Cultural Appropriation

Racism exists (in people of ALL skin colors). But "Cultural Appropriation"? Ok, let's play that game for a minute. And we'll use Black/African Americans as an example, because the BLM Activist movement is a primary source of these "Cultural Appropriation" claims. Regardless of the history behind it, the fact is, modern Black Americans alone (ignoring every other racial minority, because everyone always seems to), "Culturally Appropriate" just as much as any other human being in the history of humanity has.

Do you like the radio? Television? Phones? Modern computers? Film/Video? Youtube? Cars? Airplanes? Recorded music? Modern Electrical Use/Technology? Facebook? Instagram? Video Games? Pizza? Sandwiches? Cheeseburgers? French Fries? Fried Chicken and other modern fried foods? X-rays and a lot of other modern medical breakthroughs, etc.? A lot of modern clothing fashions? European folks invented ALL of those things and more. So if you enjoy using those things, or taking part in those things, then you're "culturally appropriating".

Do you like the heroes and villains of Marvel and DC comics? Most of those were created by white people. Do you like Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings, or Dungeons and Dragons? Them and many other major modern fantasy fiction works, as well as major science fiction works, were made by white people. Do you like modern pro wrestling? It was started by European folks, white people. Do you like sports like Baseball, Rugby, Hockey, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Golf, Volleyball, etc? Almost all invented by white people. If you enjoy and take part in those things, then you're Culturally Appropriating.

Most Black Americans to this day still bear European last names. Regardless of the history behind it, it's still technically Cultural Appropriation. Those are European names, thus you are appropriating European Culture. A LOT of Black Americans are religious, mainly some strain of Christian. While Christianity was allegedly spawned in the Middle East, if claims on the life and existence of Jesus are to be believed, the religion and various incarnations of Christianity, were spread and developed throughout Europe, by Europeans. So it is, mostly, a European or "Western" religion, for better or worse. So in a very real sense, if you're Christian, you are Culturally Appropriating a European religion. Every single Black American speaks American English as their primary language. They are, technically, Culturally Appropriating European language every single day, when they read, write, or speak the English language.

All of that and MORE can be said of Black Americans, let alone ANY other kind of American, about Cultural Appropriation. Do you enjoy Chinese, or Mexican, or Italian, or Turkish, or Japanese, or Greek, or Thai cuisine? That's also Cultural Appropriation. Literally everyone in America, and honestly, almost every single human being on the planet, takes part in "Cultural Appropriation", every single day. Should people who are NOT Japanese, stop enjoying Japanese food, because they are not Japanese? Because it's "Culturally Insensitive" to partake in Japanese Culture when you're "not part of it"? Or perhaps somehow, eating Japanese food, and using chopsticks, soy sauce, etc., is "mocking" Japanese or Asian culture in general? Or maybe it's just enjoying good food?

The fact is, "Cultural Appropriation" has been a thing ever since HUMAN BEINGS have been a thing. Human beings see or experience things from OTHER human beings that they like, and they decide to do or use it too, aka "Appropriation". Every single American, REGARDLESS of ethnic background, even modern NATIVE Americans, "Culturally Appropriate" every single day of their lives. Is it "racist" to dress up like a Mexican stereotype on Cinco de Mayo? Arguably. But then so is dressing up in green and Irish stereotypes on St. Patrick's Day, if you're not actually Irish (meaning ANYONE, who are not some part Irish).

Are there ways that it IS dumb and insensitive to "Culturally Appropriate". Sure, just as with anything, you can take things too far, or be a jerk about things. The bit at the beginning was not to point out how "great white people are". European folks and folks of European decent have made or done a lot of BAD things too. But so have almost every other kind of person in the history of humanity. And while a lot of NON-European humans have invented and created awesome things too, the fact was, an awful LOT of awful/useful/convenient modern amenities and forms of entertainment MOST of us enjoy, regardless of skin color or background, happen to have been invented by some sort of "white" person. And if you REALLY want to take shit to extremes, enjoying or taking part or making use of those things, could be considered "Cultural Appropriation" just as much as anything else.

Humans have been "Appropriating" since before there was recorded history. Hell, even in close social circles, like friends or family members, people "Appropriate" philosophies, attitudes, sayings, mannerisms, traditions, etc., from each other ALL the time. I know I have. And literally every other human being that has ever lived, or ever WILL live, has or will as well. There are a LOT of very real racial/ethnic social issues in this world that still to this day need to be addressed. And we ALL need to tackle them together. I'm just here to tell you, that "Cultural Appropriation"? It's NOT one of them. If you find yourself getting upset over "Cultural Appropriation"...you both have far too much privileged in your life to being worrying about something so trivial, and you also need to look hard into a mirror, because YOU, just like every other human being, do it too. On a daily basis, every single day of your life.

So move along, and put your energies towards issues that ACTUALLY are a problem, and ACTUALLY matter to everyone's future.