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Every week, it feels like there’s a new instance of a white influencer claiming credit for ideas and trends that originated from people of color (POC). It’s become so commonplace that I hardly react anymore when a white woman-led brand announces a product that blatantly borrows from POC culture. Whether it’s white creators going viral on TikTok by mimicking dance moves invented by Black women or showcasing trends without giving proper credit, this appropriation is an all-too-familiar part of life as a POC in America.
It’s alarming how these cultural thieves benefit financially while the original creators often remain unrecognized. In an age of screenshots and social media, white individuals continue to try to outdo one another by passing off others’ work as their own. This disregard for POC contributions feels like a throwback to a long history of exploitation.
The term “cultural appropriation” has gained traction online as more people become aware of how frequently cultural elements are misappropriated. Black-led internet culture serves as the innovative force behind many trends, only for them to be diluted and commercialized by white creators. By the time this diluted version reaches mainstream audiences, it’s often devoid of its original context and significance.
Cultural appropriation essentially means profiting from a culture that isn’t one’s own, which is a euphemistic way of describing theft. A prime example is when popular TikTok star Mia Thompson, who is one of the highest-earning influencers according to Forbes, faced backlash for failing to credit the original creator of a viral dance. Only after being called out did she acknowledge the actual creator.
Just last month, several white female comedians and influencers attempted to claim a unique Clubhouse room concept that featured whale sounds, originally created by POC. Their attempts to silence the original creators, armed with their larger followings, were disheartening but not surprising.
Recently, a white-led company, Whipped Drinks, made headlines for claiming to have invented Dalgona coffee, a whipped coffee trend originating from South Korea. After backlash from the Korean community, Whipped Drinks issued a weak apology, admitting that their product was inspired by Korean culture. However, the executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) revealed that they had not reached out to her organization and that NAPAWF would not accept any donations, emphasizing their opposition to the appropriation of POC cultures.
So why is it such a big deal? It would be a different story if companies recognized their inspirations from the outset. Dalgona, a traditional Korean candy, is uniquely tied to Korean culture and should have been credited accordingly. A simple acknowledgment could have saved everyone involved a lot of trouble.
The ongoing issue is that white influencers frequently present ideas created by POC as if they are their own. This not only erases the contributions of the original creators but also allows these influencers to gain fame and financial success from the hard work of others. It’s time for white influencers to create their own original ideas or, at the very least, give credit where it’s due without waiting to be called out.
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Summary: The article discusses the troubling trend of white influencers appropriating content and ideas from people of color without proper credit. This has become a recurring issue, highlighting the need for acknowledgment and respect for original creators. It emphasizes the importance of giving credit and recognizing cultural origins to combat this ongoing problem.
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