Cultural Appropriation

This is interesting and hit a note with me for two reasons. First I?m Northern Irish and cringe when people from other countries claim to be Irish before drinking themselves stupid while wearing a green ?Irish I was Drunker? shirt. Worse still is seeing a country with as rich and deep a history being reduced the leprechaun and blarney stone.

It?s all a laugh sure that keeps the tourism money flowing and I know I?ve played up to the stereotype in the past but it is a bit ridiculous to see someone from Boston claim to be Irish. A funny example of this is Graham Linehan a Irish Comedic Writer famed in the UK for his show Father Ted arguing with a woman from Manchester over ?Irishness?. Skip to 4:27 for the clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6nwIHbScno
The other reason is I was an undergrad in Leicester, a very ethnically diverse city in England. For a small town kid for Ireland it was something of an eye opener but I loved my time there because of the melting pot of cultures. I loved the Hindu celebration Holi. Of course I had little idea of what was going on and I guess that?s the rub.

Culture is an important part of life for everyone and seeing someone misusing a cultural symbol can be deeply galling even if no offence was intended, in particular when religious or traditional significance becomes involved.

Of course most people who take the time to study a culture they are interested in will find as their knowledge grows so does their appreciation for the cultural norms and their ability to avoid faux pas.

To prevent someone from taking part in your cultural is ultimately isolationist, probably racist and very sad. As the world becomes more globalised and secular Cultural appropriation maybe the only way to keep certain traditional arts alive.

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

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