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Cultural Appropriation: Good, Bad, or Both?

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As we’ve learned, cultural appropriation runs rampant throughout the history of rock, beginning in the mid-50s, with white artists’ covering black artists’ songs and extending right up until today. The question is…is it a good thing, a bad thing, or a little bit of both?

Your assignment for this discussion thread is to pick an example of cultural appropriation somewhere in the history of rock…it can be a Pat Boone cover of a Little Richard song, or the integration of traditional African vocal influences on Paul Simon’s Graceland album, or white doo-wop groups covering black groups. There are many examples to chose from. Then, I want you to give me your opinion as to whether or not you think your example of cultural appropriation is a good thing, a bad thing, or something in between. Please make sure you attach a link to the song you’re discussing at the bottom of your primary post.

To give you a little bit more to consider…read this short article by Penn State professor Richard Aquila on this subject, for a very interesting perspective. It’s not as black and white as you think (pun totally intended : ).

You must submit THREE posts: 1) One Primary Post: This must be at least 150 words and respond, in a substantive way, to the discussion topic 2) Two Response Posts: These must respond to two of your fellow student’s primary posts. They must be at least 50 words each.

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