Each February, a variety of events and shows are held to honor and celebrate Black people. For others, it has been a unique way to connect with their roots and heritage through fashion, food, music, and more. At the same time, friends of that culture participate in the festivities. Speaking of fashion and style, it’s not uncommon to see people from different backgrounds wearing African prints and other cultural attire as they celebrate Black history and culture at various events. It’s been a month where we can see so many people immersing themselves in authentic cultural exchange with Black people. But the title of this article is the most common question I get when talking to people of other ethnic backgrounds about African prints in fashion. While many non-Black people are open-minded and culturally curious, they wonder if wearing African prints is cultural appropriation. In my unpopular opinion, the answer is no.
But let’s start by discussing cultural appropriation. What exactly is it? The term has been around for several years, but its meaning and intent remain unclear. simple Google search Different interpretations emerge, but I have read various attempts to explain it and have created an expanded definition that can be used to understand this phenomenon.
“Cultural appropriation is when a person borrows elements of a culture that is not their own (such as clothing, music, art, etc.) without permission in a way that exploits, distorts, deconstructs, belittles, stereotypes, and/or profits. they. This may result from or be reinforced by unequal and one-sided power relations between the expropriator and the expropriated. ”
The problem lies not in the borrowing itself, but in the overall motivation behind it and the lack of respect or recognition of the borrowed culture, including the power politics at play as a result. As you can see in the definition above, anyone of any race can be guilty of cultural appropriation, so I am careful to distinguish between the appropriator and the appropriated material. This happens within minority cultures as well, which is why it is such a sensitive and complex topic. I could write another opinion piece on this alone, but first. Education is important. Keep reading to find out when it’s okay for non-Black/African people to wear clothes with these prints.
A scenario in which it is perfectly acceptable for non-black people to wear African prints in fashion.
- There is no risk of plagiarism if you are respectful, wear it with permission, and don’t take advantage of the fashion or product manufacturer in the process.
Consider the definition of cultural appropriation above, especially the part that concerns unequal and one-sided power relationships. Many non-black-owned brands do business in Africa, but they tend not to pay fair wages. This is considered exploitation for profit. And when fashion labels use African prints that are imbued with traditional meaning and significance without attributing their origins or sharing their stories, it is disrespectful. Many creators create and sell African fashion. It would be wise to support these black-owned businesses as opposed to their non-African peers. Where appropriate, you should also ensure that the company practices fair trade in a way that benefits the local economy, rather than contributing to it. inequality. Most African and Black-owned brands specializing in African fashion want to expand their work and make it accessible not only to their own communities but to the whole world. Here, designers and makers can raise their profile while giving back to the community. Hint: Don’t wear African fashion to Halloween costumes or fancy dress themed parties. Similarly, avoid situations where your clothing is out of context. For example, wearing a gel or hijab (headwrap) for important cultural and spiritual rituals at the grocery store, the beach, club lounges, etc.
- Learning the history and stories behind each printed fabric or textile allows us to give it proper recognition and elevate the voices of cultural groups.
In a world where most of the information about Africa is about war, famine, and disease, the history of fashion presents a different lens through which others can view African culture. If you’re new to African textiles and textiles, there’s a lot to learn, but no one is asking you to become a historian. However, you can relate to clothes on a level that goes beyond mere beauty. When wearing things that are not part of your culture, it can be very helpful to educate yourself about what you are wearing and how best to incorporate those elements into your style, cultural or not. is. Please note that I am not wearing a costume. This should never be approached. The idea is to style yourself in an elegant, tasteful and cohesive way. This way, you will be appreciating the culture instead of appropriating it. Expanding your knowledge of different African cultures and attire will help you make a fair assessment and will help you respond wisely to people who try to call you out on issues of plagiarism.
- Most fabrics classified as African prints are not necessarily manufactured in Africa, so it is important to respectfully recognize and appreciate this fact.
African prints are prints originally made in Europe, and after being introduced to West African countries, there was high market demand, so the name stuck and eventually took root in Africa. reference This article about Origin of African print To understand the complex history. Considering that these prints have been incorporated into African culture and heritage, we can see that there is not much to fear, especially if we are respectful and sensitive. Of course, this does not mean that there are no textiles in Africa (which you should also learn and know about). However, this knowledge will help you identify and differentiate between the two at a glance. Please note that most African prints are not made in Africa, so this is not a license that can be obtained without permission. Instead, there must be an invitation that you accept.
Just like food, fashion should be fun and bring people together through creative conversations. With this idea in mind, I encourage everyone to learn how people from different African countries dress and wear printed clothing in February and throughout the year.
What do you think about this rather important topic?
Source: Jamila Kyari Co. – jamilakyari.com
