Understanding Cultural Appropriation: The Conversation We Need to Have

By Logan Reed 9 min read

Picture this: You’re at a music festival enjoying a lively performance when your friend notices someone sporting a Native American headdress. “Isn’t that beautiful?” they exclaim, snapping a photo to share on social media. You pause for a second, a flutter of unease crossing your mind. “Is this cultural appreciation or appropriation?” you wonder. It’s a question that resonates deeply in today’s interconnected world—a space where traditions flow across borders at the speed of social media. Yet, it’s also a space fraught with misunderstandings when cherished cultural markers are borrowed without context or respect. Let’s have a heart-to-heart about cultural appropriation—what it means, why it matters, and how to navigate the boundary between respectful appreciation and inadvertent harm.

Cultural appropriation occurs when members of one culture adopt elements of another culture—like clothing, symbols, or rituals—often without understanding or permission, potentially perpetuating stereotypes or disrespecting the source culture’s heritage. But here’s the crux: in a globally connected society, we often borrow from each other, trade traditions, and admire cross-cultural influences. So how do we differentiate healthy exchange from appropriation? To answer that, we need to unpack the power dynamics, history, and responsibilities that come into play. Only then can we decide if wearing that headdress or adopting that new slang is an inclusive, respectful move or a misstep that furthers cultural misunderstandings.

Getting to the Heart of It

At its core, cultural appropriation is about power, context, and consent. Picture borrowing a beloved book from a friend without asking. They might be happy you’re interested, or they might feel disrespected because you assumed it was yours to take. Now imagine that book represents someone’s ancestral tradition, spiritual expression, or historical symbol. The stakes soar. Cultural elements carry emotional weight—anything from a sacred symbol to a personal identity marker. When borrowed without awareness or permission, it can trivialize something profoundly significant, reinforcing stereotypes or overshadowing the original culture’s ownership.

But it’s not always black-and-white. If you’re a fan of Indian cuisine, rocking a beautiful Chinese qipao, or enthralled by African dance, you might question, “Am I appropriating, or am I truly appreciating?” The difference often hinges on how deeply you engage with the cultural context and whether your usage respects or exploits that tradition. Are you trivializing the meaning of a religious garment? Are you profiting from someone else’s heritage without giving back? Or are you highlighting another culture’s contributions and acknowledging where it comes from?

The Thin Line Between Appreciation and Appropriation

Appreciation is about admiration combined with humility, respect, and a willingness to learn. Appropriation, on the other hand, is often tied to taking elements of someone else’s culture for aesthetic or commercial benefit while stripping them of their deeper significance. It’s akin to plagiarism in the cultural sphere—lifting someone’s intellectual or spiritual property without crediting the source. If you’re wearing a sacred piece or practicing a ceremony without understanding its significance, you run the risk of reducing it to a mere costume or novelty.

“Cultural appropriation is a sensitive issue because it’s linked to power dynamics, history, and identity,” says Dr. Lara Thompson, a cultural studies expert. “Appreciation requires respect, acknowledgment, and context.”

We live in a world where people love to experiment with global influences—food fusions, music sampling, fashion crossovers. But how do we ensure our enthusiasm doesn’t morph into disrespect? By foregrounding knowledge and empathy. Research the item’s cultural significance, understand the region’s socio-historical background, and engage with communities, if possible, to ensure your usage or representation aligns with their comfort. Let’s dive deeper into how we can do exactly that.

Ask Yourself: 3 Questions to Avoid Missteps

Power Perspective: Are you from a majority or privileged culture borrowing from a group that has historically faced oppression or marginalization? If yes, handle with extra care. There’s a long history of colonized or minority cultures having their traditions suppressed—only to see them commercialized or “exoticized” by the dominant group.
Acknowledge or Exploit? Are you using the cultural element in a manner that perpetuates stereotypes or reduces it to a mere prop? For instance, wearing a Native American headdress as a fashion statement at a festival might trivialize centuries of sacred ritual significance.
Attribution and Context: Have you acknowledged the origins of this cultural element? Sharing the background story can shift your usage from inadvertent appropriation to informed celebration. (e.g., “I learned this style from West African tailors who incorporate bold prints as symbols of heritage…,” etc.)

By running through these filters, you sharpen your awareness and cultivate a more intentional approach to cultural borrowing. It’s not about being paralyzed by fear of “doing it wrong,” but about fostering genuine understanding.

A Real-World Example

Let’s imagine a scenario. A high-profile celebrity is photographed wearing a traditional sari at a fashion event. She picks a bright, ornate design, pairs it with culturally mismatched jewelry, and proceeds to call it her “exotic outfit.” Cue social media backlash. Critics say she trivialized the sari’s cultural context, turned it into a costume, and sidestepped the garment’s significance in Indian ceremonies or daily life. Admirers argue it’s a sign of cultural love, contending that fashion is global.

The difference between respectful homage and appropriation here might come down to whether the celebrity acknowledged the garment’s history, partnered with an Indian designer or artisan, explained her choice, or financially benefited local creators. Did she just snag a random piece in a high-end store, divorcing it from the tradition it emerged from? Or did she champion Indian craftsmanship and properly contextualize her choice?

