This is a term that has really started to bother me. Not when it is used correctly but I feel like many people do not use it correctly and simply are making it into another form of an insult. They sling it out like so many other things without thinking.

The definition of the term is...

Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture.

I fully understand a culture getting upset because another culture takes over something that is historically linked to them. But then my question becomes..when does in become appropriation? If someone admires something about your culture and emulates it..not claims it which is different but emulates it is it then stealing it?

I know this seems like odd questions perhaps, but I have recently had my head ripped off for admiring Henna. And for using it in the past. I did not do it for any reason then I love the significance of it. I admire the time and craft it takes to make it. I love the beauty of it.

So when does appreciation become appropriation?

Feel free to share your views. Please do not attack each other as this is not a thread for that in the least.

Personally I come from a few different cultures, I enjoy sharing them with others. I love when others take an interest in something about my heritage. I would never consider it insulting that they love something so much they wish to wear it or make it. I know that is just a personal belief but it is who I am.

i basically agree with everything you said tbh.

admiring and participating in another culture is not an inherently bad thing. hell, a good amount of people would even find it flattering if someone is interested in their culture. though also i have yet to actually see someone in real life using the term as stupidly as it is used online, so really 'liking anything from another culture makes you a disgusting racist' in more of an internet thing.

now sure, there are some extreme cases where people fetishize certain cultures in a way that can make people uncomfortable. but i feel like in most cases that can only happen if the person is genuinely trying to offend someone, such as, say, using negative stereotypes in a derogatory way. a non-indian person making henna doesn't even come close to this.

also the 'appropriation' part in cultural appropriation isn't exactly... accurate. nobody is claiming that something from another culture belongs to them or their culture. and, to be fair, it is usually kind of obvious. for instance, an american making falafels isn't claiming that americans invented falafels, they're just making them because they like them. 'stealing' from other cultures isn't a thing an individual can do. (when i was living in uruguay i actually did meet a person once who would not believe that churros are spanish and insisted that they were uruguayan. would anyone genuinely get offended by this? i highly doubt it.)

on a more personal note, i am from italy which has probably one of the most commercialized and stereotyped cultures in the world. and really, no one but old, proud nationalists here are going to get angry at people for "butchering" italian cuisine lmao. some months ago i met a chinese girl in university and the first thing she told me when i said i was italian was "omg i love italy!! i've been to rome last year and i love everything about the city! i love the food, the people, the weather, the sights... you totally have to teach me how to speak italian!" and hey, i thought it was really cool that she loved what is (kind of) my hometown. she wasn't 'appropriating' anything, she was just very enthusiastic about a culture she finds fascinating (although she clearly only knew about the 'nice' parts of italy hahaha).

smiles

Thank you for sharing your opinion! I have actually heard people saying it in real life. Not to the extent the internet does but like so many internet things it is slowly leaking out into conversations and such.

Seems we share much the same view. Many people consider me Caucasian and are rather surprised to find out I am a mix of Italian, German and American Indian. I actually love speaking about my culture. Although I do not know as much about the German side of myself.

I love sharing. So at least I do not feel so bad now. Thank you again. After last night I was really down because I honestly felt like I had done something wrong for liking Henna. Nice to know I am not the only one that feels that it is a little ridiculous.

Yeah. I think it's a really hard line to balance on because I have gotten henna done before (most recently at a work setting, where a few of the Indian women that I work with brought in sets and did them for us which was really nice!).

I think it's just problematic in the sense that we see culture picked apart and we see certain aspects of it become funneled into mainstream media where it is made 'cool' and 'hip' when it otherwise wouldn't be. I don't think it's bad to experience different cultures but I can see how it'd be frustrating because aspects of culture aren't a costume that can be taken on and off (by those of the cultures being appropriated) whenever they please. It's ingrained in who they are and essential to their identity. Whereas for someone who is for example white, would be able to put on a bindi in an effort to be 'fashion-forward' and 'edgy' without understanding the implications or needing to experience the consequences that come from wearing it (a lot of the times, the racism that tends to follow along with it).

I hope some of that made sense that was like all word vomit meh all I'm saying is that yes cultural appropriation is bad, no we cannot be perfect in being socially conscious, and the best thing we can do is try to be aware and understanding of where we stand in the grand scheme of things. Meep

I think people can be overly sensitive? There's absolutely nothing wrong with admiring apart of someone's culture. It's not like you used the henna to draw an effigy and burn it, spit on it and then I dunno curse all those who used henna. I try to immerse myself and learn about different cultures. I'm Korean/Chinese (with some Japanese and Siberian thrown in) and I really enjoy telling people about my cultures when they ask me. It'd be like me ripping off someone's head for wearing our hanbok. I wouldn't take it personal. Carrying enjoying what you like, you're not harming anyone.

