I think the problem stegoking, as well as many others in this thread are having, is with your definition of American culture as "looking white". (Quote: I would define dominant culture in the US as anyone who looks like they're of European (Eastern Europe included) descent with fairly light colored skin.)
But the thing is, as a white non-religious California girl, if I write a story about someone who's Mormon or Jewish or, hell, from Texas, I'm culturally appropriating just as much as I would be if I wrote a story about someone who's another ethnicity, because in none of those cases would I be writing about my culture. And white-looking or not, Mormons and Jews are minority cultures in America which are not represented much in American pop culture or politics.
I mean, I think everyone can agree that white privelage is built into the culture, and that issues of representation within culture (pop culture, politics, economics, etc.) are divided across racial lines. But I think whats happening in this thread, and why people keep dragging the discussion back to white diversity (and yes, I realize that I'm part of the problem, and I do apologize for that, since I'm sure you're sick of the topic) is that you're linking "culture is how you look and how you're treated on the street" with cultural appropriation and representation in fiction.
Which, yes? I mean, there is a connection. But then again, people from minority cultures who are white often feel that their culture is misrepresented or under-represented within the dominant culture (to follow through on my earlier example, stereotypes about how all Mormons are polygamists and Jews are obsessed with money). That, I think, is what people are trying to say when they talk about the diversity of American culture. You seem to be saying "American culture represents you, the white American", while the people commenting here are saying, "But no, American culture isn't representing me." Because when you're talking about cultural appropriation, you're not just talking about how people look. You're talking about history, religion, food, customs, myths, clothing, etc., (the oft-quoted example of Firefly's appropriation of Chinese clothing, language, etc. despite a lack of Chinese characters).
People's cultural heritage is important to them--their language, customs, religion, etc.--and so for you to say that dominant culture = white, thus white = represented by dominant culture makes it seem like you're diminishing other aspects of people's culture that are equally as important to them as their skin color. I'm sure that wasn't your intent, and I know that this isn't really the issue you're discussing. I'm just saying, I think thats why people keep bringing up the point of diversity withi the white community. You keep sending them to other posts to discuss cultural authenticity, but I don't think thats what its about. I think its about people saying that their skin color is not the only aspect of their culture.
no subject
But the thing is, as a white non-religious California girl, if I write a story about someone who's Mormon or Jewish or, hell, from Texas, I'm culturally appropriating just as much as I would be if I wrote a story about someone who's another ethnicity, because in none of those cases would I be writing about my culture. And white-looking or not, Mormons and Jews are minority cultures in America which are not represented much in American pop culture or politics.
I mean, I think everyone can agree that white privelage is built into the culture, and that issues of representation within culture (pop culture, politics, economics, etc.) are divided across racial lines. But I think whats happening in this thread, and why people keep dragging the discussion back to white diversity (and yes, I realize that I'm part of the problem, and I do apologize for that, since I'm sure you're sick of the topic) is that you're linking "culture is how you look and how you're treated on the street" with cultural appropriation and representation in fiction.
Which, yes? I mean, there is a connection. But then again, people from minority cultures who are white often feel that their culture is misrepresented or under-represented within the dominant culture (to follow through on my earlier example, stereotypes about how all Mormons are polygamists and Jews are obsessed with money). That, I think, is what people are trying to say when they talk about the diversity of American culture. You seem to be saying "American culture represents you, the white American", while the people commenting here are saying, "But no, American culture isn't representing me." Because when you're talking about cultural appropriation, you're not just talking about how people look. You're talking about history, religion, food, customs, myths, clothing, etc., (the oft-quoted example of Firefly's appropriation of Chinese clothing, language, etc. despite a lack of Chinese characters).
People's cultural heritage is important to them--their language, customs, religion, etc.--and so for you to say that dominant culture = white, thus white = represented by dominant culture makes it seem like you're diminishing other aspects of people's culture that are equally as important to them as their skin color. I'm sure that wasn't your intent, and I know that this isn't really the issue you're discussing. I'm just saying, I think thats why people keep bringing up the point of diversity withi the white community. You keep sending them to other posts to discuss cultural authenticity, but I don't think thats what its about. I think its about people saying that their skin color is not the only aspect of their culture.