“Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way.” (https://www.britannica.com/story/what-is-cultural-appropriation)
Â
“The adoption, usually without acknowledgment, of cultural identity markers from subcultures or minority communities into mainstream culture by people with a relatively privileged status.” (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cultural-appropriation).
Â
I recently witnessed a discussion thread about this topic. Several participants became quite heated and even aggressive, but the interesting part for me was that the loudest voices, the ones attacking and accusing someone of “cultural appropriation,” identified themselves as White. They were not members of the culture for which they were claiming appropriation by another White person.
Â
It seemed to me that this, ironically, is an example of entitlement.
Â
I reached out to Quanita May, LMFT, CST, CSTT, for her perspective and she replied with the following:
Â
“Recently, I came across an interesting exchange on cultural appropriation. When I read the thread, I was intrigued by the energy one contributor displayed. I’m choosing to call it energy. I could call it anger, frustration, a sense of needing to be loudly heard. The tone surprised me.
Â
I reflected on this:
Â
As a female BIPOC immigrant I am often surprised at the multiple perspectives I hold. I love the many intersections within myself. I absolutely embrace the idea of persons outside of my many cultures entering in, contributing their story to a bigger tapestry and making it more rich.
Â
I support the exchange, inclusion, and contribution of multiple experiences in all things.
Â
Conversely, some prescribe to the view that access to a culture is a birthright. Some hold that no one can learn, train, convert, or enter in unless they have biological roots in the tradition.
Â
I have a deep appreciation for a curious soul who takes the time to learn, explore, connect with, research, integrate with another culture and then share their experiences from a place of deep respect, care, thoughtfulness, all while honoring the original source.
Â
Wherever culture is talked about and celebrated, another thread is added to our global tapestry.”
Â
Thank you, Quanita, for your thoughtful and eloquent reply. Our world today is too polarized, too unwilling to mindfully listen to others, too quick to take offense and to cancel out voices so that our own may be loudest. We need to calm our limbic systems and allow our rational brains to preside so we may live in Connection.
Â
Be In Light,
Â
Carol
Be In Light,
Dr. Carol Clark
Â
