CULTURAL APPROPRIATION: THE PROBLEM

In a world in which everything can be easily transmitted over social media and smart phones, fashion trends become hip, travel the world, and die all within a moment’s notice. The diffusion of different aspects of culture has existed as long as people have had unique cultures to share. In a society in which we strive to be individuals, we may end up exploiting aspects of cultures that are not to be shared with those outside of that culture.  This exploitation is referred to as “cultural appropriation”.

In fashion, cultural appropriation is the use of the traditional clothing and accessories sacred to a certain minority that has experienced oppression by those who do not practice those traditions. It is not something to be taken lightly because adopting fashion trends that have their roots in a culture that you are not a part of and exploiting them is a form of racism. It is a serious problem and most of the time people do not realize that it is not acceptable.  

The most common and problematic aspects of cultural appropriation in fashion are displayed all over social media and in pop culture for us to bear witness to daily. We see celebrities adorn clothing that has no significance in their culture but ignore it because of their fame. The most frequently appropriated aspects of culture in the present day are Native American headdresses, Hindu bindis, and Islamic burqas and chadors.

Native American headdresses are among the most symbolic aspects of Native American history. They are not able to be worn by just anyone. Many tribes require a daunting act of bravery or leadership to be able to have the privilege of wearing a headdress. It is clear as to why it would be inappropriate for the race guilty of their oppression to be wearing such prominent Native American symbols as fashion statements. Recently, Chanel incorporated controversial Native American fashions in their pre-fall show in Dallas. In response to the Chanel show a Belgian designer, Walter van Beirendonc showed two models that wore Native American headdresses; each headdress had the words “Stop Racism” written on them in red paint in order to show the world just how wrong this so-called fashion trend is.

If you have been on the internet within the past year you may have come across many different photos of women wearing bindis who were most likely not a part of the Hindu or South Asian culture. It is wrong of those women to be wearing such a sacred symbol on their foreheads in such an improper way. Bindis originated within the Hindu culture and were worn to represent married women. They are used today in many different South Asian cultures but still carry a lot of significance.  They have become a common problem in pop culture today as celebrities such as Selena Gomez, and many others who partake in the music festival scene have been seen wearing them.

Recently, the use of burqas within non-Islamic culture has also become a major problem. Burqas are religiously significant articles of clothing within the Muslim faith. Those who wear them that are not a part of Islamic tradition and are not required to by the laws of some countries are doing so unjustly. Lady Gaga and Madonna have, unfortunately, participated in the unwarranted wearing of this traditionally significant aspect of the Islamic faith. Lady Gaga is a repeat offender due to her frequent attempts to popularize the improper use of Burqas in American culture.

While our history is filled with cultural diffusion, it is also filled with the oppression of these cultures. We cannot pick and choose what parts of the traditions of some societies we will accept and which aspects we will subjugate. We cannot be considered global citizens if we are blatantly exploiting sacred aspects of cultures that are not our own.

Written by: Gabriella Crespo

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5