Five things white people should know about cultural appropriation

[wyldwolf]

3. Criticism of the concept (just to add to the conversation)

Rejection of the idea that cultural appropriation is harmful is often based on a choice to see appropriation as "cultural cross-fertilization" and as something done out of admiration with no intent to harm the cultures being imitated.[27] For instance, John McWhorter, a professor at Columbia university and contributing editor at The New Republic, has written that, "The idea that when we imitate something we are seeking to replace it rather than join it is weak. ... Every language in the world is shot through with words and grammatical patterns from other languages—that is, signs of people in the past doing what we would call 'appropriating.'"[27] Critics argue this analysis omits the issue of colonialism, context, and the difference between cultural exchange that happens on an "even playing field", and pieces of an oppressed culture taken out of context by a people who have historically oppressed those they are taking from.[9][28]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_appropriation#Criticism_of_the_concept

I would contend white rappers are clearly either playing on a level playing field or are the minority in hip hop.

Someone made a point earlier - isn't the widespread practice of Yoga and the popularity of Chipolte restaurants also cultural appropriation? And doesn't Western Culture encourage, even demand, cultural assimilation?

Still, I understand the point about 'black face.' But wasn't black face a form of ridiculing black culture as opposed to white rappers clearly admiring hip hop culture?