SOCIAL: DIVERSITY OR APPROPRIATION

Cultural appropriation is the adoption of parts or aspects of another culture when a person is of another culture. I really don’t know why this is a thing. I guess it is so because cultures are social constructs which require in its construction history. People have struggled in their culture to develop a cultural story. It is assumed that people who culturally appropriate do not understand the culture that they are trying to appropriate. In our attempt to be politically correct, we have evidently denied people their interests. I believe we should encourage a culture which reflects diversity. This concept of cultural appropriation prevents cultures from progressing. It inhibits the input of other cultures to improve the knowledge base of cultures they may be interested in. This cultural appropriation is an attempt to preserve cultures and seeks to inhibit their transformation in a globalized world. I believe we should promote diversity in cultures and in this we can innovate and change together. Cultural appropriation is evident in the food industry. We have people making foods of other cultures without really understanding the history of those people. This is a battle that goes unseen and is widely ignored. This has created foods which are not authentic and in worst case scenarios people become offended. I suggest when making foods of other cultures, we attempt to understand their world view and or perspectives before doing so. This will aid the chef in having a connection to the culture they are promoting. Thus, making foods that respect the cultures of those who the foods are based.