I have always regarded the plethora of cultures around us as contributing to creating a more inclusive society — one which is accepting and diverse. As an international student on a college campus, I have witnessed the difference in culture from where I have come, and the change has been enriching. Being able to engage with new people who interact differently and have unique ways of expressing themselves has helped me bring out aspects of myself that I didn’t even know existed. However, I have come to realize that this form of embrace is not universal, and it should not be taken for granted.

There are times when one’s culture is not seen for how special or vibrant it is; rather, it is commodified and used for economic benefits. As society around us becomes more individualised, we observe elements of different cultures being profited from without being given the credit they rightfully deserve. The fact that these exploitative practices still occur in our society is reflective of the profound shift that is needed in our mindset. 

Our mindset needs to move towards appreciating elements of other cultures and crediting these cultures in our use of their traditions, a term known as cultural appreciation. Instead of adopting aspects of other cultures without proper acknowledgement, we must work together to create an environment where giving credit becomes the norm and wrongful use of one’s work is not promoted. However, in recent history, we have been faced with several instances where just the opposite has occurred. 

One such instance was in September 2024 when Junko Hagiwara won first prize at La Union, a Flamenco festival in Spain. Hagiwara, a Japanese woman, has been residing in Seville for 20 years. However, according to custom, only native Spaniards, specifically Andalusians, can perform Flamenco and execute it to the appropriate level. The fact that she was a foreigner trying to perform the Flamenco led to criticism, even though she had been living in Spain for 20 years. This underscores the fact that respecting the originality of the elements of a culture is vital, even if it sounds trivial.

Another incident occured on the Canadian Shark Tank-style show called Dragons’ Den. A boba brand, Bobba, presented their pitch on converting boba into a “convenient and healthier, ready-to-drink experience.” One of the judges Simu Liu expressed his concern about “taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and making it better.” Bobba had also not given any heed to where boba comes from, Taiwan, on their drink cans. Although they successfully won some of the investors over, they later posted an apology on their social media platforms, promising to give a more accurate representation of bubble tea’s roots. By not acknowledging the cultural elements of bubble tea in their branding, Bobba unknowingly used the drink’s sources for their profit. 

There is also controversy surrounding the haka, a Māori ceremonial dance. The All Blacks, New Zealand’s Rugby team, perform the haka before each game. While they collaborate with the Māori to maintain its integrity, the globalization of the dance has led to other teams replicating it, which has led to continued criticism. The symbolism of the haka is often used in merchandise which has upset tribes such as Ngāti Toa, who state that it is done without their permission. The commercialization of the haka in other industries has also sparked debates regarding whether it should be used without understanding its cultural significance to the tribes.

Clothing is another prominent industry where brands have often been accused of using designs for their own gain without crediting the original creators. In June 2021, Mexico’s Ministry of Culture accused popular brands Zara and Anthropologie of using patterns from indigenous communities without helping or involving these communities. Zara used a pattern distinctive of the indigenous Mixteca community in the creation of one of their dresses, while Anthropologie had allegedly copied a design developed by the Mixe community in the production of one of their shorts. Mexico rightfully called for the due benefit to be given to the communities in what has seemed to become a trend in terms of the designs being commercialized. This is the intellectual property and part of the history of these communities, and their lack of resources is essentially exploited by these brands who globalize their ideas as their own. 

These examples demonstrate a fine line between cultural appropriation and appreciation, and practicing the latter will make our society a better place. Cultural exchange is an idea that should be promoted, but it must be done with integrity and rooted in authenticity. The commercialization of these traditions highlights that we have a long way to go in eradicating inequalities and appreciating cultural diversity. We must create platforms that will help spread awareness about the traditions that belong to tribes and indigenous groups like the Māori, Mixteca and Mixe communities, such that we can be fair and just in terms of giving them the choice of sharing the elements of their culture with others. These instances remind us that if we truthfully respect the cultures we encounter, we can help create a more equitable society that benefits everyone rather than just a privileged few.