I was finally able to put into words why I feel using cultural appropriation as a derogatory term is so asinine. When cultures meet, they mix. When cultures mix, many concepts are exchanged, and altered by the receiving culture as they are assimilated into that culture. Is it possible for cultural/ethnic/racial stereotypes to then crop up, and use the assimilated features in their mockery? Yes. Does it mean that when those cultural features are used it is ALWAYS derogatory towards the originating culture? OF COURSE NOT. Using cultural appropriation as a derogatory term is no different than saying cultures shouldnt mix, which is the exact same message put forth by neo nazis and the KKK. What you really mean is that its not ok to mock other cultures, and thats true. However it is 100% impossible to control how other cultures will assimilate your cultural artifacts. Using a prayer rug as a bathmat isnt cool. Hanging it on your wall because its a beautiful work of art is fine. Wearing a Mao coat isnt endorsing the horrors of 1950s communist China. Wearing a mandarin gown isnt actually offensive, nor is wearing a kimono, nehru jacket, lederhosen, or a sarong. Neither are cowboy boots and stetson hats being sold in China and Russia. Neither is Asians wearing western suits and ties. Cultural appropriation is the same as cultural assimilation, and its not only ok, its natural, its how cultures grow and stay relevant. Its a positive effect. What isnt ok is constantly throwing around epithets like racism and cultural insensitivity. Look at whats actually happening rather than simply stating that using cultural artifacts is bad. Cultures arent sensitive, people are. Cultures arent offensive, people are. Cultures do not exist in vacuums, and no one has an absolute right to be free from offense. A girl in a beer ad wearing a bikini is very offensive in Saudi Arabia, does that mean the west cant have the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition anymore? Of course not. Stating that women are not property and shouldnt be subject to beatings by their husband is offensive to quite a number of cultures, yet thats an official UN position in the UN Bill of Human Rights. Not liking a thing isnt the same as being offended, and being offended doesnt mean the other guy is wrong right off the bat. There was a time when carefully measured thoughts and deeply considered positions were respected, now we kneejerk at everything. We used to engage in conversations about these things, now we run to the nearest TV camera and cry about how we need an apology. Who does that apology benefit even if its offered? No one. The conversation that it replaced was much more useful, and created great breakthroughs. We should try thinking, exploring, and talking more, and demand a refund, sorry I mean an apology, less.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 00:37:38 +0000
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