...while African American Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg accused Jenner of appropriating black culture. Heidi Klum, Justin Timberlake, and Lena Dunham also have received criticism for donning cornrows. This controversy surrounding hairstyles such as cornrows and dreadlocks, often associated with modern African American culture, raises many questions. Is it cultural appropriation to adopt hairstyles often associated with people of another culture? Who possesses the authority to denote it as cultural appreciation or appropriation? Does fighting against cross culture adoption hinder or promote racial progress? According to The Atlantic writer Chris Weller, “we define who we are by the elements that stick with us---people, stories, places, memories---- and we measure ourselves in relation to them;” for many African Americans, these hairstyles represent a vital part of their cultural identity (Weller). Historical implications, double standards, and societal trends continue...
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...and the rest of the Americans. In 1903, W.E.B. DuBois expressed his internal conflict with his identity in Souls of Black Folk. DuBois explained, “It is a peculiar sensation, this double- consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks in amused contempt and pity.”, with double consciousness meaning that he felt his identity was divided into different faces and he could not be just one identity. (DuBois) It is hard for Blacks to unify their black and American identity because blacks have always been looked at as a “problem” in America. DuBois was...
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...school overreacting or simply upholding the school dress code? Lanegan was suspended from her school on the grounds that her dreadlocks violated the school dress code, but that she would be allowed back once she “changed her hair.” This is a violation of Lanegan’s right to self-expression, and she should never have been suspended. The Whitefish High School policy violated the CROWN Act, Lanegan’s freedom of expression, and constitutional law. The “Creating a Respecting and Open World for Natural Hair” Act (CROWN Act) is a bill that was enacted to prevent discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair. This bill protects students just like Kisteesha Lanegan from being discriminated against for their...
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...(Western political and economic domination and cultural imperialism) with the help of reggae music, make Rastafari a highly visible movement and "one of the most powerful cultural forces among youths in Jamaica" and in countries around the world where one least expects to find elements of Afro-Caribbean culture. Between the 1930s and the 1950s, few people bothered to study the significance of the political and ideological concepts in Rastafarian culture. Even Jamaicans who may have understood the philosophy of the movement regarded Rastafari as another passing fad, which would die a natural death once the novelty wore off. Former Rastafarian and practicing psychologist Leahcim Tefani Semaj noted that during this phase of the movement, the dominant public opinion toward the Rastafarians was "The damn Rasta dem, wey de Rasta dem want, we just put dem in a damn boat and put dem out in the sea and sink the boat-say dem want go Africa!" Prior to the 1970s, images of the unsanitary-looking, marijuana-smoking "Natty Dread" with unkempt dreadlocks, often controlling crime-infested streets of Kingston, New York City, or London were the most common perceptions of Rastafarian culture. These stereotypes still persist today among some people in the Caribbean, the United States, and Great Britain. Since the early 1970s, however, Rastafari (the movement's self-styled name) has been recognized not only as one of the most popular Afro-Caribbean religions of the...
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...a way of life, a social movement, as well as a mind set. Another reason why western people have a hard time understanding Rastafari is because the movement lacks the structure that the western world is use to. A lot of people’s understanding of Rasta’s only goes as far as to think that Rasta’s are people that live in Jamaica, smoke weed, and have Dreadlocks. These people do not begin to think what is behind the movement. The Development of Rastafari The Rastafari movement stems from the teachings of the great Jamaican leader and motivator of masses, Marces Garvey. Garvey told the African people of the world to unite and to return to African, the homeland. Garvey’s vision was for the “Blacks to overcome their feelings of inferiority and build upon their own unique and evolving culture, and ultimately return to Africa to redeem their homeland and to build a future”(Dubb. Pg2) Garvey’s vision and ability to unite people made the Jamaican people enlightened to what was going on in the world. Garvey created the U.N.I.A. and the Negro World newspaper, which helped to inform the Jamaicans of what was going on in the African world. Garvey told his followers, “Look towards Africa for the crowning of a black king - he shall be the redeemer”. Garvey often used many biblical terms in his teaching to free his movement from the oppression of the “White Man”, whether he meant them to be taken literally is unclear, but what is clear is that many Jamaicans took them literally. An...
