We read Esther Davis' article "A Word on Artistic Political Correctness" and we felt the necessity to write this letter, because it talks about a very important topic to discuss nowadays: the cultural appropriation.
We totally agree with the author when she says that imagination has no limits and all the kind of arts are connected to this human capacity. However, artists and producers should be careful with the social impacts and consequences that their acts and constructions will take.
As an example, the actress Isabella Santoni posted a picture on her Instagram account where she appears using dreadlocks, an original and symbolic hairstyle of African culture. Although it was a harmless photo, Isabella was very criticized for her followers, because the braids represent the social e cultural identity of the black people, group in which the actress is not part.
In general, the comments were trying to say that is very easy to have 'afro style' being a white girl with blue eyes (Isabella) and never have to go through all the social prejudices that the black ones pasa to assume the same style. As a result, some critics thought the picture gave a new perspective about the way that the cultural appropriation is present in little or diary situations, like the one mentioned above.
To conclude, we want to answer Davis' question "how do we balance or even differentiate cultural appropriation from cultural appreciation?".
When you appropriate some people's culture, you are offending them by using a part of their identity and history without its meaning, you're using it just because you thought it was cool, nice or beautiful. But when you appreciate some culture, you admire it without belittling someone or taking away a piece of their social and historical symbols.
Written by Ana Clara Moraes and Júlia Alves Oliveira, 9º ano D.
We totally agree with the author when she says that imagination has no limits and all the kind of arts are connected to this human capacity. However, artists and producers should be careful with the social impacts and consequences that their acts and constructions will take.
As an example, the actress Isabella Santoni posted a picture on her Instagram account where she appears using dreadlocks, an original and symbolic hairstyle of African culture. Although it was a harmless photo, Isabella was very criticized for her followers, because the braids represent the social e cultural identity of the black people, group in which the actress is not part.
In general, the comments were trying to say that is very easy to have 'afro style' being a white girl with blue eyes (Isabella) and never have to go through all the social prejudices that the black ones pasa to assume the same style. As a result, some critics thought the picture gave a new perspective about the way that the cultural appropriation is present in little or diary situations, like the one mentioned above.
To conclude, we want to answer Davis' question "how do we balance or even differentiate cultural appropriation from cultural appreciation?".
When you appropriate some people's culture, you are offending them by using a part of their identity and history without its meaning, you're using it just because you thought it was cool, nice or beautiful. But when you appreciate some culture, you admire it without belittling someone or taking away a piece of their social and historical symbols.
Written by Ana Clara Moraes and Júlia Alves Oliveira, 9º ano D.