Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation

We are happy to share another post in our “Did you know?” series by I-House Program Assistant Anusha Thotakura.

Pumpkins carved by I-House residents

With Halloween just around the corner, carving pumpkins, trick or treating, and costume parties must all look very exciting. While the festivities are thrilling, it is very important that we are mindful of taking someone else’s culture without informed intent and credit when deciding what costume to wear.

While cultural appreciation is most welcome, we must be mindful not to appropriate the culture. It is an easy line to cross, however with some effort on our end, it is not too difficult to maintain a healthy balance and enjoy the festival. It then becomes enjoyable not only to us but to everyone around us.

Firstly, it is important to understand the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Cultural appreciation is when one respectfully wishes to learn more about another culture and traditions to broaden one’s understanding and perspective of another culture. On the other hand, cultural appropriation is more intertwined with personal enrichment than true respect toward the culture of another. Appropriation is selectively or insincerely representing parts of another culture to derive some benefit from it.  The crucial difference between the two is permission. Some examples that can help differentiate between the two are as follows:

1. Wearing a Bindi as a fashion statement can amount to cultural appropriation. However, being invited to wear a Bindi during a cultural gathering by someone who does it culturally is cultural appreciation.
2. Purchasing indigenous art pieces from the original creators of the art pieces after having interacted with the creators and understanding the cultural significance is cultural appreciation. However, buying art pieces with the sole intention of decorating your house, without any regard for the origins of the art, could be appropriation.

It is key to understanding the history, heritage, and cultural significance of any festival or tradition. The simple rule behind this is reflecting on how you would feel if someone represented some aspect of your culture without any regard for the history or meaning of the tradition. If it makes you feel uncomfortable and disrespected, the chances are that the other person will also likely feel the same way. To refrain from appropriating, ensure that your engagement with the traditions of any culture is appreciative and comes from a place of genuine interest. Seeking consent is another crucial aspect of cultural appreciation. While the line might often appear blurred and inconsequential, it is important to remember that appropriating someone’s culture might have long-lasting and adverse implications. While they may not be obvious, it might do a lot of harm and can make people feel deeply disrespected. To inculcate a true spirit of cultural diversity, it is healthy to learn and understand one another. Sharing cultures is truly a wonderful experience, and with some sensitivity, we can all truly enjoy this process.

– Anusha Thotakura, I-House Program Assistant

Read Anusha’s previous blog post, Ten Rules for Disability-Inclusive Language

This is part of our “Did you know?” series, brought to you by the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership & Programs (CILP) team covering various topics on peace and social justice issues.