Cultural appropriation is a sensitive issue, with some viewing it as theft and others as a beneficial exchange. Borrowing from other cultures has been happening for centuries, but some feel it demeans the culture. However, others believe it can lead to greater understanding.
The term cultural appropriation is sometimes used to describe the act of borrowing aspects of another culture. For many people, this is a very sensitive issue, and passionate debates about it can be found all over the Internet. Some people find the term in and of itself pejorative, making it difficult to discuss the real issues associated with borrowing material from other cultures in a measured and balanced way.
You can probably think of a few examples of cultural appropriation, and chances are high that you may even have items borrowed from another culture in your home, especially if you’ve traveled or participated in an exchange program. Many people have artworks from other cultures in their homes, for example, such as Japanese woodblock prints or African textiles.
The exchange of art, music, textiles, fashions, beliefs, knowledge and so on between cultures has been going on for centuries. All ancient cultures borrowed from neighbors and trading partners, sometimes assimilating new cultural artifacts so thoroughly that people are unaware of the true origin of these artifacts.
Some people feel that cultural appropriation of any form should be considered theft. Critics point out that cultural objects are often transferred from less developed to more developed societies, such as in the case of an American tourist acquiring indigenous Peruvian status. Others point to the fact that the human race has a long history of exploitative societies that are viewed as minors, and that exploitation often involves the removal and reuse of cultural objects.
For people who find cultural appropriation offensive, the sight of an African fertility statue used as a paperweight or a tattoo in Chinese on a European can be quite jarring. Perhaps people feel that when objects are taken out of context, much of their meaning is lost and that cultural appropriation demeans the culture that has been ‘stolen’. The problem can become particularly complex as people begin to grapple with issues such as cross-cultural adoption and former settlements.
Other people feel that adopting things from other cultures isn’t necessarily harmful, especially when it’s done in a mindful and thoughtful way. These proponents point out that cultural exchange has often been very beneficial historically, and that sharing artifacts between cultures can lead to interesting conversations and greater mutual understanding.
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