"Cultural Appropriation"

[The Grand Nudger]

I think for sure we have to consider our effect on others-- that's the essence of morality, right?  

I doubt that much else would be required to reduce the mistrust that our history has created.  I already mentioned in thread that no one is getting any acres, any mules, or any royalty checks.  Not me, not you, not them. No one.

I think as privileged Westerners we have some responsibility to mediate our own privilege with concern for others.  But I also find it ironic that many of the people crying about cultural appropriation over dreadlocks or dreamcatchers probably own at least 20 items made by Asian children in sweatshops who are STILL facing serious poverty and hunger.

Anyway, to what degree do we have to feel responsibility for the actions of others, or for the sensitivities of others?  I'm a European-native Heinz 57 Canadian-born guy living in Korea.  I have in both my blood and my cultural experience so much stuff that I couldn't be aware of it if I tried, and I don't care enough really to try tbh.

Should I refuse to listen to white blues bands because blues couldn't have existed without slavery?  What if I can find black people who are really serious about the issue, and every time they hear white boys play blues, it breaks their heart and challenges them to the center of their cores?  At what point can I drop the history and just say, "Dude, Led Zeppelin rocks!" or whatever?

So...how many acres, mules, royalty checks and other assorted absurdia do you owe?  I don't know - you'll have to consult a racial accountant.  Opinions vary from:

"Not a damn thing, look at all the cool shit we got!"
to
"Throw money at their faces!"

Can't imagine why anyone would feel that this was insult added to injury, Can you?  

There is no "new facism of the left" Benny. That's just a shiny that bigots are hoping will distract people long enough for them to get some more genteel bigotry done. It's going to work, it already works, it always worked.

"God, we already granted them freedom, now they want to vote, to be paid a fair wage, to sit at the same table? These niggers want everything..and those nigger lovers are trying to force us to give it to them. Fascists!"