"no one cares about your guilt"

Title: The Difference Between Cultural Exchange and Cultural Appropriation
Author: Jarune Uwujaren
Publication: everyday feminism
Date: September 30, 2013
Link: http://everydayfeminism.com/2013/09/cultural-exchange-and-cultural-appropriation/

Commentary:
What a great discussion of cultural appropriation. Non-accusatory, refrains from taking a know-it-all, holier-than-thou position. Deftly navigates a complex analysis of an immensely complicated subject. I like also that it abounds with tips and examples for living and interacting in a multicultural world (with a history of colonialism and oppression).
I'll admit I hardly know where to start with advice like "cultural appropriation should be mutual". I guess a start to that is knowing what you have to offer in the exchange. I used to think (oh-so-naively) that history could be eschewed in favor of a "forward-thinking focus". (Don't ask what that even means). Of course, that reflects a problematic position of (extreme?) privilege--and probably willful ignorance--to not have to think about reverberations of the past in the present and to be able to ignore how *everything* you have and enjoy are mired in ongoing exploitation extending far backward in time. If nothing surely the self-examination would help me examine what I am and am made up of, not to mention a deeper understanding of culture and my situatedness in socio-history.

The ultimate solution is not, as I'm sure this author would agree, is not to stop appropriating minority and marginalized cultures, but to thoroughly decolonize them. This sort of decolonization goes beyond physical geography and into the complex social geographies and intricacies of Culture writ large. I've abstracted beyond the accessible level with which concepts were presented in this article, and really beyond my firm understanding. Nevertheless, I think respect is a solid place to start. Listening and understanding are essential tools for Anglos to break out of their obliviousness. And what a great line "no one cares about your guilt". Reflecting the blessedly-more-common sentiment of late that it's not all about the feelings of the privileged.
This helped me continue to think about (and continue to not answer "successfully" (: ) my wonderings around hula skirts and "hawaiian" shirts.

With great articles on a particular dimension of privilege/oppression, I wonder what parts can transfer to other dimensions. In what ways do straight people colonize queer folk? Obviously, many aspects don't carry over, but the appropriation of cultural signifiers and uneasy (and ultimately incomplete, unequal, and oppressive) "assimilation" of the minority seem appropriate.

If it wasn't clear already, these are first-draft thoughts. They barely spent any time in my head, hence their under-formed and unelaborated nature. They also more likely than not include oppressive assumptions (unfortunately), so as always I welcome any comments the reader has to offer.