I am confused as to why it is good or bad or neither. Genuinely confused. Please and thank you.
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The theory is that dominant groups using non-dominant, often minority, cultural symbols is an abuse of an implicit power imbalance. For example white people wearing dreadlocks to look hip is considered cultural appropriation of black culture because black people wearing dreadlocks sometimes gives the impression of delinquency instead.
My opinion is that this isn’t an actual problem at all. Cultural sharing and intermingling is the basis of civilization – we should be encouraging the spread and evolution of culture rather than gatekeeping it. This has been done for as long as human culture has existed and should continue to do so. Cuisine is the simplest version of this – one of the most popular British dishes is Indian in origin, while the most famous Italian food, pasta, can be said to have been brought by Marco Polo from Asia. Even the example of dreadlocks – this hairstyle had independently been discovered all over the world in ancient times.
Non-dominant groups take culture from dominant groups all the time. We see this as assimilation sometimes or just simply as the natural way cultures evolve. If you look at Asia, the formal wear nowadays is suits and dresses, something borrowed from European tradition. Assimilation isn’t always asymmetrical in power balance either – a prominent example is the Romans adopting Christianity. Another example is the ruling Manchurians adopting Han Chinese culture or language.
In other words – cultural exchange and sharing is a great thing, to be encouraged in almost all its forms. As long as it’s organic and sincere, and not, say, mocking in nature. And no, wearing Native American headdresses is usually not mocking – it’s celebratory if anything. The whole issue is blown up by people looking for ways to be offended and upset – it gives people another avenue to signal virtue.
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