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...Tim Dunnigan Dr. Frye Reggae Music Reggae isn’t just a genre of music, it’s a way for Rastafarians to express their way of life in their own unique way. The most famous Rastafarian and Reggae artist of them all was Bob Marley. His way of expressing his political opinions and messages in hit songs not only influenced in Jamaica, it had an impact on the entire world. He gave Rastafari an international identity and is the reason some people converted. Famous groups like the Rudeboys and Maytals helped Reggae to become what it is today. Reggae music was not always the most popular form of music in Jamaica. Reggae was influenced by the music genre of Jazz that was sweeping the nation. A lot of Jamaicans used Jazz to entertain the tourists. In the 1950’s Jazz Bebop became the new fad music for the youth of Jamaica and Jazz orchestras weren’t as common as in years past. In the 1960’s Ska was introduced and was the first style of music created by Jamaicans, this gave them a sense of identity. Ska was created by working class Jamaicans and they used it to express themselves and tell their stories. It was important because R&B singles weren’t being released as often, and didn’t attract as many listeners as it once did. Ska music consisted of the combination of Caribbean mento, calypso, and Jazz. The main reason for Ska’s popularity was because the music fit the moods of the time. People had the mind state to accept anything unique to Jamaica especially because they...
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...began to write his first autobiography about Ibo religion. Equiano elaborates on how Christianity connected with the African descent and its culture, also he described the similarities between the Jews and the African from circumcision to offerings, from purifications to washings, and from believing in one Creator to live after death. The African American family was cherished within the African American community due to their history of slavery, the family had bonded in a strong culture. These origins have these families tested family bonds throughout African American history, changing the family makeup by causing these families to become more Americanized and less Africanized following slavery abolishment. Family reunions and events are highly cherished to help maintain the African American culture. Elderly of African American families are celebrated, as they are passing on the African American legacy in this country. The elders provided great perception and common sense into the family and cultural history, also giving good guidance to the younger member into their families. The popularity of family reunions has grown over the past several years. After the civil rights movement, several aspects of the society started to become approachable to African American and...
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...anti-establishment way of life and their pride in identifying themselves as people of African ancestry. The inspiration which led to its genesis in the 1930’s was Messianic or millenarian in nature has been sustained and pervaded by a sense of African triumphalism. Although physical repatriation to Africa has not been fulfilled as Garvey or the founding Rastafarianism originally hoped, followers learned the “idea of Africa as home” can be a psychologically, culturally and spiritually empowering experience- all of which are important ingredients for creating positive ethno-racial self- conceptions of self and community. (Singh 2001) To participate in a form of active engagement towards liberation, Rastafarianism practice “reasonings”. The purpose is to heighten awareness by discussing local and worldly issues in an open communal environment and also emulating what theologian and educator Paulo Freire called conscientization. Conscientization arouse people’s consciousness and sense of self-redemption from the bottom up, with liberating significance”. (Murrell and Taylor 1998) In using these tools towards achieving liberation, Rastafarians seized the power of self-identification of the poor and developed an awareness which is the first step to empower oneself and to strive toward attaining freedom. (Erskine 2005). The History of the Religion Rastafarianism is an African way of life. Our deity is African,...
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...promotes violence as it shapes today's culture. For some cities and ethnic groups, music pretty much...
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...Outcasts to Culture Bearers Ennis Barrington Edmonds 2003 198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Bangkok Buenos Aires Cape Town Chennai Dar es Salaam Delhi Hong Kong Istanbul Karachi Kolkata Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Mumbai Nairobi São Paulo Shanghai Taipei Tokyo Toronto Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Copyright © 2003 by Ennis Barrington Edmonds The moral rights of the authors have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Edmonds, Ennis Barrington. Rastafari : from outcasts to culture bearers /...
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...By some accounts 500 years ago our African ancestors were running from the slave catcher and slave ships to avoid slavery, however, today the descendants of slaves are still running. In fact they are running, jumping, shooting baskets and catching awed shaped balls for their masters. Sporting events such as track and field, football and basketball are mainly dominated by blacks. On any given Saturday afternoon at majority white institutions, the black athlete can be found entertaining not only their immediate white master, but their white masters in term of the disproportionate number of white fans including faculty, staff and college administrators. This in itself has pre-dated far too many black athletes to slavery and the conditions of modern day slavery at the hand of athletics. Truly sports in America today as we know it has psychologically damaged the black athlete....
