My thoughts on the "We don't know what's in it but we still take it" argument

I started writing this as a Facebook post but the more I wrote the more I realized it was too long and decided to post it as a blog. I’m sure many won’t read it but I feel the need to get it out. You may assume my status on the COVID vaccine or vaccines in general. It has no place in the counterargument I am trying to make and I will not make a statement on thoughts either way. I have heard various arguments for the COVID. Below are screenshots of an argument for the COVID vaccine I’ve seen several times over the past weeks. Usually I would ignore it because I usually operate under the “Live and Let Live” motto and it's too much of a hot-button topic that I don’t want or need the debate. However, I saw it the other day and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. 

I am sick and tired of the “we don’t know what’s in (blank) but we still take it” argument. It is a weak and largely unfair statement. Yes, there are people who eat and drink, take medicines without really knowing what is in them. However, I know a lot of people that do know what’s in their food, their medicines and their soaps, etc. If something goes in, on or around the body, there are groups of people who do their research because they 1) do care and read the ingredient lists and 2) have to care because of various food allergies and sensitivities to chemicals. There is a reason why food and other products list their ingredients. There’s a reason why possible ingredients related to food allergies and sensitivities are listed boldly on food labels. There’s a reason we have sensitive bath soaps, free and clear laundry soaps and bleach free household cleaners. There’s a reason why organic and non-GMO foods have grown in popularity. 

To bring up tattoo ink, vaping, and Botox doesn’t add to their argument either. While these things have grown in popularity, it doesn’t mean that everyone who has tattoos doesn't know what’s in the ink. It doesn’t mean that everyone who vapes doesn’t know what’s in it. The same goes with Botox. There are people who may have done their research and, for good or bad, have decided to get a tattoo, start vaping or get Botox. There are people who refuse to eat food that someone else has prepared. Yes, there is research out there about the long term effects of mobile phone use. The fact that someone hasn’t looked into it and uses a cell phone doesn’t mean that everyone else hasn’t either.

There may be several reasons why someone is hesitant or outright refusing the COVID vaccine. Yes, it could be political. And yes, they can be strictly anti-vaccine. It could be the mandate. Or they could simply be following medical advice. However, a number of people just want more information. I don’t understand how someone who does their due diligence before buying a car or house would be considered a smart consumer. But for someone who wants more information about a medical vaccine, they are anti-vaxx and anti-science. The “because I said so” argument doesn’t work. The “just trust me” response doesn’t sit well with some people especially when the government hasn’t given them much reason to trust them. 

If you decide to eat, drink or use anything without knowing what's in it, then any effects, good or bad, is on you. If you decided to get the vaccine with the information at hand, then good for you. However, it does not give you the right to judge, to shame, to antagonize or vilify those who have not got the vaccine because they wish to know what's in it.

What is cultural appropriation?

This past Halloween, I read a comment on a celebrity’s Facebook page that accused the girlfriend of the celebrity of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is a term I have not heard before. After a quick search, I was intrigued to research it more due to the massive debate about whether or not it is wrong or not. This post will be longer than usual as there is so much information that I want to share to make sure this topic is covered. While I may not cover it all, I want to give enough of an overview that I do not leave anyone confused. I will discuss what it is, the arguments for and against and how we proceed.

First, what is cultural appropriation? The official definition is a term from Sociology which deals with the adopting of elements from one culture by members of another. It is often portrayed as harmful and is claimed to be a violation of the collective property rights of the originating culture. In most cases the adoption of the cultural elements are by a dominant culture from a minority culture. Many sociologists feel cultural appropriation is avoidable as multiple cultures live among each other the exchange of cultural elements will occur. These elements may be borrowed and applied by the dominant culture against the wishes of the minority culture and the original meaning of the cultural element is lost or distorted and seen as disrespectful. While some view it as inevitable and a contribution to diversity and free expression.

Examples of cultural elements:

• Food
• Fashion, hairstyles, makeup and body modifications
• Art, iconography and adornment
• Religion and spiritual symbols
• Technology
• Language, including slang

The debate about cultural appropriation is deep and greatly divides people who fight against it and those who feel it isn’t as big a deal as the social justice warriors (SJWs) believe. The proof is in how people define the term and the examples they use.

