Five things white people should know about cultural appropriation

[Orrex]

109. I was first made aware of "cultural appropriation" about 25 years ago

Some of the specific examples offered at the time seemed questionable, but I found the overall argument quite enlightening. Sadly, the conversation appears not to have advanced very far in the quarter century since then.

One thing that's occurred to me over the years is that this is broadly similar to the literary cliche of the White Savior, who strides in to "save" the minority group that purportedly lacks the wherewithal to save itself.

Ms. Perry and Ms. Azalea are, in effect, "saving" these appropriated elements by making them seem more palatable and acceptable to the broader white consumer base. They might argue that they're serving as defacto cultural ambassadors, but the underlying message seems to be "the majority will only accept elements of your culture that have been successfully repurposed by a member of the majority."


That's my 2₵, and I hasten to add that I claim authority to speak on no one's behalf except my own.