Appropriate This!

In our modern world, it has become quite fashionable for some to toss around buzzwords like ‘cultural appropriation’ as a means to attack and criticise others, often, it seems, purely for the ‘sport’ it provides of publicly backing their victims into proverbial corners, in order to cast cultural ‘shame’ upon them, when it is they, themselves, who should really be ashamed of their apparently sadistic, divisive, deliberately narrow-minded behaviour. The concept behind this term is that members of a dominant culture are ‘stealing’ or ‘appropriating’ elements of a marginalised culture, and using them for their own gain. However, this notion is not only short-sighted, but it also completely disregards the rich history of human civilisation, which has always been built upon the exchange of ideas, customs, and traditions.

To illustrate the absurdity of the concept of cultural appropriation, let us imagine a world where we take this idea to its logical conclusion. Under this hypothetical scenario, we would need to enforce strict regulations to ensure that each culture remains pure and untainted by outside influences.

For instance, we would need to forbid anyone but the English from speaking English. After all, as English speakers, we would be committing the heinous act of cultural appropriation by speaking a language that was not originally our own. This would undoubtedly lead to a significant decrease in global communication, as people struggle to find a common tongue with which to converse.

Similarly, we would need to ensure that only Italians are allowed to eat pizza. After all, pizza is an indisputably Italian invention, and it would be nothing short of sacrilege for anyone from another culture to partake in this delicious culinary tradition. This would mean that pizza parlours across the globe would need to close their doors to anyone who cannot claim Italian heritage.

And of course, we cannot forget about the Chinese and their millennia-old invention of fireworks. Under our new cultural appropriation guidelines, only citizens of China should be allowed to enjoy the colourful displays of light and sound that fireworks provide. This would mean that annual celebrations such as the Fourth of July in the United States would need to find a new way to commemorate their independence, as the use of fireworks would be strictly prohibited for anyone but the Chinese.

As ridiculous as these examples may sound, they are precisely the kind of restrictions that the concept of cultural appropriation demands. By insisting that each culture remains an isolated, impenetrable fortress, we are effectively cutting ourselves off from the rich tapestry of human history and achievement.

Moreover, the idea of cultural appropriation is inherently divisive and polarising. It pits different cultures against one another, fostering a sense of competition and mistrust. Rather than encouraging understanding and appreciation for the diverse traditions that make up our global society, it creates an ‘us versus them’ mentality that only serves to entrench existing stereotypes and prejudices.

In truth, the exchange of ideas, customs, and traditions has always been a fundamental aspect of human interaction. From the moment our earliest ancestors began painting cave walls and inventing tools, they have been learning from one another and adapting the innovations of their neighbours to suit their own needs. It is this very process of cultural exchange that has enabled humanity to thrive and progress over the centuries. Consider, in this context, that even the ‘King of Stone Henge’, also known as the ‘Amesbury Archer’ (buried near Stone Henge, circa 2400-2200 BC), was buried with knives that were of Spanish origin. What’s more, scientific research has found that this so-called ‘King of Stone Henge’, had in fact grown up in the area of modern Austria/Germany/Switzerland.

Consider too, the Great Library of Alexandria, which was one of the largest and most important repositories of knowledge in the ancient world. At its height, the library housed over half a million scrolls, containing works from a diverse array of cultures and civilisations. By collecting and preserving these documents, the scholars of Alexandria ensured that the wisdom of the past would not be lost to future generations.

Similarly, the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes that stretched from China to the Mediterranean, facilitated the exchange of not only goods but also ideas, religions, and cultural practices between the East and the West. It was through the Silk Road that Buddhism spread from India to China, forever changing the spiritual landscape of Asia.

Fast-forward to the present day, and we can see countless examples of cultural exchange that have enriched our lives and expanded our horizons. Consider, for instance, the influence of Japanese culture on the world of fashion. From the elegant simplicity of kimonos to the bold colours and bold patterns of ukiyo-e prints, Japanese aesthetics have left an indelible mark on the way we dress and adorn ourselves. We might also note that in a world where the ‘Cultural Appropriation Police’ are allowed to run rampant, all Japanese martial arts dojos around the globe would be forbidden to admit, non Japanese practitioners. Even the legendary Bruce Lee would have been disallowed from developing his unique martial art style of Jeet Kune Do, because it borrowed heavily from his own Chinese roots and also from Japanese martial arts, plus Western boxing too. (Though I smile at the thought of any haughty narrow-minded individual who might have sought to box him into a proverbial corner, in a foolish attempt to ‘prove a point’)

Take the world of music, where artists from every corner of the globe have freely borrowed and adapted elements from other cultures to create new and innovative sounds. From Paul Simon’s groundbreaking album Graceland, which blended American folk music with the rhythms and harmonies of South Africa, to the incorporation of sitars and tablas in the psychedelic rock of the 1960s, music has always been a border-crossing, genre-blending medium that transcends cultural boundaries. We might also briefly recall at this point the phrase, ‘Before Elvis, there was nothing’, spoken by a member of the greatest popular music band in history, John Lennon, of the Beatles, which statement recognised the influence that Elvis had had upon the many later musicians who followed him to fame.

The same can be said for the world of food, where the fusion of flavours and techniques from different cultures has given rise to some of our most beloved dishes. From spicy tacos filled with Korean-style bulgogi to the delicate, layered flavours of sushi rolls topped with creamy avocado and smoky salmon, our culinary landscape is a rich tapestry of influences that have been woven together to create something truly extraordinary.

Thank goodness advancements in medicine are regularly ‘appropriated’, otherwise vaccines would be reserved for the English and antibiotics would be the privileged medicine of the Scots, leaving millions of people of other cultures vulnerable to disease. Fortunately, common sense has prevailed and results are shared (as the availability of Pasteurised milk reminds us.)

In embracing the exchange of ideas, customs, and traditions, we are not only paying homage to the rich, diverse history of human civilisation, but we are also fostering a spirit of understanding and appreciation for the cultures that surround us. By learning from one another and incorporating elements of other cultures into our own lives, we are creating something new and beautiful, something that transcends the limitations of any single culture and speaks to the shared human experience.

Ultimately, the idea of cultural appropriation is not only short-sighted but also deeply misguided. By insisting that each culture remains an isolated, impenetrable fortress, we are denying ourselves the opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve as a species. Instead, let us celebrate the rich tapestry of human history and achievement, and embrace the exchange of ideas, customs, and traditions that has shaped our world for millennia.

So, let us raise a slice of pizza, topped with a generous sprinkling of cultural exchange, to the beauty of human connection and the boundless potential that lies within each of us to learn, grow, and create something truly extraordinary. And let us remember that, in the grand tapestry of human history, there are no borders, no boundaries, and no barriers to the free flow of ideas, customs, and traditions that make us who we are.