What is cultural appropriation?
An individual taking on aspects of another culture or religious tradition for their own private gain. This could include the appropriation of physical traits, such as skin colour or hair texture but also religious traditions such as the Western appropriation of Hinduism, and its moulding to fit into an aesthetically pleasing narrative of new age spirituality.
What did Rihanna do?
Recently, Rihanna came under fire for an Instagram picture in which she is seen in just a pair of satin shorts, wearing a necklace with a large Ganesh pendant.
Just last year, Rihanna issued a public apology after using Islamic Hadith in the background of a lingerie fashion show for her Savage x Fenty line.
How is cultural appropriation offensive?
CULTURAL APPROPRIATION PERPETUATES RACISM!
It turns physical traits and deeply personal cultural and religious articles of POC into trends, ignoring their longstanding history of oppression.
It serves as a mockery to POC who see their identities ripped apart and cherry-picked to cater to the White, or, more generally, Western gaze.
It dehumanises POC by feeding upon colonial stereotypes which exoticise and fetishise coloured bodies.
It takes over the agency of racial and religious minorities to represent themselves and instead gives this agency back to the privileged.
So, why was Rihanna's behaviour wrong?
Rihanna’s flaunting of the Ganesh pendant turns Hinduism into an accessory, a commodity, which removes from its religious significance.
Rihanna’s insensitive use of Hadith during a lingerie show crudely decontextualises the holy nature of Islamic Hadith.
Rihanna’s actions undermine the widespread ridicule many Hindus have faced when practicing their faith and the rampant Islamophobia which plagues our societies.
How can we do better?
How do we dictate the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation?
It all comes down to intent and educating oneself.
Cultural appreciation shows respect for other cultures and seeks to celebrate diversity. Cultural appropriation takes away from already marginalised communities for self-promotion.
How do we appreciate other cultures without appropriating them?
Try asking yourself:
‘Does my appreciation show respect to another culture or does it benefit me?’
‘Am I doing this to spread awareness or get likes?’
‘Do I understand the historical significance of this?’
‘Does this amplify or silence the voices of POC?’
‘Do I understand my privilege?’
* written by @modestenlightenment
Sources:
Rihanna, 2020. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CLUzcxMnm4A/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Parkar, N., 2020. Rihanna apologises for Islamic verse at Fenty lingerie fashion show. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-54441163
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