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Cultural appropriation

(128 Posts)
kittylester Tue 01-Sept-20 10:17:35

I agree Illte

Surely it is a result of the world becoming smaller either in terms of actual or virtual travel. Everything is much more homogenous.

I have an Indian friend who ran a series of cookery courses so I went along to support her and really got into it, similarly a Chinese friend copied the idea and ran courses.

I have no Italian nor French friends but still cooking in their style.

Our favourite music is Soul and Blues - have we appropriated that too?

Elegran Tue 01-Sept-20 10:00:27

I don't understand most of it any more than you do. I can understand how blacking-up like the Black and White Minstrels comes over as a parody and is resented, but I would have thought that enjoying the traditional music or the food of another culture is more of a compliment than an insult.

Then how about the way Western clothes have become the norm for people in many more nations than where they were first worn? Are all those wearers guilty of cultural appropriation too?

Illte Tue 01-Sept-20 09:47:04

This has been in the news over the last couple of days.

I don't want to start a contentious thread. I really want to understand this. I think I might have unwittingly done this in the past and maybe still am.

Ive always worked in mukti-ethnic schools and mostly lived in multi-ethnic communities. If I saw something I liked I adopted it.

For instance learned how to use spices properly and my cooking definitely tends to Southern Asian rather than traditional British.

The music of Southern Africa appeals to me and it was played at my husbands funeral. He was white British like me.

When Im invited to Diwali celebrations I go in a sari. But now I'm wondering if I've been making a mistake.

I'm looking for guidance from someone who understands cultural appropriation more than I do.