Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation?

Cultural appropriation has become a huge buzzword recently. Some people are terrified of being accused of it, while others are offended by the very idea that it exists. Is taking something from another person’s culture always wrong? Or is it only natural that cultures blend and meld together? The truth is somewhere in the middle, and it doesn’t help that the phenomenon is so frequently misunderstood. This article explains the difference between the concepts of cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

Credit

Cultural appropriation involves taking credit for another culture. Whether it is a food, a style of clothing, a hairstyle, or a piece of art, cultural appropriation means someone is acting like they invented something that belongs to another culture — and this is especially harmful when the cultural element was previously looked down upon until a new person claimed it. For example, famous white women recently started to wear cornrows, which is a hairstyle traditionally worn by Africans and African Americans. This style has often been considered unprofessional, unfeminine, or even “thuggish”. However, it was now renamed as “boxer braids” and made into a hot new trend with no acknowledgement of its African roots. Does this mean that white people can’t wear braids? Of course not — but it should be done with a perspective of appreciation. Cultural appreciation would involve giving credit where credit is due, including using the original name and acknowledging that this is not a new hairstyle. In this situation, the women now wearing these braids could specifically acknowledge the negative stereotypes associated with the style and how they were now receiving praise for the same hairstyle that African-American women were critiqued and condemned for.

Profit

A second question to ask when considering whether something is appropriation or appreciation is whether the person is profiting from it. Profit is not necessary for appropriation to occur, but they often go hand in hand. The difference here is clear. If you enjoy Mexican food and you want to learn a few recipes to cook for yourself, family, and friends, this is appreciation. However, if you open a burrito restaurant and hire only non-Mexican chefs, waiters, and staff, this is appropriation. It means that you profit from a culture while no one who is actually from that culture gains any sort of benefit.

Invitation

Many people fight against the idea of cultural appropriation with their own experiences. “My neighbors love it when I eat their traditional food,” or “My sister-in-law gave me this kimono!” This is where, again, appropriation differs from appreciation. If you have been invited, you cannot be appropriating. You are appreciating that culture. So, if your Indian coworker says you should wear a sari for her wedding, go for it and have fun! They are beautiful pieces of clothing, and you can enjoy the experience guilt-free. However, be careful if you wear that sari out on the street as other people may not know that you were invited to wear it and may assume that you are cultural appropriating. On top of that, as an outsider to that culture, you may not know about appropriate usage and context. It may be formal wear that would look ridiculous outside of a wedding, or you may not know how to pin it properly.

The world is full of diverse cultures, and in the 21st century, they’re mixing more than ever. Even though globalization has permitted cultures to blend, it’s important to treat other cultures with respect. By paying attention to credit, profit, and invitation, you will be able to tell not only whether other people are culturally appropriating, but whether you might be too.