What Cultural Appropriation is NOT

polecat-flyer:

C-U-L-T-U-R-A-L-L-Y  L-I-T-E-R-A-T-E!!!!!!  

That’s really the key right there to being respectful of people.  Be culturally literate.  When someone tells you about their culture, listen.  If you have questions, ask.  

Just as you can read 2 or 3 or 4 different books on the same subject, understand that cultures are not monoliths and just because 1 person from a culture once told you it was OK doesn’t mean that another person might find it upsetting.  And if they tell you XYZ is shitty, rather than getting defensive, realize that this is another facet of culture that someone is telling you about, be curious and understand them better.  Just like sometimes you read another book and it gives you another angle on the situation.