Representation in literature can be a tricky topic. It’s extremely important that the representation is authentic. Using character “diversity” to ride the tailcoats of a current trend is never a good idea. On the other hand, limiting characters to a narrow range of self-experience can lead to stagnant world perspectives. As a writer, it is important to understand the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation.
Cultural Appreciation
Cultural appreciation involves genuinely valuing and respecting aspects of another culture. It’s not only about recognizing the beauty, significance, and contributions of different cultural practices, traditions, and artifacts, but also understanding them within their own context. When someone engages in cultural appreciation, they do so with sincerity, curiosity, and a desire to learn. How can we ensure that we approach diversity from a position of cultural appreciation? Here are a few tips:
How to Engage in Cultural Appreciation
- Respect: Acknowledge the origins and meanings behind cultural elements. Seek to understand the significance of cultural practices and traditions.
- Learning and Understanding: Study history from the perspective of other cultures, participate in open cultural events, and engage with members of the community who are willing to share their heritage.
- Genuine Motivation: Engaging with other cultures leads to learning and incorporating diverse cultural elements into our own lives. However, it is important to do so respectfully and with permission. The focus should be on celebration rather than exploitation.
- Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Foster an environment of diversity and inclusion, where various cultures are valued and celebrated for their unique contributions to society.
Cultural Appropriation
Unfortunately, some individuals are drawn to the novelty of different cultures and can fetishize or commercialize them. Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of a minority culture are adopted by members of a dominant culture without understanding or respecting the original context. It often involves taking aspects of a culture and using them for personal gain or fashion without permission or understanding of their significance. What are some of the signs that cultural appreciation is leaning towards appropriation? Here are some things to watch out for:
How to Avoid Engaging in Cultural Appropriation
- Do Not Distort or Misrepresent: Engaging in cultural activities, adapting cultural practices, or adopting cultural artifacts without a clear understanding the cultural significance or historical context behind them can lead to the distortion or misrepresentation of the culture being borrowed from.
- Do Not Focus on Profit or Gain: Cultural appropriation often involves exploiting aspects of a culture for profit or personal gain, without giving credit or compensation to the originating community.
- Do Not Disregard Sacred or Sensitive Elements: Appropriation may involve using sacred or culturally sensitive elements in a disrespectful or frivolous manner, causing harm or offense to the originating community.
- Do Not Ignore the Power Dynamics at Play: Cultural appropriation often occurs when a dominant culture appropriates from a marginalized or oppressed community without acknowledging or addressing systemic injustices.
Writing Culturally Diverse Characters
As writers who want to engage in diverse representation in literature, we must go beyond cultural appreciation and consider the ethical responsibilities of our craft. In order to effectively incorporate diversity into your writing it’s important to do the following:
- Educate Yourself: Do your research. Vet your sources for bias and look for native sources of information.
- Seek Permission and Give Credit: If you’re inspired to incorporate elements of another culture into your own life or work, seek permission and give credit where it’s due. Acknowledge the origins and significance of what you’re using.
- Listen to Feedback: Be open to feedback from members of the community whose culture you’re engaging with. If someone expresses discomfort or offense, take it seriously and reflect on your actions. Hiring sensitivity readers is a good investment.
- Promote Diversity and Representation: Amplify voices from diverse cultures and communities. Support initiatives that promote inclusivity and representation.
Representation in literature is important. If you want to include a diverse cast of characters in your writing, it is important to represent the various characters with as much authenticity as possible. We, as observers, will never be able to express the nuance of another culture in the same way that a member of the community can. However, with conscious effort, we can build a world where diverse characters interact with and learn from each other.
Tricia M Foster 