Cultural Appropriation?

[DWFII]

I would only add that somebody famous and wise--Socrates--once said that "The unexamined life isn't worth living."

I suspect that if Jock were to weigh in on whether "cultural appropriation" is a valid issue or one worth examining we might get a little different perspective.

It's easy to be dismissive..I'm sure the whole issue, and its implications, is mind-numbingly boring for many. But for myself (only), I am not uncomfortable looking at issues such as this simply because I am near-as-nevermind certain that it helps me avoid both undue and unwarranted self-absorption and a sense of entitlement.

And parenthetically and FWIW...someone said something about the Scottish culture (as it relates to tartan and kilts) being "sold." That resonates to some extent esp. in the context of this discussion. But on further reflection, I am not sure that it is the culture itself that is at fault, so much as the "big people"--such as the organizations facilitating the registering of corporate tartans. The people at the heart of any culture, but esp. this one, are never consulted much less asked to give their consent...as if that would or ever did make a difference.

Personally, I deplore corporate tartans...esp. if they don't have a Scottish connection or ancestry. For me, it's a little like someone...usually a corporation...having the effrontery to patent a DNA or gene sequence.

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