Stealing vs. Borrowing: The Fine Line Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation
Lakota Native American Man at Pow Wow
The Lakota are a Native American tribe that traditionally inhabit the Great Plains region of the United States. They have a rich cultural heritage, including spiritual practices, storytelling, and traditional art forms.
Cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation are two concepts that are often in discussions about race and identity. While they may seem similar on the surface, they are actually quite different.
Cultural appropriation occurs when a member of one culture takes elements from another culture without proper understanding or respect. This often happens when a dominant culture takes elements from a marginalized culture and uses them for its own benefit without giving credit or acknowledgment to the source culture. For example, a white person wearing a traditional headdress from a Native American tribe is an example of cultural appropriation because the headdress holds significant spiritual and cultural meaning within the tribe and the person wearing it is not a member of that tribe.
Cultural appreciation, on the other hand, is when a person from one culture learns about and respects elements from another culture. This can include learning about the history and significance of traditional clothing, art, and other cultural artifacts and even participating in cultural ceremonies or celebrations. For example, a person who is interested in learning about and participating in traditional Chinese tea ceremonies is engaging in cultural appreciation, as they are showing respect and interest in the culture.
One key difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation is the power dynamic at play. Cultural appropriation often involves a dominant culture taking elements from a marginalized culture, while cultural appreciation involves mutual exchange and respect between cultures.
Another difference is the intent behind the actions. Cultural appropriation is often motivated by a desire to profit or gain social status, while cultural appreciation is motivated by a genuine interest in and respect for the culture in question.
It's important to note that cultural appropriation can happen unintentionally, and it's important for people to educate themselves about the cultures they are interested in and to be mindful of how they are interacting with that culture.
As a general rule, if you are unsure whether something is cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation, it's best to be on the side of caution and respect. This means being mindful of the power dynamic at play and the potential impact of your actions on marginalized communities. It also means being open to learning and listening to the perspectives of people from different cultures.
To break it down, cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation are two distinct concepts that should be understood and distinguished. Cultural appropriation involves taking elements from a culture without proper understanding or respect, while cultural appreciation is characterized by mutual exchange and respect. It's important to be aware of the power dynamic at play and the intent behind one's actions in order to avoid cultural appropriation and to engage in cultural appreciation. It's also important to be open to learning and listening to the perspectives of people from different cultures.