http://www.buzzfeed.com/emaoconnor/rue-just-perfectly-defined-cultural-appropriation#.vvLNQAXKQ
I came across this article on BuzzFeed and thought it captured what we discussed today about cultural appropriate in more simple terms. This actress, Amandla Sternberg, from the Hunger Games, defines cultural appropriation as "when a style leads to racist generalizations but is deemed cool or funny when the privileged take it for themselves." I also found her example of the rising successes of Iggy Azalea and Macklemore in rap, a part of black culture, while at the same ignoring the bad things happening in the black community, like the Treyvon Martin case and other police killings; this really shows the disconnect between using the culture for fame and using your fame to identify with or support the culture.
My question about appropriation is are we saying that white people shouldn't be able to rap, or that the music industry should recognize black and white rappers equally? Or is it something else entirely?
ReplyDeleteIn Macklemore's lyrics, he acknowledges appropriation and struggles to find his place within a genre he loves but stole from another culture. Does his acknowledgement give him a free pass, or more at fault because he knows its bad but still participates? Here's a link to lyrics to "White Privilege.": http://genius.com/Macklemore-white-privilege-lyrics/
When do we have permission to use the art form of another culture and when do we not? It seems that these lines are fuzzy. Lots of open ended questions in my response.
I was wondering the same thing, and while reading Tricia Rose, all I kept thinking about was Eminem. He is a white rapper, and one that is more or less accepted by the black community. So what makes him any different than Iggy Azalea? Well I think that for one, he recognizes his white privilege. In one of his songs, “White America”, he says, “Let’s do the math, if I was black, I woulda sold half.” This just shows that he knows that his race is playing a role in his popularity. Along with that recognition, he has also demonstrated his love for rap culture and maintains an old-fashioned aesthetic of masterful lyricism. I believe it is that respect and appreciation for black culture that makes Eminem so accepted as a white rapper. Therefore, I think that white people can rap, however, to be accepted by the black community they have to demonstrate their understanding of black culture and the history of rap, as well as prove that they are rapping for the pure love of rap, not just using it to make money.
DeleteThis reminded me so much of a David Banner verse I heard recently (at the end of the video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nMmKIvp6q4. In this he talks about how white artists use the cultural form to gain money and then don't address social injustices that affect the black community once they have influential status. The issues that Cylie ^ just talked about are still a little confusing to me though. I think the definitions of what is acceptable for white rappers to do within the genre are different among African American hip-hop artists and fans, because some people even think Eminem is guilty of cultural appropriation. I think motivation is key in all of these scenarios, though (like Cylie mentioned).
ReplyDeleteHey folks - Here are two more pieces to help us think about appropriation -- in addition to the Madonna essay for tomorrow. (But make sure you start with the Paris is Burning critique for our discussion.)
ReplyDeleteFrom a colleague of mine: http://nursingclio.org/2015/01/29/in-between-cultural-appropriation-racism-and-sexism-azealia-banks-and-the-erasure-of-black-women-in-rap/
And a piece by scholar Bethany Cooper: http://www.salon.com/2014/07/15/iggy_azaleas_post_racial_mess_americas_oldest_race_tale_remixed/