It made perfect sense. I do understand the true meaning of the phrase. Or what the meaning was supposed to be I just think too many people use it out of context.

I agree that a lot of people are overly sensitive. Sometimes I can understand why. I think for me as long as someone is not doing something to intentionally cause harm it should not be an issue.

What upsets me is that society has to be so PC now and it's out of hand. Before these last several years no one was bothered by this sort of thing. I think the only culture I'd ever heard of being offended (that is rightfully so and understandable to me) before everyone started nitpicking at everything is Native Americans. To essentially make a costume out of a headdress for example is tasteless to me. At my high school, the majority of students were black or latino. For the most part (there will be hateful people everywhere), we treated each other with respect and got along. I'd see white kids with cornrows all the time and no one cared. No one was offended. I had friends in elementary and middle school that liked to braid my hair in all sorts of styles for fun. No one was offended. That's one example of things I've experienced. Now a days I see so many posts on a lot of different websites about "stealing" styles (no one owns anything) and how people of x race shouldn't be allowed to do something because it's offensive to x race. Unless someone is taking those styles and purposely doing something offensive like mocking a culture, I don't see anything wrong.

I agree for the most part. Part of my heritage is Native American. But see I never got upset about someone making costumes based on dress that was linked to our heritage. Because mostly is was people having fun. It may not have been accurate but why does it have to be?

Those people were usually just trying to enjoy themselves not trying to cause issues. So I was never offended.

Now days people get offended about everything pretty much. And I am all sitting here going come onnnn get a life. I can understand when someone has a reason to be upset but in most cases they really don't have a reason.

Thanks for responding with your point of view. My aunt was 100% Native American and I never heard her complain about this stuff either. She wasn't offended. She didn't look for reasons to be offended. Although I have listened to a couple things before as to why Native Americans would be offended and it was understandable. I wish I could recall the video I saw that briefly mentioned the subject. My thing is let people do what they want. In the grand scheme of things this is something not worth fighting over. Live and let live, ya know~ c:

Thank you right back for sharing your views!

I can see why some people would be offended. But in the end it is all about picking your battles. Unless someone is calling you names or something..why fight about it lol.

Yes, agreed c: I always try to look at the bigger picture, and I often find myself saying "in the grand scheme of things" to people quite often xD

I think places like Tumblr take it to the extreme, especially when you can't learn about something without someone screaming appropriation.

I refuse to remain ignorant of the world around me on the pretense of I must remain politically correct.

There is, of course, a fine line in certain regards that should not be crossed but that's another matter.

I honestly thought this thread was going to go in another direction after reading the title, but alas I am pleasantly surprised. Thank goodness for Subeta sanity, haha.

People are too sensitive nowadays. For years, people have been taking things from cultures they like and emulating it in whatever way they find pleasing. Does it mean their being racist/appropriating a culture? Of course not. Are they passionate about it? Perhaps! Maybe a simple fan of the theme/color/whatever? Surely!

I feel like people are seeking out things to be offended about lately, for the simple reason of being angry over something. For argument. I find the whole thing silly, and wish people would relax and expand their minds, haha.

Cheers!

I feel like when you guys are saying stuff like "people are too sensitive now", you're forgetting that people have always been upset about something - the issues have just evolved. For instance, when the Civil Rights movement was just starting, plenty of people thought it was ridiculous. Slavery was over, people were "equal", so there was nothing for people to be upset about. Certain microaggressions and acts of racism that we wouldn't hesitate to call out now were seen as completely normal and acceptable back then. It took a small group of people saying "This isn't ok" for things to start to change. This goes for literally every social movement in history. Women's Suffrage, Christianity reform, the Chicano Movement, etc. That's just the way things work.

If people in a marginalized group are speaking up about what you're perceiving as a new problem, try to consider that it's not a new problem, just a new time. Issues like racism, homophobia, sexism, and yes, even cultural appropriation, have always been around. It's just that the evolution of society has allowed for people to bring them to light, to talk about them in safety, and to open up the discussion and expression of frustrations to a larger audience.

I enjoy the English/British culture, German culture, and Japanese culture. All these fascinate me so much that I wish I could go for a week and enjoy what they live by everyday. =D

I see a lot of "society is too sensitive these days" opinions being expressed. While some individuals definitely are, I think makes a good point. It's simply that we as a society are trying to evolve to a place where we hold more respect for one another.

