Cultural Appropriation in Kpop: An Exhausted Conversation
Photo credits to: @KY0RBY on twt
First things first to get everyone up to speed: even though KIOF is the group I'm going to reference in this post, they are not the first nor unfortunately, the last that will be a topic of conversation involving offending the Black community once again. The main purpose of this post is to create dialogue and spread awareness on behalf of the Black community who should never be expected to continuously take the hits and disrespect from the Asian community, and in KIOF's case, Asians who grew up in a western society that's well aware of their nation's history built upon the blood, sweat, and tears of our BIPOC communities (with heavy emphasis on the BI part of of the community). I speak as a fellow Asian born and raised in the US, growing up in the Deep South as a racial minority.
Yes, it's that deep. No, I will not argue with people who only encroach in these online spaces to rage bait or push an agenda that's unrelated to the main topic at hand (racism and cultural appropriation in spaces built off of Black culture as the blueprints). No, I am not interested in appeasing the talking points of those who deal with their own internalized racism, discomfort involving racial discrimination brought up in fandom communities, or other comments again, completely missing the main points of the discussion. Yes, I expect whoever decides to engage with the post to come in with an open mind and heart, reading comprehension, and respect and empathy towards our Black communities who were affected by the blatant appropriation and stereotyping of the people they supported and cared for. If that's not you, keep scrolling, click Not interested in this post, Not interest in this blog, and/or block this account entirely. Free will, utilize it.
I've been a fan of kpop since 2012 and have been a part of this community since, starting out as a young preteen looking for a space that I felt worthy and belonged to during my darkest years of my youth. I'm now entering my late 20s this year still deep in the fandom as ever, but having more confidence in my presence in the space because I truly believe that my favorite artists deserve fans who not only engage with their work with meaning and nuance outside of the accolades and measurable achievements, but who can actually stand their ground in holding their faves and those within the space accountable for their disrespect and ill informed decisions.
A birthday party "theme" is something like a Spiderman themed birthday party, a Sanrio character theme birthday party, a fandom themed birthday party, you get the point: a stereotypical Black "themed" birthday party is absolutely diabolical to say the least. From the visuals, to the names, to the blaccents, it's just quite a sight in the worst way possible. When defenders online want to claim that this decision was in the name of "ignorance," it always makes me wonder how detached people are in their impressions and fundamental understandings of their Black communities: as if they've never met nor interacted with them before in real life.
Black people are simply living their lives in the same ways as everyone else, with a strong desire and passion for the things they love and enjoy. In a space as globally acclaimed as kpop, we all admit that its on its rapid decline, my reasons being: 1) overconsumption and capitalistic practices, 2) streaming culture and decrease minutes in title tracks and b sides, 3) saturated industry with consistent debuts and disbandments, 4) fandom culture rooted in rage baiting, forced hate, and superficial discussions on real issues in the entertainment industry (ie overworking, transparencies between company and fans, minors in entertainment, etc), but the main reason is 5) ignoring global fandom backlash and criticism while continuously engaging in cultural appropriative practices. The list can go on but that's beside the point.
As a person who holds so much pride in being a "fangirl," engaging in fandom used to serve me as a form of escapism, a space where my world can be calm with no interruption even if it lasted for as long as a three minute song. A space where I've met so many friends and built a community from the ground up, a space full of live and adoration for your favorite people that become meaningful and most of the time, those you can also look up to as people themselves outside of the brand and artistry. Imagine a world where the work and culture of your people serves as inspiration for the world stage, from the music production, the dance choreography, the aesthetics, and so much more, only for your culture to be worn and understood as a costume for the culture vultures to put on giddily and eventually take off. That's the experience of our Black counterparts that also engage in the fandom amongst us.
From using the N word (past or present, I really don't give a damn if the usage is in a song performed by a Black artist: if you aren't Black, don't fucking utter it) despite knowing is a slur, not a form of slang, dressing up head to toe in stereotypical Black attire from pop culture, misusing AAVE and contributing to the phenomenon non Black people have with using phrases and euphemisms that are completely unnatural to them, and after all that, jokingly wishing that your fans do not leave the fandom after the damage has been done? That is not only delusional, but spits in the multiple faces of every single Black person who's supported your platform directly and indirectly along with their allies.
There is such thing as cultural appreciation and taking inspiration from cultures outside of your own, however, people get this completely twisted once they don't view Black people as human or with empathy, only wishing to take from their creations and artistry rooted in resilience, discrimination, prejudice, and systemic oppression from the moment they're born to the day they die, for centuries. As my mom's late Buddhist master's master once said in comfort of her fellow disciple: "if you're sad, just sing." And that's what Black people did, for centuries.
