"Cultural Appropriation"

[Crunchy]

I can certainly understand people being victimized but I don't see how that happens with the taking and/or modifying of cultural ideas into something new and different.

I think that we probably have different ideas about what is meant by the term "cultural appropriation". 

For example, the Cleveland Indians logo has been used as an example of cultural appropriation... but it's not. Natives never depicted themselves as such so that is not part of their culture and was therefore not appropriated. The logo itself is offensive and should be voluntarily removed in my opinion so that constitutes insulting imagery and not cultural appropriation.

Another example would be the removal and sale of artifacts. But again, I see that as straight up theft of items, not cultural appropriation.

So what does it mean to you when you hear that?

I'm not talking about stuff like that . I'm talking about stuff like taking my tribes sacred symbols our language our art  acting they  invented it . Trampling all over it's  cultural meaning and then profiting off of it . And I'm not even going to get started about the governments attempt to essentially erase my culture. Something we had to fight hard to get back . Sorry if I sound hostile but it's something that steams me off .

Ok, I think that we do have different definitions of cultural appropriation then. To me it is the same as cultural exchange and this applies even when some are unhappy with the exchange. For instance, it may  piss you off that someone outside the culture embraces inuit art and starts creating their own versions and selling it while other inuit may not mind at all and take part in the exchange. Like the dreamcatcher for instance. It is rather comic and uninformed that people sometimes hang them from their rearview mirror, (are they planning on sleeping at the wheel?) but how exactly does that harm you? 

I certainly agree with your anger at attempts to erase your culture, but that could hardly be called appropriation. I would call that cultural genocide.

There is simply no way to stop people from seeing things around them and incorporating those things they are attracted to into their lives. Even the art and ideas and symbols of other cultures. That to me is what cultural appropriation is. I can certainly understand the anger caused by the treatment of aboriginals, but poor/criminal treatment is not the same as incorporating those cultural ideas one finds desirable and or attractive IMO.