Cultural Appropriation and the Arts

by James O. Young

Now, for the first time, a philosopher undertakes a systematic investigation of the moral and aesthetic issues to which cultural appropriation gives rise.

Genres: Philosophy, Art, Nonfiction, Race

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Naia Pard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about appropriation. It began by describing definitions and the meanings that can be given/take from it. The main examples were connected to situations that (unfortunately) affected the Australian aboriginal and Native Americans.

The general mood of the book on appropriation was It is offensive, but not really.

There is a problem---it is said, but then the explanations fell around the lines of “but is it really a problem?”. Which you know, is a an interesting exercise for one to follow the unwrapping of a problem (and one that it is quite full of ramifications, a problem like appropriation).

”Certain offensive acts could be completely acceptable when performed at certain times and places, but wrong and even properly subject to regulation when performed at others” p.140

The examples were usually pretty tamed, at times borderline boring, but with some notable exceptions like this one:

”Just as flag burning and cannibalism are wrong in certain places, so are certain artistic acts.”p.144

I mean, yes, but did you really have to do it like that? Did you really have to make such a comparison?
Overall, I think it was a good book, but I wouldn`t roll the red carpet for it.
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[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems to be the book to read if you want to get into the finer points of authentic and inauthentic cultural appropriation, with regards to aesthetics, misrepresentation, assimilation, harm, collective knowledge/property, and cultural inheritance.

However, having walked through this discussion (and it really does feel like walking the paces), you may find that you have accumulated a handful of possible justifications for the opinion you already held of what is reasonable/tolerable/acceptable/positive, and what is unreasonable/intolerable/unacceptable/negative.

The author acknowledges obviously offensive cultural appropriations that are indisputable - stolen artifacts, impostors, lies or blatant misrepresentations, and derogatory depictions. However, he concludes, "...cultural appropriation is aesthetically successful more often than we are led to believe," and "...cultural appropriation is wrongfully harmful or offensive less often than some people suggest." The author admits these assertions are likely to offend people.

He also suggests that the real threat to minority & indigenous cultures is assimilation, not appropriation. So the idea is that if it takes outsiders to celebrate/perpetuate/popularize a culture (even badly) in order to get the culture some recognition, attention, and respect, then that could be a useful and beneficial effect of an otherwise exploitative act. It is hard to argue with that, I think!

Luckily, the solution is to support minority artists, and to look for the common humanity that allows us to collaborate and to appreciate one another.

It is an odd experience to know that arguments I find so disagreeable conclude with a recommendation that I agree with so completely.

NOTE; The Preface by the author is one of the most respectful full acknowledgments I can recall reading in which a professor actually gives credit to both colleagues and student interns for the ideas and contributions to his work. This says much about his perspective, and lends weight to his credentials.

I gave it 3 stars rather than 4 because it reads like (and probably is) a college textbook and I just don't want anyone to imagine that it is going to be a fun read.

[Bernhard Nickel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fundamentally a laundry list, applying the same core idea over and over. Cultural appropriation isn't _always bad_ qua cultural appropriation because there have been some successful artworks that rely on cultural appropriation. It's hard to escape the feeling after reading this that Young's opponents, the positions he's arguing against, aren't very thoughtful about the actual _content_ of their views, even if these positions are adopted because their defenders' hearts are in the right spot. I think that might indicate that we haven't quite captured the real force of the concerns about appropriation.

[lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

first book for phil 162. still not quite sure how i feel about this book. i think the way that its written isn’t really for me? his points and perspective is interesting, but not enough for me to read a book like this on my own if i didnt have to. just didnt have as much fun reading this book as i did other books, particularly non-fiction ones.

[yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe i would've appreciated it more if my prof didn't make us read whole book in less than a week. the material is dense and i needed time to digest it :,(

[Charlotte]

A great basic introduction to the legal perspectives and ethical arguments surrounding appropriation. It complicates the topic in meaningful ways so that you will understand how most discussions about cultural appropriation only skim the surface.