Summary
Summary Essay: Appropriation vs Appreciation
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- 12th Grade
AP Human Geography essay
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Cindy Chow pd 5HUG 12
To what extent does one show cultural appropriation
Cultural appropriation is the use of artifacts, mentifacts, or sociofacts of a minority culture in a
way that reinforces stereotypes and contributes to oppression. Simply put, it is taking an aspect of
a culture that is not one’s own and using it for personal interest, ignorant to the fact that it may
hold cultural significance. Examples include using cultural pieces as a fashion statement,
incorporating significant symbols as part of everyday use, copying dance styles and elements, and
the list goes on.
Because cultural appropriation has many nuanced social factors, people have trouble
understanding the concept or don’t realize that they are appropriating a culture. However, most of
the time, cultural appropriation takes place when there is a power clash between different
cultures.
Especially in the fashion world, the industry moves so fast that designers don’t take the time to
research and acknowledge other cultures. For example, the haute couture fashion brand, Gucci,
has faced backlash for several designer items over the past years. Gucci’s contemporary art
fashion is meant to spark conversation, however their cultural designs often lack empathy and
understanding for the culture they are appropriating. Two examples include the ‘Indy Turban’,
worn at a show at Milan Fashion Week in 2018, as well Balenciaga’s Trompe-L'Oeil sweatpants.
The ‘Indy Turban’ faced backlash in 2018 following Gucci’s runway show, which featured white
models donning blue turbans. Furthermore, outrage from the Sikh Coalition criticized Gucci’s
choice to put it on sale at Nordstrom for $790. This was culturally inappropriate because Gucci
had marketed this as a fashion accessory that one could slip on and off easily. They were ignorant
to the fact that in Sikh culture, a turban is wrapped carefully and methodically over one’s uncut
hair to represent their Sikh faith. The hefty price tag was also inappropriate due to the fact that
Gucci and Nordstrom would profit off this, without recognizing the cultural significance and the
racism that Sikhs often face by wearing the turban. On top of that, Gucci did not apologize or
provide comment to the backlash.
It seems that Gucci had not learned their lesson, as they culturally appropriated again with the
release of the Trompe-L'Oeil sweatpants in 2021. These sweatpants featured exposed boxer
shorts worn low above the waistband. This was an example of cultural appropriation as they
appropriated the style of ‘sagging’ to make it cool. This style originated from hip-hop culture and
streetwear. It is deliberately worn low yet is often criminalized in some cities in the US as it is the
style often worn by black males. As per usual, Gucci attached a high price tag of $1,190 USD,
and, yet again, appropriated a style taken from a historically disadvantaged community.
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