RevCyn

Since the Interdependent Web quoted my previous post on cultural misappropriation, I've been doing some more thinking on the subject. It's not that I don't think cultural misappropriation is to be avoided. We all should strive to be as sensitive to other cultures as possible. It's that I think a code of conduct, at this point, on the issue is not really possible. (And putting cultural misappropriation in our bylaws feels close to establishing a code of conduct on this issue and may, indeed, lead to one.) We haven't defined sufficiently what is and what is not cultural misappropriation. I was at a workshop on this issue at our General Assembly a couple of years ago in which it was seriously suggested that, essentially, if something is done well, it's okay, if a piece of music is done poorly, then it's misappropriation. I have significant disagreement with that rule, as one is who is not the greatest musician! Can I never, therefore, be using something from ...

UU minister James Ford has written a very thoughtful piece on one piece of the proposed revision of the Principles and Purposes here . It's definitely worth reading. He focuses in on the proposed sentence in the section on "sources": “Grateful for the traditions that have strengthened our own, we strive to avoid misappropriation of cultural and religious practices and to seek ways of appreciation that are respectful and welcomed.” I completely skipped this sentence when I gave some of my thoughts a week ago, so let me address this sentence, as well. James Ford says (I've deleted some, show by the elipses; the entirety is worth reading): The problem is enshrinement in By-Laws, and therefore raising the possibility of institutionally defining appropriate behaviors and with that the possibility of punishment and expulsion for offenders, particularly ministers. And this is not paranoia. Already a trial balloon of this sort was raised for the minister’s ethical guidelines...