Representation of Asian culture has been one of the many debates of whether it is cultural appropriation or cultural apperciation. It is in fashion, food, music, films, etc. We are going to dive deep into controversial examples of cultural appropriation in the media and break down what is cultural appropriation and cultural apperciation through Asian lense.
Asian Represenation in the Media
Diving into Asian Cultural Appropriation
By Kelsey Lei
What is Cultural Appropriation?
Cultural Appropriation has become such a full form of hate, and the insensitivity of people, especially on the internet, can be toxic. However, there is a fair point about the differences between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. Cultural appropriation is when something in a specific aspect from usually a historically oppressed minority and ignoring its origins or meaning behind it. Adding mockery to culture or encouraging the racist stereotypes of that culture. However, cultural appreciation is when another culture respects the culture to gain knowledge and build connections.
Qipao
There is a lot of tension in social media to show the authenticity of culture by knowing the historical significance. For example, there was a viral trend of Keziah Daum wearing a qipao for her prom, and it got on Twitter. The Asian-American community criticized it on Twitter like "My culture is not your goddamn prom dress." However, Keziah defended with, "I mean no disrespect to the Chinese Culture. I'm simply showing my appreciation to their culture." Looking at her prom photos, many will assume she just wore it for an aesthetic reason. Not taking the time to understand the qipao represented women's liberation in China. As well out of context, many would feel outraged she wore it for a party and the group photo suggesting she is doing the Asian squat in a Qipao. She said she is referencing a famous YouTuber named Ethan Klein, who has a channel called h3h3 production. Although Qipao does have historical significance, even those who live in China are praising Keziah for wearing the qipao. It could be because Qipao is just a formal dress worn on daily basis during 1920s and 30s. Even in Chinese restaurants, you would see waitresses wearing qipao as their work attire.
Isle of Dogs
Here is another example of a film called "Isle of Dogs" by Wes Anderson, a filmmaker known for his films like Fantastic Mr.Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Was criticized by film critics for the line where he tossed between cultural appreciation to cultural appropriation. Justin Chang, a LA Times Film Critic, pointed out the film’s critical components that can be considered cultural appropriation. Isle of Dogs is a stop motion film and the movie takes place 20 year into the future in Megasaki City where the Kobayashi Dynasty is being a long fued with dogs. Make matters worse there is a city-wide pandemic of the dog-flu that causes the Mayor Kobayashi to exile all infected animals to the Trash Island. what Justin Chang touch upon in his review is language and giving simple statements for the Japanese characters in the movie.
Cultural Appropriation has become such a full form of hate, and the insensitivity of people, especially on the internet, can be toxic. However, there is a fair point about the differences between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. Cultural appropriation is when something in a specific aspect from usually a historically oppressed minority and ignoring its origins or meaning behind it. Adding mockery to culture or encouraging the racist stereotypes of that culture. However, cultural appreciation is when another culture respects the culture to gain knowledge and build connections.
