I'm helping to organize Victoria's first African & Caribbean festival. We're hosting a fashion show and not all our models are of African or Caribbean descent. Similarly, during African Spirit Night which takes place every month, there's a line on our Facebook event page that tells people that they're encouraged to wear African traditional clothing to the event. My friend asked me "aren't you guys promoting cultural appropriation?"
This.
The line was directed at Africans who have traditional clothing but don't wear it. You know how many African folks have clothes but feel it wouldn't be really appropriate to wear it to the mall, or to church? We want African Spirit Night to be where you can feel comfortable wearing your native, as Nigerians call it.
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Back to the topic at hand, cultural appropriation and clothes. Where do we draw the line? I don't get offended when I see a white girl wearing aso oke. It actually makes me quite happy. I agree with this post about cultural appropriation: it invalidates a culture and people, it commodifies (by placing monetary value), reinforces stereotypes, romanticizes and exorticizes people. To me, a white girl in aso oke doesn't do this.
This white chic called Susan is wearing aso oke for whatever reason does not invalidate Yoruba culture, although it may not necessarily promote it. I'm not Yoruba, so to me aso oke is already a commodity, and Nigerians pay to wear it.
This white chic called Susan is wearing aso oke for whatever reason does not invalidate Yoruba culture, although it may not necessarily promote it. I'm not Yoruba, so to me aso oke is already a commodity, and Nigerians pay to wear it.
Oh, remember that "tribute song to South African and Columbian culture" by Shakira called "Waka Waka"? Hello cultural appropriation 101. That song was not even South African, but that's beside the point. Shakira invalidated, commodified and exorticized. Go girl! I remember when she released her remake of "Zangalewa" and I told my friends, I grew up singing that song, and they were like "umm, no, Shakira just released it"
1) Is it marketed to you as an object/custom from a marginalised culture without any context? If yes/unsure,don’t do it.This.
This. It is so important to understand the meaning and value of an object before appropriating it. As a foreigner visiting Nigeria, wearing our clothes is no big deal. However, walking around singing "Zangalewa" is another story.
3) What is the history/meaning of objects/languages/rituals in the culture? Are you aware of the meanings/history of these things? Will you be using them in a way that misrepresents them, or diminishes their power? If yes/unsure, don’t do it.
5) If someone from calls you out on appropriation/racism, are you going defend your perceived right to appreciate their heritage, & how they shouldn’t be offended? If the answer is yes/unsure, you definitely shouldn’t do it.
This.
