With the Day of Truth and Reconciliation just past and Halloween soon upon us, this is a question that has plagued my mind. I am sure as a young person and a child I have done things that would be considered appropriation. I will chalk it up to ignorance and the inability to see how it could be interpreted by others. As an adult and the Mother of mixed race children, I am more than willing to understanding the difference.
On the surface, I may be considered part of the cultural majority but I am a little more complicated than that. My Father was of Irish descent born in Quebec and a proud Canadian. This can be interpreted as a contradiction in terms right there. My Mother is a Canadian citizen born and raised in Sweden. My brothers were born in Jamaica and Florida respectively. I was born in Canada and have been influenced by all the cultures associated with the countries mentioned above.
I have also been curious and eager to learn about the cultures of others. I always want to know the why behind each significant artifact and celebration. At times, my questions may become annoying but I have never meant to be disrespectful. In fact, it has been quite the opposite. The reason for my questions is that I want to learn; I want to correct any misinformation I have; and if possible spread the correct information to others.
According to anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor, culture is "the complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." It is not biologically inherited, it is learned and is done when you belong to a particular group.
I understand that adopting elements from a cultural for personal benefit without acknowledging its source and significance or that promoting a stereotype is harmful. Stereotypes, in my opinion, are any image or assumption about a person or group that does not accurately portray the reality of the complex characteristics of the individual or group.
But my confusion lies in the line between appreciation and appropriation. September 1 was the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. I had the opportunity to be smudged. I listened carefully to the instructions, said thank you and asked about the materials used in the smudging process. I learned that different communities use different items. I found this a great experience I hope that I properly expressed the honour it was to be included in this significant ceremony.
As mentioned above, I consider myself an ethnic mutt, and I am proud of it. I have had the chance to learn about many traditions. We ate corn beef and cabbage on St Patrick’s Day and have often attended the Parade in Montreal. My cousins have participated in the celebration for many years. My Dad, being born in Quebec City also practiced many French Canadian traditions. We always had tourtière after Midnight Mass and I made several attempts at sucre à la crème, I am still trying to master it. My Mother being Swedish, we celebrated Santa Lucia on December 13. It a day when the eldest daughter wakes the family with coffee and special treats of saffron bread and a uniqued ginger snap. We also had Swedish Ham with pickled herring on Christmas Eve. The herring was a taste I never acquired. After marrying a Jamaica, curry goat was welcomed to the feast.
Madonna was accused of appropriation for her song "Vogue" and the ensuing video. It was based on a dance developed at a Drag Queen Ball. Although Madonna featured Drag Queens in the video, no credit was given to the roots of the dance and Madonna was the only one who profited financially by the 2X platinum record.
Cultural appropriation is all over the sports world. The Cleveland Indians (now the Cleveland Guardians) were formed in 1915. The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper wrote there will be no "real Indians" on the team but the name remembers a fine tradition. I am really not sure what that means. How does naming a sports team, in a sport that has no direct connection to Indigenous people, with a poor caricature on its uniform, honours anything. This was 1915 and cultural sensitivity was unknown and some of the arrogance of colonialism was still running strong. But thankfully more enlightened heads have popped up. Some sports teams have changed theirs name and logo when it was understood that these were anything but a show of respect for the Indigenous people that they were suppose represent. The Washington Redskins are now the Washington Commanders, The Golden State Warriors lost the Native American logo when it moved from Philadelphia to San Francisco. The list goes on, but it needs to keep going.
There are still so many other logos that should change. I think that The Minnesota Vikings should take a good look. I have notice the uproar that has been associated with many of the misinterpretation of the Indigenous. Perhaps Scandinavian Culture does not share the same 600 year old history of persecution and oppression. It is historically accepted that The Vikings never wore horns on helmets. Perhaps I am more sensitive to this caricature since I am of Swedish descent; maybe because I do my best to learn history as accurately as possible, but this incorrect image bothers me. Am I being to sensitive?
I love foreign foods and have followed up with attempts to replicate the delicious dishes and recipes. I would never claim them as my own. I adore Jazz music which is the root of all modern North American music. I will listen and sing it at any Karaoke bar that will have me. I am well aware that I am not Ella Fitzgerald and will never be able to give scat any justice. I love many different kinds of art; Native, Caribbean, African and anything Van Gogh. With my limited talent I have tried to copy it but I certainly would never paint, or sketch or draw with the intention of making money. It is for my own enjoyment. Is any of this appropriation? Sometimes, I just don't know.
I have learnt that some non Black people have chosen to wear dread locks. I don't know if this is necessarily wrong. It is wrong however that Black people have been denied jobs, memberships, and the opportunity to walk across the stage at their own graduation because of their hair style. And worse, that those who are not Black with the same style are not denied these basic rights. With all do respect, WTF?
I hope that none of my hobbies etc. have been appropriations. I would not want to oversimplify anyone. We are all complex beings, with varied and blended backgrounds; all of which needs to respected. In my opinion, the only way to ensure this is to ask questions and listen to the answers with an open mind. What may seem like no big deal to you may be supremely significant to another. This is not just culturally but in all matters of humanity. The more we learn, the more we know; the more we respect, the more we love.
Sources
www.history.com
www.wrap.com
www.verywellmind.com
www.radioindigenous/cbc/ca/unreserved
www.britannica.com>story
