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Jurado

Jessica Jurado
Ms. Yolanda Franklin
ENC 1101
22 July 2015
Cultural Appropriation in the Media: Condemned or Condoned?
Media and social media have shaped many of the opinions and viewpoints of the world
today. The world is given news through a vast system of networks accessed by todays
technology. The common person now has what used to be nearly twenty devices in a small
square phone that can fit easily in a pocket. Because these tools and information are available at
ones fingertip, updates and events spread fast. With social media websites such as Twitter,
Facebook, and others, everyday people can not only share news, but also voice their opinion on
it. Celebrities and famous artists are not excluded from this online movement. Pop idols, models
to their fans, are no longer having their opinions filtered through magazine editing but are
making their statements directly from their online profiles, often without consulting a second
opinion. What these celebrities dont realize- or maybe they do- is that their status and fame
cause their opinions to reach a much larger audience than any other random person on the
internet. This far reach is a delicate balance, for the opinions shared by pop idols can cause a
ripple effect than influences their fans, their career, and even people who have never heard of
them. Words are powerful, so how do celebrities in social media set an example when discussing
or exhibiting serious issues like race or cultural appropriation?
The topic of race has been at the forefront of conflicts in society for centuries. With the
integration of many cultures into modern day America, it would make sense that this conflict will
be solved. Sadly, that is not the case and that fact is unlikely to change in the coming years. Yet,
it is not a subject that should be ignored; left on the backburner because its not my problem.
The more that society confronts these issues, the louder the voice of the everyday man and
woman becomes. However, celebrities have proven that it is hard to bring up the topic of race

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without upsetting the masses. If that is so, how can one broach these topics without suffering
backlash? Unfortunately, the internet and those that use it are unforgiving and quick to find
offense when it comes to sensitive discussions. I recommend researching several celebrities and
forums that examine the social problems with race. This way, it is easier to understand what is
acceptable to post on the internet.
Jesse Williams, a 33-year-old actor best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the
ABC Television Series Grey's Anatomy often discusses the sensitive issue of race. Williams is
the youngest member of the board of directors at The Advancement Project, a civil rights think
tank and advocacy group (Wikipedia) When making a comment about the defensive outrage that
follows an accusation of a white person, he states that You don't feel compelled to justify
everything done by everyone who happens to be straight or male or right-handed. So why
whiteness? (Jesse Williams Twitter). Williams frequently makes his point on twitter by asking
questions rather than making statements. This provokes internal interrogation, forcing those who
read his tweet to answer the question for themselves rather than just giving them a concrete fact
that can be easily denied. The actor also prompts his followers to look at the pop culture around
them and find its African American roots. Millions of you smile in awe of our music, comedy,
inventions, athletics, fashion, etc. but when we're not entertaining you, you hate us? (Jesse
Williams Twitter). Cultural appropriation, as described by actress Amandla Stenberg, occurs
when a style leads to racist generalizations but is deemed cool or funny when the privileged take
it for themselves (OConnor). An example of this can be found in the use of the cornrows
hairstyle. While the style is an easy and necessary way to style African American hair, it is often
judged as a trashy or unkept style, leading to a lack of respect in the professional workplace.
Yet, white pop artists wear this style in music videos to display an edgy bad boy/girl
appearance, ignoring and taking for granted its original functionality.

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Through the social media site Twitter, Jesse Williams discusses the topic of police brutality.
While he does express his opinion on the events that he discusses, he does so as a side note to the
official information that Williams often links to. When he makes his opinionated comments, he
does so with the immediate news report or article within the same tweet. The way that the actor
presents his tweets prompts his followers to do their own research and come to their own
conclusions. Williams provides his audience with cold, hard facts, but portrays these facts in a
manner that will provoke self-interrogation and curiosity that leads to research. His tweets, while
opinionated, serve to educate his followers about the events that take place in our nation daily.

In contrast, Iggy Azalea, a 25-year-old white, Australian rap artist, has been under fire for
her racist and homophobic remarks on Twitter. Likewise, the young rap artist has gotten into
many online disputes with an African American rap artist named Azealia Banks. Banks often
makes comments on Azaleas fame despite, in Bankss opinion, not having the talent to warrant
it. The womens twitter spats became viral with Bankss comments calling for other hard
working female rappers to be recognized, not just Azalea. In an interview with Hot 97 radio
station, Banks justifies her dislike of Iggy Azalea because she believed that the white rapper is an
example of cultural smudging in music. Banks states that I feel like in this country, whenever
it comes to our things, like black issues or black politics or black music or whatever, theres
always this undercurrent of kinda like a fuck you. Theres always a fuck yall n*ggas. Yall
dont really own shit. Yall dont have shit (Hope). Azalea promptly responded on twitter with

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anger rather than understanding.

