Cultural Appropriation: Music: Reggae

    Many artists tend to sample or gain influence from culturally different music, but when is it actually appropriation or appreciation. Reggae music, which is a very common genre of music in the Caribbean has been appropriated various times in the past and still today without any recognition for the culture or original artist. Artists, such as UB40 and The Beatles have used reggae music to their advantage to create hits like Red Red Wine. It is also believed that some of the music influenced by these genres were stolen from the original artists as they were considered "common tunes." The influence of which the artists are able to produce their music is often overlooked by listeners and artists. The original artists in which the artists are influenced then lose cultural credibility. 

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Cultural Appropriation: Dreadlocks

    When Bob Marley started gaining popularity in the 1970s, so did his dreadlocks. Dreadlocks is a type of matted hairstyle that is usually left untouched. Dreadlocks were usually donned as part of the Rastafari religion, common in the Caribbean. As part of dreadlocks newfound attention, many people started to wear the hairstyle as a stylish or fun look. Celebrities, such as Shakira have worn the hairstyle without realizing the cultural and religious importance behind the hairstyle. In the Rastafari religion dreadlocks are supposed to represent "the mane of the Lion of Judah." By freely wearing this hairstyle, people are disrespecting this culture.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari

Integration of Immigrant Culture Into American Society

     In today's society America is viewed as a cultural melting pot, filled with various races and ethnicities. Since, the birth of our nation we have incorporated many different cultures into our nation.
     On an average day in New York City you are amongst a great diversity of cultures. We experience this burst of culture everyday through various foods and languages.

     With this variety of culture comes a generalized belief for the people who've brought diversity to America. Many people have set the notion that immigrants provide nothing to our society except "take our jobs away." When in fact immigrants have transformed and revolutionized American society.
     Our nation relies on immigrants in various prospects-the labor force, education, etc. In our school systems we incorporate different aspects of culture through our language courses and the food we eat. Many immigrants have also propelled the work force by creating jobs through their businesses.
     Immigrants should no longer be face with the general stereotype that they are all illegal or unwanted. They play an important role in progressing our society and bringing it together.

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Cultural Appropriation: Racial Stereotypes

    Many cultures have outside beliefs or theories about them which gives them a generalization. These beliefs are stereotypes and they have been portrayed in cases of cultural mimicry. Some of these stereotypes include, but are most definitely not limited to: all black people love watermelon or all asian people are smart. These stereotypes are seen all over in media as a way to imitate culture. An example of an application of racial stereotypes is the movie Brining Down The House where a black woman is portrayed as very loud and annoying. As racial stereotypes are continuously apparent in media they become reflective of an entire culture. Racial stereotypes are degrading and disrespectful to a culture and it's continued use throughout media is saddening.

Cultural Appropriation: Christmas

Christmas is a joyful holiday loved by families, especially those with small children. But, what is Christmas teaching today's youth? Why should children of different races look up to an elderly white man? Also, the modern Santa is a huge stray from the original Saint Nick. Yes, Saint Nicholas was known to bestow gifts upon others, but his persecution of Diocletian, time in prison, and death was never mentioned. There is not much reason that our children should look up to such a person. Also, parents basically bribe their children by enforcing the idea of Santa Claus and presents. Supposedly, if the child is acting improperly, he/she will not get gifts on Christmas. However, what happens when the child no longer believe in Santa? If the only thing that causes a child to want to act properly no longer exists, whats to say they don't begin to break rules. If parents don't teach their children proper behaviors but rather rely on a fictional character, then children never learn how to properly conduct themselves.

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Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24842334@N07/">Mimolalen</a> via <a href="http://foter.com/">Foter.com</a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">CC BY-NC-SA</a>

Cultural Appropriation: Cornrows

    As hip hop, a predominantly black culture gained plenty of attention in the 90s and early 2000s the styles worn by these stars started to gain attention. A popular hairstyle during that era and today are cornrows, a hairstyle where hair is braided in rows close to the scalp. Cornrows were developed as a hairstyle to help maintain the texture of "black hair." With the newfound attention of cornrows many celebrities viewed it as a way to look cool or to imitate black culture. Celebrities such as Christina Aguilera and Fergie have donned the hairstyle as a fashion statement, but fail to realize the significance behind the hairstyle and then the hairstyle goes on to lose it's cultural value. The hairstyle has also become very popular on fashion runways and deemed as a high-fashion trend, but this hairstyle has never been a "trend" in the black community. Cornrows have always been embraced by black culture as a necessary hairstyle, but it is eye-raising that after making appearances on famous models, such as Cara Delevingne and Kendall Jenner that the media believe they are a new trend.

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Cultural Appropriation: Increase of Racism After Trump's Election

The entire election has caused stress to all Americans. Concerns even reached Europe and Asia. The most chaos started after Donald Trump was declared President-elect of the United States. Clinton supporters were heavy-hearted with this decision, especially after Clinton winning the popular vote.Liberals, people of the LGBTQ, and people of color are outraged at the fact that such an unqualified and offensive man will be America's President.According to Racist Outbursts in U.S. in Wake of Trump's Election "In the aftermath of Republican firebrand Donald Trump being named president-elect of the United States early Wednesday, reports appeared to surge of hate-fueled taunts and threats hurled by triumphant Trump supporters." Racism has increased and hate crimes continue. Entitled Trump supporters thought it was correct to say offensive slurs and shame people of color or people in the LGBTQ community.  "A gay pride flag was burned in Rochester, New York. And the apparent effigy of a black man was hanged above the entrance to a coffee shop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, dangling from the end of a rope." This is an example of just one of the more than 80 hate crimes committed. 

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Sources: http://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2016-11-10/after-donald-trumps-election-racist-outbursts-in-us

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