Should cultural appropriation ever be considered a compliment?

Cultural appropriation refers to the adoption or use of elements from one culture—such as clothing, music, language, symbols, or rituals—by individuals outside that culture, often without understanding, respect, or permission. The term typically arises when dominant or historically oppressive groups adopt cultural expressions from marginalized communities, raising issues of power imbalance, exploitation, and erasure. To explore whether cultural appropriation can ever be considered a compliment, it’s important to understand the terminology. “Appropriation” differs from “appreciation.” While appreciation involves learning about and respectfully engaging with another culture, appropriation often involves taking cultural elements out of context, commercializing them, or using them in ways that distort their original meaning. The concept gained wider public attention in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as global fashion, music, and media began drawing heavily on Indigenous, African, Asian, and Latin American cultural styles. Cultural exchange is not inherently harmful. Throughout history, societies have shared practices through migration, trade, and collaboration. However, appropriation becomes controversial when the original culture’s contributions are undervalued or mocked, while outsiders receive praise or profit. Recognizing the historical context of colonialism, slavery, and systemic discrimination is essential in this discussion.