Today in Cultural Appropriation

“The Atlantic” addressed the topic, too.

The Tricks People Use to Avoid Debate

 

We were in Canada over the weekend. While there, we tried to be as nice and polite as possible.

I hope no one thought we were appropriating their culture.

The problem with Canadians is, even if they thought you were, they'd be too nice to say anything about it.

 

It’s strange to me that you all dismiss the notion of cultural appropriation out of hand. I love Elvis. But Elvis was literally a means of making black culture palatable to white racists. No “ick” factor there? None at all?

 

You were in Detroit AND Canada? And you didn't call? I mean....wow.

 

Oh, I think there can be legitimate concerns.

But, your example also brings us back to just plain racism.

Radio stations and record labels didn't think they could make money playing black music, and they were probably right. So, they repackaged it, with white performers.

But, Rock & Roll incorporated not just rhythm & blues, but also country, and gospel.

Elvis certainly did.

Was he a appropriating culture, or just a fan, making the music he liked?

Was Sam Phillips guilty?

 

Elvis wasn’t black, but poor white trash for multiple generations in the south was just a notch above. Bill Clinton was able to overcome that upbringing, but he was younger than Elvis and had more educational opportunities. Elvis didn’t appropriate someone else’s culture. It was his culture too

 

And Cleveland!

 

I wanted to get some time in Buffalo, and make it a real Rust Belt tour, but we decided to come back a day early, because we have family coming to visit tomorrow.

We did stop for dinner in Erie, PA though, so we've got that going for us.

 

Perhaps the girl in question was not appropriating the culture of Chinese Americans who suffered at the hands of white Americans historically.
Perhaps she was appropriating the culture of actual indigenous Chinese, who suffered at the hands of (in reverse chronological order) other Chinese, Japanese, white Europeans, Mongolians, Manchus, and other Chinese.

 

I wouldn't excuse fans of Elvis or record execs who were straight up racist. But should Elvis have not made "black" music?

Unfortunately we don't live in a magical world where we can just say "OK, everybody. Enough with the prejudice." There is some "ick" factor, as you put it, in the way art and sports steer progress, but maybe it's better than the alternative.

People thought if Elvis is going to make black music, maybe they'd give Chuck Berry a try. And hey, if a black player can win us a championship maybe he's worth it.

It's impossible to really feel comfortable about it all, but there has been progress related to it.

 

You are responding to an imaginary exercise of privilege.