Should Cultures Stay in their Lanes?

During a recent discussion on cultural appropriation, I was asked, “Should cultures stay in their lanes?”

This person felt that cultures are meant to be shared and that people develop empathy and appreciation through exposure.

I argued that we get to know other cultures not through cultural appropriation but through taking the time to learn (as in study) about the culture and its people. That was when he asked his question.

The late author and activist Tony Judt once wrote, “The United States is the only country in the world that is simultaneously Anglophile and WASPish.” Judt was onto something. The United States has always been a nation of immigrants but also has a dominant Anglo culture.

The rise of Trump and the alt-right has brought this tension to the forefront. Trump’s election has been widely seen as a repudiation of multiculturalism and a return to “traditional” values.

This blog post explores whether cultures should stay in their lane. It also discusses the need for new cultural narratives. Finally, we will look at ways to appreciate and get to know other cultures without the risk of appropriation.

What is Culture?

Culture is often thought of as the arts and traditions of a society. But culture is much more than that.

Culture is the sum of everything that makes up a society, including art, music, food, fashion, language, and values. It’s the shared way of life of a group of people. Culture is passed down from generation to generation, shaping how we see the world and our place in it.

Culture is always changing, always evolving. It’s influenced by the things we see, read, and experience. And as our world gets smaller and more connected, cultures are starting to blend and mix.

Culture plays a big role in our lives. It shapes the way we see the world and the way we interact with others. It can even influence our thoughts and emotions. Understanding culture can help us better understand ourselves and the world.

Why White Americans Have a Different Concept of Culture

White American culture is often misunderstood. This is partly due to its differences in contrast to other cultures.

White Americans do not necessarily observe the traditions and customs of their European ancestors. Rather, their heritage begins in Jamestown, Virginia. The Fourth of July is not just a holiday but a ritual with spiritual significance. Generations of white Americans took their cues on how to speak and behave from the WASP culture.

Historically, white people have been considered the norm, while people of color have been othered and seen as different or abnormal. Whiteness defines itself as normal.

For these reasons and more, white Americans are less likely to have the same concept of culture as other groups do. They may be less likely to understand how culture and identity are linked. Or how one can feel a spiritual connection to their direct-line ancestors.

White people do not have an oppressor. Their rights and freedoms are theirs to decide and make; they are not at the mercy of people who do not understand them and look down on them for civil liberties. And because of this, one may not understand what others see and feel when members of the dominant group dress up as someone from a marginalized community for Halloween.

How White American Culture Allows for the Erasure of Other Cultures

This culture has allowed for the erasure of other cultures through several means, including the appropriation of indigenous lands, slavery, Jim Crow laws, and segregation.

White culture is built on white supremacy, which postulates that white people are superior to all other races. It doesn’t matter if not everyone believes in the superiority of white people; it’s a concept that has been present in every member’s life.

This belief has been used to justify the mistreatment of non-white people for centuries. Even today, white people still enjoy many privileges that other groups do not, such as higher incomes, better education, and more opportunities for advancement.

White supremacy’s role is evident in how society views Black culture.

Rather than get to know and correctly define elements of Black culture, the mainstream has its definition of Black culture. Problems that disproportionately impact the group and have shaped the culture are considered cultural values by the dominant group, most notably Conservatives.

These elements are responsible for many generations of racial minorities who have had to navigate a society that denigrates their cultures and, in turn, the people. Feelings of being unable or allowed to consider yourself American due to one’s racial identity are constant. Pressures to conceal your ethnic expression are prominent.

The Importance of Culture to the People

For many, culture gives people a sense of identity, belonging, purpose, direction, and pride.

When you respect other cultures, you respect the people. When you disrespect other cultures, you disrespect the people.

Culture is important because it helps to define who we are and how we live our lives. It is a key part of our individual and collective identities. Our cultures give us a sense of connection to our ancestors. And in this way, we feel more connected to our communities and something bigger than ourselves.

I would have never thought to dress up in the attire of another culture just because. I have my own, which is very important to me. Latinidad is me, and I am a product of Latinidad. I am also American. These two elements have shaped the people who are like me and me. I have enjoyed learning about other cultures since I was a small child. If invited into another culture’s space, I observe, listen, and participate according to their rules while present.

When you respect other cultures, you respect the people. When you disrespect other cultures, you disrespect the people. And no matter how much one may insist that dressing up in the stereotypical attire of a Native American is cultural appreciation, it’s not.

I’ve had people insist that accusations of cultural appropriation are wrong because it deters one from getting to know other cultures. This argument is disingenuous.

This argument alludes to the idea that simply dressing up in the cultural attire of other groups teaches one about the culture. In reality, you learn about other cultures by reading about them and getting to know the people.

I remember being a kid and learning about the Red Skins football team. I remember knowing what that name meant before it was confirmed to me. My heart sank when one of my relatives described the mascot.

I had already understood that whiteness was valued above all. I had already been exposed to anti-indigenousness and anti-Blackness. And after learning about the Red Skins, I felt a profound sense of hopelessness I have never forgotten. And yet today, the name is still defended. Today, proponents of the team’s name insist it isn’t harmful as if they could truly understand.

