Cultural appropriation exists in many different forms, but can generally be described as the stealing of a culture that belongs to an oppressed group for a profit or specific use. Look to the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show for an example. Karlie Kloss walked down the runway in a Native American war bonnet, a headpiece that is only given to warriors in certain tribes. Jenni Avins writes in The Atlantic that many believe using sacred artifacts and traditions to advertise a product is hurtful to that culture. She explains that Indian war bonnets have a traditional value but were used in the VS Fashion Show suggestively to sell lingerie and underwear (Avins). Although only a small percentage of Native Americans wear the war bonnet, it has
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Some, like Alyssa Rosenberg of the Washington Post, believe that designers who only search for potential looks should be called out and search for deeper meaning behind the fashions. Simple accusations of cultural appropriation stop further questions about its causes and the effects that it has on the cultures in question (Rosenberg). Rosenberg believes it is better to delve deeper into the reasons why designers find these cultures so intriguing and captivating instead of simply blaming. Older generations tend to view the mixing of cultures as normal, while millennials and teenagers are seen as overly sensitive when recognizing the issue. In recent years, social media has given people a voice towards high end fashion that was not there when cultures were "borrowed from" in earlier years. When people can view fashion shows instantly and stage their concerns, their criticism can help designers and influencers understand and not repeat their …show more content…
In a recent video “Don’t Cash Crop on My Cornrows” actress Amandla Stenberg from The Hunger Games speaks out on the appropriation of African American culture in the U.S: "What would America be like if we love black people as much as we love black culture?" (4:15). White women can sport afros and cornrows with positive feedback, but black women will face consequences and negativity for wearing their natural hair. Americans love the definitive styles of certain cultures, but refuse to accept and acknowledge the diverse and beautiful people of that culture. Brenda Salinas describes in an NPR article that many appropriate certain details of a culture while not appreciating the origins and people of said culture. One can learn about other cultures respectfully, as long as he or she does not hurt the people of that culture (Salinas). She expresses that the constantly mixing world economy leads to a intermingling of cultures that is inevitable, but the people of the culture must be credited for the origins of certain aesthetics (Salinas). Appreciating one’s culture and not the people behind it takes from those people without protecting
Some, like Alyssa Rosenberg of the Washington Post, believe that designers who only search for potential looks should be called out and search for deeper meaning behind the fashions. Simple accusations of cultural appropriation stop further questions about its causes and the effects that it has on the cultures in question (Rosenberg). Rosenberg believes it is better to delve deeper into the reasons why designers find these cultures so intriguing and captivating instead of simply blaming. Older generations tend to view the mixing of cultures as normal, while millennials and teenagers are seen as overly sensitive when recognizing the issue. In recent years, social media has given people a voice towards high end fashion that was not there when cultures were "borrowed from" in earlier years. When people can view fashion shows instantly and stage their concerns, their criticism can help designers and influencers understand and not repeat their …show more content…
In a recent video “Don’t Cash Crop on My Cornrows” actress Amandla Stenberg from The Hunger Games speaks out on the appropriation of African American culture in the U.S: "What would America be like if we love black people as much as we love black culture?" (4:15). White women can sport afros and cornrows with positive feedback, but black women will face consequences and negativity for wearing their natural hair. Americans love the definitive styles of certain cultures, but refuse to accept and acknowledge the diverse and beautiful people of that culture. Brenda Salinas describes in an NPR article that many appropriate certain details of a culture while not appreciating the origins and people of said culture. One can learn about other cultures respectfully, as long as he or she does not hurt the people of that culture (Salinas). She expresses that the constantly mixing world economy leads to a intermingling of cultures that is inevitable, but the people of the culture must be credited for the origins of certain aesthetics (Salinas). Appreciating one’s culture and not the people behind it takes from those people without protecting