What is Cultural Appropriation?
According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus, cultural Appropriation is “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture."
Taking an aspect of a culture + not knowing the historical implications of that culture (and refusing to do actual research) = cultural appropriation
How is Appropriation different from Appreciation?
Appreciation seeks to acquire a knowledge and an understanding of another culture, you honor and respect the culture, its practices and history.
Appropriation is when you take aspects of a culture without acknowledging its history or significance, and there is little to no intention of learning about this culture.
(definitions from SAIC Multicultural Affairs)
Cultural Appropriation and the Arts by 