2.16: How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation

May 26, 2020

Celebrating the people around us and their unique cultures can be exciting and incredibly enriching! But where is that fine line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation? When we take elements of someone else's culture without permission or compensation we can unintentionally cause a great deal of harm. In this episode we discuss four steps you can take to ensure that you are appreciating culture instead of appropriating it. 

1. Consider the power dynamics at play 
2. Remember that your impact is greater than your intent 
3. Be sure that any money you spend is going directly into the pockets of people who are from the culture you are celebrating 
4. Ask yourself: Do I understand the significance of this cultural artifact/food/art?

Henry Ford English School 

 

Article about Native American Boarding Schools: Death By Civilization 

 

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

 

Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

 

Pencil Test: Black Hair-Bridging a ‘Code of Conduct’

 

Texas Teen Banned by High School From Attending Graduation After Refusing to Cut Dreadlocks 

 

Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood