The Fair Witness

johncory9mm:

The Fair Witness: Why I support cultural appropriation

lucidstrike:

littleangrytiger:

johncory9mm:

It doesn’t affect me and I am not looking to be a victim.

Also as I said, even though I am Irish, I don’t own Irish culture. It is free and open to all to use…

I’m going to copy my original post here because you might have missed it. It’s not that I don’t understand what cultural appropriation is, it’s just that I come down on the side of freedom from oppression.

I support cultural appropriation mainly because I am pro-choice. I believe in personal freedom and freedom of expression, whether that means a person’s right to burn the flag, or a woman’s decision about her pregnancy. Regarding abortion, it is her body and her choice.  If someone buys a flag it is their property, they can do with it whatever they wish. I also support the rights of those who protest abortion clinics, they are attempting to change the hearts and minds of the women seeking abortions, they have that right.

If someone of a different cultural background wears an item from my culture, they might look stupid or they might look fantastic. Either way it takes nothing from me. Also I don’t own my culture, no one owns culture. Who am I to tell them what they can or cannot do with their property?

I am sure some people are offended by others appropriating their culture, and I support their right to voice their anger. I would just caution them though that they might end up looking just as stupid as the person they are angry with.