We need to think very seriously about how we level an accusation like "cultural appropriation."
It is a legitimate concern if the cultural element in question has a negative consequence or cost of some kind.
By that I mean it has been glaringly recontextualised, trivialised, mocked and/or -- probably most importantly -- leveraged to make a profit to benefit someone not of that culture.
To be clear, cooking and appreciating food from a different culture does *not* qualify as appropriation.
@sumpnlikefaith Cultural appropriation is real, and so is cultural syncretism. I'm glad people are learning to be more careful of the appropriation, but I'm afraid we may be forgetting about syncretism.
@weirdfizz What do you mean by cultural syncretism?
@sumpnlikefaith That's when things from different cultures just naturally blend together. Not because of appropriation, but just the result of sharing, being neighbors, and adapting what's new for you to what you're already familiar with.
@weirdfizz Oh, your point is that we should be aware that this is a natural thing that happens when cultures are in proximity, right?
@sumpnlikefaith Yes. I absolutely believe apropriation does harm and we should be careful, but as you pointed out about food, not everything that crosses the cultural lines is being apropriated.
@sumpnlikefaith who is the “we” in this statement supposed to be?
@BBChurch The "we" in this case is a wide-open invitation.
@sumpnlikefaith Speaking as a white male of privilege, while I moslty agree with you... there is a lot of cooks out there who will claim ownership of ethnic cuisine without acknowledging where it came from and its associations. I see it on TV all the time. In fact, on TV the chefs will be glib about it. Clearly not you, you are good people. I am saying "cultural appropriation" over food is a real thing and can be subtle. (that last point is my very slight disagreement with your definition)
@jackge Yes, I agree: it takes on a different level when there is money being made. There are lots of complicated factors to consider with stuff like this.
But what I'm "subtooting" is an accusation made about something someone made in the privacy of their own home for their partner.
Let's normalise unpacking the oversimplified messages we get from (for example) TV chefs.
Let's also recognise hypervigilance when it calls out problems that don't exist.
That's my point.
@sumpnlikefaith Oh for sure. I guess I just didn't understand so thanks for clarifying. There is tons of that micromanagement of thoughtspeak online. I've blocked plenty of my fellow social liberals bc of this. Like, dude, I like masala. I know I aint Indian. Dont at me for liking masala and stay out of my lane. Not YOU specifically, you are a good egg.
@jackge Yeah, I was a little cryptic because I didn't want to add to much attention to an uncomfortable situation.
But I sincerely appreciate your input!
@sumpnlikefaith agreed, I’m a chef so what does knowing all types of cuisine make me? People are asinine I swear