I don't think this is in any way cultural appropriation, they're using what seems to me African garb in different styles, and they look stunning.

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That's because it's usually the white people who've oppressed the cultures they're now wanting to dress up as. I left some comments on the comment below yours. Csaclint had the same comment. If you would like to be informed as to what cultural appropriation is, please read my comments, start with the 4th comment down and work your way up. I understand how this topic can be confusing for some.

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What is reverse cultural appropriation? Disney stories, while most are based in Europe, have been purchased by Disney, an American company. Was Walt appropriating? Ya just wanna be mad about something. And you choose children. You're a peach.

You know, here is the true point. There remains the egregious issue of self-image for black girls. There is a preponderance of mega-media portrayals of marketable fantasy characters to inspire young minds and reach deeply into parental pockets, including the minds of little black girls and the pockets of their parents. As a primary teacher, I am saddened greatly by the fact that even in 2020, I continue to witness excessively far too many beautiful little black girls whose self-image revolves around looking like those fantasy Disney princesses. All this article is presenting, is an alternative possibility for self-image. Even in 2020, I teach female children who have not learned to envision themselves as black princesses: who have not learned to envision someone who looks like them starring in their Disney-inspired fantasies. All children have, or should be encouraged to have, fantasies. And each child should see herself starring in these critical stages of psychological growth.

But to take a small part of their symbols, and use it in a respectful way, and admit that you took inspiration from this place, and use it as a chance to educate others about a culture, or part of a culture they might not already be aware of, that's usually viewed as ok. Basically, cultural appropriation is there to protect cultures from having their symbols, or people mimicked, turned into caricatures, or having parts that are important to them exploited so others can make money off of it. Especially when those "others" have oppressed said culture for hundreds of years.

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Now, with Pocahontas, she was real, but the story we are familiar with is not the real story. But still, the problem with dressing up as Pocahontas lies when one decides to go one step further and colour their skin, or to do it in another way which could be deemed disrespectful, like dressing up as a slutty Pocahontas, for example. Why? Because of what really happened to Pocahontas, as well to her people and all the other native tribes. European settlers already demeaned, and destroyed the native people enough, to portray them in any disrespectful light is just wrong. And horribly so. It's also why people have issues with, say, fashion magazines or fashion designers taking sacred symbols of native tribes just to make money. That headdress, or those moccasins, etc., mean something to these people. For you to take it, and then try to sell it as though it was your design is wrong.

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I do not think that you know what that means. It's not "cultural appropriation " if the person you're dressing up as is a fictional character, first of all. Second, when dressing up as someone from a different cultural becomes a problem, is when you pick one aspect of that culture and basically make a caricature of it. Example, dressing up as someone from a Maori tribe if you're not even polynesian. Especially if you go as far as colouring your skin. Why? Because Maori people are real people, not a character. But to dress up as Moana, and leave your skin as it is (as done here) is fine. Why? Because Moana is a fictional character. The same goes for Harry Potter, for example. You can dress up as Harry Potter even if you're black, Asian, latino, or even female. Why? Because Harry Potter is a fictional character. It's not cultural appropriation because HE'S NOT REAL.

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How is it cultural appropriation? Are black Americans not Americans?

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*btw, please start with my last reply and work your way up. Otherwise, it won't make much sense. 😊

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SHUT UP FOOL!!

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