Is cultural appropriation in and of itself such a bad thing? Why or why not?
In my opinion, the notion that cultural appropriation in and of itself is a bad thing is ridiculous. It fails to take into account a number of issues. Among those issues: If cultural appropriation were wholly bad, we would need to declare bad any ideas that were born of the an interaction between cultures.
For instance, the transistor radio. The transistor was invented in America, and then appropriated and adapted by the Japanese to create easily portable radios. If that was bad, then why was it bad?
Again many ethnic foods in America are appropriated from other cultures, then adapted to American tastes. If that's bad, why is it bad?
In my opinion, the notion that cultural appropriation in and of itself is a bad thing is ridiculous. It fails to take into account a number of issues. Among those issues: If cultural appropriation were wholly bad, we would need to declare bad any ideas that were born of the an interaction between cultures.
For instance, the transistor radio. The transistor was invented in America, and then appropriated and adapted by the Japanese to create easily portable radios. If that was bad, then why was it bad?
Again many ethnic foods in America are appropriated from other cultures, then adapted to American tastes. If that's bad, why is it bad?