Cultural appropriation

Cultural appropriation is the name given to the act of a member of a group in authority using that authority to tell or use stories, icons, myths, art, etc. that belong to a group which does not have comparable power or authority to tell its own stories, etc.; especially in inaccurate, insulting or self-serving ways, and especially without giving attribution or context.

Ed: That is my amateur definition. The definition of cultural appropriation is extremely controversial. For some of the history of the discussion of cultural appropriation in science fiction, please see Cultural Appropriation (WisCon 30 Panel) and Cultural Appropriation Revisited (WisCon 31 panel).

Further reading

• Cultural appropriation on wikipedia: "the adoption of some specific elements of one culture by a different cultural group", a much more neutral and all-encompassing definition.
• What is Cultural Appropriation?, from theangryblackwoman.
• "Appropriate Cultural Appropriation", by Nisi Shawl.
• "Defining and Identifying Cultural Appropriation", by Claire Light.
• Writing the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward

This article is a SEED, meaning it is tiny and needs lots of work. Help it grow.