I remember when "cultural appropriation" was seen as a sign of an inclusive society

[booley]

25. Assimilation is normal

I think I get the anger over it and appropriation from listening to people talk about it. Seems to come from two parts:

We minorities already have so little being a minority in this country why should we let the majority who already have so much take what we still have?
and related to that
White/Christian is already considered the Default. And here we are under pressure to abandon our identity or have it diluted.

It boils down to the idea that white privileged people are taking from non white people.

Ok, I think I get it. I am sure if someone disagrees with the above they will let me know in great detail.

The problem is …. assimilation and so called appropriation are normal for our species. We are a social species that takes much of our identity from the people around us. It's inevitable a along as we live in somewhat close proximity to each other. Ignoring this fact about ourselves just leaves to silly beliefs like there's Black rap and White rap or that people are trying to be another race just because they talk a certain way.

It also eels many don't understand how creativity and culture work. When people pass along cultural things like music or other art, it changes. People add, they subtract, not only the experiences of the performer are important but so are the perceptions of the audience.

But that isn't bad. For one it's again silly to decry what is inevitable and natural. For another, this only keeps culture from getting stagnant.

Maybe it's my white guy privilege (and I admit privilege exists though I might disagree on what it entails) but I don't see appropriation as taking away from someone else.