Essay On African American Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation has been defined by Susan Scafidi as, “taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else's culture without permission. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc.” In an article written by Brittany Enoghayin, she talks on the recent trend on African print clothing that has become conspicuous in prom attire. Brittany Enoghayin, author of Are Black Americans Culturally Appropriating Africans?, she reiterates how “some argue that Black Americans are appropriating African culture by suddenly adopting African themed clothing like a fly by night trend with little …show more content…
"Just because African-Americans wear kente cloth does not mean they embrace everything that is African. . . A shared complexion does not equal a shared culture, nor does it automatically lead to friendships” (Oigbokie). Oigbokie speaks on his experience at a historically black university and how although similar in complexion, those of black culture were first of many to treat him as though he were an outcast. As my own experience is similar to his, I can not help but to agree. Growing up, I grew up where being a minority within a minority group was looked at as being at. My accent was mocked, and I was seen as being unintelligent and dirty. I grew up with a dislike for those of black ancestry, not because I disliked them all, but how they were fast to boast their pride for their lineage but were quicker to shun my own. “‘A lot of African-Americans were taught that Africa was nothing more than just a primitive, backward jungle from whence they came,’ he says. Meanwhile, Africans have picked up whites' fear of blacks. ‘Our perception of African-Americans is that they are a race of people who carry guns and are very, very violent.’”(Kofi