I mean, I do have a vague idea, but I've noticed that the basic definition of "cultural appropriation" seems to be VERY dependent on who's using it. Explanations I've used:

-Using some aspect of a culture (wearing Cornrows, taking from Japanese fashion, making Italian food) without having a very active role in dealing with any potential discrimination the culture faces
-White people (exclusively, for some odd reason) using things that originate from non-white culture
-White MEDIA praising whites and dissing non-whites for doing the same things first (in which case... why are we criticizing the artists? It's the media doing it)
-Utilizing an aspect of another culture improperly (for example, if it has some kind of special meaning)
-It isn't actual real/SJW myth

There's more too, but those are the most prominent ones. So I was curious if I could get a clear explanation of what it is

not cornrows again

This is how I tend to feel, thus why I get confused when cultural appropriation is brought up and why I made a thread asking for a clearer explanation of what it is

What isn't cultural appropriation?

When white people try to act black.

It's a fairly recent theory proposed by 10 year olds on Tumblr that has gained widespread attention. It attempts to perpetuate the idea that people of different cultural and racial backgrounds cannot coexist with one another and should stay segregated (ie only Mexicans can do things that are considered Mexican), instead of promoting diversification and unity.

Girl, bye.
People may clearly exaggerate on it, but it DOES exist.
Unless your culture has been taken from, then you can speak. Miss me with that 'diversity' ********.
OT: I believe it when you take something from a culture for your own benefit that you're not educated on - nor you respect it, and use it as a prop or a quick lil gimmick without giving credit or genuine inspiration towards it.

My god.........
PLEASE give me an example of when a black person tries to act 'white'. You're fending into stereotypes here.

Cultural appropriation is South Korea's entire fashion style and I am not sorry for saying that. I still cannot get over their hatred for black people while they steal every hip-hop trend coming out of LA and NYC. It's disgusting and more people should pay attention this hypocrisy.

A term that SJWs use to describe when someone's work is inspired by a culture that is not theirs.

It's not a real thing

It's a concept championed by internet-only activist's that says white people, and white people only, should not adopt/use/etc essentially anything born from a "non-white" source.

And it only goes in one direction. Trying to apply this logic in reverse is not possible, as minorities are totally allowed to adopt the culture of other minorities and whites.

White people, and especially white gays --the worst of all--, must be stopped. Now.


This is what ATRL has taught me at least...

ATRL threads about Katy Perry starting the trap music trend
Edit: and people agreeing

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OGi5d-Zs--E

This sums up cultural appropriation perfectly

Katy Perry videos

Actually, ideas about cultural appropriation have existed for a while - beginning in earnest with the publication of Edward Said's 'Orientalism' in 1978 and the subsequent rise of post-colonial literary theory.

However, the popular version of "cultural appropriation" that exists on sites like Tumblr today is often dull and misinformed, lacking insightful criticism.

cosigned

I think cultural appropriation is borrowing things from another culture. But it's not always wrong - it's usually only wrong when people borrow sensitive things in a disrespectful way (usually religious/sacred things), or when the appropriation serves to further oppress a group of people