Imitation is not always the highest form of flattery.
The ongoing debate of nuanced imitation versus appreciation has the “post-racial” world perplexed. The topic has come up nearly every week in the news and on social media, specifically pegged toward White women who love, “looking” and “acting Black.” The ultimate question begs to know if the adoption of Black fashion, physical features, and culture –by White counterparts– is appropriation or appreciation?
Although both words have opposing definitions, when applied to Black culture and its convenient adoption by mainstream entities, the question is simple to answer.
The definition of “appreciation” is, “the full understanding of a situation.” In layman’s terms, one consciously and deeply understands the depth of the noun they so cherish. Therefore, being able to respect and have an awareness of said situation. “Appropriation” is defined as, “the action of taking something for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission,” (i.e when members of a dominant culture take liberties to adopt aspects of a culture from people, who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group).
Those that adopt cultural elements, not of their own, do not and for the most part, cannot fully understand the history and meaning behind certain styles, beauty regimens and many genetically disposed aspects that derive from the copied community. So, to be clear, what’s been going on is appropriation –despite that fact that one may feel like they are “appreciating” the culture.
The evidence of appropriation of Black culture is overwhelmingly blatant within fashion and mass media. From editorials to dress and makeup techniques, the desire to take on the stereotype appearance of people of color –disregarding the cultural implications of being a person of color– is ever-present. What turns the knife is how the originators of such styles are conveniently forgotten, given no accolades, while having been condemned and degraded for the same styles for which women of non-color receive praise and credit.
I'll leave you with this thought.
Although both words have opposing definitions, when applied to Black culture and its convenient adoption by mainstream entities, the question is simple to answer.
The definition of “appreciation” is, “the full understanding of a situation.” In layman’s terms, one consciously and deeply understands the depth of the noun they so cherish. Therefore, being able to respect and have an awareness of said situation. “Appropriation” is defined as, “the action of taking something for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission,” (i.e when members of a dominant culture take liberties to adopt aspects of a culture from people, who have been systematically oppressed by that
The evidence of appropriation of Black culture is overwhelmingly blatant within fashion and mass media. From editorials to dress and makeup techniques, the desire to take on the stereotype appearance of people of color –disregarding the cultural implications of being a person of color– is ever-present.
A perfect example of this is a hair stylisy of European orgin sa8d he vented Bantu Knots, giving them the name “twisted mini-buns.” Or when a famous European artist wore cornrows as “new” and “epic,” “bold Braids.” There was major backlash when E! news host, Guiliana Ranic, stated that Zendaya Coleman’s stunning Oscar night look was marred by her dreadlocks because they appeared to, “smell like patchouli oil, or weed”. However, not too long before that, she deemed Kylie Jenner’s faux-locs to be “edgy,” which were also featured on the cover of Teen Vogue.
The message projected by media is that our cultural styles are “too ethnic” when we, ourselves, wear them but are innovative and chic when women of non-color want to play dress up in our culturally inherent styles. Maisha Z. Johnson from everydayfeminism.com noted:
When Black women have to fight for acceptance with the same styles a young white woman can be admired for, what message does that send to Black women and girls? … It says that our natural beauty isn’t beautiful at all – and that our features are only appealing when they’re adopted by white women.
