Culture

FEATURED DEBATE

Should Artists Be Allowed to Borrow from Cultures Besides Their Own?

Historically, styles and traditions were often taken from other societies and displayed without context or reduced to “exotic” novelties in Western society. When this happens in modern art, runway fashion, or music today, artists are accused of cultural appropriation, especially if they’ve borrowed or used traditions specific to a particular minority group. Those in support of borrowing say art has always been a medium of exchange, influence, and fusion and they believe placing restrictions on inspiration may stifle artistic expression. Also, they point out that artists usually intend these references as “cultural appreciation.” Those arguing against it say borrowing from…

September 29, 2023
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FEATURED DEBATE

September 29, 2023
LEARN MORE

Should Artists Be Allowed to Borrow from Cultures Besides Their Own?

Historically, styles and traditions were often taken from other societies and displayed without context or reduced to “exotic” novelties in Western society. When this happens in modern art, runway fashion, or music today, artists are accused of cultural appropriation, especially if they’ve borrowed or used traditions specific to a particular minority group. Those in support of borrowing say art has always been a medium of exchange, influence, and fusion and they believe placing restrictions on inspiration may stifle artistic expression. Also, they point out that artists usually intend these references as “cultural appreciation.” Those arguing against it say borrowing from…

Yascha Mounk

ARGUING YES

Yascha Mounk
Political Scientist, Author, and Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies
C. Thi Nguyen

ARGUING NO

C. Thi Nguyen
Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah; Author of "Games: Agency as Art"

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