Acculturation is everywhere and is embedded into American culture. A lot of the time we may not even notice appearances of acculturation, since the cultural significance is usually lost along the acculturation process.
In the article titled “Cannibal Culture,” author Deborah Root discusses cultural appropriation and how there is an overall negative impact. For example, though cultural appropriation may seem harmless from a surface level, Root argues that appropriation “reduces the living people and culture to the status of objects” (Cannibal Culture, 70).
This is exemplified in a number of fashion trends. One specific one that I will focus one is the cross. Though this fashion trend is not as prevalent as it was several years ago, it is still present in our culture. The cross is a religious symbol in Christianity and when it is used in secular contexts such as fashion trends, it can be seen as cultural appropriation since it seems to lose its significance.
For Christians, the meaning of the cross symbolizes what Jesus Christ has done for all people, out of love. He has died a life for us on the cross so that those who believe in him may live a life of freedom away from sin.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the cross, and I personally would not be offended if I knew someone wore it and was not Christian. Though, it is sad to see that a lot of the time, especially when in fashion trends, it loses its meaning as a result of cultural appropriation. This is especially evident in articles of clothing which have both the right-side-up cross, symbolizing Christ’s Crucifixion, and the up-side-down cross, most often used as an anti-Christian or Satanic symbol; both have very different meanings. It is highly unlikely that people of the faith would wear both version of the cross.
There are times when it is unclear whether or not someone wears a cross because of a fashion trend, because they are Christian, or for both reasons. That is completely fine. That being said, I am not arguing that people should not wear a cross at all. Rather, I want to point to the fact that there is a real meaning and purpose to the cross rather than a simple fashion trend. The cross, along with many other elements of culture, become culturally appropriated, and a lot of the time we may not even notice it.
Resources:
Root, Deborah. Cannibal Culture: Art, Appropriation, and the Commodification of Difference. Westview Press, 1998.
American Culture 