Cultural Appropriation VS Cultural Appreciation

As we start life after a major pandemic, many people are trying to go back to their regular lives = SOCIALIZING. This means parties, festivals, and concerts are back and people are going to dress to express themselves. There is one major problem - CULTURAL APPROPRIATION! To support you in expressing yourself appropriately, there are a few things you will need to know:

Differences Between Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Appreciation
Cultural Appreciation is appreciating another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally, while cultural appropriation is taking one aspect of a culture that is not their own, such as culturally distinct items, aesthetics, or spiritual practices, and mimics it — without consent, permission, or any cultural context or relationship to that item or practice — solely for personal interest, make money, gain popularity, or because they like the way it looks.

The primary difference is that of consent or permission to share in a cultural exchange. For example, appreciating and sharing the culture being celebrated by wearing culturally appropriate clothing at a celebrated event — as opposed to appropriation, such as going to a music festival wearing a costume the imitates a culture that is solely intended to get attention or likes on social media.
Example of Cultural Appropriation
A person is wearing an Indigenious persons' headdress to a meeting. This person was trying to make a connection, but this is more offensive than connection.
These people are mimicing another culture's clothing, hairstyle, etc. in the attempt to get more attention or likes on social media.
This is trick and may depend on your own point of view. This person seems to be doing their research on Kimonos. Great! But what is this person going to do with the Kimono? Where it? Hang it up?
Context is very important.
You are now ready to join the festivities knowing how to express yourself without offending others!
Want More Information - PBS Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreication

Coded by Charnelle Ruff