Hey everyone! Most of you have probably heard about Beyonce’s latest feature in Coldplay’s newest video but let’s all take a step back: This is cultural appropriation. Most of the people speaking on this issue are not even directly involved with the culture, being actually desi, I feel I have more authority.
The dictionary definition of cultural appropriation: Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture.
Some specific examples throughout the video are the appropriation of henna during the movie theater scene, appropriation of the tikka during the same scene, the use of religious and cultural images throughout the video, such as the holi scenes and other hindu gods throughout the video.
Beyonce and Coldplay have basically turned a rich culture over thousands of years into a music video concept, like an “exotic theme” or something which is INEXCUSABLE.
Now although I am not excusing Coldplay’s involvement in this video, I will mainly be focusing on Beyonce, because it is her fanbase that is trying deperately to defend her messy actions.
??? While all of humanity began in Africa at one point, excusing cultural appropriation because there are some similarities between cultures hardly seems fair.
While the director, being from India may think he is spreading cultural awareness, he is really promoting cultural appropriation because for me, as a first generation american, i am constantly mocked for expressing my culture while people with no connection with the culture get praise for doing the exact same thing, and this video just reinforces the idea that cultural appropriation is ok.
I know Beyonce herself has experienced a lot of cultural appropriation, and was likely trying to express appreciation. That being said, there are better ways to appreciate a culture than using thousands of years worth of culture as a music video concept.
Coldplay also has a history of cultural appropriation in their videos, like Princess of China (ft Rihanna)
There are worse examples of cultural appropriation like Selena Gomez’s Come and Get It MV and Iggy Azalea’s Bounce MV but my main issue with this situation is that Beyonce fans are trying to go to any length to defend her. Black people can also be perpetrators of cultural appropriation. Anyone can.
My culture is not a costume.
Accept that your fave has messed up, learn from it, and move on.
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