Many people have found themselves in hot water over the last half-century because they were accused of cultural appropriation. What exactly is cultural appropriation? It is the usage and acceptance of characteristics from another culture with the consent or approval of individuals from that culture. The ambiguity of this term, as well as the ambiguity of cultural appropriation in general, has made it a difficult phenomenon.

Because America is a “melting pot” of individuals from diverse cultures, races, and ethnicities, it is not surprising that various cultural groups’ traditions and practices get co-opted. People who grow up in diverse societies catch up on the terminology, rituals, and idiosyncrasies of the cultures represented.

This, however, is not cultural appropriation. When members of an oppressive or dominating group exploit the cultures of less entitled communities, this is referred to as cultural appropriation. This is typically done without a thorough understanding of the culture’s history and the subtleties of its traditions.

What exactly is Cultural Appropriation?

We provided a basic definition of cultural appropriation in the first paragraph of this essay. However, to completely grasp the concept, we must examine the phrases “culture” and “appropriation.” Culture is defined as the traditions, ideas, beliefs, and language connected with a particular community. Appropriation is the unjust and sometimes criminal seizure of someone else’s property.

The most culturally appropriated objects in American history have been black music, Asian martial arts, Native American decorating apparel, and cultural emblems. This can be traced back to a long history of Americans viewing persons of color as less than human. As a result, borrowing or taking from them was not a crime.

People of color’s art and music are mimicked by the dominant group, and after a while, these artistic contributions are linked with the appropriator rather than the creator. The appropriators appear clever and creative, while the people they stole from remaining dumb and unoriginal. This is especially troubling since it denies minority communities the credit they deserve and maintains a false narrative of white dominance.

Cultural Appropriation Must Be Avoided

As a majority member, you may find it difficult to notice that you have engaged in cultural appropriation unless it is brought to your attention. It is, however, your obligation to investigate ways to determine whether something you intend to do falls under the category of cultural appropriation. Fortunately, I have a reliable approach for determining if an activity constitutes cultural appropriation. The D.E.E. approach is what I call it, and all you have to do is ask yourself a series of questions. Let’s get started:

Denigration: Will what I intend to say or do belittle another culture? Is it, in other words, respectful to the culture in question? What would that culture’s members think?

Exploitation: Am I “borrowing” or “emulating” aspects of this culture for genuine interest, or am I exploiting it for monetary gain?

Embarrassment: Am I exploiting aspects of another culture in a satirical or humorous manner? Do I intend to offend individuals of the culture by mocking its customs, rituals, or beliefs?

If you plan to do any of these things, you will be committing cultural appropriation if you accomplish them. If you are genuinely interested in the culture, you may have a reason to imitate it. The sharing of traditions, foods, and customs contributes to the diversity of life and the world. Just make sure your intentions are good and that you positively present the culture.