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Summary Of Three Cheers For Cultural Appropriation

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In the article, Three Cheers for Cultural Appropriation, published August 30, 2017, author Bari Weiss defends the "charges" of cultural appropriation as simple syncretism, the root of his argument being the accusation of "cultural appropriation" is overwhelmingly being used to define the most natural process in our melting-pot country - the mixing of different ethnicities, cultures, and religions. Weiss claims that America's culture is at risk of being extinct introducing a new existence where we are all forced to remain in the "ethnic and racial lanes" assigned to us at birth. Weiss' argument is clearly structured but does not provide a clear definition of "cultural appropriation" therefore it makes Weiss' argument invalid because he did not …show more content…

It's especially terrible when those doing the stealing are "rich" […] and those they are stealing from are "poor." to define cultural appropriation. Not only does this definition not cover the complexity of this term, it gives no room to qualify the examples given by this author. Weiss' simplification of this term makes cultural appropriation seem blown out of proportion which in turn compliments his argument that cultural appropriation accusations are over dramatically labeling the simple blending of cultures that are directly related to the success of America. Aside from this, Weiss' examples of the MTV music awards, including references to Kendrick Lamar, accused of "borrowing Asian dress", Katy Perry, accused of "caricaturing African-American women", and Beyoncé, accused of "exploiting Persian culture", and their respective acts of cultural appropriation. Weiss effectively includes these examples of "cultural appropriation" to show his audience how the term "cultural appropriation" is excessively applied to "every corner of American life". This furthers evidence to his claim that this term is "overwhelmingly used" to describe the plain "borrowing" of an element from another culture. Weiss' argument is arranged in an orderly structure of providing examples followed by a well-thought out explanation that elaborates more on his argument. Despite Weiss' detailed argument, in the beginning of his article he …show more content…

Within the last decade, Americans have grown more "territorial" about their cultures and suddenly want to have their own culture as one and not share it with anyone. Which leads to the second argument I agree with, if these types of claims and labels continue, eventually America will be forced back into segregation, but this time it will be because no one wants to share their culture, instead of the latter, where everyone wants to be treated

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