Cultural appropriation is the inappropriate or unacknowledged adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity by members of another culture or identity. It is a controversial concept that has been the subject of much debate. Some people consider cultural appropriation to be harmful, especially Indigenous people working for cultural preservation, those who advocate for collective intellectual property rights of the originating, minority cultures, and those who have lived or are living under colonial rule. Cultural appropriation can include exploitation of another cultures religious and cultural traditions, dance steps, fashion, symbols, language, and music.

It is important to distinguish between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Appreciation is when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally. Appropriation, on the other hand, is simply taking one aspect of a culture that is not your own and using it for your own personal interest, without understanding its history or significance.

Cultural appropriation can have wide-ranging consequences, including reducing a culture to a set of disembodied gestures, reinforcing group divisions, or promoting a feeling of enmity or grievance rather than of liberation. It can also be harmful to those whose culture is being used, as well as to those with whom the culture is being shared.

Examples of cultural appropriation include a member of a majority group oversimplifying the culture of a minority group or treating the culture of a minority group as a joke. Another example is purchasing a piece of jewelry or clothing that may have important cultural significance to that culture, but simply using it as a fashion statement.

Understanding the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation is important to avoid causing harm to other cultures and to promote cross-cultural understanding and respect.