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Appropriation Quotes

Perspectives on borrowing, ownership, and cultural respect

These quotes examine cultural appropriation from several angles, from personal experience to broader economic and historical patterns. The debate touches themes found throughout our Africa quotes collection as well.

The concept of cultural appropriation is nothing less than an intellectual fence: Keep out.

Quotes by Richard Cohen

That appropriation of resources and the transformation of them into goods and services through the European production system characterized, and characterizes to this day, all industrial systems including the information age.

Quotes by Paul Hawken

Cultural appropriation is a big problem, but the thing is, I didn't invent my life. I really lived in Africa.

Quotes by Jain

The main problem with cultural appropriation comes from dominant groups 'borrowing' from marginalized groups who face oppression or have been stigmatized for their cultural practices throughout history.

Quotes by Franchesca Ramsey

Accordance Quotes

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting distributes an annual appropriation that we provide in accordance with a statutory formula, the vast majority of which goes directly to public radio and television stations.

Quotes by Earl Blumenauer

Our modern understanding of cultural appropriation is highly individualised. It's all about what Halloween costume you wear, or who's cooking biryani. But the way in which the idea was first used was to describe a relationship of dominance and exploitation...

Quotes by Ash Sarkar

Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to read them in: but as a rule the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents.

Quotes by Arthur Schopenhauer

Coldplay's 'Hymn for the Weekend' video featuring Beyonce is already caught in a heated conversation about cultural appreciation of Indian religion and culture versus cultural appropriation of that culture for the western gaze.

Quotes by Anthea Butler

The conversation of cultural appropriation versus appreciation is especially important for the NFL as it seeks to expand its fan base to London and all over the world.

Quotes by Anthea Butler

Frequently Asked Questions

What do these appropriation quotes focus on?
They focus on cultural appropriation, examining how traditions and practices move between groups and who benefits from that movement.
Do the quotes take one clear side on appropriation?
No, the collection presents multiple viewpoints, from personal lived experience to structural economic critique.
Who is quoted discussing cultural appropriation here?
The speakers include artists and commentators reflecting on borrowed traditions and marginalized communities.
Is appropriation only discussed in a cultural sense?
Mostly yes, though one quote broadens the term to describe how resources are transformed within industrial production systems.
What related topics pair well with appropriation quotes?
Readers interested in heritage and origin may enjoy our Africa quotes page for related context.

Speakers here question who gets to claim a tradition and who is left out of the conversation. For related reflections on shared heritage, see our age quotes page.