Cultural Appropriation Vocabulary

noun the allocation of funds or resources for a specific purpose

• The appropriation of funds for the new project was approved by the board.
• She was accused of appropriation after taking credit for her colleague's idea.
• Stop with the appropriation, it's not cool to copy someone else's style.
• The artist's use of appropriation in her work challenged traditional notions of originality.

verb to change something in a way that makes it seem less pure or genuine

• It is important not to bastardize the original meaning of the text when translating it into another language.
• Don't bastardize the recipe by adding too many extra ingredients.
• He totally bastardized that song by changing the lyrics to something inappropriate.
• The new company policy seemed to bastardize the values that the organization was founded upon.

noun a foreigner, especially a white person, in Hawaii

adjective relating to or characteristic of white people in Hawaii

• The term 'haole' is often used in Hawaii to refer to someone who is not of Hawaiian descent.
• My haole friends always enjoy trying out new local foods when they visit.
• Some locals use 'haole' as a derogatory term for white people.
• Being called a haole can sometimes be a reminder of feeling like an outsider in certain social circles.

noun a form of theatrical makeup used by a non-East Asian performer to portray an East Asian character

• The use of yellowface in theatrical performances has been a controversial topic for many years.
• I can't believe they still use yellowface in that old movie, it's so outdated.
• Using yellowface in films is just plain wrong, they should know better.
• Wearing yellowface as a costume is a form of cultural appropriation and should be avoided.

noun a person who is obsessed with Japanese culture, especially anime and manga

• The term 'weeaboo' is often used to describe someone who is overly obsessed with Japanese culture.
• I heard that guy is a total weeaboo, he even speaks Japanese fluently.
• She's such a weeaboo, always wearing anime shirts and talking about manga.
• Being called a weeaboo can sometimes be a compliment among anime fans.

noun a type of English accent that is a blend of Cockney and standard British English

adjective relating to or characteristic of the Mockney accent or culture

• The actor's Mockney accent in the play was well-received by the audience.
• My friend always puts on a Mockney accent when he's joking around.
• I love how he can switch between his proper accent and Mockney so effortlessly.
• Her Mockney charm won over everyone at the party.

verb to make something more like or characteristic of Africa

• The process of africanizing the curriculum involved incorporating more diverse perspectives and authors from Africa.
• She's been africanizing her wardrobe by adding more vibrant prints and colors.
• They're really africanizing the music scene with their new afrobeat sound.
• By embracing her heritage and roots, she was africanizing her identity and sense of self.