How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation
Cultural Appropriation: “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture”- Cambridge Dictionary
Have cultural sensitivity. Sometimes the beliefs you were taught and have inherited from your parents or another trusted adult can make you prejudiced towards people who look different from you or don’t do things the same way you do. Open your mind to other perspectives and standards of living to fully understand how people from different countries feel about certain issues or how they process things.
2. Travel more. It’s easy to watch a documentary or read a book about a different country, but going to that country opens the door for you to experience more than what was described in a few pages or seen on television. Integrating yourself within the culture, the language, and the people will develop a greater sense of appreciation for the people and their lives. Have a conversation with them. Learn their history and way of life in order to be able to appreciate them.
3. Don’t try to act like them. Imagine if someone made fun of the way you spoke and tried to imitate all of your movements. You would feel like your identity was stolen right? If you really want to speak like them, take a class on the language and try to use it with the locals to improve your conversations and understanding of that language.
4.Don’t think of them as abnormal. The quickest way to offend people from a different culture is to act like they are on display at an exhibit. If you wear their clothing, don’t post a picture with a caption, “Don’t I look exotic?” Be mindful of why you are wearing an ethnic outfit. At First Church of our Lord Jesus Christ Inc during the International Holy Convocation, the saints dress up in ethnic wear to represent the saints from different foreign countries that have joined First Church. We appreciate and respect them, which is why we can wear the clothing. Always have a concrete, respectful reason for taking from another culture.
This was my first time representing India. I chose a emerald gown with beautiful floral accents and stripes. I paired it with a matching emerald scarf tied on my head and tan flats. I decided to drape the dupatta over my head and arm. Changing up a couple of things in your outfit can make your style unique while still representing another country.
Outfit details:
Dress which included dupatta: Utsavfashion.com
Hijab: Culture Hijab
Shoes: Amazon https://amzn.to/2vtbQZ7
Watch: Rainbow