Tags
THIS is appropriation. Luci has a bed of her own (and a colorful blanket to boot), yet she has appropriated mine, making herself quite comfortable. No, I am not complaining, just saying.
The ‘appropriation’ word going around a LOT these days does not have such an innocent, happy connotation. Of course, it is not plain ‘appropriation’ this other one, but ‘cultural appropriation’. In case you have been living under a rock, here is the definition:
Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture.
Here is another (not mine, though it well could have been!) way of putting it:
The ridiculous notion that being of a different culture or race means that you are not allowed to adopt things from other cultures.
Unlike Luci’s space appropriation this one is considered pretty serious. There is lot of hue and cry going on against cultural (mis)appropriation, with some coming up with what’s okay to ‘appropriate’ and what’s not, and yet others shouting ‘FREEZE!’ so we can all stagnate at one particular point and die a stinking miserable death. My response, in case anyone is interested, to all of this is: Bullsh*t. What IS culture if not an amalgamation over time of things appropriated (overtly or covertly) from somewhere/someone or other?
Added: What a coincidence that I woke up today and found Roshni has written on the same topic, echoing similar views: Coldplay and Cultural Appropriation
©Shail Mohan 2016
©Shail Mohan 2016
I knew that your opinion would sync with mine for sure!!!! 🙂
I want to write a long, long post on this. But I am strapped for time right now. So in a way I was glad to see your post and quickly linked to it 😀
I read Roshni’s post on this and I completely agree with both your views. According to me, this matter is getting more leverage than required on social media.
I like Luci’s take on appropriation better. 🙂
More leverage than required is right. But then I have been reading/hearing about cultural appropriation even otherwise, quite a lot.
That is utterly ridiculous. If people can’t adopt things from other cultures, or perhaps even experience things from other culture, imagine how narrow minded and conservative everyone will be? I just read a post on a forum about racism portrayed by Indians where it’s evident that if you don’t go beyond and be open to people/things and learn something/someone different, you won’t see a broader picture and are prone to heave ignorance/judgement/stereotypes. Assimilating and going beyond to be open to new cultures/races etc does make you a much better and well rounded person. Straight fact.
I agree. Adopting, assimilating, incorporating into your life new thoughts, ideas… all these help us grow.
I like Luci’s appropriation 😀
Agree there with that definition about culture !
I don’t understand the need to prove something to another – be it religion or culture or whatever – whats the big deal ?? Just live life as you feel like it 🙂
Yeah! 😀 Luci is the star wherever she is 😉
Culture is the favourite buzzword these days. And of course its inappropriate appropriation! Why can we not simply appreciate the music, and let all else be? Well just live and let live, to be wholly generalizationist 😛
Cultural appropriation is a serious issue now. It seems if someone other than an Indian wears a bindi, our culture is liable to be irretrievably lost to us. Or some such thing. 😐
I wonder what the others around the world have to say about us using paper Christmas trees to decorate our homes during Christmas, or wearing pants and shirts or wearing ties that are totally not our culture at all, or having our own version of foods in McD’s and KFC’s hmm…I feel a ramble 😉
You know I found a strange defense by some that when the privileged people or races do it, it is no-no, but when the underprivileged appropriate it cannot be appropriation at all. My head is still spinning thinking about this.
Appropriate appropriation is appreciated
But when misappropriation is initiated
Lands overnight disappear
Goons menacingly appear
And sorry — i have cultural-ly deviated!
But you have hit the nail on the head 🙂