully understand its consequences, though, we need to make sure we have a working definition of culture itself. Designed & Developed by Precision Creations, By subscribing, you agree to receive emails from ThePoliticalInsider.com and that you've read and agree to our, WHITE GIRLS: If You Wear THIS Common Piece Of Jewelry, You Are GUILTY Of, gender neutral [way] to include the transgender, gender-fluid and gender non-conforming people, The ancient Greeks were one of the first peoples to wear hoop earrings, bragging about finding the Greek root in every word, Attorney General Jeff Sessions Asks 46 Obama Attorneys to Resign, Liberals Freak Out After NYC Mayor Eric Adams Says Guns Came Into the Schools When Prayer Was Taken Out, Lori Lightfoot Blames Being a Black Woman in America For Her Historic Reelection Loss, House Ethics Committee Finds Substantial Reason to Believe AOC Improperly Accepted Gifts, May Have Violated Federal Law. Taking time to learn more about specific cultures and keeping the questions above in mind can help you work toward anti-racism and greater sensitivity across the board. Pages: 5 Words: 2112. Waist beads have grown in popularity as a fashion accessory for a wide range of . Acknowledging all elements of a culture extends to recognizing how white supremacy and racism have played a part in dismantling and oppressing other cultures. You just stand out like a wanna be First Nations queen of the desert. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue. Some white girls are definitely blinded, ready to bow to the mind-controlling, pretentious, and greedy, fashion industry. (Detailed Answer in 2023). LIST OF CLOTHING BRANDS WITH A GIRL LOGO! Now THATS privilege. The words made me cringe at first with their echoes of an old, racist song made famous by Rolf Harris. Then immediately stop what youre doing. Try having a first name everyone thinks is Alexis and a Greek last name if you want to talk about mispronunciation and spelling, sweetie. Waist chains have been used for at least 4,000 years, and they first appeared on the Indian Subcontinent. Bro. There has been an upsurge in jewellery worn around the waist, frequently in the shape of hooped chains, threaded strings, or little chains. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); girl..i thought this was a legit news article omg.. When separated from its religious meaning, as jewelry style, it has. Orientalism is the cultural framework against which tangible racism is practiced against Asian people in the West. While being culturally appreciated by the rest of the world, the decision by the Western nations to now label the chain as belly beads or the beaded waist chains rather than the waist beads can be considered a form of cultural appropriation. The idea that cultural appropriation is primarily a form of erasure - a kind of emotional violence in which people are rendered invisible - came along later. A lot of people don't see what the problem is with cultural appropriation and it took me a few years to get my head around it. NOTICE: While your contribution is vital and directly supports The Political Insider, it is NOT tax deductible. The Yoruba tribe of Nigeria is credited for popularising African waist bead chains. You do you. Appreciation, on the other hand, means you have an interest in all elements of the culture, not just specific aspects that look pretty, prove financially lucrative, or offer other benefits. For whatever reason this is done a disconnection from identity and culture, for financial and material gain it saddens me and leaves me with a sense of loss that we cant discern between cultural exchange and cultural appropriation, but thats another story.