White Negroes: When Cornrows Were in Vogue...and Other Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation

By. Lauren Michele Jackson

P. 184

Format: Audio

Rating: Not Rated

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I am choosing not to give this book a rating because I read it for my own personal development without a background knowledge of the subject. The book starts out talking about women in popular music - a subject I am not versed on. I felt uncertain what I would exactly take from the book at first. It was apparent that Jackson was not going to spoon feed you answers, but to provide context for the reader to use their own critical thinking skills to process the information provided.

The book moved onto a wide variety of topics, a lot of them still remained with popular culture. However, the book also looked at specific situations of cultural appropriation. Jackson does not remain neutral during this process. She expresses her opinions strongly at times and passively at other times. It seems that each time she does so it is expressed in a way that made me, the reader, look closer at the situation - not just to take Jackson’s word and move on.

This book did not leave me with answers. It taught me to question and to appreciate how diverse cultures has shaped every aspect of popular culture. Jackson affirms that cultural mixing is inevitable. However, it must be done in a way that is respectful and acknowledging of the original culture. Also, you must take a step back and question whether you should be doing it at all. 

Also, to paraphrase (because I read this via Audio and did not write it down word for word): Anti blackness is not a noun. It is applied to those who put in the work and the uncomfortableness.