In today’s society, being respectful of another’s values is a large part of social interaction. One is now expected to be mindful or aware of what they say as to not offend others. Cultural appropriation is the use of another culture’s practices or traditions as a way to simplify or stereotype without understanding the meaning. Even with honest intentions, simple representations of another culture can be offensive. The song/film “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”, Iggy Azalea’s song “Bounce”, and the Newsweek Article “God of all Things” fall victim to cultural appropriation in what seems to be a harmless representation of another culture. The song/film Bhool Bhulaiyaa depicts what seems to be a rap video with a lot of aspects from modern American culture. The video was meant to be in Hindu and for an Indian audience, however it is in English. A majority of the lyrics are in
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Obama appears on the cover balancing on one leg while balancing aspects of the American economy in multiple hands. The cover refers to Obama as a god and questions if one man can effectively be president. The title “God of all Things” makes comparison of the American president to Hindu god, Shiva (6). Shiva the Destroyer is one of the primary gods of the Hindu religion and one of her manifestations is Nataraja lord of dance. Nataraja is often depicted balancing on one leg while moving her arms. Obama is portrayed similarly in the Newsweek article. It is one thing to use other parts of a culture in a picture but using religion is almost a guaranteed offense. Religion is often a very sensitive subject in most cultures and is easy to take offense to when used outside of its intended context. Newsweek wanted to make a clever and non-offensive cover but unfortunately using any religious symbols or text usually will offend many people. This was an inappropriate example of culturally appropriating the Hindu religion and its
Obama appears on the cover balancing on one leg while balancing aspects of the American economy in multiple hands. The cover refers to Obama as a god and questions if one man can effectively be president. The title “God of all Things” makes comparison of the American president to Hindu god, Shiva (6). Shiva the Destroyer is one of the primary gods of the Hindu religion and one of her manifestations is Nataraja lord of dance. Nataraja is often depicted balancing on one leg while moving her arms. Obama is portrayed similarly in the Newsweek article. It is one thing to use other parts of a culture in a picture but using religion is almost a guaranteed offense. Religion is often a very sensitive subject in most cultures and is easy to take offense to when used outside of its intended context. Newsweek wanted to make a clever and non-offensive cover but unfortunately using any religious symbols or text usually will offend many people. This was an inappropriate example of culturally appropriating the Hindu religion and its