Cultural Misappropriation

Cultural misappropriation is the term given to the set of injuries marked by:

Using music, reading, symbols, ritual, or iconography of a group without a willingness to engage in their struggle and/or story
The use of cultural practices as bait rather than an as organic part of our cultural experience
An unwillingness to respect the community of origin or dishonoring the refusal of a community to share
Disrespect or casual engagement with a practice
Unwillingness to share the pain caused by intentional or unintentional misuse.

UUA Task Force on Cultural Misappropriation September 2006
For more information: http://www25.uua.org/uumn/resources/other_info/cultmisrep/fall06report.pdf

Posted February 23, 2010 Written by Jess Cullinan