Author: Kathryn    Gottlieb

Major: Sociology & Anthropology

Graduation Year: 2017

Thesis Advisor: Lisa K. Neuman

Description of Publication: This thesis examines the discourse surrounding cultural appropriation in contemporary witchcraft and neopaganism, particularly online. The aim of this thesis is to look at how cultural appropriation became such a central topic in the witch and neopagan community and to see what can be learned about the community as a whole from this discourse. Definitions, neutralization techniques, and the development of alternative practices and terminologies are all discussed, as well as how cultural appropriation relates to the history of witchcraft as a whole. Seven witch/neopagan members of the popular blogging platform tumblr.com were interviewed for this study to examine how the discourse affected them in their personal lives and spiritual practices. Their experiences are examined in relation to the culture of tumblr as a whole and in the context of the history of modern witchcraft and neopaganism.

Location of Publication:

• fogler
• reynolds

URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/304/