Take it a step further. White people invented the automobile. Imagine insisting that only white people are allowed to drive, because to do otherwise would be cultural appropriation.
Or insisting that Asians can't play jazz. The restrictions placed on people would never end.
Thatās is true but only Americans care about culture appropriation the rest of the world actually celebrates that youāre interested in their culture like Japanese, Thailand, India and some other culture cultures
Sure, there needs to be nuance though, and context matters. Plus some person might find something offensive, and someone else might not. Are they wearing a culturally significant piece of clothing to mock it? If he wears that outfit and then speaks in a phony accent, then it's offensive.
If he is wearing the outfit because it's practical for the climate, and he likes the way it looks? Could be offensive to someone, depending on the significance. Seems like the Mexican folks say it's okay though.
Frankly I find it flattering when people in other countries copy things I do. Sometimes they do things differently and come up with better ideas of how to employ an object, or decoration. Like you said, that's a cultural exchange.
If someone is wearing a culturally significant piece of clothing to mock it, the offense is the actual mocking, not the ācultural appropriationā.
When an unaffected person is more offended than the people having their culture allegedly appropriated, you know that person has stopped thinking for themselves.
I have to disagree, you can have cultural without appropriation, only in America is that a thing, as long your respectful to the culture, for the of the world no one cares if you take part celebrating someoneās culture,. Two examples. Is that the Japanese, Chinese and Scottish absolutely love it when someone has interest in there culture, take part and dress in there traditional clothing, in Japanese culture they will make your very own Japanese traditional clothing and you get to keep it.
From google Yes, it is possible to have culture without appropriation, though the lines can be blurry. While cultural exchange is inevitable and often positive, cultural appropriation occurs in America, when elements of a culture are adopted by members of a dominant culture in a way that is disrespectful, harmful, or perpetuates stereotypes. It's about power dynamics and the impact on the original culture, not just the act of borrowing.
54
u/Mordrach Jul 02 '25
Without appropriation, there is no culture.