Posted 12th October 2015 2122

Are these things cultural appropriation? Or is my definition just wrong?
- usage of the word “karma”
- yoga
- learning a dance form that originated from people of a different skin colour
- wearing a non-religious piece of ethnic clothing / emulating their style
- learning another language
- ethnic-inspired fashion choices
- celebrating Cinco de Maya, Diwali, Christmas, Eid, if you’re not religious
Here’s the thing. I’d be more willing to understand the significance of religious/spiritual appropriation. I can understand how someone can be offensive if they’re mocking a religious practice or attire because it insinuates that one religious belief or worldview is more valid than another / the faith being appropriated is not to be taken seriously. Its an issue because such a mindset is similar to the one held by the Eurocentrist explorers hundreds of years ago. (Hence why wearing headdresses / turbans / hijabs in a setting that has nothing to do with the value of these articles is disrespectful.)
Amandla Stenberg defined cultural appropriation as “[occuring] when the appropriator is not aware of the deep significance of the culture they are partaking in” (she seems to have been the spark in this debate). I completely agree with her problem with western societies taking up trends from other cultures and labelling them as “new” and “innovative” when chances are they’re not at all . . . as a South Asian, I totally feel her annoyance. But my question is this: Can people then appropriate their own culture?
Here’s a situation: Many Indians celebrate a festival known as Navratri, a multiple-day event involving folk dancing, food, costumes, etc etc. However many Indians attend these events, dance the night away, dress lavishly and gorge on all the food without understanding any religious significance. While I may see the festival as honouring a particular goddess and ushering in a prosperous and peaceful new year (paraphrased, of course), for others it may just be a freaking dance party and hook-up session. And these are Indians too. Clearly unaware of any “deep significance”, but partake in the food and attire as if it was a trend. And I’m sure other festivals have this issue too. Look at what Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Eid, Chinese New Year and Diwali has become . . .
So please. Educate me. No “wow you ignorant bastard go die in a hole” because i don’t know how I’m being ignorant. Dear social justice warriars, tell me how to not be offensive and still appreciate other people’s cultures. I genuinely, genuinely want to know.

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