Is the Notion of "Cultural Appropriation" Intellectually Bankrupt?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

"Cultural Appropriation" is the notion that the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture is a largely negative phenomenon. "Generally, an assumption that the culture being borrowed from is also being oppressed by the culture doing the borrowing is prerequisite to the concept. This view of cultural borrowing is controversial, both in academic circles, and in general society." [Source]

Recently, a student at the University of Ottawa complained that a yoga class held on campus was "cultural appropriation". Apparently, as a consequence of one student's complaint, the class was cancelled:

[Source]

It seems to me that the notion of cultural appropriation is entwined with the notion that borrowing an element of some other person's culture can, under some circumstances be a form of oppression. That would appear to me on the face of it to be an intellectually irresponsible notion with no backing in science whatsoever.

It is nevertheless a notion that is growing in popularity. For instance: "Eating Ethnic Food Has Now Become 'Cultural Appropriation'."

Among other things, I think the notion that borrowing, using, or adopting elements from someone's culture is oppressing them might be born of today's tendency to confuse anything that gives offense with something that oppresses. But such confusion is not justified. To be offended is not the same as to be oppressed.

But what do you think?

First off: the yoga story is bizarre. I have friends who went there and much of my Facebook feed these days is filled with them facepalming at their alma mater.

I disagree with the idea that, say, yoga done by a white person is necessarily "cultural appropriation" or anything offensive. In fact, I take a fair bit of offense at the idea that being white disqualifies someone from doing yoga.

OTOH, I do think there are ways that a practice or tradition can be borrowed from another culture inappropriately.

As an example: there are plenty of non-Japanese senseis teaching Japanese martial arts in a respectful way that honours tradition. There are also people who are clear that while they incorporate aspects of traditional martial arts, they've created something new. I think both of these are fine. However, I do have a problem with the people running "McDojos" where they're teaching some version of their martial art that was invented in the 80s but claim to be part of an ancient tradition and lineage.

I guess what I'm saying is that the thing I take issue with is when somebody (of any culture) takes on only the trappings of a tradition and claims that they honour the entire tradition.

 

[Revoltingest]

First off: the yoga story is bizarre. I have friends who went there and much of my Facebook feed these days is filled with them facepalming at their alma mater.

I disagree with the idea that, say, yoga done by a white person is necessarily "cultural appropriation" or anything offensive. In fact, I take a fair bit of offense at the idea that being white disqualifies someone from doing yoga.

OTOH, I do think there are ways that a practice or tradition can be borrowed from another culture inappropriately.

As an example: there are plenty of non-Japanese senseis teaching Japanese martial arts in a respectful way that honours tradition. There are also people who are clear that while they incorporate aspects of traditional martial arts, they've created something new. I think both of these are fine. However, I do have a problem with the people running "McDojos" where they're teaching some version of their martial art that was invented in the 80s but claim to be part of an ancient tradition and lineage.

I guess what I'm saying is that the thing I take issue with is when somebody (of any culture) takes on only the trappings of a tradition and claims that they honour the entire tradition.

Next thing you know you'll have mass market chains of Italian food which doesn't live up to standards of.....oh, wait.....there already are.
What should we do about all the Koreans & Chinese folk here opening up sushi restaurants?
When one minority appropriates traditions from another, is the matter just between them?
It's all so confusing that I'll just let them do as they please.

 

[illykitty]

Well, I'm sure what I'm writing will only echo what others have already said... There's a huge difference between malicious intent, ignorance or curiosity and interest. Sure I'm not going to deny there are some cases of people being racist, ignorant, doing a faux-pas or stereotyping, but I think this trend of calling everything cultural appropriation is really going too far.

The most annoying thing, is that some people aren't even from said culture. They're so patronising as to say that people from X culture are offended! "Fear not, I am your brave white knight and I will tell everyone off on your behalf! Oh, so you disagree, well you must not be aware of your oppression! Let me handle this for you." How silly does this sound?

