Effects of Cultural Appropriation - Essay Example

Media Production Name Institution Course Date Introduction On the introduction part, we are defining what cultural appropriation is from the base media production. Therefore, cultural appropriation is seen as the use or adoption of a particular culture by people of a different culture. Cultural appropriation is a common activity in the modern media production and in the society as well. The adoption is brought about by people’s preference of other culture other than theirs. In one way or the other, some people tend to be affected by cultural appropriation. The effect is majorly reinforced through films and animations in the media production center and its induction modules. These effects are based on the promotion of foreign cultural adoption thus people's culture gets to be lost and not passed to the next generation (Derman-Sparks, 2013, pp. 69). In the essay, we will deeply discuss the effect on people as well as opinions voiced on their cultural adoption by people from other cultures. These effects are fueled by the theme that the producer is intending to show in their production. Other than that, several risks are involved in cultural appropriation. These risks include the change of culture in the society with other society’s culture being corrupted as will be clearly described in the essay. These media producers do not pay homage to the society or community they have adopted the culture from. Therefore, many people discourage the adoption of their culture by other people for production, a concept that is expounded in the essay (Tester, 2013). Effects of Cultural Appropriation to people: Cultural appropriation is a common activity in almost all nations in the media sector. It is common in the film production and animations where the participants in the film portray adoption of other people’s culture. The culture adoption helps them to bring out some themes and moral lessons to the viewers. These moral lessons are variated from one cultural group to the other. The moral lesson may be based on the academic sector, on moral life as well as in innovation and technological area. Therefore, different media production teams have diverged meanings and subjects to portray in their works. Through creativity, several producers are found to adopt other people’s culture in their films as well as in their animations. It is all in their efforts to have their production being unique and attractive to their customers. They want to also promote and advertise their production firms too for being the best and making quality productions (Riley, 2015). A great problem is faced in the nation as a result of cultural appropriation. These problems are mainly affecting the section that encourages the promotion of culture and traditions in the particular ethical groups. As a result of cultural appropriation, the media producers present their works to the nation imitating much-westernized culture. These films are viewed worldwide. Therefore, due to the exaggerations thereby in the production field to attract the attention of viewers and to promote marketability of their products, many people tend to prefer the teachings and the culture to theirs (Trueba, 2014). Finally, a large percent of the society is found to have forgotten of its culture thus being a hard task to reinforce the culture and its practices to the people again. As a result, the next generation will never get to learn the original culture of the community since no one in the society is informed of the original culture of the community. Therefore, much will be lost in the animation and film production since the traditional culture also makes part of a better production. And this helps remind the generation of their culture which should not be forgotten (Derman-Sparks, 2013, pp. 86). The following problem faced in the appropriation of culture in the media production field, specifically in screen production, we have misinterpretation and misunderstanding of culture. The Hindu culture and the Arabs have been upset by the media producers. They just rush into dressing like them as well as using their ornaments without knowledge of their use and meaning in the community. An example is the “Bindi” ornament used by the Hindus. It is a red dot that is made on the forehead as a symbol of the introduction of a third eye and is meant for strengthening and retaining one's concentration in prayers. Therefore, many use it as a decorating style in the film production. It, therefore, turns out to be an abomination to the Hindu community. It is because the “Bindi” is used for religious purposes by the Hindu community (Griner, 2013, pp. 589). The Arab community is also upset by the adoption of their dressing styles in the film production. The animation and film production participants who know less about the meanings and uses of the Arab culture tend to ruin it. As a result, the new generation sees the ruined culture animations and films and takes them as fashion that has popped into the market. A while later, the Arab community lies in a risk of having the generation using the corrupted culture as their culture. The advantage that is brought about by the adoption of other communities’ culture in the film and animation production is variated from one culture to the other (Tester, 2013). The older and risky cultures that are dropped may fuel to the success of the community in one way or the other. The adoption of western culture in Africa will help the upcoming generation to be more informed on the culture in comparison to the current generations. Some of the traditional cultures, according to the current technology and generation, are prohibited. The elders in the community still promote their application while the situations in the modern life find many risks involved in them. An example is films and animations that have been producing under the theme of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). It is an activity that had put the life of the female child at risks of survival and reproduction but some communities still promote it. Therefore, the film and animation producers have played a great role in the eradication of FGM and other cultures involved that can endanger a life (Riley, 2015). They have adopted the culture of the societies that promote the activity. In their production, the repercussions run through the film or animation. It, therefore, results to posting a great fear to the next generation in adopting such a culture. They also produce a film and animations showing how life can be if the society does away with the activity. Therefore, many are found to be in support to the eradication of this culture among other