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...S. Ct. 1712 (1986)…………………………………………10 State v. Jones, 09-0751, (La. App. 1 Cir. 10/23/09) (unpublished)…………………..6 State v. Prejean, 09-0878, (La. App. 1 Cir. 10/27/09) (unpublished)………………..8 Books The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 101 (Fourth ed., Houghton Mifflen Co. 2009)………………………………………………………....7 Periodicals 23 S.C.Jur. Jury § 30 (2010)………………………………………………………….7 Other David Schepp, BBC, Gold Teeth Are a Gold Mine, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1471097.stm (posted August 3, 2001, 4:51 p.m. GMT)…………………………………………………………………………………7 Ghetto. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghetto (accessed April 18, 2010)...........................................7 Nigger. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nigger (accessed April 18, 2010)...........................................6 STATEMENT OF FACTS In today’s America most people believe we have evolved to see past race. They claim the hateful rhetoric and antiquated prejudices that plagued previous generations is gone. Some have even said we live in a post-racial world. The tragic story of Darryl Hunt’s conviction makes it all too clear that racial prejudice is alive and well in American. Although she is...
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...Chaed Ellison November 5, 2013 Communications 100 Linda Daugs Jamaica Although a small island in the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is a melting pot of cultures from all around the world. From the beginning, the island was inhabited by ancient tribes with different customs, beliefs and backgrounds. Since Jamaica is located in the central Caribbean, it became a key port for ships stop and sail from island to island. Because of this, Jamaica was able to be influenced from countries such as China, India, England and Spain. In this essay you will be informed on why the food, people and tourist attractions make Jamaica what it is today. Jamaican cuisine is a melting pot reflecting the various cultures that have influenced the island over the years. But even with all this fusion, there are many local ingredients that stand out in dishes, most notably the hot and spicy Scotch bonnet peppers that are key to any good "jerk." Jerk pork or chicken is Jamaica's national dish. Pork or chicken is seasoned with Scotch Bonnet peppers along with thyme, onions and scallions. Then the meat is wrapped in pimento leaves and cooked slowly for 6-8 hours. Traditional jerk is cooked in a pit with hot coals, however most places take an easier route and prepare the meat on a pimento wood rack over hot coals on a grill or in an oven. Despite the warm weather, Jamaicans love hearty hot soups. Pepperpot soup is packed with leafy green callaloo while creamy pumpkin soup has a more delicate taste. Brown chicken...
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...Essay basis for Test Though created in the United States by African Americans, hip hop culture and music is now global in scope. Youth culture and opinion is meted out in both Israeli hip hop and Palestinian hip hop, while Canada, France, Germany, the U.K., Poland, Brazil, Japan, Africa, Australia and the Caribbean have long-established hip hop followings. According to the U.S. Department of State, hip hop is "now the center of a mega music and fashion industry around the world," that crosses social barriers and cuts across racial lines. National Geographic recognizes hip hop as "the world's favorite youth culture" in which "just about every country on the planet seems to have developed its own local rap scene." Through its international travels, hip hop is now considered a “global musical epidemic,” and has diverged from its ethnic roots by way of globalization and localization. Although some non-American rappers may still relate with young black Americans, hip hop now transcends its original culture, and is appealing because it is “custommade to combat the anomie that preys on adolescents wherever nobody knows their name.” Hip hop is attractive in its ability to give a voice to disenfranchised youth in any country, and as music with a message it is a form available to all societies worldwide. From its early spread to Europe and Japan to an almost worldwide acceptance through Asia and South American countries such as Brazil, the musical influence has been global...
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...Marilyn Johnson George Buck ENC. 1101 MWF 11am April 18, 2012 The Life and Legend of Bob Marley Culture is defined by those who affect it. Bob Marley was one of those figures. He was a dynamic singer-song writer, musician, and activist who dramatically influenced popular culture, Reggae, Rastafarianism, and social awareness. His life is a cultural blend of integration through musical expression and involvement within the human rights movement striving for peace and equality. Robert Nesta Marley, known to the world as “Bob Marley” was born in Jamaica on February 6th, 1945. At the time of his birth he resembled his fifty year old father Captain Norval Sinclair Marley. “Nesta” as his mother liked to call him, was born into an inter-racial family; his mother was African American and his father was Caucasian. His mother, Cedella Booker, also known as “Ciddy”, was an eighteen year old young woman at the time and came from moderate means that was a sharp contrast to her husband, a colonial functionary. His father was mostly absent during Bob’s upbringing as a result of his family’s disapproval of the interracial marriage. Captain Norval family ensured that he was demoted to the lowest possible ranking in the British navy, barely earning enough money to feed himself let alone a young wife and child. Ciddy sent many letters to Captain Norval but received no reply. She raised Bob in the countryside of Jamaica on her own by opening a produce shop selling the food grown on her father’s...
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