Now, as to your original question about when appreciation becomes appropriation, that's a slightly more difficult answer. For me, personally, it's a combination of common sense and a general "feel" for what is and isn't your place to do and use, and the idea that if somebody from a particular culture can explain to you why you shouldn't take advantage of an element of that culture, it's probably not really in your place to argue. It most often comes down more to making decisions in each unique situation. Saying cultural appropriation is or is not real is just far too general.

My advice is to do your research if you think something may be an issue, or if somebody points it out to you. Try to understand why somebody would be offended by your use of a thing, and then decide whether or not this is accurate and true in your situation. I'm saying all this assuming that you do actually care whether or not you are appropriating, because if the accusation bothered you enough to make a forum topic about, I'm guessing you are the sort of person who wants to be conscious of and respect other cultures. Not everybody does, which if you look around you, is pretty obvious, but every person who makes a decision to actively care and stay informed is a step forward!

I know I personally have a long way to go in this respect, and you shouldn't worry if you make mistakes, or feel overwhelmed. It's a process, and nobody is perfect. Just make your best effort and learn to recognize when you have made a mistake, and you'll do just fine!

I think a lot of it has to do with common sense, which people don't always have. Appreciation turns to appropriation when you misuse another culture for your own personal gain and entertainment in a disrespectful way.

Liking pictures of beautiful headdresses on instagram and admiring the bead work and learning about what they mean? Appreciation! Making one out of construction paper and taking a vine of you 'dancing like a Native'? Appropriation.

Learning about black history? Appreciation. Talking like 'Mammy' the moment you walk in front of a black person? You're probably going to get slapped.

The list could keep going, but essentially I think the moment you start acting like a dick about it, that's when it leaves appreciation.

I personally get really sad when people especially white people do things like wear braids or afros and get praised. It's because when I wear braids or wear my hair how it naturally grows, which is in an afro, I get pissed on. It's called unprofessional and ugly.

It's not about how "PC" the world is, it's about how you're using of someone else's culture affects them or how they are affected when they celebrate their own culture.

It affects me negatively to wear my hair the way it grows out my head, so when a white person is praised for doing so it affects me negatively. I want to celebrate myself without being shitted on and repurposing my hair doesn't help me not get shitted on.

Ohh sorry I have not really been on in a few days but Imma try to catch up and respond to everyone..

I think it is just that there is a larger easier audience to reach now. It takes less effort to reach more people so we are seeing it more prevalent.

But much like you I won't stay ignorant either. There are just fine lines I refuse to cross.

Isn't it wonderful we can have these types of discussions in a rational manner. I was actually pretty scared posting the topic, but I needed other views besides my own. And I have gotten some rather wonderful views and ideas out of this.

I think there are a lot of sensitivities. Perhaps not because people are not opening their minds but it some ways because they are. When we open our minds we see things we did not before and thus can become more easily offended because instead of turning a blind eye, our eyes are wide open.

Very good points and thank you for bringing it to light. I agree there have always been sensitivities. I suppose it would be better to say it is more in our face now for lack of better terms. Because with media advance it is easier to reach a larger audience now.

Thank you for your idea and opinion!

I love a lot of cultures if I could I would do nothing but travel! But alas money does not allow such.

All very good points and good advice. I am the person that hates to make others uncomfortable or hates to see others upset. I suppose in the end the topic was made because I just felt awful and a lot of what was said was new to me. I was a bit confused by the accusations. Sometimes it helps us just to take a step back and ask others advice and what they think.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

Oh very good points. There are certainly things I would never do because morally I know they are wrong. Like some of the things you mentioned. Thank you for adding to the conversation.

First thank you for speaking about something that clearly upsets you. Second, it is hearing things like that, that upset me. Not that you were upset but that anyone would crap on you for showing your natural beauty. There is NOTHING wrong with your hair. You were made perfect because you are the only you there is.

I spent a lot of my life being criticized for my hair as well. Many people look at me and see just a "White girl" But the truth is that just isn't my heritage. My hair is kinky crazy! It has been all my life. And I always had people trying to force me to change it. Using damaging heat and chemicals to basically make me look more white. And those are their words not mine.

I spent many nights crying over such things. Because I felt so out of place. And the rest of my family didn't look like me. But eventually I grew and realized it is just hair. And Imma wear it all crazy and be proud of it. Because it is part of who I am.

I personally think braids and such are gorgeous. The skill and patience required for them is far beyond me lol.

Be proud. To heck with what anyone else thinks!

If I had all the money in the world, I'd be traveling all the time. I have been to most of all the states in America. Even Hawaii.