Friday, August 6, 2021

Justin Bieber in dreadlocks. Madonna wearing an elaborate North African headpiece and dress (Amazigh culture). Pop singer Adele wearing Bantu knots. White children wearing Native headdress on Halloween. Katy Perry doing a Geisha performance. What do these have in common? These actions involve cultural items or rituals being worn or practiced by persons of another culture, specifically White Americans. Is this cultural appropriation, appreciation, or denigration? Last week, Robin, Hans, and Kirk (who founded the dynamic YouTube channel WadiSpeaks) discussed these questions and reach different and sometimes conflicting conclusions. This week, Ben and Marlene discuss these issues and the opinions are flying! Join this lively convo.