Members of the dominant group may believe that POC has only recently begun taking offense to cultural appropriation. Still, POC has always expressed unhappiness with how their cultures are mocked, exploited, and used.

In a world where one drop disqualifies you from being white, it’s all the more important that racial minorities have their culture to take pride in and hold on to.

Acculturation and Assimilation

True assimilation is not about suppressing or erasing one’s cultural identity but celebrating diversity while embracing a common culture.

True assimilation occurs when different groups develop a shared cultural life.

When this occurs, the newcomer’s culture has blended with the dominant culture. Through acculturation, true assimilation takes place. This blending results in a new hybrid culture where elements of both cultures are integrated, and individuals from both groups can participate and feel a sense of belonging.

This process involves open communication, mutual understanding, and a willingness to learn from each other. It also requires a gradual shift in attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors, which can take significant time and effort. True assimilation is not about suppressing or erasing one’s cultural identity but celebrating diversity while embracing a common culture.

Therefore, true assimilation does not occur in countries like the US.

Assimilation and acculturation have never occurred. Rather, society is racially structured. What you look like determines a lot about your life and life experiences. Yet racial minorities are still subject to Anglo conformity. This is the case even though they will never become full-fledged members of the dominant group due to their race.

To suggest that it’s divisive to ask dominant group members to respect other cultures by not appropriating is obtuse at best. But then again, dominant group members consider addressing injustices and inequality divisive.

Why Anglo Conformity Prevents True Unity

I was recently told that everyone [in the US] must assimilate into the [white] American culture.

There is no other way, they insisted. But if everyone else must become like white people, then there is no true unity.

Instead, there is resentment of cultural differences and a mindset that other cultures have no place in this society.

Disparities that impact racial minorities at higher rates than whites are used as evidence. Also used as proof are the disparities affecting developing countries.

Dominant group members often have no qualms about insisting that problems such as government corruption in developing countries are cultural. And just as is done with blaming culture for a community’s problems and denying that systemic racism is the cause, dominant group members do not consider the damage inflicted on developing nations by Western powers.

As racial minorities, we are surrounded by inescapable messages of our cultures being counter to “American values.”

The onslaught of racist narratives negatively affects our communities and us individually. There is no stopping the racist rhetoric. Although I could once tune it out by taking breaks from fraternizing with dominant group members, social media has made it almost impossible to avoid.

The only remedy for being reminded that people think so little of my people and others who aren’t white is to take pride in my culture and seek refuge amongst like-minded people. At the end of the day, my heritage is mine, and no one can take that away from me. And yet, it is being taken away.

Assimilation into any one specific culture is not necessary for unity.

Embracing and celebrating one’s own culture and learning about and respecting the cultures of others can create a more inclusive society. Unity should not come at the cost of erasing or diminishing the cultural differences that make us unique, but rather by finding common ground and understanding.

The Need for New Narratives on Culture

One way to achieve this is by allowing those of all races and cultures to express themselves and their traditions without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Recognizing that everyone belongs regardless of race and culture is also essential. By rejecting Anglo conformity, we can ensure that everyone is respected and valued for who they are.

For racial minorities, it is important to understand why they feel pressure to conform and to examine whether it comes from external sources or is internalized.

They should acknowledge that there is nothing wrong with being different and seek out and connect with others who share their cultural background. This will help in the reclamation of their culture and identity, and it will also help them maintain traditions that would otherwise be lost.

As a collective, it is up to the members of the white culture to start building bridges between different cultures.

As it stands now, many are opting to continue the legacy of colonization. This is happening whether people are conscious of it or not. One must ask themselves tough questions. Are different traditions and customs truly adversarial to “traditional American values,” or are you repeating what you’ve been told all your life?

And what are traditional American values? Is it the love and respect of democracy and freedom? Or is it the love and adoration of whiteness?

By embracing and celebrating diversity, the US can create new narratives on a culture that promotes unity, equality, and cultural pride.

How to Appreciate Other Cultures Without Appropriating

As our world gets smaller and smaller, it’s more important than ever to appreciate other cultures. But it’s also important to do so without appropriating them. In other words, you can enjoy and learn about other cultures without taking parts of them that don’t belong to you.

So how can you appreciate other cultures without appropriating them? Here are a few tips:

• Educate yourself on the history and origins of the culture.
• Respect the customs and traditions of the culture.
• Support businesses and organizations that members of the culture own.
• Avoid using stereotypes or assumptions when thinking or talking about the culture.
• Listen more than you speak.

By following these tips, you can show appreciation for other cultures without taking anything away from them.

Conclusion

Should cultures stay in their lanes? Well, that was a loaded question. I’m going to have to go with a no on this one. Of course, my no could mean different things to different people. So let me clarify.

Cultures should mingle and learn from each other. It’s important to get to know other people. Remember, when dealing with culture, you’re dealing with people.

We do not learn about other cultures and develop more empathy for other groups through appropriation. Instead, you take the steps I outlined above and step outside of your comfort zone by forging bonds with people who are different from you.

What do you think? Please comment below with your thoughts on the matter!

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