Appropriation vs. Appreciation

I got an ask a while ago asking me to define cultural appropriation. Anyone who’s been reading my blog for a while knows I’m not a fan of dictionary definitions. I will do my best to try to explain how these two things are very different.

I love learning about different cultures. It’s something that has always interested me. I have a list about a mile long of places I would love to visit. Now, just because I like a certain culture, that doesn’t mean I’m going to read a book and pretend I know everything about it. I’m not gonna walk around speaking half poorly pronounced Japanese/half English and think it’s cute. It doesn’t mean I’ll put on a “head dress” and some fake war paint and call myself “Pocahontas’ slutty sister”. I’m not going to call myself Arab because I spent four months in Morocco.

What I will do is respectfully ask questions when I don’t understand something. I will listen and learn as much as I can from people who are part of that culture. If they ask me to not do something because it’s disrespectful or offensive, I’ll stop. I won’t complain, I won’t cry, I won’t whine. I definitely won’t tell them they’re “being mean” or “overreacting”. I will respect those people and their culture. I will be thankful that I’m allowed to experience it.

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