In this piece, Dr. Olufunmilayo Arewa (Law Professor, University of California, Irvine), argues that “borrowing may become appropriation when it reinforces historically exploitative relationships or deprives African countries of opportunities to control or benefit from their cultural material.” She points out that such borrowing occurs all the time, but it has become an increasingly salient issue in cultural relations with Africa. She discusses recent controversies (e.g., Justin Bieber with dreadlocks), to which we would also add Jesse Williams‘s recent, powerful speech accepting the BET Humanitarian Award.
Professor Arewa’s piece is important reading for all who work on the continent. When should Westerners/Northerners stop appropriating cultural symbols? How should outsiders best appreciate the cultural heritage of the continent, taking both relations of power and context into account? When do humanitarian workers cross the line in their forms of appropriation versus historically sensitive appreciation? We thank Professor Arewa for her contribution to this discussion!
“Cultural appropriation: When ‘borrowing’ becomes exploitation”
by Olufunmilayo Arewa