Are Feather Earrings Cultural Appropriation?
Culturally Appropriative behavior is when someone adopts elements of another culture, usually because they find them cool or interesting. There is nothing inherently bad about this, it’s a natural consequence of living in a global society where ideas and trends spread quickly. But when we adopt these elements without understanding their cultural significance or meaning, we risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misrepresentations of other people’s cultures.
The problem with Cultural Appropriation is that it almost always stems from a place of privilege. People who are not members of a given culture can sometimes take parts of that culture without fully understanding the implications.
Almost all instances of Cultural Appropriation come from a place of ignorance rather than malice. So while there is no harm in admiring others cultures, you should be aware of how your actions might be perceived by members of those communities before you adopt their customs as your own.
What is Feather Earring?
Feather earrings are a type of jewelry that comes from the Native American tradition. In some tribes, they were a way of honoring the deceased. In others, feathers were an important symbol or signifier of rank or achievement. In the Southwest, they were an important part of the Native American culture and are still a popular item of jewelry today. Feather earrings are usually made with turkey or goose feathers that have been braided. As such, they usually only come in a few colors — red, blue, yellow, and black.
What Do Feather Earrings Mean?
When you wear feather earrings, you are ignoring the significance and history behind these items. You are ignoring the fact that many Native American tribes used feathers as a symbol of mourning for the deceased. You are ignoring the fact that feathers were also used as a symbol of respect for tribal leaders and warriors.
Cultural Appropriation in Fashion
Cultural Appropriation is the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture. It’s a common occurrence in today’s global society — especially in fashion. Fashion is a way of expressing identity. It’s used to communicate who we are and what we stand for. But when you take pieces from cultures different from your own and make them part of your own fashion, you risk misrepresenting those cultures and perpetuating stereotypes.
To give you an example — in the Western fashion industry, the term “Navajo” is often used to describe fabrics and textures that have nothing to do with Native Americans or their culture. Navajo is actually the name of an Indian reservation in the Southwest where the majority of Native Americans live. This is a perfect example of how Cultural Appropriation can happen without ill intent.
The Problem with Feather Earrings
Feather earrings may seem like a harmless accessory. After all, they’ve been around for centuries. And it’s true that many cultures used feathers as decorations and as symbols of status. But when we look at the context in which feathers were used, we see that they had a much more significant meaning. In many Native American cultures, feathers were used to honor the deceased.
They were often placed on corpses as part of the grieving process. Feathers were also used as tokens of tribute and respect for tribal leaders or warriors who had achieved something special. In many cultures, feathers symbolized the properties of birds. So they could represent strength, speed, and freedom. The problem with feather earrings is that they are usually used as a fashion accessories. They have very little significance within Native American culture.
Why is Feather Earring a Problem?
Feather earrings have come to represent a fun and carefree approach to fashion. They’re usually worn by people who aren’t even aware of their cultural significance. They’re often seen as a lighthearted way to dress up an outfit. By wearing these feather earrings, people ignore the significance of these items in Native American culture. They don’t understand that these are more than just pretty pieces of jewelry. They are a symbol of mourning and respect for the deceased.
Conclusion
Feather earrings are a perfect example of how Cultural Appropriation can be harmful. They are a symbol of a culture that has been misrepresented and used as decoration. Feather earrings are a symbol of a culture that has been appropriated and treated as a fashion trend by people who don’t understand their significance. And as long as people continue to wear feather earrings, Native Americans will continue to be hurt by the misrepresentation of their culture.
Feather earrings have become a symbol of cultural ignorance and an example of how harmful Cultural Appropriation can be. It’s time to reexamine our fashion choices and understand how our actions might be hurting others. It’s time to remove feather earrings from our wardrobe and acknowledge their cultural significance in Native American culture.