Cultural Appropriation?

Question

What is it? When is it bad? Why is it so taboo?
I'm curious. 
As a kid that grew up in multiple different places and homes, with multiple different cultures, I've never heard of this before. I love learning about different cultures, and in my experience, they've always seen my curiosity and eagerness to be a part of them as a compliment, even though I don't belong just because of my ethnicity/skin color. 
Also: looking back at the thanksgiving pageant. You know what I mean. Second grade. Half the kids are pilgrims, the other half are Natives. Is that a form of cultural appropriation or not? 
I'm asking because I'm curious and want to be educated on the matter. I'm not trying to seem ignorant, so please cut me some slack lol
 I am not trying to make light of a serious issue or to start a racial war, and I'd appreciate it if everyone was respectful. Thanks ladies!

Answer

There's nothing wrong with embracing other people's culture. The problem is when the culture of origin is disrespected and ignored when they do something but if another culture copies them all of a sudden the culture becomes cool and respected.

For example black women have been wearing corn rows and bantu knots for generations and they are called
Ugly and ghetto. Then a Kardashian/Jenner starts wearing them and that lands her on the cover of vogue and all of a sudden she is the inventor of corn rows and she looks "classy" and "fashion-forward and now corn rows are in."

Answer

I don't know much about it but as an African American/Black female cultural appropriation happens a lot. We get judged by the shapes of our bodies, our hair, our skin colour. It causes us to lose jobs or be discriminated. But white people get plastic surgery to get butts like ours, overly tanned to get skin like ours, even fake afros and corn rows for fashion - and all of a sudden it's OKAY. I know there are several other cultural appropriation issues don't get me wrong. Native american outfits are now used as Halloween costumes instead of being respected, for example. Both hit home to me since I am half of each and it's sad seeing it. It doesn't happen to just the black or native american community, and it's probably not just white people who use our culture out of fun and "fashion" but majority of the time it is. This is all based of my own knowledge and seeing it all the time in magazines, etc. etc...

Answer

Cultural appreciation I am totally for, since culture is meant to be spread. But some parts of cultures just aren't meant to be taken. You shouldn't wear a Native American headdress without understanding the meaning behind it, and usually, you probably don't unless you've grown up in the culture. Another example is from my parent's culture, the bindi. Some of them are completely meaningless, just little accessories to be put on your forehead. In that case, I don't personally consider it cultural appropriation. Some of them carry cultural value, though, and it's those you should stay away from. I myself do that since I'm more of an Indian American that never really liked to immerse themselves in the cultured.

There are some cultural things that you can partake in if educated by someone who does know the culture and value behind it. Whether it's expressed permission, or just being sold the item by said person.

It's a case-to-case basis really. It isn't fun seeing someone wear your culture as a mere costume. Especially if said thing holds cultural, religious or sacred value.

Cultural Appropriation?

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