culture which is seen as having a negative outcome. Besides, it is through the cultural appropriation that the media group has tried to pass knowledge to the nations on the current technological changes that are yet to reach their lands (Trueba, 2014). Cultural appropriation has helped the in uniting the world. Every community out there has a culture that is adopted from other cultures. By bringing together with these cultures that they have adopted, we find different communities rhyming greatly in the cultural practices and beliefs. As a result, a bond is created between the two. Later on, the communities automatically unite with one another due to the common cultural belief and practices into the society. Also, cultural appropriation has been a backbone to the circulation of technology worldwide. Through the animations and films, the interaction of people with each other is also an effect that results. Several productions show adoption of westernized culture, which promoted greatly racism several years gone. Racism was a great problem in many nations and still a cultural activity that was practiced to the latter. Therefore, through cultural appropriation, the film and animation industry produced tapes to show how the activity was being carried out and the repercussions that each race faced. As a result, the African community advanced racism to tribalism as well as discrimination based on the country of origin. Therefore, this was a negative effect on the people that were brought about by cultural appropriation (Griner, 2013, pp. 596). Cultural appropriation to the people leads to people having the freedom to collect whichever the culture they find interesting and adopts it thus making it part of their life’s cultural activity. Therefore, exchange of culture is then encouraged and promoted to a greater percent. An example is that the whites have the freedom to adapt to the black's culture and way of life and the vice versa. The problem comes in when the whites do not allow the blacks use their culture to the maximum (Griner, 2013, pp. 610). They have put several restrictions thus the black race being affected to some extent. Therefore, cultural appropriation gives people a chance to love other people's culture and ensures they remain prejudiced over its own nation and people. Therefore, cultural appropriation eases life for the whites and cools their activities with the blacks having it too ethical. The blacks in some culture are denied some freedom due to the discrimination thereby that is meant to stop them from adopting the opponent’s cultural practices and beliefs (Riley, 2015). Another effect of cultural appropriation has been voiced by the elderly in each society. Different people view several hair styles and dressing differently. They have variated beliefs towards them. The western culture allows short or tight or both design mode cultures. The other cultural tribes and groups take it with a negative notion. Therefore, cultural appropriation being of negative impact to the good morals that were there in the market. In the African culture, how one presented himself/ herself was a great concern to the people. Due to an adoption of cultural practices and beliefs through cultural appropriation, the decency and present ability culture that was there under dressing and representation, has vanished in the current generation. Also, the respect that co-existed between the young and the elderly has also deteriorated (Derman-Sparks, 2013, pp. 91). Conclusion In conclusion to the essay, cultural appropriation is simply the adoption of other people's culture. No fee is paid to the people whose culture you have adopted from thus no one is mandated to question over one's decision on what culture to adopt or not to adopt. Also, people whose culture has been adopted have no say if the culture is misinterpreted of misused in the production of animations and films in the media industry. We see how the Arabs and Hindu societies are upset by adoption and improper use of their culture. They cannot confront these producers and question them about the same. Therefore, it is a conclusion that the animation production and film industry are under no pressure are offered some cultural appropriation freedom as well as security in their works (Griner, 2013, pp. 618). Also, the media producers do not pay homage to the society or community they have adopted the culture from. Therefore, many people discourage the adoption of their culture by other people for production a concept. Cultural appropriation is found to be a common activity in the modern media production and in the society as well in the production of animations and films. The adoption is brought about by people’s preference of other culture other than theirs due to diversified personal interests. The act of adoption of culture helps them to bring out some themes and moral lessons to the viewers. These moral lessons are variated from one cultural group to the other. The moral lesson may be based on the academic sector, on moral life as well as in innovation and technological area (Trueba, 2014. Also, the decency and present ability culture that was under dressing and representation have vanished in the current generation. Also, the respect that co-existed between the young and the elderly have also deteriorated as a result of cultural appropriation. Therefore, cultural appropriation has been of both positive and negative impact on the people. Through animation and films, the effects of cultural appropriation can be changed. Film and animation producers should timely produce films and animations that emphasis on the community’s culture thus preventing loss of culture. Also, to prevent misunderstanding that leads to misuse of other people’s culture, a training as well as research should be done to the media producers on how to use the costumes and make-ups. This will reduce negative effects of cultural appropriation in film and animation production. Also, their productions should promote and advance in productions that have positive effects to the people. Reference Derman-Sparks, L., 2013. Developing culturally responsive caregiving practices: Acknowledge, ask, and adapt. Infant/toddler caregiving: A guide to culturally sensitive care, pp.68-94. Griner, A.C. and Stewart, M.L., 2013. Addressing the achievement gap and disproportionality through the use of culturally responsive teaching practices. Urban Education, 48(4), pp.585-621. Riley, A. and Carpenter, K.A., 2015. Owning red: a theory of Indian (cultural) appropriation. Tester, K., 2013. Media Culture & Morality. Routledge. Trueba, H.T., Jacobs, L. and Kirton, E., 2014. Cultural Conflict & Adaptation. Routledge. Read More