Week 0: Hello and Welcome!

Jeffrey G -

Hello and welcome! My name is Jeffrey, and I attend BASIS DC. I’m excited to take you through my journey of studying cultural appropriation and its impact on Black identity. 

Cultural appropriation has been a widely debated issue, especially with the rise of digital media and global connectivity. But for many Black individuals, including myself, this isn’t just a theoretical debate, it’s a lived experience. Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed elements of Black culture being borrowed, repackaged, and profited from, often without recognition or respect for its origins, even within BASIS DC. From fashion to language, Black cultural expressions have been both revered when practiced by non-Black people and criticized or devalued when practiced by the Black community itself.  

My interest in this subject comes from my own experiences, being the co-founder and president of my school’s Black Student Union and working as a photographer. Through my photography, I have seen how media can create narratives, and I want to explore how these narratives affect the formation of what I call the “Black Ego”, the individual and collective self of Black people. My research will focus on the intersectionality of media representation and cultural appropriation, examining its psychological, social, and economic effects. 

Throughout this blog, I will present my research, interviews with experts, and illustrations from daily life that illustrate how cultural appropriation continues to shape notions of Black identity. Whether you are new to the topic or a regular commentator on cultural justice, my wish is that this blog is a place to learn, discuss, and act.  

Stay tuned for further updates and thanks for joining me on this journey! 

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Comments:

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    amelia_s
    super interesting! I can't wait to learn more! what are you most looking forward to during your project?
    March 11, 2025 at 3:44 pm - Reply
      jeffrey_g
      Thank you so much, Amelia! I am most looking forward to hearing different experiences and seeing how other people respond to cultural appropriation. I think it’ll be really interesting to hear how it affects people, especially in terms of identity and how they navigate it in their daily lives.
      March 19, 2025 at 1:58 pm - Reply
    elsa_b
    This is fascinating! I especially like how you're using photography as inspiration for investigating how media impacts ideas of Black identity. Super excited to learn more through your research!
    March 17, 2025 at 4:47 pm - Reply
    elena_m
    This sounds great! It is so interesting that this project came about because of various experiences like photography. So excited to see where it goes!
    March 18, 2025 at 4:18 pm - Reply
    aerion_e
    Sounds so interesting! I love how you're connecting your passion of photography and research. I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the end!
    March 20, 2025 at 6:01 pm - Reply
    Ms. Browne
    Hi Jeffrey, thanks for sharing such a powerful and thoughtful introduction to your project. It’s clear you’re coming at this with not just academic interest, but lived experience, leadership, and creative insight—and that’s going to give your work a unique and necessary depth. I love how you’re framing your exploration around the idea of the “Black Ego.” That concept has so much potential to unpack how identity is shaped both internally and externally, especially in the context of cultural appropriation and media representation. You might want to look into Stuart Hall’s work on cultural identity and representation—his essays on how media constructs racialized identities could help provide a solid theoretical foundation for your analysis. Bell Hooks' writing on the oppositional gaze and Black subjectivity might also be useful as you think through how Black people reclaim space in visual and cultural narratives. Since you’re a photographer, maybe one way to present your findings could be through a visual essay or curated gallery—juxtaposing examples of cultural appropriation in media with your own photography that celebrates authentic Black expression. That could make your project not just informative but emotionally resonant and visually powerful. Maybe include captions or narratives that link the visual with the theory and interviews you gather.
    March 24, 2025 at 3:41 pm - Reply
      jeffrey_g
      Wow, Ms. Browne. Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment and amazing suggestions! I’m definitely going to look into Stuart Hall and Bell Hooks. Their work sounds like it could really deepen my understanding of identity and media representation. I also love the idea of incorporating photography into my final product. Using visuals alongside interviews could make the project more powerful and personal. I really appreciate your feedback!!!
      March 26, 2025 at 2:10 pm - Reply
    Ms. Browne
    Hi Jeffrey, thanks for sharing such a powerful and thoughtful introduction to your project. It’s clear you’re coming at this with not just academic interest, but lived experience, leadership, and creative insight—and that’s going to give your work a unique and necessary depth. I love how you’re framing your exploration around the idea of the “Black Ego.” That concept has so much potential to unpack how identity is shaped both internally and externally, especially in the context of cultural appropriation and media representation. You might want to look into Stuart Hall’s work on cultural identity and representation—his essays on how media constructs racialized identities could help provide a solid theoretical foundation for your analysis. bell hooks' writing on the oppositional gaze and Black subjectivity might also be useful as you think through how Black people reclaim space in visual and cultural narratives. Since you’re a photographer, maybe one way to present your findings could be through a visual essay or curated gallery—juxtaposing examples of cultural appropriation in media with your own photography that celebrates authentic Black expression. That could make your project not just informative but emotionally resonant and visually powerful. Maybe include captions or narratives that link the visual with the theory and interviews you gather.
    March 24, 2025 at 3:42 pm - Reply

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