Black Cultural Appropriation

The Reconstruction Era was a period of ‘repair’ and progression of African-Americans, throughout the North and South. African American figureheads of the Reconstruction Era racial uplifts focused heavily on education and practical knowledge, while Hurston offered a different perspective. Although Zora Neale Hurston is now a ‘literary genius,’ her contemporaries criticized her, saying she was hindering the advancement of Blacks. Her literature described by Richard Wright had “no theme, no message, no thought. ”(PBS 1).

The shows foundation began to be seen as offensive on account of it’s portrayal of blacked up characters behaving in a over the top clichéd and stereotypical manner. The BBC received a petition not much later, demanding the show be changed or taken off air, in 1967. There was a organization titled the ‘Campaign Against Racial Discrimination’, which used the petition to suggest that the show be taken off air. “It causes much distress to most coloured people” to which the BBC then responded quite tactlessly: “The corporation has a strict attitude about the presentation of racialism in its programmes and we do not think The Black and White Minstrel Show offended in this way. The show is not about race.

Cultural appropriation has been a controversial topic following the accusation of numerous celebrities of appropriation. The debate surrounding the ethics and the role of using a culture outside of one’s culture is very well present in the artistic community, including among the fiction writers. Traditionally, fiction writers have taken aspects of a foreign culture to create characters and narratives. However, recent incidents, such as when J.K Rowling was accused of appropriating on Navajo narratives about skinwalkers in May 2016, has incited an argument between writers on whether writer should be allowed to use narratives borrowed from other cultures. This essay will discuss the problem of cultural appropriation in fiction, especially of the native communities in Australia, by examining both perspectives and suggest of a realistic solution to reach an agreement.

ASSIGNMENT THE THEME OF “OTHERNESS” AND RACISM IN THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO: THE MOOR OF VENICE SUB: ENGL-403 ELIZABETHAN DRAMA Submitted by: AFEEFA Reg. No:15356004 1 MA ENGLISH Submitted to: Dr.T.Marx Dept. of English

Jasmine Ferrell 6th 06/10/16 Composition 10 Being A Black Female In America “ It is utterly exhausting being a Black in America- physically,mentally,and emotionally. While many minority groups and women feel similar stress, there is no respite or escape from your badge of color”, quoted by Marian Wright Edelman. Many women of different minority groups are authorized because of their race and the fact that they’re a woman, but it seems as if through history and present day Black women have it harder than the rest.

From Tragic to Heroic – The Mulatto Figure in Passing Narrative The trope of having a mulatto figure whom audiences love to hate prevails in passing narratives. The figure is often destined to have a tragic ending; the fate suggests that transgressing the racial boundary entails risks and dire consequences. The existence of a fixed racial boundary calls to mind the essentialist definition of race; anyone who fails to conform to the racial system is bound to be punished.

The argument of cultural appropriation has always been a huge topic, particularly with the rise of social media. The debate is strongly portrayed in pop culture such as animations, games, movies, fashion and art. The portrayal of cultural appropriation in these different platforms usually happen through language, music, clothing, and appearance. Given an example of a animated Disney movie “Moana” released in 2016, it tells the story of adventurous pacific islander which is the chief’s daughter, who sets sail to save her people. " Moana" has been labelled as cultural thief because it is said to be borrowing stories from the culture of Polynesia and exploits it for profit.

There are countless definitions of cultural appropriation, and whether or not is it bad, however in reality many people are unaware that they are using it. To put it simply, cultural appropriation is taking someone else’s cultural expressions or knowledge from their very own culture, without permission. This can be seen in numerous forms which are familiar to this day and age. This includes music, dance, fashion, language and food. Nonetheless these are obvious examples, art on the other hand, is something that many people don't notice.

Who we are and what we do matters, not just to us but to the people around us. In the articles presented within this essay the salience of understanding is exemplified through a common topic. Comprehension is crucial to coexisting, as well as appreciating our roots, motives and purpose. Failure to remain enlightened results in difficulties, such as diminishing social awareness and social issues. Cultural appropriation is the usage of cultural components in which its basis becomes distorted.

Imagine a society where white America loved Mexican-Americans as much as they love Chipotle. Where the love black people as much as they love rap music and the Muslim community as much as they love wearing the hijab as a costume. Too bad that society doesn 't exist. It almost seems unreal in the near future at the rate that this country is going in. This double standard is a prime example of what culture appropriation is.

Growing up in an underprivileged neighborhood, I've seen countless things that I’d believe destroyed our once unified black culture. I can ponder on many issues that occurs in my community that I dislike. Issues I disapprove, including: a poor education system, violence, peer pressure, stereotyping, and more. “Negros” are constantly ridiculed because of their acions and it's not acceptable to them nor myself. I'm ready to see a change and for the world to be one.