A recent op-ed in the New York Times defending cultural appropriation has sparked controversy. Writer Kenan Malik compared campaigns against cultural appropriation to gatekeeping. In response, authorK. Tempest Bradford pointed outthat those who defend appropriation either don’t understand it, misrepresent it, or ignore its complexity. She says there’s a difference between appropriation – when a dominant culture takes elements from a culture of people who have been oppressed, leading to exploitation – and cultural exchange.
The issue isn’t a new one, nor does it show any signs of being resolved. Recently, prominent writers and editors in Canada lost their jobs over defending appropriation, and writers and artists in the U.S. have faced backlash as well.
So how can writers and artists create inclusive work that honors and doesn’t harm other cultures? Our guests help us understand the nuances. In studio:
- Reenah Golden-Collier, co-creator of Kuumba Consultants
- Lauren Jimerson, fine artist, art therapist, and project manager of the Iroquois White Corn Project
