In what could only be described as a mystifyingly peculiar exchange of dialogue between pop superstar Katy Perry and Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson for his podcast βPod Save the Peopleβ earlier this month, Perry found it absolutely imperative that she confront the world concerning the grave crime she committed against humanity known as cultural appropriation.
In a live-streamed interview, Perry goes on to acknowledge her own cultural appropriation, while then attempting to redress those profound grievances she committed against those she severely offended.
Regarding her use of cornrows for a music video, Perry said, βAfter having a hard conversation with one of my empowered angels about why I canβt wear my hair that way, she told me about the power in black womenβs hair and how beautiful it is, and the struggle. And I listened, and I heard, and I didnβt know.β
She then responded to the uproar surrounding a 2013 performance in which she wore a geisha costume while bowing and shuffling in the choreography. Perry responded, βEven in my intention to appreciate Japanese culture, I did wrong with a performance. And I didnβt know that I did it wrong, until I heard people saying I did it wrong.β
All of this, of course, is utter foolishness. There is absolutely no viable way Katy Perry became a famed multimillion-dollar pop star because she wore a head full of cornrows, or dressed like a geisha, or appropriated ancient Egyptian culture for one of her music videos. No, she is prosperous because she is an attractively alluring young woman who knows how to entertain, and produce seductive music that people want to listen to and buy. In no feasible way did appropriating a hairstyle, or an outfit, or a even a historical time period, earn her a higher echelon of superiority within Hollywoodβs hierarchy.
Here is the candid truth: The idea that cultural appropriation is somehow a quasi-crime against a distinct culture or identity is one of the most imbecilic social movements to ever permeate Western civilization.
In essence, all cultural appropriation really is, is just the free exchange of ideas, traditions and values. Cultural appropriation is good for civilization. Without cultural appropriation, we would not have the eternal succession of ever-evolving musical brilliance. Without cultural appropriation, we would not have an agglomeration of values weβve come to recognize as the American melting pot. Without cultural appropriation, we would not have an inventive abundance of goods and services that we come to expect from creative entrepreneurs. This, in and of itself, is the same concept that ultimately drove Katy Perry to become a prominent household name.
Another point that must be made here about this foolhardy belief is that cultural appropriation grossly violates liberal values of freedom of expression and association. Here is how this works: In order for the concept of cultural appropriation to function, the person who is offended must demand that the person appropriating wholly cease participation in it. This is fascistic. No one has the right to demand from others what someone can or cannot associate themselves with. There are no copyrights or patents on culture. This is the United States, a free country that champions the hallmarks of liberalism β and itβs wonderful.
Ultimately, Katy Perry had no duty to express regret for her use of such ideas. Even if you believe Perry to be a vice on society, Perry, just like everyone else, is welcome to the full access of these cultural ideas without repercussion from others or the state. Tragically, the only sin being committed here is the maddening suppression of liberal values, the free exchange of ideas,and the concept of the open society.
