The cultural appropriation debate rages on

Cultural appropriation is a topic that has received extreme reactions, especially when the person in question is a celeb. It’s a topic that touches a raw nerve and a debate that’s been raging on forever. Most recently, it made news when American rapper and social media personality Danielle Bregoli aka Bhad Bhabie slammed the term in an interview. She said, “I look at that cultural appropriation s**t and I just ignore it because it’s ridiculous. You cannot act a colour. Do not tell me I’m acting black because I’m not.” Apart from slamming the term, Danielle went on to take on trolls who had a problem with her wearing braids. She said, “I get braids all the time, you can’t tell me I’m acting black because I braid my hair. That makes no sense.” 

KATY PERRY

Back in 2013, singer Katy Perry was accused of appropriating the Japanese culture by depicting a geisha at the Video Music Awards performance. She did go on to apologise for it.

KYLIE JENNER

Kylie has had to battle numerous accusations for borrowing especially in relation to African-American culture. A few years ago, she received a lot of flak for wearing her hair in cornrows.

BEYONCÉ

Queen Bey was picked on for her part in Coldplay’s Hymn for the Weekend. In the video, she portrayed a Bollywood actress attired in a traditional Indian outfit with henna on her hands.

MILEY CYRUS

The singer upset some people when she sported bindis on her eyebrows to celebrate Pride Weekend.

KARLIE KLOSS

Karlie walked the runway at the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show in a Native American garb that was loaded with spiritual and ceremonial significance. After much backlash, the brand apologised.

ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO

Brazilian model and actress Alessandra Ambrosio was criticised for sporting a Native American feathered headdress in a selfie. Several fans had an issue with her look. “If you had any knowledge of the culture, you would know how disrespectful this is,” one commenter wrote.

SELENA GOMEZ

In 2013, while performing Come and Get It on Dancing With the Stars, Selena Gomez donned a bindi and did a Bollywood-inspired routine. Social media was abuzz with people finding her actions unacceptable.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Cultural appropriation is defined as adoption of elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture.  There have been cases of commoners too being accused of it on social media. Like Heidi, a Utah homemaker, who threw a Japanese-themed tea party for her daughter. The post was picked on by a netizen, who expressed concern surrounding cultural appropriation. What followed was a heated debate with some users terming the tea party and the mother a racist. Finally, a Japanese person appreciated Heidi’s efforts and acknowledged that a vast majority of Japanese would have no problem with other people trying to enjoy and spread their culture.

CULTURAL REFERENCE

Rukshana Eisa, grooming and etiquette expert says, “When elements of cultures are adopted, it is usually done as admiration and appreciation of other cultures, but sadly it is misinterpreted.”

IN THE FASHION WORLD

Designer Nachiket Barve believes it’s not all black and white and if and when intolerance rises, one can always rely on a sense of humour to put things into perspective. He also cautions against the use of religious motifs, adding, “We live in very touchy times, at some point you are going to offend someone or the other. As creative people we tend to draw inspiration from other cultures and people. The only caveat is one should stay away from religious iconography. There are things that are sacrosanct like religious motifs, items of worship, which should not be used out of context. The way to go that extra mile is to take inspiration from a culture and make it abstract enough where there is an essence of it captured but it’s not a lazy cut-paste job.”