James Deagle
1 min readJun 15, 2021

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I think what you're describing isn't an example of some imagined white hegemonic culture appropriating black culture as a continuation (in spirit) of minstrel shows, but rather a sign of black culture blending into mainstream culture. I see this as a byproduct of the white people of today consuming black culture directly from black personalities, rather than through the white mediators of yesteryear. (Yes, there's white poseurs in hip hop, but that's a case of imitation as flattery rather than minstrel-like ridicule.)

This is all a sign of black success and influence in the cultural marketplace, and of many black entertainers, personalities, and entrepreneurs playing a big role in shaping current pop culture. Sure, it may be irritating to black ears to hear their own expressions and speech patterns being used by others, but that's the price you pay for going mainstream.

The alternative is to stay mired in the past and remain living under some form of cultural segregation, where black voices and concerns remain audible only within their own communities, rather than the wider population.

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James Deagle
James Deagle

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