That seems to be one of the new ways to complain about something that is really nothing. People who have heritage from other countries or in other cultures complain if an American - someone who doesn't have any ties to that country or culture - dons the garb or eats the food or sings the music of that other country or culture. The call it cultural appropriation - as if their culture is being stolen.
Cultural appropriation is defined as: "the adoption of elements of one culture by members of a different cultural group, especially if the adoption is of an oppressed people's cultural elements by members of the dominant culture."
That's a long, drawn-out phrase that means "You're doing something or eating something that came from a cultural system that wasn't yours." Oh, no! Whatever will we do?
Liberals like to jump on the cultural appropriation bandwagon, decrying people who might
If we stop doing everything that was "appropriated" from other countries we'd most likely have to stop speaking English. Today's English, after all, is a language that adapted and morphed from a combination of the Celtic language and Germanic languages after the Germanic tribes invaded the British Isles in the 5th century AD. It then combined again with French and with some Sandanavian languages to eventually evolve into what it is today.
The newest "recognized" language in the United States, Ebonics, would also have to be abandoned since its origins are often traced back to West Africa and/or the Caribbean. Ebonics is a combination of inner city, non-standard English and some words and pronunciations from these other countries. And before anyone accuses me of anything that's not my description but one that comes from http://www.linguisticsociety.org/.
Cultural Appropriation is just one more attempt by liberals to force people to never do anything that offends another person - oh, except for that whole "We will force you to participate in same sex weddings" thing. They're OK with offending people that way because it suits their agenda. The idea that no one can use a language, clothing, food, etc., from another country so those in that other country are not offended is ridiculous.
For the average American using these things has nothing to do with oppression and everything to do with freedom of speech. We in America have the right to pretend we're Mexican on Cinco de Mayo and the right to celebrate Chinese New Year and the right to wear a Geisha outfit if we wish. Those rights are guaranteed by the First Amendment and we don't have to ask permission.
The above description of cultural appropriation is actually quite vague and general and ends with the most important words - "dominant culture." Like it or not the dominant culture will always appropriate or adopt things they like from other cultures. And will millions of people coming into the country and wanting to bring their own customs and cultures with them, rather than assimilate into our culture it's only going to get worse.
I have advice for those who want to bring their culture here but don't want Americans to
share (or steal) it. Stay home. If you don't want to assimilate into our society and be an American stay where you are. America is called the melting pot because people are supposed to come here and include themselves in the American culture, not try to live here in a status of separation.
Now - for all of you who still have a sense of humor... Happy Sink O' The Mayo!
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