Amandla Stenberg, 16-year-old actress known as Rue in The Hunger Games, shed light on what “cultural appropriation” really means.
Some time ago she posted a video she filmed for her history class on Tumblr titled “Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows: A Crash Discourse on Black Culture.”
Stenberg is honest on her thoughts on race an discusses it using supporting evidence from pop culture and things that were currently (and still) happening in the world within black culture.
Starting out Stenberg discusses black hair, its connection to black identity and culture, and therefore, rap and hip-hop.
Some time ago she posted a video she filmed for her history class on Tumblr titled “Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows: A Crash Discourse on Black Culture.”
Stenberg is honest on her thoughts on race an discusses it using supporting evidence from pop culture and things that were currently (and still) happening in the world within black culture.
Starting out Stenberg discusses black hair, its connection to black identity and culture, and therefore, rap and hip-hop.
“So you can see why hair is such a big part of hip-hop and rap culture. These are styles of music which African American communities created in order to affirm our identities and our voices.” - Amandla Stenberg
She goes further in the theft of black culture by using examples of white musicians like who have adopted the music and style of hip-hop, even using black people as props, to gain attention. While certain individuals careers are highly influenced and uses black culture, they do not part take in the "black struggle."
“The line between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange is always going to be blurred."
- Amandla Stenberg
She ended her video with the question “What would America be like if it loved black people as much as it loves black culture?”
Of course Stenberg’s video was taken out of context by certain media outlets. Billboard (and The Hollywood Reporter) alters the point of the video about Stenberg calling out individuals rather than the overarching principle of cultural appropriation. Again, shinning light on less important things and not answering the question or really adding to the conversation.
"Hunger Games" star Amandla Stenberg criticized Taylor Swift and Madonna for "rampant" appropriation of black culture http://t.co/t7dLnIcPnt
— billboard (@billboard) April 16, 2015
Although many believe Stenberg is pretty clear in this video and the presentation of the issue it’s straight forward, her words have misconstrued. Her usage of certain celebrities names and their use of black culture
were merely examples to support her argument, but now with the headline (on two different media sites) above have painted a totally different picture of Stenberg. In these articles she's deemed overly critical and wild.
She responded via Twitter:
were merely examples to support her argument, but now with the headline (on two different media sites) above have painted a totally different picture of Stenberg. In these articles she's deemed overly critical and wild.
She responded via Twitter:
The way you are presenting this video is misleading and creates conflict instead of constructive convo! https://t.co/CfCfQvXY13
— Amandla Stenberg (@amandlastenberg) April 16, 2015
Thanks @billboard, but this is not a petty criticism of Taylor Swift, who, btw, I love. This is about creating a dialogue between races.
— Amandla Stenberg (@amandlastenberg) April 16, 2015
So unfortunate to see the media pitting women against eachother in 2015. Ladies, our love for eachother will overcome all trivial nonsense.
— Amandla Stenberg (@amandlastenberg) April 16, 2015
Kudos to you Amandla Stenberg. Start conversations, be heard, and get YOUR point across and let no one stop you!
WRITTEN BY: VIOLA CONSTANCE | @Voila_its_Viola
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