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Cultural Appropriation

In: Philosophy and Psychology

Submitted By jodicreet
Words 1012
Pages 5
Nia Newton
Professor Wilson
English 112
31 October 2015
Cultural Appropriation As the United States population continues to increase so does the number of ethnic minorities. With an increase of ethnic minorities comes an increase of different cultures brought into our society. Some people of different ethnicities attempt to adopt the cultures of others incorrectly causing cultural appropriation. As defined by the Washington Post cultural appropriation is, “a dominant group adopting/trivializing elements of [an oppressed groups] culture without acknowledging the existence of its original source” (Blagrove). This has become a yet another serious, but overlooked problem in America. Cultural appropriation normally involves “members of a dominant group exploiting the culture of less privileged groups” (Nittle), and is also included as another form of racism. When one participates in appropriation of culture, it is as if the person is robbing another minority group of their heritage and credit. As a result, “the dominant group is deemed innovative and edgy, while the disadvantaged groups… continue to face negative stereotypes about minority groups” (Nittle). However, many feel as if cultural appropriation is good, for others are complementing the culture by trying to replicate it, “white gay men imitate black women out of admiration, much of it out of a sense of black women as fellow sufferers of oppression” (McWhorter). Many also commonly believe cultures should take it as a huge complement when imitation is noticed from one ethnicity to the next. Citizens of America should be able to explore other cultures, without being labeled racist. The Washington Post states, “When we attack people stepping outside their own cultural experiences, we hinder our ability to develop empathy and cross cultural understandings” (Young). One can understand wanting to learn and

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