Notes on Tanya Cushman's Presentation on Cultural Appropriation

Introduction

• Tanya Cushman shares her journey from being a teacher to becoming a content creator.
• Found fulfillment during the pandemic by creating educational content on TikTok.
• Focus on UK black history and cultural commentary.
• Transitioned from teaching in a classroom to reaching a broader audience online.

Cultural Appropriation

• Definition: The unacknowledged, inappropriate adoption of customs, practices, ideas from one culture by members of another culture (Oxford Dictionary).
• Discussion of cancel culture and its connection to cultural appropriation.
• Lack of safe spaces for dialogue on cultural appropriation.

The Survival Toolkit: The Three P's of Cultural Appropriation

1. Cultural Property

   • Essential elements identifying a culture.
   • Example: Dreadlocks, their significance in Rastafarian culture.
   • Historical context of dreadlocks: Origin of the term and its colonial implications.
   • Importance of distinguishing cultural significance from mere hairstyles.

2. Privilege

   • Discussion of privilege in the context of cultural appropriation.
   • Privilege derived from societal structures benefits the dominant culture.
   • Example: Halloween costumes and the use of blackface as a blatant form of cultural appropriation.
   • Call to responsibility for those with privilege to address societal issues.

3. Profit

   • Issues of profit derived from cultural appropriation.
   • Example: Louis Vuitton's misrepresentation of Jamaican culture in fashion.
   • Call for economic awareness and support for black-owned businesses.
   • Mention of Black Pound Day as a platform for supporting UK-led black businesses.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to use the three P's as a tool for identifying cultural appropriation.
• Emphasis on the responsibility that comes with power and privilege.
• Final thoughts on creating a more equal, diverse, and inclusive society.