Is Cultural Appropriation Real?

[New Owca]

So having spotted a thread about rape culture not that long ago, I decided to address the idea of Cultural Appropriation.

I, personally, am of the opinion that Cultural Appropriation is not real. Cultures change and devlop over time, sometimes giving rise to a new culture with elements of the old. I also think that "culture" is such a vague term that its hard to say what element belongs to what culture or why.
What do you think, NS? Is Cultural Appropriation real and if so, is it a bad thing?

[The balkens]

no.

[Catholostab]

no

[Askavatan]

no

[Catholostab]

liking this thread so far

[Risottia]

No.

Unless you try and register as your intellectual property something that's public domain, that is. But that's an issue about idiotic intellectual property laws and corrupt judges.

[Catholostab]

lets see how long we can keep the no chain going

[The balkens]

No.

Unless you try and register as your intellectual property something that's public domain, that is. But that's an issue about idiotic intellectual property laws and corrupt judges.

...

i think i love you.

[Sanctissima]

Yes, but that doesn't make it wrong.

The Romans built most of their own culture off of appropriating that of others, and their civilization turned out fine (y'know, if you're willing to look past the whole collapse of the Roman Empire thing).

At the end of the day, most cultures are moulded from the influence of both their predecessors and contemporaries. We shape each other much more than we are willing to admit.

[Risottia]

No.

Unless you try and register as your intellectual property something that's public domain, that is. But that's an issue about idiotic intellectual property laws and corrupt judges.

...

i think i love you.

Come here, you sexy beast.

[Uiiop]

Depending on what you mean...Cultural exchange in itself isn't a bad thing but like all it can go bad. This is what people tend to call it.

[The balkens]

...

i think i love you.

Come here, you sexy beast.

*NYYYEESSSSS

[Conserative Morality]

West thrives on cultural appropriation. Get gud non-appropriating cultures.

[Souseiseki]

people that think cultural appropriation doesn't exist are free to, if not actively encouraged to, walk around with a swastika in their forehead and see how it goes

hint: most people won't be assuming you're a monk

[New Owca]

people that think cultural appropriation doesn't exist are free to, if not actively encouraged to, walk around with a swastika in their forehead and see how it goes

hint: most people won't be assuming you're a monk

Depends on where you are, your demeanour, your clothes, if the swastika is slanted, if the swastika has designs around and what designs they are, where the swastika is on your body etc.

For example if I walked into a room wearing all white with a swastika pendant that was not slanted, had dots near the arms and also contained the Hand of Ahimsa, people woukd assume I'm Jain. If I swaggered in with a shaved head, black and red clothes and a cocky grin, then I'd get kicked in. Its all about context.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Of course there are cases of it (Girls wearing traditional Native American headdresses or Hindu bindis for fashion purposes, e.g.), but I don't think that it can be helped in most cases, as cultures that come into regular contact with each other in a multicultural setting will naturally tend to influence each other, and share various elements of their experiences. I'm fine with the idea that a war whoop or tomahawk chop could be considered tacky, but where does one draw the line? I've seen yoga classes canceled with this as the excuse. I see why wearing a sombrero to a party would be insulting, but do I still get to serve tacos? What about rap, jazz, rock music, all of which came from black artists? People going overboard on this issue is one of the things that soured me on identity politics, and keeps me from being the ally that people want me to be, instead forcing me into the position of being the ally that I am.

[Alozia]

Well to shortly answer your question...

no.

[Napkiraly]

Yes, but it is not an inherently bad thing contrary to what a growing number of people would have you believe.

[New Owca]

Of course there are cases of it (Girls wearing traditional Native American headdresses or Hindu bindis for fashion purposes, e.g.), but I don't think that it can be helped in most cases, as cultures that come into regular contact with each other in a multicultural setting will naturally tend to influence each other, and share various elements of their experiences. I'm fine with the idea that a war whoop or tomahawk chop could be considered tacky, but where does one draw the line? I've seen yoga classes canceled with this as the excuse. I see why wearing a sombrero to a party would be insulting, but do I still get to serve tacos? What about rap, jazz, rock music, all of which came from black artists? People going overboard on this issue is one of the things that soured me on identity politics, and keeps me from being the ally that people want me to be, instead forcing me into the position of being the ally that I am.

I'm from Caithness, Scotland. I've seen people with no ties to scotland wearinv the kilt at weddings - our version of, say, bindis and headresses. No one gets outraged when Scottish Kilts are "appropriated" so why is a Headress or Bindi "tacky"?

