Virtual Field Trip: Cultural Appropriation

Dianna Repp

26 Virtual Field Trip: Cultural Appropriation

Virtual Field Trip: Cultural Appropriation

People and cultures have always exchanged and borrowed ideas from each other to create new forms of art and symbolic expression. Whether intentionally or not, most if not all human creations reflect varied sources of inspiration.

Why, then, are some products negatively labeled “cultural appropriation” or their creators accused of disrespecting the very cultures they found inspiring? And why do products inspired from Indigenous cultural heritage seem to spark particularly strong reactions and pushback? (Think Before You Appropriate)

Child in a costume depicting a native American.

A photograph of singer Jonsi performing at Coachella in what appears to be Native American headdress.

Actor Mickey Rooney portraying a Japanese man by wearing a bandana and squinting his eyes, and showing his teeth.

Poster with heading Wm. H. West's Big Minstrel Jubilee with 2 drawings of an actor one without makeup, and one in Blackface. The caption reads Billy Van. The Monologue Comedian.

Your Field Guide

Start Here

Use the suggested websites below to get a broad view of your desitnation, or select another scholarly resource to get started:

e-Book: Think Before you Appropriate Things to know and questions to ask in order to avoid misappropriating Indigenous cultures, A guide for creators and designers
Article: The do’s, don’ts, maybes, and I-don’t-knows of cultural appropriation.

Choose ONE and Explore More Deeply

Choose one of these two topics.

Use the suggested links below to explore your topic more deeply or select your own scholarly resources:

Arts

Website: Inspired Natives: Not Native Inspired, Eighth Generation: Through the Inspired Natives Project, Eighth Generation creates opportunities for cultural artists who, like Louie a short 8 years ago, struggle to meet demand for their handmade cultural art.

26 Virtual Field Trip: Cultural Appropriation