Can we discuss cultural appropriation and the UU church? - Page 3

[pugmadmama]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

...As far as "others" teaching a group about a holiday as you posted, I don't think it's cultural appropriation if it's done in the spirit of sharing and not claiming as ours. ...

and

Originally Posted by stafl

...I guess what really matters is how the cultures from which the UUs have borrowed things feel about it. Do they feel ripped off? angry that their ideas have been misrepresented and misunderstood? or do they feel flattered that someone cares enough about it to borrow from them?
...

I think that's the answer. It's important that exploration of other cultures is done in a spirit of sharing and respect, but at the same time, that may not be enough. I think most women who threw "Blessingways" did so with the very best of intentions, but in that case, the intention was not enough. I think for it to work, you have to have both the good intentions plus the "permission" of the community you are borrowing from. I realize that's not always possible. But what's to stop someone from calling a local Rabbi or Monk to ask permission first? You may find out that it's not appropriate or you may find out that they are happy to share.

[Arduinna]

And then the question comes who has the authority to give permission?

[candiland]

Okay. I am getting frustrated here (not by any PERSON here, btw), because this is YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE of how the use of language royally screws things up for people.

Words are words. End of story. Nothing more, nothing less.

When I have a drum circle that seems identical to a Native American drum circle, does that make it wrong? What if I have a NA drum circle and I am part Cherokee (which I am, btw)? Is that embracing my roots? Appropriating a culture that's not totally my own? IMO, I don't give a hoot what something is called. I can call it whatever I want, because it is just a word. And a word that in NO WAY translates properly through our English language, anyhow.

And what about ppl that truly believe in a bit of everything? Where do you draw the line? "Well, candiland, since your grandmother was part Cherokee and part Jew, you can officially borrow traditions from those two cultures. However, it was your great-great-great grandmother who was a Muslim woman, and you are too far removed to practice that....... that would be cultural appropriation. And I'm not sure if you have enough Celtic blood in you to practice that particular form of Druidism........... so let's call that ritual you do 'habalabadingdong' instead of its proper name, so you are not stealing from their culture. Okay?" :

[pugmadmama]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

And then the question comes who has the authority to give permission?

Great question. And my great answer is, I don't know!

I think a good place to start would be with friends you have who are of that faith. Absent that, look up the group in your yellow pages or on the internet and put out queries. I think most people would not be offended by a polite question.