Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation

 Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation: Understanding the Difference and Its Implications in Today’s Society

Written by: Osunlana Adeleke

In our increasingly interconnected world, cultural exchange has become more common than ever before. We are constantly exposed to different cultures through music, fashion, food, and art. However, this interconnectedness also brings up a vital question: When does cultural exchange cross the line into cultural appropriation? Understanding the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation is essential for fostering respect, inclusivity, and mutual understanding in today’s society.

What is Cultural Appropriation?

Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of a minority culture are adopted or used by members of a dominant culture without understanding, respect, or acknowledgment of their original significance. This act often strips the cultural elements of their meaning and context, reducing them to mere fashion statements or commodities. It can be harmful and offensive because it involves taking something that holds deep cultural significance to a marginalized group and using it out of context, often without any recognition of its origin.

Examples of cultural appropriation are widespread. Think of non-Indigenous people wearing Native American headdresses at music festivals, or fashion brands using sacred symbols from different cultures without understanding their meaning. These acts can perpetuate stereotypes and disrespect the cultural practices, histories, and struggles of marginalized communities. 

What is Cultural Appreciation?

In contrast, cultural appreciation involves learning about another culture, understanding its significance, and engaging with it in a way that shows respect and acknowledgment. It is about celebrating diversity and honoring the origins and significance of cultural elements, rather than exploiting them. Appreciation fosters genuine connections, promotes intercultural understanding, and enriches our global tapestry.

For example, attending a cultural festival and engaging with the traditions in a respectful way, learning from cultural practitioners, and giving credit to the original culture for their contributions can be seen as cultural appreciation. It involves a deep, sincere interest in understanding and respecting the culture, its history, and its people.

 Why Cultural Appropriation is Harmful

1. Erasure of Identity and History: Cultural appropriation can erase the original meaning and significance of cultural elements. When sacred symbols, clothing, or practices are used without understanding their context, it diminishes their cultural value. It can also erase the struggles and history associated with those elements, leading to a loss of identity for the people to whom the culture belongs.

2. Reinforcement of Stereotypes: Appropriating elements of a culture without understanding them can perpetuate stereotypes and misrepresentations. When a dominant culture adopts elements of a marginalized culture in a superficial or incorrect way, it can spread misinformation and reinforce negative stereotypes.

3. Exploitation for Profit: Often, cultural appropriation is driven by the desire to capitalize on another culture for profit. This can be seen in fashion, entertainment, and marketing, where cultural symbols are used to sell products. This exploitation disregards the cultural significance and often provides no benefit or recognition to the original culture.

4. Power Imbalance: Cultural appropriation underscores the power imbalance between cultures. It allows the dominant culture to take what it wants from marginalized cultures while often denying those same marginalized groups the respect, acknowledgment, and economic opportunities that come from their own cultural expressions.

 How to Appreciate Culture Without Appropriating It

1. Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about the culture, its history, and the significance of its elements. Understand why certain symbols, clothing, or practices are important and what they mean to the people of that culture.

2. Acknowledge and Give Credit: When you engage with another culture, make sure to acknowledge its origins. Give credit to the culture and its people for their contributions. This can be done through conversations, social media, and other platforms.

3. Engage Respectfully and Authentically: Show genuine respect for the culture you are engaging with. This means understanding the proper context and significance of cultural elements and using them in a way that honors that context. Engage with cultural elements through their practitioners, supporting local artisans, and participating in cultural events with the guidance of community members.

4. Support Cultural Practitioners: If you are drawn to elements of another culture, seek out and support the artists, creators, and practitioners from that culture. Buy directly from them, attend their workshops, and give them a platform to share their knowledge and traditions.

5. Reflect on Your Intentions: Ask yourself why you want to engage with a particular cultural element. Are you doing it because you genuinely appreciate and respect the culture, or is it simply because it’s trendy or aesthetically pleasing? Reflecting on your intentions can help guide your actions toward appreciation rather than appropriation.

The Importance of Respectful Cultural Exchange

Respectful cultural exchange enriches our societies. It helps us understand different perspectives, promotes tolerance, and builds bridges across cultures. When we approach cultural exchange with respect and understanding, we celebrate diversity and contribute to a more inclusive world.

In contrast, cultural appropriation can lead to division, resentment, and misunderstanding. It undermines the integrity of cultures and can cause harm to marginalized communities who already face systemic oppression and discrimination. Understanding the difference between appreciation and appropriation is not about policing cultural expression but about promoting respect, empathy, and mutual recognition.

Moving on....

As we navigate a world rich in cultural diversity, it’s important to foster a mindset of appreciation and respect. Let us be mindful of the power dynamics at play, and let us listen to the voices of marginalized communities who have long been overlooked and misrepresented. By doing so, we can ensure that cultural exchange enriches us all, rather than diminishing the value of the cultures from which we borrow.

Let us celebrate diversity with respect. Let us honor the cultures that enrich our world. Let us move forward with appreciation, not appropriation.

In doing so, we can create a world where all cultures are respected, all voices are heard, and all people feel valued. A world where cultural exchange is a source of pride, connection, and mutual respect, rather than a cause for division. This is the world we should strive to build, together.