“..Acts of appropriation are part of the process by which we make ourselves. Appropriating - taking something for one’s own use - need not be synonymous with exploitation. This is especially true of cultural appropriation. The “use” one makes of what is appropriated is the crucial factor.” Bell Hooks. From a number of writings assigned in class I will examine the subject of cultural appropriation. The specific writing I will be taking an example from is, “Selena Gomez Bindi: Hindu Leaders Demand Apology For MTV Movie Awards Costume” by Cavan Sieczkowski and why I believe the act should not be seen as wrong.
Before an opinion can be formed on the subject of cultural appropriation a single definition must be chosen. For this paper that definition will be, “. . . the adoption of a specific part of one culture by another cultural group.” (Joshi, 2014) Also, as someone who sees themself as having little to no culture to appropriate, I would like to define the scope of my opinion. Though many of us living in America may not have a grasp on the severity of cultural appropriation, we have a wealth of exposure to simple appropriation. The Millennials of Generation Y have been crying appropriation since their…show more content… Interested by the notion, I turned to my friend, Meera. Meera has worn a Bindi every day for as long as I have known her and is very proud of her Hindu heritage. I asked her what she thought of Selena’s performance, she told me she had not seen it. When I showed her the video and asked if she was offended she said, “Not offended, just kind of annoyed.” When I asked why she found it annoying she told me simply, “Because it’s a Hindu thing, it’s not just a fashion.” However, when I asked her to tell me about the Bindi’s spiritual and traditional uses – complementing Joshi’s informal survey – she was