Cultural Appropriation

I tentatively bring you a topic that is quick to draw anger on the internet. I?m asking, as always, for levelheaded discussion.

Before I pose the question, let me give you a bit of a backstory:

I live in a western city that I would venture to guess houses more immigrants than locals. I?ve been raised around a vast number of cultures and grown to have appreciations for many aspects of them. For as long as I can remember I?ve been completely enamored by bhindis and saris. Aside from equating them to princess-like garb, I didn't know much about them. I was unsure if there was cultural significance to the saris, so I began to research. In my research a term called ?Cultural Appropriation? began to appear again and again. Not just saris, or bhindis, but other traditional wear and patterns were the topic of discussion. I invite you to search out theses articles, but what it boils down to is that it is frowned upon for westerners to take part in anything that is not theirs for the fear that the traditions will become watered down.

Please note, before responding that I?m specifically avoiding topics of racism. What I?m wondering is why is it culturally offensive to appreciate different parts of different cultures?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/ObpTlGSFT3s/viewtopic.php

jacoby ellsbury jacoby ellsbury lionel richie kenny rogers avatar the last airbender david wright cory booker