From qipaos to blaccents, cultural appropriation takes form in various objects, accessories, hairstyles, and clothing items. It is so common nowadays that what one might believe to be an innocent act can, in reality, be disrespectful and damaging to marginalized communities. ThoughtCo. defines cultural appropriation as “the adoption of certain elements from another culture without the consent of people who belong to that culture” (Nittle). When someone culturally appropriates, they disregard the original purpose of an object and oftentimes do not give proper credit to the culture or people from which it comes.
In China, a qipao (旗袍) or cheongsam, is a traditional Chinese dress that originated in the 17th century from the Manchu people. It has evolved from being a wide and baggy dress to one that is form-fitting with a slit. At the time of its creation, qipaos were worn almost everyday. Today, they are worn at formal or celebratory events, such as New Years, weddings, and birthday parties. However, these are not the only occasions where qipaos are being worn. Recently, the sexualization of qipaos has become increasingly popular. People wear them as halloween costumes, and celebrities are seen wearing them as performance attire. Taking the dress out of its initial context and modifying it to fit a fashion “aesthetic” without acknowledging its history or importance in culture is a prime example of cultural appropriation. On the other hand, if someone were to wear a traditional qipao at a Chinese cultural event, like a school China Night, that would be an example of cultural appreciation. That would constitute respectfully using the dress for its intended purpose in a setting surrounded by other aspects of Chinese culture.
Bindis, colored marks commonly worn on the foreheads of South Asian women, have also been cherry-picked from their culture to serve materialistic and decorative purposes. For some, a bindi is a symbol of religion and piety. They can also be associated with married women. Although they have different meanings for different people, bindis maintain cultural and historical significance. Wearing a bindi at a music festival simply because it makes an outfit look “cute,” with no knowledge of the value behind it, negates its religious and cultural importance. Many BIPOC are scared to wear such cultural or religious symbols in public for fear of being judged or treated differently, so seeing others who are not a part of their culture casually and carelessly flaunting those symbols can feel disheartening and frustrating–especially when people of color are criticized and made fun of for doing the same thing.
Cultural appropriation is not exclusive to Asian cultures. People buy jewelry with depictions of the Hamsa hand and evil eye without fully understanding the meaning behind those symbols, which disrespects the religions and cultures from which they came. Non-black people receive praise and compliments for wearing black hairstyles, while black people are told they look “trashy” and “unprofessional” for wearing their hair in the exact same way. These are all prominent issues that need to be addressed in order to successfully tackle problems of racial and cultural inequity.
So how can we turn cultural appropriation to cultural appreciation? Some examples are supporting BIPOC businesses, participating in local cultural events, and taking time out of your comfort zone to think about ways you might be unintentionally culturally appropriating. Many times cultural appropriation stems from preconceived conceptions about minorities, thus perpetuating already harmful stereotypes. Despite good intentions, actions can still be triggering and hurtful. Proper research and active willingness to change and learn are the first steps to breaking down these cultural barriers.