Do white people have culture? Why do we appropriate?

This is a spin off on some of the other cultural appropriation threads on here. This is NOT a post denying cultural appropriation, justifying it, nor trying to take away the discussion on how it affects minority groups. Just a post on a train of thought I had regarding whether or not white people had culture or why we might be prone to appropriating it without thought. I understand I may be making some assumptions in this, so it is certainly open for discussion!

In one thread in particular, I saw more than one response about how white people have no culture and that is why they steal culture. I have to admit, it kind of hurt (especially when a comment seemed to insinuate that we were just not creative, but I might have been too sensitive). But I wanted to take a step back and evaluate.

It seems true, that while many predominately white cultures outside of the U.S. have a historical culture (think Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Greece, or any number of countries in Western Europe/Eurasia region), white Americans have largely abandoned them. One reason might be that early immigrants wanted to throw off the remnants of their old country (they left for a reason). Another might be that it would be easier to assimilate. Additionally, it *seems* that a significant portion of white Americans don't even think of themselves as anything but American. We may know our heritage, but often times that is secondary probably because a lot of us are "mutts". I, myself, am a blend of seven European countries.  I am not saying that people of other races or ethnicities may not first think of themselves as American...I do not know if they do or not, I am just speaking from the white perspective.

I cannot think of an instance where a white person would accuse any another person (of any color) of cultural appropriation if they danced Irish stepdancing, wore Lederhosen, put on a kilt, or any other such thing even if they had no lineage from those regions. (Not saying it can't or hasn't happened). But then, I largely think it is because white Americans don't often feel the need to own the culture of their lineage. There may be American subcultures that may be predominately white (country, for example) but not exclusively. But again, I do not think we feel the need to own it.

But, I think we don't feel the need simply because it has, overall, been easy for white people of any background to assimilate into the U.S. We were not brought here against our will. We were not forced off of our lands. Maybe some faced prejudice from time to time (thinking of the Irish or Italians, for example), but overall we all "belonged". 

When you all feel as you belong or the desire to assimilate trumps the desire to hold onto historical culture, it is easy to let it go. To lose ownership. And in that sense, I might find it odd if someone who didn't appear to be of Irish or Scottish heritage wore a kilt, but I wouldn't be upset at them if they did.

Others haven't had it so easy. They have been enslaved, persecuted, or hated for their differences, but even giving up their cultural practices wouldn't help them assimilate. Their reasons for owning their culture are theirs to tell, but it can certainly be understood why someone in that position might do so.

I hope I have not offended anyone, it was certainly not my intent. I really am open for discussion if someone has a different line of thought.