Let’s chat about Cultural Appropriation.

As conscious communicators, we need to understand the difference and impact between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

Appreciation is when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective. Appropriation, on the other hand, is taking one aspect of a culture that is not our own and using it for our own personal interest or gain.

But consciousness is key here to not overstep the boundary of appreciation into appropriation. The dominant majority is so used to thinking we have the right to co-opt other cultures and then say they should be flattered, that we actually believe it. The work is to be more consciously aware of our language, actions and impact. We need to recognize that we don’t have the right and to give credit and benefit where credit and benefit belongs. Language, customs, clothing, food, music, etc. is like a culture’s intellectual property.

My mother’s side is Muscogee Nation. I have a roll card. My ancestors somehow survived the Trail of Tears. I see appropriation of Native Americans and Indigenous People regularly (from workplace language such as “let’s pow wow”, to the more visually egregious Atlanta Braves, the ‘chop’ and so on…).

As a conscious communicator, we have the opportunity and responsibility to become a change agent. We can help our organization position itself and use that position of power to generate more trust and more respect.

It starts with alignment of our language and our actions. Let’s use our sphere of influence and power as communicators to help be accurate in cultural representation, involve people from the culture in the work, pay folks, give them the mic and appreciate all of who they are and their contributions to the world.

Mvto (thank you),
kim

Learn some more Mvskoke words

Image is of 23rd United States Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, the first Native American (Muscogee) to hold that honor

We see clients crutch on “We’re diverse! We’re global!” and while that is true in a sense, it’s not the work of diversity, equity and inclusion. Not even close.

Listen First

Taking a part of another culture without understanding what it truly means can be harmful not only to those whose culture you are using but also to those with whom you share it. Always start by listening to those who are a part of the culture you’re interested in. Understand the implications of things like rituals, jewelry or clothing, or even language.

As you know, we are teaming up to co-author a book called The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t. It’s now available for pre-order.

It’s a guide for organizational communicators to help their communications have more DEPTH to avoid being performative and generating employee and social media backlash. DEPTH is a 5-step model to ensure messaging and content are meaningfully and intentionally created through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens. 

We bundle your pre-order of our book with a free live Zoom session with us on the last Thursday of each month.

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