Cultural appropriation

[nmsunbear]

Tell me your feelings on cultural appropriation. Arne is in a tizzy about it, because he chaperoned a youth convention at church last weekend, and an employee of our district gave a presentation that seemed to say (in Arne's opinion - I wasn't there) that you can't use anything with its origins in any other culture unless you're certain no member

Comments

[sihaya09]

Have you checked out racism_101 yet

[newsbean]

I think that you hit on the really key thing - not pretending to be an authority.

For instance, I am all well and fine with anyone claiming that they like Kosher food best or that they eat Kosher or what not. What I am not cool with are non-Jews trying to assert *incorrect* reasons for why/how people should keep Kosher. Like the whole Biblical Diet Christian movement? Yeah. I don't find that to be particularly awesome. It takes something that's a really integral part of my religion and makes it about conforming to society's beauty norms. Because *G-D* wants us to be skinny. BS.

Being respectful is the key component. Not telling people about their culture is a big part of that.

[juliansinger]

People often resort to black and white presentations in order to get the message across, when in fact it is a very nuanced and difficult question.

There are some circumstances in which I would object to cultural appropriation.

When it's done disrespectfully, or exploitatively, with no understanding of the culture involved, say.

My basic approach is, as long as it's done in a spirit of sharing, as opposed to a spirit of removal, you're A-OK.

(There's a lot more issues, obviously, if there's a strong power imbalance -- like, say, with NA/Indian stuff in the US. It's a careful road you have to navigate, then.)

[amaebi]

This is a place where I have a lot to say-- pretty much just agreeing with juliansinger, though :D -- but I'm sick to my stomach and can't deal with doing so right now.

Essentially: if you're really interested, if you really put in the work from authentic sources, if you know you're a student and not a native, it's Learning. If you think it's charming or symbolic or exotic and you'll buy some, it's appropriation.

[magicwoman]

Wishing you a very happy birthday!

Susan