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In reply to the discussion: Prom dress prompts 'cultural appropriation' row [View all]Nitram
(22,791 posts)When frat boys wear a Native American headdress and mimic Indian dancing, that is cultural appropriation. A teenager wears a pretty Chinese dress to the prom? That's just a pretty Chinese dress.
I think the squabble over dreadlocks is the most enlightening. African Americans sometimes take offense when white men have dreadlocks, apparently assuming that they originated in the Caribbean or Africa. In reality, dreadlocks have been a thing in numerous cultures, in ancient India, Nepal, Greece, Africa, and Egypt.
I think we should just let it go unless the intent is to make fun of, ridicule, or disparage someone else's culture. I don't hear much angst expressed about spiritual appropriation, which is very common. The Christian cross is a popular fashion accessory in Japan among non-Christians, the Buddha's likeness is seen on T-shirts and living rooms all across Christendom, and Hindu deities are popular fashion statements. The Taoist ying-yang symbol is ubiquitous. If these religions aren't getting uptight about it, let's give people who admire the garb of another culture a break.