The basic, clear cut definition of cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture. The deeper understanding of cultural appropriation is  “a particular power dynamic in which members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group” (Johnson). Cultural appropriation is not cultural exchange, “when people share--culture--mutually with each other” (Johnson).  It does not make someone a bad person to appropriate another’s culture. It shows your admiration and appreciation for another’s culture; however it does become when issue when one dominant group is constantly taking from a smaller culture.

This is what I learned from reading a mind expanding article by Maisha Z. Johnson (link to the article in the source.) I asked some of the students attending my high school about their opinions on cultural appropriation here is what they had to say:

“It’s bad.You’re copying another culture.It’s basically plagiarism”.  

“It’s a ‘double edged sword’ because there’s some white girls that get braids like black girls a; black girls get perms and make their hair not naturally blond and white people get lip injections..It’s a ‘double edged sword’ you know...we do it to them and they do it to us.”

“If it is done out of respect, love, flattery then I could see the purpose in it, but if it is done without any background knowledge or understanding of why you’re doing, you’re imitating another culture that’s not yours...I can see how it would be looked as a disrespectful thing...it would also be a learning opportunity to both people involved.”

To my surprise, some of the students did not know the term ‘cultural appropriation’. After I explained to them what it meant, here is what they had to say:

“It’s like in Asia: Asian rulers in history tried to keep out western influence, but now American people are going there and their [ Asian ] heritage and their cultural values are changed...how they address elders, bowing to show appreciation, etc... There’s a reason why there are seven ways to say thank you in Korean…”

“It’s okay to show you like it [ a culture ], but be mindful of people’s thoughts about their culture and not offending them.”

“I think it is acceptable as long as you don’t try the very sensitive areas of that culture...you don’t want to get to the point where someone will confront you for trying to steal their culture...And cultural appropriation should not be forced on anyone even if they are part a certain culture for tradition or being proper, even though they may like another culture.”

Source:

Johnson, About Maisha Z. "What's Wrong with Cultural Appropriation? These 9 Answers Reveal Its Harm." Everyday Feminism. 02 May 2016. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.                                                 < http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06/cultural-appropriation-wrong/ >.