Cultural appropriation vs appreciation: What is the difference and how can we better help understand it?
Senior fashion design and production major Lyric Miller addresses this with her presentation “Identity Does Not = Aesthetic.” On Oct. 16 a group of students gathered in the Intercultural and Commuter Cottage (IC3), where Miller led a presentation and conversation about the difference between appropriation and appreciation. Miller, the president of Lasell’s Multicultural Student Union (MSU) and organizer of the presentation, explained the importance of hosting a presentation like this one.
“I feel some people are aware of the things that they do, and just because of their background, it may be normalized from wherever they come from,” Miller said. “Being in a new environment may be a culture shock for them, and they may have to change the way that they would typically talk, or dress, because it may come off differently to others in a different setting.”
During the discussion, it was mentioned that this needs to be more openly discussed, and should become more integrated into curriculums on all levels. “The environment was very open to questions and comments about things, I felt like I could speak my mind openly, and not be judged. Overall a very good environment for this discussion to be held in,” said freshman undeclared major Maddi Peckham, who attended the presentation on cultural identity.
Miller asked questions to help students in the room to have students leave with a deeper understanding of the topic being discussed, including “Who are you trying to present yourself as?” “What are you trying to portray?” “Someone’s culture is not a vibe.” “Who approved it?”
West Virginia University created a guide on how to prevent cultural appropriation on Halloween, listing questions to ask before deciding on a Halloween costume. Celebrities and the general public are seen crossing the thin line between the two during the spooky season with costumes, from dressing like Pocahontas to blackface.
Appropriating another person’s can be severely damaging, as it minimizes that culture’s experiences and history. Native American headdresses are respected and honored as a sign of leadership, and the American Eagle feathers, an animal that is sacred in some tribes, is something that has to be earned, not something that should be worn because it would make a “good” Halloween costume. Braids and dreadlocks are hairstyles with deep cultural and spiritual meaning and depict a deep history of oppression. To wear someone else’s culture without knowing and respecting the meaning behind it is dehumanizing and “strips it down.”
“As a black woman, I feel like my culture is appropriated, especial- ly in America. Like it’s cool to be, to have the black aesthetic or 90s aesthetic in a broad sense, I just feel like it’s important to me,” said Miller on why it is important to her to discuss this even if it is hard.
Culture is to be celebrated, not taken and used for a costume or fun. Many Lasell clubs have hosted events and presentations raising awareness about cultural holidays or given talks on respecting cultures. MSU had a “Dia De Los Muertos - Day of the Dead” event on Oct. 24 and is hosting an upcoming event called Rep Your Flag on Nov. 16th.
MSU also held a “Queso and Questions” event for their first general board meeting. The IC3 has hosted previous events as well including the U-Belong on Sept. 5, the Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month Celebration co-hosted by MSU, BSA, and UNIDOS on Oct. 1.
Additionally, on Oct. 10, photographer and artist Olivia Slaughter held a presentation centered on the History of Marginalized Americans through Photography. This topic has also been ad- dressed by classes. Professor Sharyn Lowenstein’s honors students host- ed the first of a series of Talking Circles to explore feelings about speaking with people with various political beliefs on Oct.15.
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