I have read many articles on cultural appropriation and find it a difficult concept. AAVE for example seems to share a lot of words used in the drag community. I sometimes use these words but because I heard them on RuPaul’s Drag Race, not to sound “cool”. I use them when discussing the show and occasionally in other contexts. I’m afraid I don’t intend to stop using the words because some one them also appear in AAVE.

I personally think sharing and intermingling of cultures is wonderful. My school was in a primarily Indian and Pakistani area and I loved looking in the shops on my way home. The beautiful spices and unusual vegetable partly inspired my love of cooking and making dishes from other cultures. Does that count as appropriation?

To me, the key word is respect. If we use words or symbols, or plants, or recipes respectfully and with acknowledgment to their origins is that really so unacceptable?