It gets on my nerves that there's obnoxious voices screaming at everyone right now, that they want to police everyone of what to do/think/say, don't want mixing of various cultures and feel everything is oppressive. They think they are right, have pure good intentions and doing everyone a service. All it does is further divide us and emphasise an "us vs them" mentality. It's ironic that, to me, they seem far more oppressive than people enjoying sushi. I imagine the majority don't intend this at all, but that's what it looks like to me. I only wish these people could put their enthusiasm into some other issues, then they'd be a force to reckon with!

 

[Quintessence]

But what do you think?

First brush? I find myself extraordinarily amused and devilishly delighted that this ridiculous phenomena is plaguing other communities aside from Neopaganism. This rubbish has been common talk within our community for... well... since I started affiliating with it, at least, and probably since its inception. It's about time everyone else gets to deal with the nonsense. Or maybe it's always been there in the broader culture, but it's chronic in Neopaganism. I've watched all sorts of arguments and blog wars be had on the topic, none of which seem to end in something positive or productive, thus I tend to steer widely clear of them. I find the argument as ridiculous now as I did when I first encountered it a decade or so ago.

 

[Revoltingest]

Well, I'm sure what I'm writing will only echo what others have already said... There's a huge difference between malicious intent, ignorance or curiosity and interest. Sure I'm not going to deny there are some cases of people being racist, ignorant, doing a faux-pas or stereotyping, but I think this trend of calling everything cultural appropriation is really going too far.

The most annoying thing, is that some people aren't even from said culture. They're so patronising as to say that people from X culture are offended! "Fear not, I am your brave white knight and I will tell everyone off on your behalf! Oh, so you disagree, well you must not be aware of your oppression! Let me handle this for you." How silly does this sound?

It gets on my nerves that there's obnoxious voices screaming at everyone right now, that they want to police everyone of what to do/think/say, don't want mixing of various cultures and feel everything is oppressive. They think they are right, have pure good intentions and doing everyone a service. All it does is further divide us and emphasise an "us vs them" mentality. It's ironic that, to me, they seem far more oppressive than people enjoying sushi. I imagine the majority don't intend this at all, but that's what it looks like to me. I only wish these people could put their enthusiasm into some other issues, then they'd be a force to reckon with!

I've even seen criticism for something I do, ie, appropriating the salutation, "Cheers", even though I'm not a Brit.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Next thing you know you'll have mass market chains of Italian food which doesn't live up to standards of.....oh, wait.....there already are.
What should we do about all the Koreans & Chinese folk here opening up sushi restaurants?
When one minority appropriates traditions from another, is the matter just between them?
It's all so confusing that I'll just let them do as they please.

It's a matter to anyone who cares about inauthenticity, but:

- I'm not talking about making inauthentic cultural traditions illegal; I'm only talking about personal preferences. It's no skin off my nose if someone likes the Vegas version of Venice better than the original. It feels fake to me, but this is just me.

- I have no problem with Chinese or Korean people opening sushi restaurants. I have a dislike for people who don't really care about sushi opening sushi restaurants... but a Chinese or Korean person is just as able to be passionate about sushi as anyone else.

- It's not just a matter of ancestry. For instance, it bugs me when I see people even from Irish backgrounds drinking green beer and dressing up like leprechauns on St. Patrick's Day. OTOH, my local Scottish club has an Asian guy who's really into Scottish country dancing; I think that's awesome.

 

[YmirGF]

It's a matter to anyone who cares about inauthenticity, but:

- I'm not talking about making inauthentic cultural traditions illegal; I'm only talking about personal preferences. It's no skin off my nose if someone likes the Vegas version of Venice better than the original. It feels fake to me, but this is just me.

- I have no problem with Chinese or Korean people opening sushi restaurants. I have a dislike for people who don't really care about sushi opening sushi restaurants... but a Chinese or Korean person is just as able to be passionate about sushi as anyone else.