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Of course there are cases of it (Girls wearing traditional Native American headdresses or Hindu bindis for fashion purposes, e.g.), but I don't think that it can be helped in most cases, as cultures that come into regular contact with each other in a multicultural setting will naturally tend to influence each other, and share various elements of their experiences. I'm fine with the idea that a war whoop or tomahawk chop could be considered tacky, but where does one draw the line? I've seen yoga classes canceled with this as the excuse. I see why wearing a sombrero to a party would be insulting, but do I still get to serve tacos? What about rap, jazz, rock music, all of which came from black artists? People going overboard on this issue is one of the things that soured me on identity politics, and keeps me from being the ally that people want me to be, instead forcing me into the position of being the ally that I am.

I'm from Caithness, Scotland. I've seen people with no ties to scotland wearinv the kilt at weddings - our version of, say, bindis and headresses. No one gets outraged when Scottish Kilts are "appropriated" so why is a Headress or Bindi "tacky"?

I wasn't aware that the kilt, like bindis and headdresses, had religious meaning.

More to the point, most of those who wear kilts to weddings and the like claim actual Scottish heritage that they're proud of.

[Neo Bavaria]

Of course there are cases of it (Girls wearing traditional Native American headdresses or Hindu bindis for fashion purposes, e.g.), but I don't think that it can be helped in most cases, as cultures that come into regular contact with each other in a multicultural setting will naturally tend to influence each other, and share various elements of their experiences. I'm fine with the idea that a war whoop or tomahawk chop could be considered tacky, but where does one draw the line? I've seen yoga classes canceled with this as the excuse. I see why wearing a sombrero to a party would be insulting, but do I still get to serve tacos? What about rap, jazz, rock music, all of which came from black artists? People going overboard on this issue is one of the things that soured me on identity politics, and keeps me from being the ally that people want me to be, instead forcing me into the position of being the ally that I am.

I'm from Caithness, Scotland. I've seen people with no ties to scotland wearinv the kilt at weddings - our version of, say, bindis and headresses. No one gets outraged when Scottish Kilts are "appropriated" so why is a Headress or Bindi "tacky"?

Because Scots are native to Europe and therefore, according to the people who believe Cultural Appropriation is a serious problem, are too "privileged" to be affected by having someone "mock" their clothes.

Yes, wearing a sombrero, serving tacos, and calling yourself "Pedro" in a crappy Mexican accent would be offensive for the same reason that wearing black face is offensive: it endorses a stereotype. However, wearing a sombrero for fun is not offensive, and should not be taken as offensive simply because "Oh, you're not Hispanic therefore you can't wear that."

[Yumyumsuppertime]

I'm from Caithness, Scotland. I've seen people with no ties to scotland wearinv the kilt at weddings - our version of, say, bindis and headresses. No one gets outraged when Scottish Kilts are "appropriated" so why is a Headress or Bindi "tacky"?

Because Scots are native to Europe and therefore, according to the people who believe Cultural Appropriation is a serious problem, are too "privileged" to be affected by having someone "mock" their clothes.

Yes, wearing a sombrero, serving tacos, and calling yourself "Pedro" in a crappy Mexican accent would be offensive for the same reason that wearing black face is offensive: it endorses a stereotype. However, wearing a sombrero for fun is not offensive, and should not be taken as offensive simply because "Oh, you're not Hispanic therefore you can't wear that."

I'm sure that Mexicans will be very happy that you've laid down ground rules for what they do and don't get to consider offensive stereotyping.

[Neo Bavaria]

I'm from Caithness, Scotland. I've seen people with no ties to scotland wearinv the kilt at weddings - our version of, say, bindis and headresses. No one gets outraged when Scottish Kilts are "appropriated" so why is a Headress or Bindi "tacky"?

I wasn't aware that the kilt, like bindis and headdresses, had religious meaning.

More to the point, most of those who wear kilts to weddings and the like claim actual Scottish heritage that they're proud of.

And if they didn't would you still care?

[New Owca]

I'm from Caithness, Scotland. I've seen people with no ties to scotland wearinv the kilt at weddings - our version of, say, bindis and headresses. No one gets outraged when Scottish Kilts are "appropriated" so why is a Headress or Bindi "tacky"?

T
I wasn't aware that the kilt, like bindis and headdresses, had religious meaning.

More to the point, most of those who wear kilts to weddings and the like claim actual Scottish heritage that they're proud of.

The kilt is actually closer to the heart than religion. Scottish and Irish families all have a certain Tartan that belongs to that family - the kilt should be of the tartan of your clan. Ergo, wearing a kiltof a clan you dont belong to could beseen as disrespectful towards that family

And I wasnt aware that the Sombrero had religious meaning either.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

I wasn't aware that the kilt, like bindis and headdresses, had religious meaning.

More to the point, most of those who wear kilts to weddings and the like claim actual Scottish heritage that they're proud of.

And if they didn't would you still care?

I don't answer contextless hypotheticals.