Personally, I feel that both of these artists couldve gone about this Twitter war in a
different manner. Both were quick to lash out with personal and hurtful comments, rather than
addressing the real issue between them. When Azealia Banks attempted to broach the subject of
her dislike of Iggy Azalea in order to find the true reason for her dislike, she was met with swift
dismissal and hostility from the white rap artist. When arguments are driven only by anger and
spite, nothing is ever learned or solved.

Talib Kweli, a hip hop music artist, speaks bluntly about his views on race and racism
within not only his industry, but in the world. Like Toni Morrison, he believes that race does not
truly exist, rather, race is a construct of greed. It's an illusion. But let's not pretend that it doesn't
inform every aspect of American society (Talib Kweli Twitter). Many condemn his tweets as
harsh or vulgar, but he displays his passion within his opinion. Kwelis social media messages
spark emotion within his followers; feelings of injustice or anger are what he hopes to inspire. I
know that I personally felt this emotion, this drive to learn more and make my voice heard
concerning these topics. If his message can inspire me, someone who hardly uses twitter, to
make a statement, who knows what other reactions that his tweets conjure. Ignoring the negative
backlash that his tweets, deemed controversial, sentence him to, the African American artist
speaks his mind about what he and those around him endure every day due to the color of their
skin.

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These celebrities, as well as many others, set examples for their followers and viewers.
They have the power and fame to influence others, so why not promote positive education about
the daily problems of race and cultural appropriation? Ignorance and arrogance are the bane of
human advancement, idols with fame and money can change that. There is a line in which
admiration becomes appropriation, the world needs better education as to when that line is
crossed. These issues need to be faced and discussed rather than ignored and brushed under the
carpet simply because one has the privilege to do so.
So how does one go about examining these topics on social media without offending others
or spreading false information?
Step 1: Research. Well, its best to fully research the topics of conversation before voicing
or even deciding on a personal opinion. Official news reports, videos, and testimonies are the
best sources of information regarding major worldwide events.
Step 2: Respect. Carefully consider the wording in which the social media post is made.
Tone of voice cannot be transferred over simple text so it is important to remember ones
phrasing.
Step 3: Understanding. The world, specifically social media, is normally an unforgiving
environment. No matter the research conducted or the steps taken, there usually will be those that
will ignore facts.
Education is the key to progressing towards a world in which racial conflicts can be seen
and dealt with easily, without the ignorance that privilege permits. People cannot help the skin
and situation they are born into, but they can recognize those around them who lead a more
difficult life. This knowledge and awareness can lead to a newfound humble mentality and desire
to help those who are less privileged. It is our responsibly, as the rising generation of young

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adults, to use our modern forms of information-sharing and social media to spread new ideals of
acceptance and understanding. Registration for popular social media sites is free for the public,
so why not use this ease of access to reach people around the world and make a change?

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Works Cited
Chen, Tanya. "A History Of Iggy Azalea And Azealia Banks' Rivalry." BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed,
Inc., 22 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 July 2015.
Hope, Clover. "Azealia Banks Explains Her Iggy Beef in This Sad/Fascinating Interview."
Jezebel. Jezebel.com, 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 July 2015.
@iJesseWilliams. "JesseWilliams." Twitter. Twitter, Inc., Apr. 2009. Web. 29 July
2015.
O'Connor, Ema. "This "Hunger Games" Actress Just Gave The Realest Explanation Of Cultural
Appropriation." BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed, Inc., 16 Apr. 2015. Web. 29 July 2015.
Rosenthal, Jeff. "Iggy Azalea's History of Hip-Hop Controversy: A Timeline." Vulture. New
York Media LLC., 19 Feb. 2015. Web. 29 July 2015.
@TalibKweli. "Talib Kweli Greene." Twitter. Twitter, Inc., Dec. 2008. Web. 29 July 2015.
Wikipedia. "Jesse Williams." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 July 2015.
Web. 29 July 2015.

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