**Moral of the story?** It’s not just wearing something from another culture; it’s about how. A well-intentioned gesture can still land awkwardly when lacking knowledge or dialogue with those who hold that tradition dear. Conversely, a thoughtful approach can spark global interest in an underrepresented culture, possibly boosting appreciation and mutual respect.

Good Practices for Learning and Sourcing

Educate Yourself: Spend time understanding the cultural significance behind the item or practice that catches your fancy. That curiosity is the difference between seeing a piece as exotic “eye-candy” and treating it as an art form to be cherished. Buy from local artisans or stores that partner with the community, ensuring ethical sourcing and fair compensation.
Ask for Guidance: If you’re uncertain, talk to friends, coworkers, or creators from that culture. Pose genuine questions like, “How should this be worn? What’s its cultural background?” You’ll find that many people appreciate your attempt to be respectful. The conversation might deepen your cultural insights and even spark new friendships or collaborative projects.
Collaborate, Don’t Replace: If you’re a musician adopting rhythms from another culture, credit your influences. If you’re a fashion designer using indigenous motifs, collaborate with local artisans rather than replicating them cheaply. This process fosters diversity, letting each culture’s voice remain strong rather than overshadowed by an outside perspective.

Building Bridges, Not Barriers

One shining positive example is the spread of “fusion cuisine,” where chefs from multiple backgrounds unite their culinary traditions. When done thoughtfully—e.g., acknowledging inspiration, including chefs from the culture being borrowed, ensuring authenticity—such fusions are lauded. They help diners discover new flavors while showcasing the creative synergy between cultures.

In entertainment, we see cross-cultural collaborations, such as African rhythms popping up in Western pop tracks with credit given to African producers. These alliances celebrate mutual exchange, distributing benefits rather than letting one party profit from the other’s cultural capital. So, it’s less about shutting off cross-cultural pollination—after all, the world thrives on influences traveling—but about mindful credit, partnership, and mutual respect.

Voices of Experience

Many cultural figures have weighed in on appropriation. Some, like musician Fredrick Halim, underscore how their presence in two or more cultures fosters a unique vantage: “Growing up West African in the States taught me to honor my roots while lending my voice to thoughtful appreciation. Music has been my conduit for celebrating diversity appropriately.” Halim’s approach exemplifies the synergy that emerges when we hold two cultural perspectives and can articulate them responsibly, bridging gaps through conversation and art.

Meanwhile, in the fashion world, designers like Stella Jean have championed partnerships with Haitian and African artisans, bringing their textiles to global runways without divorcing them from their homeland context. This synergy keeps the “soul” of these cultural crafts intact while expanding the brand’s creative palette. The brand’s success hints that ethically curated cross-cultural design can be both popular and respectful.

Moving Forward Together

Understanding cultural appropriation isn’t about stifling creativity or segregating cultures. Instead, it’s about making sure the exchange is respectful, beneficial, and mindful of the living tradition behind an artifact or practice. In a world enriched by global travel, online communities, and diaspora influences, we’re bound to see more cultural blending. The challenge is to keep that blending ethical and empathetic.

The next time you see a cultural artifact—be it a piece of clothing, a hairstyle, a tattoo design, or a religious symbol—pause and reflect. If you plan to adopt it, ask: Am I part of the solution or the problem? This simple question can spark a conversation that fosters understanding, leading you to either find a respectful approach or realize it’s best left as an item to appreciate from afar.

It’s easy to see how these intangible lines can blur. For instance, a surfer in Hawaii wearing traditional Polynesian patterns might claim it’s to “honor local culture,” but if they do so without local input, or if they trivialize the tradition’s origins, it edges into appropriation territory. Conversely, someone who invests time to learn from local kupuna (elders) or invests profits into Hawaiian cultural preservation steps beyond mere “borrowing” into genuine appreciation.

Final Thoughts: Fostering a Culture of Respect

At the end of the day, our goal should be to enrich our lives with the beauty of diverse cultures while uplifting and respecting their very existence. Taking that extra moment to consider power structures, to reflect on personal motivations, or to simply ask permission can be a game-changer. The conversation might be uncomfortable, but it opens windows to genuine cultural exchange rather than superficial usage.

If there’s a single takeaway, let it be this: strive for awareness and empathy over assumption. No one can be perfect all the time, but we can remain open to correction, learning, and dialogue. Embrace culture in a way that honors the origins and upholds the dignity of the people who champion that heritage.

**Ready to take the plunge?** Start by reflecting on your closet, your music playlist, or even the decor in your home. Are there items borrowed from cultures you know little about? Research their histories or reach out to someone from that culture. Seek out artisans or local experts if you want to purchase culturally specific goods—your support can mean a lot. If you realize you might have inadvertently crossed a line, acknowledge it, adapt, and move forward with new insight.

It’s neither possible nor desirable to avoid all cultural borrowing—our world thrives on cross-pollination of ideas. But we can do so with generosity, crediting the origins and making sure we’re not profiting off or trivializing someone’s sacred traditions. Because, in the end, each culture has stories it holds dear. Appropriation can erode trust between communities, while respectful appreciation can strengthen those bonds. The choice is ours to make.

So the next time you snap a picture of a beautiful headdress, or admire an intricate tattoo design from another part of the globe, pause and think: Could this be my chance to learn, to connect, and to share respect? Let it become a stepping stone to a genuine global dialogue—one in which boundaries are softened through informed, shared reverence for each other’s roots.