It Is Never Appropriate To Appropriate | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

It Is Never Appropriate To Appropriate

Please don't do it.

20
It Is Never Appropriate To Appropriate
Eastside

Halloween is just around the corner. People are beginning to pick out their costumes for the holiday, so I thought it best to address the inevitable. People tend to appropriate cultures on a daily basis, but for some reason, people believe Halloween gives them an all access pass to do so.

Cultural Appropriation is when one cultural group adopts elements or aspects of another cultural group especially if this group gets oppressed or discriminated against for these aspects. For example, a popular Halloween "costume" is that of a Native American with a headdress. While you might be praised and congratulated on a cool costume, Native Americans have been oppressed and killed for expressing their culture. Also, by wearing this "costume," you fail to recognize the deep cultural significance that it may have to Native culture. I bring up this particular example because I myself have been guilty of doing this.

During my junior year of high school, I donned the problematic mascot costume known as 'Mr. Yakoo', symbol of the North Quincy Red Raiders. I thought it was cool to put on such a costume and run around getting people hyped up for sporting events. However, little did I know how much damage I was doing to the Native American population. I realized my mistake in doing so and moved on. Unfortunately what often happens is that people will acknowledge that they have done the same but become defensive and bogged down with guilt. While guilt is a natural reaction, this does nothing to better the situation. We must be ready to call ourselves out, prevent ourselves from letting it happen again, and spread what we've learned to our peers.

Another such example of this is when white people get praised for wearing their hair in braids or dreadlocks, when people of color, especially black people, get discriminated against for doing the same. Many people would deny the validity of this, but way too often are people told that such hairstyles are said to be unprofessional or unruly. What I find especially irritating is when white people, especially designers will take credit for these hairstyles. Blackface is another form of this that is being called out on more nowadays but still happens to be a problem. While some people might think it's funny to paint their face black and pretend to be a black person, there are people who are killed for having a black face.

This isn't to say that people of color can't appropriate cultures as well, I have given my own example of doing so, but other people of color are guilty of doing it: Beyonce, Selena Gomez among other celebrities have committed some form of appropriation. Everyone can do it, and everyone should be held accountable.

Although this article is meant to be informational, we cannot neglect the emotional, social and mental implications of this topic. While you're having a fun time wearing that Native American headdress there are Native Americans who have been slaughtered for doing the same, while you put on black face, there are those who have no choice of whether or not to wear a black face and get shot for it, while you're wearing a sombrero Mexicans are being terrorized and threatened. Keep in mind that while you might wear it for a day, people's cultures are centered around these things. It is never appropriate to appropriate.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

1802
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

448338
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20995
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44120
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments