Ways To Show Cultural Appreciation

July 12, 2018

You have probably heard a lot about cultural appropriation these days. Angry commenters and especially the twitterati calling out celebrities and non-celebs alike for appropriating their other people culture. This could include sporting a qi pao to a prom when you don’t hail from a Chinese background or wearing a sombrero and stick-on moustache during Cinco de Mayo. It is important not to offend or mock other people’s culture even when your intentions are good, so here are ways you can appreciate it in a tasteful way:

1.) Don’t reduce and use other people’s culture as a fashion statement

Whether it is bindis, henna tattoos, Mexican sombreros or dreadlocks, they are all used by people belonging to other cultures. Yes it might look cool to sport a bindi and you can even do so if you are attending, let’s say a wedding of that culture. This would be appropriate as you are trying to show your appreciation for it. But be thoughtful if you wear it at any other place and use it as your own fashion as you may offend others. To you it might just be something fashionable or ethnic, but for others it’s an entire culture that defines who they are.

2.) Engage

If you truly want to appreciate a culture; then it’s best to engage with people who hail from that background. This way you will be able to understand the culture better.

3.) Buy their products

You can appreciate a culture by buying their traditional and handcrafted goods and products. Fair trade products are the best way to go and purchasing their products can also help the skilled workers who need money.

If you want to purchase traditional Mexican furniture, paintings, decorative pieces or even a sombrero then head over to La Fuente to view our full range of products.

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