ENGLISH II PRESENTATION - Cultural Appropriation

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

NG LEK YUEN (0324010)MOHD NAZRUL BIN MOHD KAMSOL (0325540)

AHMAD SYAFIQ DEEN (0325116)ARINA NADIA BINTI FARID (0324105)

LECTURER/TUTOR: MS TERESA SENNYAH

APPENDIX:

• Introduction to Cultural Appropriation

• Native American Culture

• Black Culture

• Indian Culture

• Conclusion

WHAT IS CULTURAL APPROPRIATION?

It is defined as the use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture.

Chief Hollow Horn Bear “Sexy” Native American Halloween Costume

A particular power dynamic in which members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group.

i.e., Caucasians in the United States of America.

Cultural Exchange vs. Appropriation

Malaysia is a good example of a country that practices cultural exchange.

WHY IS IT RACIST?

1. It trivialises violent historical oppression.

2. It allows people to show love for its culture, but remain prejudiced towards its people.

3. It lets privileged people profit from oppressed people’s labour.

4. It spreads mass lies about marginalised cultures.

5. It perpetuates racist stereotypes.

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE

WHAT IS THE NATIVEAMERICAN HEADGEAR?

It is NOT a Coachella trend.

Jared Leto (Singer, Actor) and Pharrell Williams (Singer)

It’s not just a piece of headwear.

Ironic enough?

A reaction video by Buzzfeed.

Fashion

Don’t be this person.

BLACK CULTURE APPROPRIATION

HAIR

Hairstyles has always been essential component of black culture.Keep it growing and remaining it healthyBlack women has always don their hair, its apart of their identity

Early 2000s

CornrowsFunctional way to keep black textured hair unknotted and neat.

See how hair is so important in hip hop and rap culture.It is a styles of music which African American community created in order to reaffirm their communities and their voices

2000s - 2010

Julianne Hough Halloween 2015

• Black face• Bantu knots

Darken hair

• Name tag

BANTU KNOTS

Bantu natives from Kenya

Bantu is a colonial word used to describe Zulu people. The word was used to identify African people who spoke the Bantu dialect. The word Bantu does not refer to one group of people, but Africans of Zulu descent who speak the Bantu dialect. This is why Bantu Knots are also referred to as Zulu Knots by African. 

A Madagascan woman rocking Bantu Knots circa 1898.

FASHION

Marc Jacobs, ss15 NYFW

Marchessa Alexander McQueen ss13 ss13

“new and urban hairstyle”

“EDGY”GETTING ATTETION

“YES, YOU CAN HAVE AN AFRO”

• ALL-WHITE MODEL, DIDN’T USE ANY BLACK MODEL

• BLACK PEOPLE’S NATURAL HAIR, FELT UNAPPRECIATED

CULTURE

TWERKING

Miley Cyrus, We Can’t Stop 2013

Cornrows Ebonic gestures Eating watermelon

• Exploiting black women, using them as props• Stereotyping them with wearing chains and animal prints

CELEBRITY CONTROVERSY

INDIAN CULTURE

WHAT IS THE BINDI?

• known as the Pottu (a red vermillion dot)

• a tilak (a vertical marking)• placed on the center of the forehead

between the eyebrows• known as the third eye, referring to the

point of higher consciousness, a special significance

• Use as an ornament to match with her Saree.

(commitment to long-life and well-being of

their husbands)

Black bindi - unmarried girlRed bindi - married women

Kylie Jenner posted a picture of herself wearing a Bindi on Instagram.

Vanessa Hudgens wore a Bindi to Coachella summer festival

Selena Gomez wearing a Bindi alongside Kendall and Kylie Jenner.

“I think the song has that Hindu, tribal feel and I wanted

to translate that. I’ve been learning about my chakra and

bindis and the culture — it’s beautiful and fun.”

– Selena.

At the 2013 MTV Movie Awards, singer Selena Gomez sported a very sultry and provocative look wearing a red bandage dress with a big red bindi, an allusion to the traditional Hindu wedding costume.

"The Bindi on the forehead is an ancient tradition in Hinduism and has religious significance. It is also sometimes referred to as the third eye and the flame, and it is an auspicious religious and spiritual symbol… It is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed."

 - Rajan Zed 

Online retailer ASOS found itself in hot water with some shoppers this week over its Halloween merchandise, which included bindis, a traditional Hindu decoration that goes on the forehead. 

In a response to this article, a spokesperson for ASOS told HuffPost UK Style: "In Your Dreams is one of the brands available on ASOS.com. It is never our intention to knowingly offend anyone, therefore these products

will be removed from ASOS.com."

1. If you are getting married to a South Asian.

2. If you attend an Indian festival/ritual and have a vermillion dot placed on you as a sign of welcoming one’s guest.

When is it acceptable to wear one?

CONCLUSION

It’s offensive. Stop doing these.

THANK YOU!