‘Cultural appropriation’ : what’s the issue behind this term?

We hear more and more often about cultural appropriation, especially in some parts of the world where, funny enough, multi-ethnicity seems to be even more developed.

But what is it really about?

It seems fair to start from the meaning of appropriation, to which the sense of "taking possession of someone else's something" seems universally recognised. Quite different from the term appreciation, which means a "positive judgment about something or someone".

I believe there is a confusion of words and meanings between the two terms, which easily leads to conflicts full of contempt and pride. But let's go by points.

Some time ago, I participated in a discussion regarding the disrespectful appropriation of the use of braids (now often referred to as "Afro-braids") by any woman who is not of Afro/Caribbean descent.

Let's clear up one issue; women today can have more varied hairstyles, generally speaking. Blondes. Black. Curly. Smooth. With pigtails. With extensions. Considering whether that person is "worthy enough" to wear a certain hairstyle is useless and dangerous.

It seems to carry with it the idea that one is not allowed to show interest and appreciation for cultures other than one's own. However, everyone is expected to be an expert or at least a connoisseur of other cultures.

It is right not to want others to be superficial with their traditions, but we must always keep in mind the importance of diversity which is precisely what allows us to build our own identity.

Cultures are there, they exist, and they make the world a more complete place. Beauty lies in making one's things that can represent us as an individual, even if they do not belong to the culture of origin. This means growing up and becoming conscious as a person. The intention is not to steal someone else's culture but to appreciate and deliberately assimilate it without any constrictions.

After all, you cannot choose where you are born. And therefore, a bit like family, you don't pick it, but you love it anyway, while your friends are the ones that reflect you. The same goes for cultural values. There is the one where you 'found yourself by chance' and the one you know over time, and you make your own.

Hence the distinction between appropriation and appreciation is crucial. Feeding the idea that you are only allowed a few things by society not to be considered a usurper leads to the unhealthy thinking that appreciating other people's values is the synonym for stealing something that could not be stolen, letting us focus on the concept of an overwhelm/victim structure that only accentuates more rivalry.

We do not want to deny history; we are disgusted by history and want not to repeat it. The past cannot be changed, but we can and must change the present and, therefore, the future. Appreciating a culture that is not your own is the beginning of change.

We do not want to forget that the idea of ​​racism has been fuelled by an obligation towards African and Caribbean women to culturally assimilate Caucasian women, having to modify their hair because considered inappropriate or unprofessional. However, the awareness of appreciating a hairstyle rejected throughout history leads to its acceptance and consideration.

It is essential to understand that the fact ​​that differentiation is handed down based on wrong dynamics perpetuated in history continues to make everything wrong and with no solution. We continue to differentiate, classify, and unconsciously give an idea of ​​better or worse, boosting racism as all kinds of differentiation based on 'race', excluding one ethnicity rather than another.

It is certainly not starting from the division and classification that “we succeed". I reject all this; I love and always will love to see a girl who is African, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asian, Indian or Viking (etc.) proud to carry the values ​​she represents herself, whether her values were born with her or acquired over time.

Our era is not that of our ancestors. Covid exception aside, globalisation should allow everybody to open their views and know more about what happens on the other side of the world. Therefore, a greater possibility of change and growth has been given.

We are all the same, all human beings.

In a fast-paced society like the modern one, where everything changes frequently and new concepts and techniques are created, the idea that there are no cultural barriers is part of human cultural evolution.

And that does not mean racism doesn't exist, but we have to keep fighting any form of that. Culture isn't an isolated thing in a box, especially not in a globalised world with access to the internet. If this were the case, it would only continue to produce differences and segregation between individuals, which is not what we hope for!

Acknowledging different cultures, respecting them, and assimilating those that reflect us better should be favoured rather than discouraged.

It is time to break down the mental patterns that do not let us move and go further.

Let's move on together!

Unity, One Love, always!