Maleah Harris

November 7, 2014
Sociological Theory
Dr. Young
My paper will be on how cultural appropriation by the privileged race in
American society is detrimental to the image and well-being of other
ethnicities also living in American society. Cultural appropriation is the
adoption of elements of one culture by members of a different cultural group,
specifically the use by cultural outsiders of a minority, oppressed culture's
symbols or other cultural elements. First, I will explain what cultural
appropriation is and how it differs from assimilation and acculturation.
Second, I will outline how America's form of government and economy
systematically oppresses, dehumanizes, and denigrates people of color or
people who do not adhere or assimilate to the European standard that is
espoused by American society. Finally, I will present proof that cultural
appropriation indeed endangers and devalues the lives of those who do not
fit within the European or colonialist's standards due to their inherited culture
or physical appearance.

Bibliography
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