When a white actor was cast as Martin Luther King for a theater production held at a university in Ohio, some members of the African-American community saw the selection as a slap to the face rather than as a pat on the back. In order to understand the reaction, it is necessary to consider what the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation is. This paper will endeavor to demonstrate that the concept of respect is what separates appreciation from appropriation, because when respect is missing, allegations pertaining to the misuse of other people’s cultures are sure to be the end result.
It can be said that cultural appropriation occurs when someone from a so-called privileged class borrows from the cultural heritage of someone from a so-called marginalized group and, in so doing, is highly regarded for this appropriation while the person who is actually connected to the culture is not (Lakshmin). Some might argue that selecting a white actor to play a black civil rights leader was disrespectful in the face of the struggles and burdens that are unique to blacks in the U.S.
Referring to the decision to cast a white person as King for a production based on Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, Hall herself said that the casting decision was essentially "a disservice not just to Dr. King but an entire community" (Holpuch). Meanwhile, Michael Oatman, a black man and the director of the Ohio university’s theatrical production who used Hall’s play, said he selected a white actor "to explore the issue of racial ownership and authenticity" (Holpuch). Although ethnic and/or race-related culture cannot be owned, allegations of appropriation can arise if there is a feeling that another’s culture is being appropriated with some sort of ulterior motive or hidden agenda.
Even though people have the right to shape their own identity, they would do well to avoid even the appearance of trivializing other cultures. Learning about these other cultures to understand the origin and meanings of the customs can help people to appreciate rather than to appropriate.
Works Cited
Holpuch, Amanda. "Casting of white actor as Martin Luther King prompts outrage from playwright." The Guardian. 10 Nov. 2015. Web. 9 May 2016.
Lakshmin, Deepa. "I WAS IN INDIA WHEN COLDPLAY AND BEYONCÉ’S VIDEO DROPPED — AND I DON’T SEE CULTURAL APPROPRIATION." <i>MTV News<i>. 4 February 2016. Web. 9 May 2016.
