Hi All,
I saw that there was some confusion today, and a lot of questions, about cultural appropriation and voluntourism. This is not homework, but I thought that some of you would like to read more about this issue. As you see, it is not black or white...especially with voluntourism, as you see in the article I posted, there is a grey area. In this class, we want to avoid putting things into strictly "good" or "bad" categories. Further, I will never tell you how to think! So I encourage debate in the comments. Be open! I know I have personally struggled with some of these questions too while volunteering and talking about culture. To first be responsible, global citizens we must first understand these arguments and ideas-- even if you don't agree. And it is ok to not agree. However, we all have a responsibility to be part of the conversation and lift up voices to be responsible volunteers.
I want you to come to your own conclusions and share them! This is a discussion and I encourage your questions and thoughts.
We will also learn more about this and discuss further in the coming weeks in class.
Best,
Madison
Some Ideas From Around the Internet:
"What Distinguishes Cultural Exchange From Cultural Appropriation?" https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/08/books/review/bookends-cultural-appropriation.html
"Is Voluntourism Itself Being Exploited?": https://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniela-papi/is-voluntourism-itself-be_b_5197390.html
"Voluntourism: What Could Go Wrong When Trying to Do Right?" https://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniela-papi/voluntourism_b_1525532.html
"On Cultural Appropriation, Racism and Fashion's Blind Spots" https://www.manrepeller.com/2016/09/marc-jacobs-dreadlocks.html
For a different idea on culture and fashion (and how we can appreciate the fashions of other cultures without appropriating them!): https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/the-dos-and-donts-of-cultural-appropriation/411292/
"5 Things You Don't Realize When You Defend Cultural Appropriation" https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/05/defending-cultural-appropriation/
"7 Things That You Might Not Realize Are Cultural Appropriation That Are" https://www.bustle.com/p/7-things-you-might-not-realize-are-cultural-appropriation-that-are-60679
"Dispatch from Paris: Chanel and Valentino" https://www.manrepeller.com/2015/10/cultural-appropriation-at-valentino.html
I saw that there was some confusion today, and a lot of questions, about cultural appropriation and voluntourism. This is not homework, but I thought that some of you would like to read more about this issue. As you see, it is not black or white...especially with voluntourism, as you see in the article I posted, there is a grey area. In this class, we want to avoid putting things into strictly "good" or "bad" categories. Further, I will never tell you how to think! So I encourage debate in the comments. Be open! I know I have personally struggled with some of these questions too while volunteering and talking about culture. To first be responsible, global citizens we must first understand these arguments and ideas-- even if you don't agree. And it is ok to not agree. However, we all have a responsibility to be part of the conversation and lift up voices to be responsible volunteers.
I want you to come to your own conclusions and share them! This is a discussion and I encourage your questions and thoughts.
We will also learn more about this and discuss further in the coming weeks in class.
Best,
Madison
Some Ideas From Around the Internet:
"What Distinguishes Cultural Exchange From Cultural Appropriation?" https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/08/books/review/bookends-cultural-appropriation.html
"Is Voluntourism Itself Being Exploited?": https://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniela-papi/is-voluntourism-itself-be_b_5197390.html
"Voluntourism: What Could Go Wrong When Trying to Do Right?" https://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniela-papi/voluntourism_b_1525532.html
"On Cultural Appropriation, Racism and Fashion's Blind Spots" https://www.manrepeller.com/2016/09/marc-jacobs-dreadlocks.html
For a different idea on culture and fashion (and how we can appreciate the fashions of other cultures without appropriating them!): https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/the-dos-and-donts-of-cultural-appropriation/411292/
"5 Things You Don't Realize When You Defend Cultural Appropriation" https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/05/defending-cultural-appropriation/
"7 Things That You Might Not Realize Are Cultural Appropriation That Are" https://www.bustle.com/p/7-things-you-might-not-realize-are-cultural-appropriation-that-are-60679
"Dispatch from Paris: Chanel and Valentino" https://www.manrepeller.com/2015/10/cultural-appropriation-at-valentino.html
I just saw this, and I will read these and comment my questions and ideas (which are plenty) in the weekend, if I have time (my exchange partner is here).
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving us sources, I hope they will help clear the mess I have in my head about Cultural Appropriation and Voluntourism.
IRENE DÍAZ
I understand that if you wear a flamenco dress because you follow stereotypes it is disrespectful and it is cultural appropiation, but if you like it? If you don't do it to harm spanish people?
ReplyDeleteI think that if you know why are you wearing something and is not like for dressing for example in carnaval this is not offensive.
ReplyDeletebut you must whear things if you like it and without being offensive
Mark Jacobs shouldn´t have taken those raven hairstyles for the New York Fashion Week. First of all, inststead of saying that the hairstyle look was part of another culture, he said it was just inspirational and that he was just walking and he realised the hairstyles people had were awesome, but he didn´t mention the culture. He uses them fo profit, he is not respecting their culture.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think about cultural apropiation is that is made in an unconciously way, because you don't know that this affect some people because is like an ofense to their country.
ReplyDeleteI also think that cultural apropiation is almost made by famous people and then normal people take ideas from them and they make cultural apropiation.
Alberto López Díaz 3ºD