- It's not just a matter of ancestry. For instance, it bugs me when I see people even from Irish backgrounds drinking green beer and dressing up like leprechauns on St. Patrick's Day. OTOH, my local Scottish club has an Asian guy who's really into Scottish country dancing; I think that's awesome.

I sort of agree and of late have begun to refer to some forms of thought as "Californian Buddhism" rather than being more authentic strains of Buddhism.

 

[illykitty]

I've even seen criticism for something I do, ie, appropriating the salutation, "Cheers", even though I'm not a Brit.

Really? REALLY?

 

[Revoltingest]

Really? REALLY?

Yes, but it is very very mild criticism.
I figure I'm entitled to say "cheers" because....
- I've a little Brit blood left in me.
- I've worked on Rolls Royces, Triumphs, BSAs, a Royal Enfield, & a Velocette.

 

[dust1n]

"Cultural Appropriation" is the notion that the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture is a largely negative phenomenon. "Generally, an assumption that the culture being borrowed from is also being oppressed by the culture doing the borrowing is prerequisite to the concept. This view of cultural borrowing is controversial, both in academic circles, and in general society." [Source]

Seems very overblown. But no mistake about it, there are instances I can probably think of that would fall under the umbrella, I'm sure, that would leave me with some pretty bad impressions.

I blame social media.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I've even seen criticism for something I do, ie, appropriating the salutation, "Cheers", even though I'm not a Brit.

*makes Rev an honourary Aussie*

We say it too, and now you're official. Being an Aussie also conveys you the right to tell them to 'Bugger off, wankers'.

 

[McBell]

I've even seen criticism for something I do, ie, appropriating the salutation, "Cheers", even though I'm not a Brit.

Perhaps it is your horrible accent and not the word itself?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

In my opinion, that remains to be seen. Furthermore, the burden of proof that the issue is legitimate rests with the proponents. Merely asserting that it is legitimate does not cut it here.

I concur with @Augustus on this. There are examples of what I would call 'cultural appropriation'. But people have a tendency to take a rare issue, give it a catchy name, and then apply it to everything. Because they're idiots who want to feel like special little flowers, I suspect. Cultural blending and borrowing are completely normal and healthy.

Where something is claiming to be authentic representations of a traditional culture, and it's clearly not, I'd see that as problematic. Fusion food? For goodness sake, that is a ridiculous assertion.

I found the following story an interesting and positive approach to addressing situations of cultural insensitivity...some might be interested...

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/12/arab-mascot-coachella.html

 

[Revoltingest]

*makes Rev an honourary Aussie*

We say it too, and now you're official. Being an Aussie also conveys you the right to tell them to 'Bugger off, wankers'.

Woo hoo....now I'm legit!
Will dingoes now check me out for babies?

 

[Revoltingest]

Perhaps it is your horrible accent and not the word itself?

I've only used it in print, & never spoken.
But you're probably right.

 

[Orbit]

Now this is bad: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens...on-label-copies-sacred-inuit-design-1.3336560

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Now this is bad: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens...on-label-copies-sacred-inuit-design-1.3336560

*screws up nose*

Not great.

 

[Augustus]

But people have a tendency to take a rare issue, give it a catchy name, and then apply it to everything.

I sometimes think this is half of the problem.

By giving it a name it makes a nuanced and opaque phenomenon, in which things are taken on their individual merits into a catch all term that can be applied in a scattergun fashion. So using important aspects of cultural heritage as fancy dress costumes becomes somewhat equated with using a slang word that originated in minority parlance in many people's eyes.

It's like the word 'micro-aggression' (which I didn't know existed until recently). Some things termed 'micro-agressions' are anywhere between mildly annoying and pretty offensive, but terming slightly patronising speech as an 'aggression', seems to mandate a particular response. Aggression is usually to be responded to with aggression, or at least a feeling of hostility, which in turn meets an aggressive or defensive counter-response.

The terminology seems to facilitate an overreaction in many cases (although that is not to say that it is always an overreaction).

Teaching people to be oversensitive and over-offended is not the way to solve a complex problem.