logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2020
1h 6m

Episode 03: Which is it? Cultural Apprec...

Manpreet Kaur Kalra
About this episode

Ever ordered a chai tea latte or purchased a jacket marketed as a kimono? When it comes to mobilizing for an anti-racist economy, it is important to first address the ways in which we reinforce systems of oppression in our every day life. During this episode, we explore at what point cultural appreciation becomes appropriation. I had the opportunity to host this conversation earlier this month in collaboration with Chicago Fair Trade, NYC Fair Trade Coalition and Iowa City Fair Trade Coalition. I am excited to bring it to you now through this special episode featuring webinar highlights.

Interested in attending a future webinar? Keep an eye on Art of Citizenry!

My favorite part of hosting these conversations is of course the discussion. So, if you are interested, tune in till the end for the webinar Q&A led by Zachary Rochester as an added bonus.

Before we dive in, I want to welcome everyone to the conversation -- from the social entrepreneurs out there to fair trade advocates, thank you for taking the time to have these important conversations.

Navigating Cultural Appropriation in Social Impact

In the social impact world may it be fair trade home goods or sustainable fashion, cultural appropriation often furthers the very hegemonies brands, organizations, and consumers are seeking to address. This episode explores ways in which we appropriate cultures and communities and what we can do to address the problematic impact of appropriation, especially in the fair trade and social impact space. We focus the conversation on language, symbols and fashion through the lens of power and profit.

Resources about Cultural Appropriation

Interested in reading some of the resources I reference during the episode? Check out these links:

  • [Reference Slides] Which is it? Cultural Appreciation or Appropriation by Manpreet Kalra
  • [Resource Page] Crafting Inclusive Narratives by Manpreet Kalra
  • [Book] So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • [Article] How 'Namaste' Flew Away from Us by Kumari Devarajan
  • [Article] An Open Letter to White Makers & Designer Who are Inspired by the Kimono and Japanese Culture by Emi Ito
  • [Book] Who Owns Culture?: Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law by Susan  Scafidi

Thank You

This podcast is dedicated to creating a safe space to discuss and challenge topics surrounding how we each navigate our personal advantages and disadvantages. I want to thank Katherine Bissell Cordova and Andrea Dennis from Chicago Fair Trade along with Zachary Rochester from Iowa City Fair Trade Coalition for moderating.

I also want to thank everyone who attended the live webinar and the many of you who continue to support my work, I appreciate you and your dedication to keep learning. 

Finally, thank you for listening! Please subscribe, download, and leave a review for Art of Citizenry Podcast — I appreciate your love and support on this exciting journey! 

Also, if you want to connect, please feel free to follow me and share your thoughts with me on Instagram @manpreetkalra.

Up next
Jul 31
Genocide's Corporate Sponsors with Lydia de Leeuw
The genocide unfolding in Gaza is being sustained by corporate interests. In this episode, we unmask the corporations and governments underpinning Israeli occupation by diving into the findings of a landmark report by United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.Since the ... Show More
59m 29s
Jul 17
Unpacking the Promise and Pitfalls of Social Entrepreneurship with Concepción Galdón
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on social entrepreneurship – not to dismiss its promise, but to grapple with its pitfalls and benefits. Social entrepreneurship has emerged as a popular model for those seeking to tackle social issues by reimagining business for goo ... Show More
51 m
Jul 3
(Recast) The Criminalization of Immigration: Profiting From Detention with Anthony Enriquez
This week, while we take a break, we found it timely and important to recast this episode: Criminalization of Immigration with Anthony Enriquez.In episode 19 of Art of Citizenry Podcast, Manpreet is joined by Anthony Enriquez, the VP of U.S. Advocacy and Litigation at RFK Human R ... Show More
43m 18s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2022
Abortion: The Science and the Supreme Court
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. And in their opinion, we found a lot of scientific-sounding statements. So we wanted to find out whether these statements are true. We’ll tell you what actually happens in an abortion, whether a fetus can feel pain, and wh ... Show More
47m 6s
Oct 2022
No-Touch Abortion
When the Dobbs decision went down, ER doctor Avir Mitra started to prepare for the worst — botched, at-home abortions that would land pregnant people in the emergency room. To prepare himself and his colleagues for the patients they might see, and to think through how best to tre ... Show More
26m 5s
Nov 2023
Abortion Care After Dobbs (with Dr. Yashica Robinson & Gov. J.B. Pritzker)
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022 dealt a severe blow to women’s health care in the United States. Today, nearly half of states in the country ban or severely restrict abortion care. The ripple effects reach far wider: hospitals are shutting maternity wards, and OB-G ... Show More
42m 29s
Oct 2021
Inside a Texas Abortion Clinic
On August 31st, Marva Sadler stood outside the Whole Women’s Health abortion clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, and vowed to help as many people as she could before the end of the day. Along with a small staff, Sadler and a physician performed 67 abortions before midnight. The next day ... Show More
29m 37s
Dec 2023
How Wrong Was The Supreme Court On Abortion? (ICYMI)
2023 was a year of big decisions for the Supreme Court, including recent news that they’ll be reviewing the constitutionality of mifepristone in the coming year. So we’re heading into the archives with this episode recorded right after the Dobbs decision was leaked. Professor Jac ... Show More
1h 10m
Apr 2022
The Abortion Underground
REBROADCAST. The Supreme Court is set to rule on a major abortion case this year, and the court could decide to overturn Roe v. Wade. Already, places like Oklahoma, Texas and Idaho are rolling out major abortion restrictions. So today, we’re going back to the pre-Roe years, when ... Show More
44m 27s
May 2024
The Abortion Pill: How Dangerous Is It Really?
The Abortion Pill is now the most common way to have an abortion in the US. Yet what exactly happens when you take these pills is shrouded in mystery. Even many doctors don't know how well they work! Today, we're letting the sun shine on the abortion pill. We'll walk you through ... Show More
38m 35s
May 2022
Q & A: What An Abortion Ban Would Mean For Patients Who Need One
What happens if a medical condition threatens the life of a pregnant patient? What about a fetus with a lethal anomaly? Will treatment for miscarriage change? This episode we're answering those questions and others from listeners about what would happen if the Supreme Court overt ... Show More
11m 50s
Apr 2023
Abortion Pills, Take Two
Abortion pills — a combo of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol — are on notice: on April 7, 2023, a federal judge said the FDA’s approval of mifepristone was invalid. And then, not more than an hour later, another federal judge in a separate case said that mifepristone had t ... Show More
27m 28s
Mar 2024
BEST OF: ABORTION EXPERTS
In this minisode, hear from two badass abortion activists, Winnie and Steph Herold. Winnie, a clinic escort, talks to DB about SWAN's viral anti-respectability politics approach to supporting folks seeking abortion, and Steph Herold, abortion researcher, shares two examples of th ... Show More
25m 31s