by Sandra Cuevas
The concept of culture is something sacred to and something protected by human beings. Culture is our knowledge, values, language, and traditional items passed down from person to person in social groups we belong to. It’s how we grow with everything we learn throughout our lives. Culture is the way people have been taught to express themselves.
An issue that has been overlooked upon in our society is cultural appropriation, which is the action of representing a culture that you are not a part of.
A lot of history comes with many elements of many cultures, which is a reason why it is important to respect all cultures and consider how the people a part of those cultures would feel if they saw someone wearing or representing their culture.
There are many reasons this issue is still happening or is becoming a bigger one, whether it’s to be funny, to showcase racism, etc. The reason I see many people contributing to cultural appropriation is because many people aren’t aware of it and have very little understanding of the history, experience, and tradition within a culture.
Adrian Gaona, a James Lick High School Student, mentions, “I think a lot of people don’t acknowledge this issue because it’s not an issue that is affecting them directly. They don’t think of the other people and don’t understand what cultural appropriation really means.”
Manuel Borrayo, a San Jose State University graduate, added, “I think people think it’s okay to represent a culture they are not a part of because they may not have a culture other than the ‘American’ culture. They haven’t experienced the oppression those people have.”
It only now has been called cultural appropriation, but that doesn’t mean this issue hasn’t always happened
An issue that has been overlooked upon in our society is cultural appropriation, which is the action of representing a culture that you are not a part of.
A lot of history comes with many elements of many cultures, which is a reason why it is important to respect all cultures and consider how the people a part of those cultures would feel if they saw someone wearing or representing their culture.
There are many reasons this issue is still happening or is becoming a bigger one, whether it’s to be funny, to showcase racism, etc. The reason I see many people contributing to cultural appropriation is because many people aren’t aware of it and have very little understanding of the history, experience, and tradition within a culture.
Adrian Gaona, a James Lick High School Student, mentions, “I think a lot of people don’t acknowledge this issue because it’s not an issue that is affecting them directly. They don’t think of the other people and don’t understand what cultural appropriation really means.”
Manuel Borrayo, a San Jose State University graduate, added, “I think people think it’s okay to represent a culture they are not a part of because they may not have a culture other than the ‘American’ culture. They haven’t experienced the oppression those people have.”
It only now has been called cultural appropriation, but that doesn’t mean this issue hasn’t always happened
Latino USA, a radio program created by The Futuro Media Group and shared nationally by National Public Radio, includes ways people have taken credit from others in the past, such as latino rappers using the n-word or when white communities received most recognition in the jazz and rock n’ roll genre. Many don’t realize that the jazz and rock’n’roll genre originated from African Americans. Yet, a group of white men were the first to make a jazz record and people seemed to believe Elvis was the creator of rock’n’roll. When in reality, these privileged artists only took credit for it while the oppressed group received nothing.
This problem is similar to the ways non-natives wear headdresses, non-black people of color wear dreadlocks or use the n-word. These are a few of the elements that have a historical background that people should educate themselves about before thinking about taking that element. When others take these elements, it can make the group feel dehumanized.
In a survey of 20 Yerba Buena High School students, 13 said it’s very often that they see someone wearing elements from another culture, 12 said they don’t believe it’s okay for a person to represent a culture that isn’t theirs, and 3 said they aren’t sure if it’s okay or not.
When appropriating a culture, you must think about the history and discrimination that culture has faced. You must respect the historical realities and ongoing social issues that many cultures experience.
This problem is similar to the ways non-natives wear headdresses, non-black people of color wear dreadlocks or use the n-word. These are a few of the elements that have a historical background that people should educate themselves about before thinking about taking that element. When others take these elements, it can make the group feel dehumanized.
In a survey of 20 Yerba Buena High School students, 13 said it’s very often that they see someone wearing elements from another culture, 12 said they don’t believe it’s okay for a person to represent a culture that isn’t theirs, and 3 said they aren’t sure if it’s okay or not.
When appropriating a culture, you must think about the history and discrimination that culture has faced. You must respect the historical realities and ongoing social issues that many cultures experience.