My Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation
I find it interesting that we worry so much about cultural appropriation in Paganism when, really when you get down to the meat of the issue, Pagans are (very generally) culturally appropriating from someone. Simply put, the main religion of the United States (after the white eradication of the Native peoples) is Christianity, and anything beyond those if you are not born into the religion (i.e. Islam, Judaism, etc.) is, ultimately, cultural appropriation.
I was not born a Pagan, I was born a Catholic. I studied Native American stories, medicine, etc. from a very young age (my school and library carried quite a number of books on these) but have not, and will not call myself a medicine man. I have neither earned the title through traditional means, nor would I lower myself to accept a title I have not earned or accept a path I am not able to walk.
Deities of various pantheons have called to me. So, what do I do? I have Odin, Baldur, Freya, Thor, Brigid, Bres, Lycrous, Lupercalia, Bast and Anubis. These are just the God/desses whom wish to work with me. I work with Elemental Spirits, Angels, and a host of others as the need, desire or their call takes me. I do as much research on and interaction with these multi-faceted, multi-faced God/desses when I am able. In this, I must recognize at some point I appropriate this research, otherwise why would I do it? If I cared only to interact with Anubis on a personal level, rather than try to understand how His priests used to work with Him (and on some level reconstruct this in my life) then I would be fine. However, I wish to go further in my relationships with the Gods and feel they earn the research, the dedication and the work I put into the things I do for them and for me.
For instance, when I began to work with Anubis, I did a bit of research, and found out some of His Holy Days. Then, I looked at what I could that was available of how His priests practiced their Art. One of the similarities is His priests were shaved head-to-toe and wore a headdress of Him. Well, one of two wasn't bad to me and since I did not have enough money or materials to make a headdress, I made do by shaving all of my body hair in dedication to Him.
This was a sacrifice on my part because my hair (which I am proud of) was down past my shoulders. Then, there was the incredible amount of teasing I received, since this was last year around Samhain. Was it worth it? I would say so, my relationship with Anubis deepened, and I approached His work with more of a 'priestly' mindset than a 'it's just a ritual' mindset.
We should recognize that cultural appropriation has, in some cases, served us very well both in our personal, religious and societal lives. In Wicca, for instance, it is known that Gerald Gardner (some say with input from Aleister Crowley) appropriated his early materials for Wicca from a variety of sources with some of his own inspiration thrown in for kicks. If Wicca has shown people hope, love, a better life all around and has, in general, in the words of the Rede, 'Harmed none' than what have we lost by its appropriations? Just some thoughts on the article, thanks for posting Lupa.