The opponents of cultural appropriation are deeply passionate about it and argue with which fervor will leave many feeling shame that they would use these cultural elements. Opponents believe it is wrong when the minority culture is subordinated in social, political, economic or military status to a dominant culture or a history of ethnic or racial conflict. The views of colonialism, context and the difference between appropriation and mutual exchange are a part of their main argument. According to many opponents, cultural appropriation is different from acculturation (the cultural modification by adopting or borrowing) and assimilation (the process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas). The main argument is that the cultural element is taking out of context and is often misapplied. For example, Native American sweat lodges and vision quest ceremonies are being used and run by non-Native Americans who do not understand the significance or the dangers when someone doesn’t know who to perform the ceremonies properly. Another example is the bindi mark which appeared at Coachella in 2014. The bindi is a traditional Hindu head mark with religious significance. Many Hindus were highly offended by those who wore the bindi as they did not fully understand the meaning and it was more than a beauty mark. One strong argument against cultural appropriation is when someone can or will enjoy an aspect of a culture, like the food, but still be prejudice against the people who brought the food to this country. “Cultural appropriation shows that you don’t have to like a person or respect their identity to feel entitled to take from them” (Johnson, 2015). 

As much as there is passion against cultural appropriation, there is an equal fervor by those who think it is simply today’s oversensitivity. Take one definition posted by a user on Urban Dictionary, “The ridiculous notion that being of a different culture or race (especially white) means that you are not allowed to adopt things from other cultures. This does nothing but support segregation and hinder progress in the world. All it serves to do is to promote segregation and racism.” Another user posted: “The idiotic conflation of culture with racism. Essentially the absurd belief that the cultural exchange that has served to enriched humanity throughout all of human history is wrong because racists exist.” And lastly, “A pile of SJW bullshit stating that its racists to indulge in foreign cultures.” Of all the user definition posted, the majority were negative like the ones I’ve quoted. Proponents of cultural appropriation view it as benign or mutually beneficial. It is mutation, product diversity, technology diffusion and cultural empathy. For example, George Lucas borrowed elements for Star Wars from Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress who borrowed from Shakespeare. John McWhorter, a professor at Columbia University and contributing editor at the New Republic, wrote “The idea that when we imitate something we are seeking to replace it rather than join it is weak.” The concept has morphed from the original idea to a parody. According to McWhorter, people get angry simply when whites happily imitate something minorities do as if imitation is a kind of dismissal rather than a sincerest form of flattery. Another article expressed concern over the fervor against cultural appropriation as “unchecked by reason, therefore unworried by hypocrisy, snowflakes creep closer to actual violence” (Wakefield, 2017). The fight against cultural appropriation is seen as simply anti-white sentiment.

So what do we do? I’m not sure where I read this but someone made the comment that social justice warriors and “snowflakes” (a term for an extremist liberal offended by every statement ot belief that doesn’t exactly match their own. I see this behavior with conservatives too but that’s another post), are trying to reinstate an apartheid, a complete separation of cultures, after decades of fighting to remove such separation. In a way, this statement is correct, however, in my opinion, I see both sides of the coin. In many terms, cultural appropriation is bad and even insulting while others are simply the passage of time that it has become a part of both cultures. For example, an element from a culture should never be a costume or the butt of a joke which perpetuates an ethnic stereotype, according to Jenni Avins of The Atlantic. Just as a sacred symbols should not be worn as accessories. For example, in the last decade, individuals started wearing the Catholic rosary like one would wear a necklace. A rosary is not jewelry, it is a tool of prayer. It is not a talisman for protection. In her final words of her article, Maisha Johnson said “I am encouraging you to be thoughtful about using things from other cultures, to consider the context and learn about the best practices to show respect.” This statement makes sense to me, when respect is shown, I see no problem when someone of one culture borrows from another culture; however, the problem is someone may think they are being respectful when they are not or you may have some who, no matter how respectful a person may be, is insulted when someone outside the culture uses an element. This is when I feel the fight against cultural appropriation goes too far.

In conclusion, we live in a society in which we must walk on eggshells especially when you are white. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “not bad for a white woman” when I’ve cooked a delicious meal of traditional Mexican food or other ethnic foods. As if the color of my skin hinders my ability to follow a recipe and cook. On the other side, there are other aspects of different cultures that I would never feel comfort wearing or participating in, simply because I am not a part of that culture. Bottom line, if you are going to borrow something from another culture, be respectful and give credit where credit is due. I would want the same consideration if someone wants to borrow from my culture. What are your thoughts?

Reference

• Avins, Jenni. The Dos and Don’ts of Cultural Appropriation.             www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/the-dos-and-donts-of-cultural-appropriation/411292/. October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
• Johnson, Maisha Z. What’s wrong with Cultural Appropriation? These 9 Answers Reveal its Harm? www.everydayfeminism.com June 14, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
• McWhorter, John. You Can’t Steal a Culture: In Defense of Cultural Appropriation. www.thedailybeast.com/you-cant-steal-a-culture-in-defense-of-cultural-appropriation. July 15, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
• Urban Dictionary. www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Cultural%20Appropriation. Retrieved November 30, 2017
• Wakefield, Mary. The Mad, Bad Crusade against ‘Cultural Appropriation' www.spectator.co.uk/2017/04/the-mad-bad-crusade-against-cultural-appropriation/. April 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.