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Cultural Respect

Posted by Elizabeth Nguyen // April 28th 2015 // Guides and Tools, Issues and Trends // one comment

Culture Heritage to Share – Not Appropriate

Cultural_RespectCulture is an expression of identity, and Cultural Appropriation is when a peoples’ identity is changed without their consent. Yet sharing cultural experience is a powerful way to build respectful, inclusive, welcoming community. Now more than ever, we can all benefit from some wisdom and resources on how to share culture in accountable, respectful ways. Not sure what the difference is between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange?

 

Amandla Stenberg explains,

“The line between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange is always going to be blurred. But here’s the thing: Appropriation occurs when a style leads to racist generalizations or stereotypes where it originated, but is deemed as high fashion, cool, or funny when the privileged take it for themselves. Appropriation occurs when the appropriator is not aware of the deep significance of the culture that they are partaking in.” – Amandla Stenberg

Read more of what Amandla Stenberg has to say on the subject, and Check out her amazing and accessible video on cultural (mis)appropriation!

 

Use these great resources produced by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): to build Beloved Community:

Renaissance Module on Multicultural Education:

 Session 3 Critical Reflection (page 29) and Considerations for Cultural Borrowing – Questions to Ask (and Answer) (page 17).

UUA resources on misappropriation

A reflection from the UUA Call and Response blog on appropriation and learning.

 

About the Author

Elizabeth Nguyen is the Leadership Development Associate for Youth and Young Adults of Color at the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Comments
One Response to “Cultural Respect”
  1. Ellen says:

    Thank you for the wonderful video explanation! I would like to see more young adult voices from minority groups speaking about their perspectives on cultural appropriation, since I know this is a line UUs have to tread continuously. Can we get interviews with UUs about the topic?

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