7 Ways “Honoring” Other Cultures Is Really Cultural Appropriation October 31, 2019 by Maisha Z. Johnson Leave a Comment This article was originally published on EverydayFeminsim.com and is republished with permission. If someone was trying to help you, but they were unintentionally doing more harm than good, you’d want to tell them, right? And you’d hope they’d be open to your feedback – after all, you’re not saying they’re a bad person or accusing them of deliberate sabotage. If they really … [Read more...]
Fantasy or Disrespect?: 7 Halloween Costume Pitfalls to Avoid October 1, 2019 by Maya Gittelman Leave a Comment Halloween is eagerly anticipated by many. It's an opportunity to eat candy, dress up, and revel in nerdy pastimes or scary movies. Yet all too often, enjoying Halloween is a privilege experienced by people who don't have their identity infringed on by well-meaning, ignorant, or outright hateful celebrants. This is not only a problem with individuals, but with industry; with … [Read more...]
10 Ways the Beauty Industry Tells You Being Beautiful Means Being White August 30, 2019 by Maisha Z. Johnson Leave a Comment Note: This article originally appeared on EverydayFeminism and is reprinted by permission. I have to cringe when I think about my early days of putting on makeup. First, my mom wouldn’t let me touch the stuff until high school -- which I can understand, knowing what I know now about how girls can be pressured to grow up too fast. But I was lagging behind other girls who … [Read more...]
4 Signs You’re Culturally Appropriating Buddhism August 6, 2019 by Kim Tran Leave a Comment This article was originally published on EverydayFeminsim.com under the title "4 Signs You're Culturally Appropriating Buddhism -- And Why It's Important Not To" and is republished with permission. Imagine this: You’re a practicing Christian. You believe in God and Jesus, and you go to church every Sunday. You pray before bed. You even help at church fundraisers. As you walk … [Read more...]
Are You Culturally Appreciating or Culturally Appropriating? 3 Ways for White Folks to Self-Reflect April 30, 2018 by Lin Kaatz Chary Leave a Comment Not long ago I had lunch with an 82-year-old friend of mine who has been a social justice activist all her life. We are both white. My friend is a poet who has been published in several small literary journals. She listens to a broad range of podcasts regularly, reads widely, and continues to take a keen interest in the world around her. Her poetry focuses on the lives of … [Read more...]
8 Signs Your Yoga Practice Is Culturally Appropriated – And Why It Matters March 9, 2018 by Maisha Z. Johnson and nisha ahuja, Guest Writer 1 Comment What draws you to yoga? If you’re reading this article, I’m guessing there’s something about it that appeals to you. Is it how it makes your body feel? The chance to do something good for yourself? The way it helps you get centered? Every year, more and more people are learning about the benefits of a yoga practice, and that can be wonderful. And, as yoga gets more … [Read more...]
7 Ways Folks Justify Cultural Appropriation — And Why It’s Still Not Okay January 13, 2017 by Julie Feng Leave a Comment Why is cultural appropriation wrong? The answer is both straightforward and complex: at the core of cultural appropriation are unequal power dynamics and a violent historical context. Cultural appropriation is not cultural appreciation. It is a cultural exchange levied through unequal power relations on a systemic level. It is when marginalized people are mocked, berated, … [Read more...]
Beyonce Did It? : What We Mean When We Say “Cultural Appropriation” February 1, 2016 by Quita Tinsley Leave a Comment Over the past year, cultural appropriation has become a hot topic. A quick glance at its trends over the past ten years reveals that the word was not new in 2014 however it’s popularity catapulted during that year and has been growing ever since. Celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Iggy Azalea, Madonna, and countless others have been the inspiration behind many think pieces … [Read more...]
