Five things white people should know about cultural appropriation

[blackspade]

112. As an anthropologist I have an issue with the concept of 'cultural appropriation'

Cultural appropriation occurs whenever to cultures interact and it flows both ways.
Articles like this one assume that there is a distinct cultural boundary between black and white culture in this country.
In fact, that seemingly distinct boundary have been fluid and porous for centuries.

There is one part of the OP that does ring true, and that is this:

"And what makes cultural appropriation all the more infuriating for people of color rests on the fact that other people—white or not—can take off their costume and return to everyday life without the discrimination or stigma commonly associated with those cultural expressions."

However, this assumes that corn rows and bleccents, helmet head hair cuts and power suits, and long hair and leather jackets are not all costumes. They are, and all can be taken off at will. For example, if I am going for a job interview at a corporation, I am going to wear a business suit and will speak without slang or other obvious 'metal' culture accoutrements. Am I culturally appropriating and wearing a costume? Yes, and I can take it off as soon as I hit the door.

The core of this problem is not really cultural appropriation, but racism and a lack of respect for people of color. It Katy Perry likes her hair in corn rows, who the fuck cares? Does she practice racism and bigotry? Same for Madonna, or George Harrison, or Black Sabbath. All have appropriated cultural aspects that are not 'white.' The question should be asked is; does this promote a positive cultural interaction that will enrich and eventually merge cultures? Or is the appropriation decisive and destructive?