appropriation

Appropriation is a noun with two distinct but related meanings. In a legal or political context, it refers to the act of setting apart something—usually money—for a specific purpose. For instance, you might hear about Congress passing an “appropriations bill” to fund defense or education.

However, in sociology and everyday conversation, the term refers to the act of taking or adopting ideas, styles, or objects from others. This is where the concept of cultural appropriation arises. While borrowing between cultures is natural, appropriation in this context implies a power imbalance where a dominant culture takes elements from a marginalized culture without understanding or respecting their original context.

It is more than just inspiration; it is often about stripping an object of its cultural home for personal gain or aesthetic value. For example, a designer might appropriate traditional patterns from an Indigenous community without crediting the source. This is considered harmful because it devalues the original culture, perpetuates stereotypes, and benefits the taker while ignoring the creator.

In art and media, appropriation can also refer more neutrally to reusing or remixing existing images, texts, or styles (sometimes called “appropriation art”), often to comment on the original work, on authorship, or on culture itself.

It is important to distinguish this from cultural exchange, which relies on mutual respect and consent. Ultimately, whether referring to money or culture, appropriation is about the power to take something and assign it a new purpose—or treat it as your own.