Spotlight on Students: A Discussion on Cultural Appropriation (Part 1)

This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify an example of cultural appropriation and explain how the cultural elements could be appreciated instead. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.

Nike's culturally appropriated design on leggings.

 

By: Mason Igou

One example of cultural appropriation that I found was back in 2013 involving a new, trendy design on a pair of their women's leggings. Within no time, many criticisms and statements surfaced from 2 main groups, those from Australia and New Zealand. The reason for this outrage is because the design on the pants closely resembled pe'a, which is the tattoo men wear in Samoan Culture. This is an example of cultural appropriation because what was once a male specific symbol and tattoo, it was now being made for women's clothing, misrepresenting a once sacred symbol. Another reason that this is an example of cultural appropriation is because Nike did not do any research in making sure that this was an appropriate symbol to use, as most companies check with someone who has a patent or some sort of knowledge on a symbol, this is evident in a statement by Nike which read, "The Nike Tattoo Tech collection was inspired by tattoo graphics. We apologize to anyone who views this design as insensitive to any specific culture. No offense was intended." (HuffPost, 2013)

 

Someone could appreciate the culture without appropriating it first by doing research and getting in contact with people who practice this culture to see the real meaning behind some the symbols and actions. You can also appreciate the culture without appropriating it by respecting the symbols, like if Nike did their research and found out that this was a male only tattoo, maybe working closely with people of this culture to make a clothing line for men that both respects and honors the culture. In this case, the big takeaway is to do your research, and don't mess with symbols you don't understand.

 

“Nike Pulls Tattoo Leggings after Offending Pacific Community.” HuffPost, 15 Aug. 2013, www.huffpost.com/entry/nike-tattoo-leggings_n_3763591.

 

A. Traditional "Dream Catcher", B. Mask used in children's games, C. "Ghost leg" (Bureau of American Ethnology)

 

By: Molly Suthoff

Cultural appropriation, as defined in Anthropology: Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture, is "the unilateral decision of one social group to take control over the symbols, practices, and objects of another" (Welsch et al. 42). In an easier definition, it is the blatant use of another culture without acknowledging the history and significance of that culture. An example of cultural appropriation that is very common in today’s society is the making and use of dreamcatchers (Karim). Dreamcatchers hold extreme significance to Native Americans and have history that can be found in many Native American legends. Today, they are misappropriated by a plethora of people. The mass creation and selling of dreamcatchers by non-Native Americans neglects to acknowledge the history and significance of dreamcatcher's presence in Native American culture. This is a prime example of cultural appropriation because non-Native Americans who create and sell dreamcatchers are actively ignoring Native culture while simultaneously exploiting it too. While dreamcatchers are often made and sold by non-Natives, which is cultural appropriation, it is important to note that it is acceptable for Native Americans to make and sell dreamcatchers because they are aware of and reflect on their significance (Karim). 

In an effort to avoid cultural appropriation, someone who is interested in the creation and use of dreamcatchers can do many things so that they are properly recognizing the significance of dreamcatchers in Native American cultures. First, they can consult with a Native American on the proper creation of dreamcatchers and what their place in Native culture is. This would be a great time to become educated on the legends that surround the dreamcatcher. Second, they can refrain from creating the dreamcatchers for profit. Finally, they can abstain from creating the dreamcatchers at all and stick to learning about the culture rather than abusing the culture. While it is lovely that people want to learn about and acknowledge Native American culture, it becomes useless when they choose to culturally appropriate it. By understanding the history and legacy of dreamcatchers most cultural appropriation can be avoided (Johnson).

Works Cited

Johnson, Kaylin. “Dream catchers are more than arts and crafts – The Ferris State Torch.” The Ferris State Torch, 13 October 2020, https://fsutorch.com/2020/10/13/dream-catchers-are-more-than-arts-and-crafts/.

Karim, Nudrat. “Dreamcatchers are not your “aesthetic” — The Indigenous Foundation.” The Indigenous Foundation, 30 May 2023, https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/dreamcatchers.

Welsch, Robert Louis, et al. Anthropology: Asking Questions about Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture. New York, Oxford University Press, 2019.

 

 

Ariana Grande's original tattoo that read "BBQ grill"

 

 By: Kaitlyn Wilbers

An example of cultural appropriation is Ariana Grande getting a tattoo in Japanese. Grande got a tattoo that was meant to say "7 rings" as part of the promotion for her new music album. Instead, Grande's tattoo translates to "BBQ Grill" in Japanese (Twersky 2019). This is an example of cultural appropriation because she uses Japanese symbols that she does not know the meaning of. Numerous amounts of tattoos are considered culturally appropriated. Some examples are tribal tattoos, sugar skulls, Japanese Kanji tattoos, and god or goddess tattoos. These are just a few examples of tattoos that can be culturally appropriated. These are considered culturally appropriated tattoos because many people get them because they like how they look but do not know the meaning or research the meaning behind the tattoo they are getting. Many people get a tattoo simply because they want or like the design and do no research in advance. Tattoos of this nature are typically seen as not being culturally appropriate by anyone who is not in the religion, of that culture, or in that tribe. For example, many people who are not part of the Maori culture get Maori tribal tattoos or use the tribal tattoos as inspiration in their own tattoo designs. Many tribal tattoos aid in distinguishing the higher-ups from the other citizens and determine the difference between different tribes. Japanese Kanji tattoos are often culturally appropriated because people who do not understand the language or speak the language often get Japanese Kanji tattoos and often do not know the meaning or, in many cases, do not make sense at all. Such as in the case of Ariana Grande getting a tattoo in Japanese that she thought read "7 rings" but instead read "BBQ Grill." There are indeed numerous tattoo styles that are not culturally appropriate, although it's worth noting that not all tattoos may be appropriate for every culture. People should research before committing to the tattoo they are getting to ensure they are not appropriating a culture. Suppose the research shows that the tattoo is offensive or not culturally appropriate for that individual. In that case, that person should not get the tattoo but instead choose a different one out of respect for that culture. 

Works Cited

Hunter, Dan. “Cultural Appropriation and Tattoos: Think before You Ink.” AuthorityTattoo, 17 Jan. 2022, authoritytattoo.com/cultural-appropriation-and-tattoos/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2023.

Twersky, Carolyn. "11 Celebrity Examples of Cultural Appropriation" Seventeen, www.seventeen.com/celebrity/g22363821/cultural-appropriation-examples-celebrities/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2023.