To those who wish to not uplift Black voices in our communities, from microaggressions, internalized racism and other excuses, to blatant racist remarks, to be human is to uplift constructive criticism as strongly as you do your love and support. That there is such a thing as continuing to love and support the people in your life while also continuing to hold them accountable, that there is a world out there that welcomes both, but doesn't discount or invalidate the feelings and experiences of those who do not wish to engage in communities that don't respect and them back.
As for my fellow Asians and other communities of color who have seen others engage in these practice of cultural voyeurism and appropriation knowingly and/or turning a blind eye (because ignorance isn't even the right word), my question and assumption has always been this: is the result of a weakened connection between your cultural pride, whether from past experiences and attempts of belittling your culture, contributing to seeking an outlet of belonging by leeching off of an adjacent culture who's been able to master the art of cultural appreciation in their own ways, primarily through the arts and other creative outlets?
As someone who grew up as a racial minority in a predominantly Black and white community, I was always one of a few Asian kids throughout my entire academic career even into university, and I linked that strengthened connection to my cultural heritage and pride with forming a personality early on in my childhood as not only a form of survival, but because I knew that my representation as an Asian girl in the diaspora would be one of the few, if not the only, moments where a non Asian person can actually engage with an Asian person in real life. I knew the responsibility of upholding as well as dismantling stereotypes non Asians may have about Asian people, and prevented my cultural heritage from waning in order to assimilate or become "whitewashed" with hopes of fitting in.
That's what I adore and love deeply about the Black community: the purity they have in a world that systemically operates to suppress them and their opportunities, the hard work and dedication they have towards their gifts that has comforted millennia, the efforts and strengths of their inner workings of their communities that have changed history, and the utmost respect they pay towards those who walk before them and their ownership of their responsibilities for those who come after them, and yet they continue to get trampled on and left in the dust with nothing but their own two hands.
I personally think non Black people who engage in cultural appropriation and stereotyping of Black culture deal with their own internalized racism, their own depletion and lack of cultural pride due to many factors such as assimilation and/or prejudice, and most importantly, wanting to mimic the phenomenon that is Black joy, a joy so sweet and infectious that derives from simply being who you are without pretense. The world is built on the lies and hopes that other BIPOC believe them while turning their backs on Black people and their oppression, yet wearing the markings of the same culture they claim to love and admire. As Kendrick Lamar stated in his NFL Superbowl Halftime Show: Forty acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.
"Well, what can I do? What can I do to—": engage with your Black communities. Uplift their voices in the same world they also engage with as a form of escapism. Consume Black media with intentionality and integrity. Ask questions but don't expect Black voices to be your form of Google or main source of education if they do not wish to educate you: there are many resources out there, do not feel entitled to a Black person's explanation on experiences rooted in trauma and fear. If a Black person wants to educate you, express your gratitude and appreciation for allowing you to meet them in a place of vulnerability and strength. Protect your Black counterparts while holding your non Black counterparts accountable. Disengage with spaces that omit and suppress Black voices, contribute to anti Black practices, and let them know you will not be engaging with such spaces through the power of your absence: if they redeem themselves and actually have evidence of transforming their past decisions, do not expect those affected to return to said spaces.
As for these kpop groups: they need to send their groups to LA or other US cities to attend workshops and other classes taught by Black artists and creatives if they truly want to be a Black ally and appreciator of the Black arts. We've seen this with groups such as BTS and ATEEZ, interacting with the source firsthand, not through watered down mashups that cater to everyone's comfort. Discourage cultural appropriative practices such as cosplaying Black hairstyles, wearing Black clothing and accessories such as durags, using the N word no matter the context, playing up blaccents or mocking Black people through pop culture stereotypes, etc. Uplift Black creatives from the production to choreographers to fellow artists playing the same game, handing them their flowers and giving them credit where credit is due. Do not let another company shareholder, higher up, or your own member set your group up for failure by encouraging or remaining silent when cultural appropriation occurs, and do not continue to cater to an environment that keeps Black fans from feeling comfortable to engage with the material and settle into the space. Do not break the trust of Black fans who have been the most patient, the most kind, the most appreciative towards the work of their favorite people, while simultaneously being undermined, dismissed, and disrespected to the point of waiting for the mic to drop no matter the group or person. Be an ally that loves them back.
As for me, this is a safe space for every single Black fan that comes across my posts, kpop related or not. You're seen, you're heard, you're loved, and I will continuously apologize for all the things y'all experience in these fandom spaces, directly or indirectly. I hope that this blog can be a space where I can protect and advocate on your behalf, as well as alongside you. I will do better for y'all, because you are deeply loved and appreciated and I wish for a world where you didn't need to constantly prove your worth to those who fail to love you back and have broken your trust. I love you and I hope these words reflect that. Thank you for your time and see you soon.
