Popular Science Articles and Academic Reports on the Topics of Cultural Commodification and Institutionalised Racism

Abstract

This paper examines two aspects within cultural studies, namely that of cultural commodification and institutionalised racism. These are explored through a review style article discussing the commodification and appropriation of indigenous Australian food items on the television cooking programme Masterchef Australia, and in an ‘op-ed’ style piece considering the systemic racism represented by the blackface character of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) in the Dutch festive tradition of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas). These two articles are followed by case study reports which analyse how the theories were applied. The arguments in the reports conclude that Masterchef Australia has a responsibility to better represent indigenous Australian culture, and that the tradition of Zwarte Piet clearly exemplifies institutionalised racism and discrimination.