Cultural Appropriation: Whose problem is it? BBC Stories

Festival fashion has recently come under criticism for cultural appropriation. But if festivals are a space for freedom of expression, where is the line between appreciating and appropriating other cultures?
#CulturalAppropriation #Festivals #BBCStories
Produced, filmed and edited by Lara Ingram
Additional filming Cebo Luthili & Shane Fennelly

[ksc]

As a greek, I am deeply offended the West use democracy.

[xPoemi]

I personally can't relate to cultural appropriation. I'm from Germany and every time in october, millions of people around the world are putting on "Lederhosen" or "Dirndl" to celebrate the "Oktoberfest". I think it is really cool that people take part in such a traditional event from my home country!

[artman]

I am Indian, and I must say I love it when people of other cultures and races wear Indian clothes. It looks fabulous and we appreciate that other people would like to experience our culture. My opinion is also shared by the majority of ordinary Indians, except those who are hard-leftists or some westernized immigrants.

[teresc]

I personally think that the difference between Appropriation and Appreciation is the presence of ignorance. I think that it's important that the person "appreciating" that particular "element" of a culture should at least be aware of it's meaning and significance, if any. The thing that we need to understand and respect when it comes to cultures is that, it's difficult if not impossible, to judge which culture is "right or wrong". Having said that, the "victims" in this should understand that those "outsiders" meant nothing wrong because it's just "fun" or "fashion" for their culture. At the same time, the "outsiders" should also understand that their actions can be offensive to those cultures. By the end of the day, I think it's important that we communicate our concerns, and just respect one another :D

[MrMentalz]

Im British and of east African ancestry and I love when people of other backgrounds want to rock traditional clothes or other stuff from East African culture it's cool! What's wrong with appreciating other cultures 😤. We should be coming together not bickering over silly things like this.

[notarealpersonF]

The argument is a waste of time. Why should we give a damn as to what culture our clothes originate. Surely the same points could be made about anything cultural, including language, technology, music, or even food. Nonsense.

[lilolmejusayin]

It’s a fake “problem.” Culture is always a collective process. As long as one adopts a particular aspect of a culture, respectfully, it’s fine to me. It furthers the spreading of ideas, approaches to life. We have this problem in the Creole and Cajun cultures. People moving into our culture from outside then trying to tell us what our own customs and history mean to us and trying to change it to fit their outside culture. A question I have is how do you perceive the mixing of cultures and their off spring? Are they appropriating one of their parents culture? So in reality everyone has appropriated some parts of other cultures. That’s how civilization builds, grows, and expands. We’d all still be a bunch of small tribes if not for “appropriating” the Greco Roman model of structuring ourselves. So EVERY person and culture has appropriated to some degree from another. All this “butt hurt” comes from people who wish to micromanage others for a power trip reason. Culture is not one thing you wear or eat and “appropriating” it isn’t either. It’s a total way of living your life and how you mentally and spiritually approach life. It’s centered around the climate and geography as well. Just appreciate one another and stop trying to micromanage.

[sheila]

“Culture” is literally an evolving concept, and it’s normal for cultural features to be transferred horizontally. I think it’s hypocritical to sit on a high horse of being the victim of cultural appropriation when all cultures have appropriated.

[maxcovfefe]

This is a very nuanced topic. I live in the USA, I'm white, and sometimes I see Native Americans selling jewelry and even headdresses or shoes, belts, etc... So it's beautiful! I mean really stunning. It also supports local tribes, and I DO know which tribes. But here's the thing: I don't wanna just buy it if I can't wear it without being viewed as a racist. If I buy it from their shops and go elsewhere, no one knows me. Some just ASSUME cultural appropriation without even asking. Then next time I see a tribe's shop I'm less likely to buy their stuff if I've been accused of racism for wearing it.

[ld_Scratch]

I wear what I want and cut the hair the way I want, if you hate me for that then so be it.

[MrRafagara]

Are tattoo included in this discussion? Because I see that woman defending culture appropriation, apparently not from Egypt with a Nefertiti tattoo.

[IcebulletZ]

I love when people wear traditional celtic styles, play our music and take an interest. It's flattering, it shows they enjoy it and take an intrest. It's not like they're deliberately being racist with it. Take a moment to educate them on how it's significant to you and then leave them alone with that knowledge.

[ontaka]

And the BBC is making a headline where Justin Trudeau dressed up as Aladdin, wearing blackface at a fancy dress party nearly 20 years ago.

[imasillypiggy]

So should black people not be allowed to wear white clothes? I didn't realize being pro segregation was the "in" thing now.

[druvjuice]

Okay, if there was an African festival and you decided to go there and wear a traditional piece of Cameroonian/ Tanzanian/Nigerian/Egyptian clothing I would honestly appreciate it. As someone who is half African I like when people accolage all the different cultures in Africa and as long as you doesn’t mock the culture. It is 100% okay

[clementcolin]

It's funny how this black women paid so much attention in wearing only african clothes for this interview :) Unfortunately she couldn't get rid of her egyptian tatoo lmao I think bbc spotted that given the several close ups on it. Is she fully understanding ancient Egyptian culture or did she just do it because il looks cool ?

[TheVertical]

Damn these People have Problems...
These Crybabys should care about serious Problems. People like this are actually a Part of Racism, because they dont see themselfs as just a Human. They are the ones that see Peoples Color, Culture etc.. We are all just Humans.
If someone is offended because i appreciate thier creative cloth without knowing the Backround, then come to me and tell me. Im always interested in other cultures.

[john]

Western culture is obsessed with private property. I prefer to spread my culture to the world. A culture will diminish if people from other cultures do not like it.

[Sneg]

Looking down on other cultures and people is bad. Picking up something from a nother culture is good. This means that we are communicating with other people.

[gkm]

Theres a thing called freedom. Free to wear what you want and express yourself how you want as long as your not physically harming anyone. This is so beyond ridiculous if only they could see how much they have copied as well.