1: INQUIRE & INVESTIGATE

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

The following quote comes from the article listed in resources: 

 “We have to stop guarding cultures and subcultures in efforts to preserve them. It's naïve, paternalistic and counterproductive. Plus, it's just not how culture or creativity work​” 

ACTIVITY

 

  1. Open the Section 1 Workbook. Read this entire activity including the questions posed. Scroll down to the resources for this activity and watch the video and read the article on cultural appropriation.

  2. Discuss the implications of the quote above responding to the following questions in your workbook:

    1. Based on this quote alone, do you believe that the author believes that cultural appropriation is an issue?

    2. Have you come across examples of cultural appropriation in your own life? How did it make you feel?

    3. Who “owns” a culture? Who can give “permission” for an element to be used? ​

    4. Do you believe that there is difference between appropriation and promotion of a culture?  

    5. Why do you believe that there can be a strong backlash when discussions of cultural appropriation come up?

  3. Complete the single-point rubric found at the end of your workbook.

RESOURCES

  • VIDEO: “Whose problem is cultural appropriation?” - Festival fashion has recently come under criticism for cultural appropriation. But if festivals are a space for freedom of expression, where is the line between appreciating and appropriating other cultures?

  • ARTICLE: “The Dos and Don’ts of Cultural Appropriation” - Borrowing from other cultures isn’t just inevitable, it’s potentially positive.