Most of the complaints in that article are not about cultural appropriation at all, but about racism in general.

So if the incoming white people just opened Lutefisk restaurants, everything would be okay?

It's the power imbalance, stupid. People aren't going to stop "taking advantage" of power imbalances, but even if you succeed in all this effort and all the tacos and pho are replaced with lutefisk and bubble & squeak, then what?

It just seems like a real lack of focus. I don't see how chastising white housewives for not knowing the history of yoga is some kind of winning strategy.

If Little Richard or anyone else couldn't get their music played because they were black, then that seems like a very typical story of race discrimination, which is bad. You don't need some complicated theory of cultural ownership to explain why it's wrong for a musician to be denied opportunities on the basis of his race.

It's not wrong for Elvis to listen to black music and be inspired by it, either, nor does he owe anything in particular to the artists who inspired him, although it is generally kind of a douchebag move for any artist not to acknowledge others he's relied on.

Systemic racism has taken a huge toll on wealth and incomes of African Americans. There's no doubt that artists popular among black people in the 1950s would have made quite a deal more had racism never existed. This almost certainly continues to have an effect today. In that sense there is something to the "cultural appropriation" argument.

Where the appropriation argument falls apart is that there is nothing special about performing arts. The same institutional racism operates everywhere economy-wide.

It's more than a "typical story" of career discrimination. Black artists were not just held back, it was done while their licks were stolen and repackaged. Building record labels without the founders is a bit more than "a douchebag move."

The problem was in making money off of rock n roll without also promoting black artists. Many stations and labels specialized in this. Nothing "complicated" about it, and nobody is blaming Elvis.

History lesson: watch John Waters' Hairspray. Rock n roll was a huge forum for civil rights struggle. Pop music has on the whole been a great integrative force, but there was still cultural ripoff going on by portions of the industry. (Note replacing "appropriation" with "ripoff" so it don't sound too complicated.)

There's an expiration date on evidence? You're whistling Dixie.

And let's not forget about Toga parties, lederhosen for Oktoberfest, and everyone dressing up like a Leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day.

We're talking about the current Cultural Appropriation SJW nonsense that is going on not about what happened in 1956, 1906 or 1856.

There was no nuance in your post, you object to the whole concept, as per your attempt to ridicule it as 19th century. You made no effort to separate Bowdoin fussbudgets from sensible complaints.

Bill with the super hot take straight out of the 80s. Also, I need to know if I should get up or get down and if 911 is a joke in my town tia.

I think culture appropriation is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It shows acceptance and admiration of xxxx culture. What leads me to this conclusion is specifically white people immulating black rappers. Interestingly enough, we all know what kind of name these appropriators get called from some white people. On the other hand, I've spoken to a few black people about this and they find it odd, but not bad or offensive.

Not debating this point. It is their choice to have a code of conduct but my question is whether you think they should be limiting free speech beyond the standard limitations of free speech (fire in movie theater, directly inciting violence, etc).

It seems most people here think punishment in this case is overboard. Do you think punishment would be appropriate if the party theme was to dress as black faced nazis with native american war paint and mini sombreros? Or do you think the proper reaction to speech and expression that you think is offensive or in poor taste is to either walk away or peacefully protest?

A bit of a tangent but another perspective: http://williamsrecord.com/2016/02/24...hip-on-campus/

I'll bet these fainting marys would totally "just cannot" if they saw the way Chinese people appropriate Western culture.

Chinese people love noodles.
Indians love curry and spices.
White Americans think USA is #1
Black Americans created hip-hop culture and they love chicken

Is this offensive?

Modern rock stations will play Macklemore but not Future

#ColdAssHonkeyPrivilege

Anyone hear of this situation?

This might find a home in the safe spaces thread. I don't follow it. It is a rare showing of restraint on my part.

It makes you feel morally superior which is all that really matters.

I wear a suit maybe 20 hours a week, am I dressing up in your white ethnic group? should I feel bad

why would there be a line, imitation is just human. This is just absurd, atleast with other leftist topics I can follow the logic, where is the logic in cultural appropriation.

Nothing wrong with loving hip hop and chicken.

Thanks for the laugh, OP.

Not new, but haven't seen it discussed here: What are we to make of this poll? http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15...gton-post-poll

There has been a huge outcry making it all the way up to the president commenting on how the name is offensive.

My question is whether anyone but the group being appropriated should have any say in deciding if something is offensive? Like if 99% of Mexicans thought sombrero parties were harmless, do you think it should be case closed or is there still room for debate?

Assuming this WPost poll is accurate (hopefully more concrete polling can be done), if you vocally supported a mascot change, do you consider the issue still alive or do you drop it because you were under the impression you were looking out for people that aren't offended?

Now Marc Jacobs in hot water for his fashion show and follow up comments with accusations of cultural appropriation. Thoughts? http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/fa...hion-week.html

Marc Jacobs comes across as a bit of a **** tbh, whatever about the legitimacy of the complains responding that black women straighten their hair is ****ing stupid.

im a little late here, but this goes way too far imo. you should steal, borrow and use everything you like. but at the same time everybody hates a tourist, as the old band used to sing, so if you take something that other people take seriously and treat it as a joke or a cheap accessory then youre a bit of a jerk.