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Spiritual/Cultural Appropriation

White Shamans and Plastic Medicine Men. A documentary dealing with the popularization and commercialization of Native American spiritual traditions by Non-Indians. Important questions are asked of those seeking to exploit ritual and sacred ceremony and of those vested with safeguarding sacred ways. 

The incorporation of languages, lifestyles, ritual practices, or other cultural forms of a minority or oppressed people by a member of the dominant culture with little to no relationship to or experience with the particular people or culture.   In many cases, this occurs as a result of the recognition of the failures of the dominant culture to nurture ones spirituality and the vapidity of ones own spiritual traditions.  Thus, spiritual/cultural appropriation is often born from a place of well-meaning where one believes they recognize in an another culture something of value that their own culture has failed to provide.  However, because the dominant culture tends to create fetishized "images," of other cultures based on stereotypes, the appropriation of cultural forms tends toward inauthenticity and the perpetuation of stereotypes that serve to disrespect and further marginalize people of that minority group.  Therefore, those whose own position within dominant society has left them spiritually hungry are better off building true relationships of solidarity as allies with those whose cultures' appear to have value rather than blindly ripping them off with no relational basis for authenticity.  

Bowens-Wheatly, Marjorie. "Cornrows, Kwanzaa and Confusion: The Dilemma of Cultural Racism and Misappropriation." Unitarian Universalist Association, July, 2011.
This article opens a dialogue on the complex issue of cultural racism. How can we navigate cultural borders and boundaries in worship, programming, and religious education? Does diversity mean that we all join in celebrating many different traditions? Is it possible to honor the need and the right of each culture to affirm and celebrate its own heritage and traditions, while inviting others to join in?

Johnson, Myke. “Wanting to be Indian: When Spiritual Searching Turns into Cultural Theft”  Unsettling America.