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Searching for Symbols Activity
Clifford Geertz (1926–2006) developed an interpretive theory of culture, the theory that culture is embodied and transmitted through symbols: something—an object, image, figure, or character—that conventionally represents something else. As members of a society, we are immersed in taken-for-granted symbols, so familiar that we rarely even recognize them as symbols. For this activity:
- Work with another student to identify as many symbols within the classroom as possible. This is a chance for you to observe your everyday environment in a new way and recognize how pervasive symbols are in our lives.
- For each proposed symbol, discuss whether it is a symbol, what makes it a symbol, and what it symbolizes. Are there common themes to the symbols you find? Can you identify any patterns that reveal broader elements of American culture?
A Thought Activity: “Authentic” food and cultural appropriation
As discussed in the chapter, it is not always clear what is or isn’t acceptable in instances of cultural appropriation. An example of this complexity can be found in food. Many foodies try to chase down the most “authentic” food they can find, usually referring to minority populations’ food traditions. At the same time, fusion cuisine, or the blending of two different food traditions, is also very popular. Is the dominant white Euro-American society engaging in cultural appropriation when white chefs adapt minority groups’ cooking techniques and ingredients to invent a new fusion of flavors? What kinds of relationships of domination and subordination can you think of that might be at play in the foodie world of authentic tacos and sushi burritos?