Is cultural appropriation always done with malicious intent? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I hear all this uproar all the time about people who use cultural appropriation, yet sometimes I just don’t see what the problem is. I get that it has been done for malicious intent before and I’m not defending that or suggesting I agree with doing it for such purposes, but is, for example, a chef cooking a certain dish that originates from a land that is not his own, or other examples, really worth the same uproar?

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[-] overcast5348@lemmy.world 11 points 5 days ago

There was a "Scandinavian Scarf" controversy that happened last year and someone had shared these links (warning, these sites will probably give your phone cancer if you don't have ad blockers): link 1, link 2.

I think this paragraph summarizes the issue:

Imagine logging onto Instagram or TikTok and finding the vibrant, flowing dupatta—a cultural staple worn across South Asia for generations—suddenly rebranded as the “Scandinavian scarf.” No mention of its roots, no nod to its cultural meaning, just a new label, a new aesthetic, and a flurry of confused applause from Western fashion influencers.

Pretty much every single Indian I know loves it when anybody wears their traditional clothing, cooks their food, or even attempts to sneak in a word or two from their language. Nobody has a problem when someone wears a saree or a kurta and calls it a saree or kurta. Nobody called that cultural appropriation.

The problem was with western designers/brands repeatedly taking traditional Indian wear and rebranding without any credit to the source.

I don't really have a horse in this race. But I do agree with that proper credits should be given where it's due. We expect the same with art, right? So why not with culture?

[-] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 days ago

That, plus the fact that they are making money off of another culture. As it is their culture, do you think they should be paid for it too?

[-] overcast5348@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

Ehh.. I don't think financial compensation is on the table. How would that even work? Do we just transfer some money to the govt of Japan as royalty for every sushi sold anywhere in the world?

But then again GI tags are a thing and prevent people from using a specific name for a product unless it's made in a specific place. That sort of gives people oh the place some money? It can lead to cultural appropriation though, I think. It's all complicated man. 🤷‍♂️

this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2026

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