White washing

• Engels
• HBO
• Studiejaar 3

White Americans vs appropriation of cultural fashion: 

when is it

appropriation and when is it appreciation

So, what is exactly cultural appropriation? 

Imagine, you're a White American, and you claim to be an expert on Chinese cuisine, cause you put soy sauce on every dish you eat. Does this make you an expert? No. 

Why? 

Examples of CA

- Native American patterns

- African American boxbraids

- Chinese cheongsam/qipao

Examples of CA

- Native American patterns

- African American boxbraids

- Chinese cheongsam/qi pao

NATIVE AMERICAN PATTERNS

Long history of cultural appropriation →

1940s and 50s: Squaw dress 

Halloween costumes, but also modern fashion

E.g.: Urban Outfitters and Forever 21

AFRICAN AMERICAN BOXBRAIDS

- Why does it matter who wears them (white vs African American people)

- Hair as a political statement

- Discrimination in daily life

 CHEONGSAM/QIPAO

"When I was young, and Chinese New Year came around, my mother gave me a qipao for me to wear, as we always try to stay true to our roots. However, after I wore this qipao to school, I was mocked and ridiculed by my white peers who bullied me relentlessly for wearing this traditional clothing of my culture. After this, I felt shame and fear for wearing anything related to my heritage. Yet, when a white girl wears a qipao she does not feel shame. She is not bullied nor ridiculed. She is praised. This is cultural appropriation. Asian Americans are taught that our culture is abnormal until white people make it interesting"

 CHEONGSAM/QIPAO

According to Bo Chen: I don't believe that it could be necessarily seen as cultural appropriation, as long as it's worn with respect. Back in the day, a white person would wear a cheongsam if they were together with someone who's Chinese. This as it would impress their family. If someone would do it disrespectfully, that's something else. However, more people wearing a cheongsam creates more acceptance. 

WHITEWASHING: WHAT IS THAT?

"Whitewashing’ is the common practice of lighting or digitally altering pictures of women of color in such a way to make dark skin appear whiter. The result and the message of this practice is women of color, whatever their skin shade, are not light enough because they are not white"

WHITEWASHING: EXAMPLES

POSSIBLE SOLUTION?

For fashion brands:

Collaborate with minorities: amplify voices and let them also profit 

Don’t want to collaborate? Ask for consent

Educate before you use something

For yourself:

Educate yourself and think thoroughly about the consequences

Ask people of color about things you're uncertain of! 

Appreciate, don't take one part of a culture that you like and call it a day, take time to learn and understand that specific culture as well!

DEBATE!

What: You're going to read three statements

Who: together with the complete group

How: the statements are separately shown, 

and you will debate them with each other.  

Outcome: you will be able to show that you have thoroughly thought about the statements. 

When is something cultural appropriation, and when is it harmful

When is something cultural appropriation, and when is it harmful?

When is something cultural appropriation, and when is it harmful

Should minority cultures receive reparations for the exploitation of their cultures, and if yes, how would this be realized? 

When is something cultural appropriation, and when is it harmful

Can cultural appropriation be avoided in the modern-day fashion industry?

When is something cultural appropriation, and when is it harmful

DISCUSSION CLOSED: did you learn something today? 

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