Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What is cultural appropriation?
Position‹5 of 5

Cultural appropriation is a meaningless term

This position holds that 'cultural appropriation' is at best an imprecise term and at worst meaningless. It argues that the concept ignores class, that 'cultural colonisation' would be more accurate, and that what matters is not the act of borrowing itself but how it is done.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. Cultural appropriation fails to include class
    Class appropriation is as damaging as cultural appropriation but is not called out in the same way.
  2. Cultural appropriation isn't the act but the how
    Cultural appropriation refers to the act of appropriating another culture. This fails to differentiate between respectful cultural exchanges and damaging cultural thefts.
  3. Cultural colonization would be a better term
    Cultural appropriation only takes place when a dominant culture appropriates a minority culture. Cultural colonization would be a better term to encapsulate this phenomenon.