There's been a lot in the news lately about cultural appropriation. And on the week before we wish happy birthday to Her Royal Highness, Defender of the Faith, Great-Grandmother Across the Sea, as my people used to call her, it is right and just to recall that the amalgamation of culture is one of the great triumphs of the Anglosphere. From converting the Celts to uniting the Kingdoms, from the Royal Proclamation to the British Raj, cultural crossover and adoption was - and is - always appropriate.
Of course, cultural appropriation goes both ways. Ending polygamy, slavery, tribal fratricide, and the burning of widows with their dead husbands are just a handful of concepts that Mother Britain did away with in her glorious global expansion. While the cultural Marxists natter at the taxpayers' expense about the evils of colonization, they might want to recall that many of their colleagues and fellow citizens belong to tribes, races and creeds that are still at enmity everywhere but the Anglosphere.
In fact, our monarchy might be our utmost example of the highest reasons for cultural appropriation in all its glorious goodness. The Queen's titles are numerous and span every corner of the globe; other Royals are also tasked with representing parts of the kingdom and ancient tribal lines. Had our own culturally out of touch Mackenzie King not passed the Nickle Resolution and wrongly fought Governor General Byng, there would now be hereditary aboriginal leaders with esteemed peerages.
The wonderful thing about adopting and amalgamating all the peoples of the world is that it actually helps preserve our history and culture.
We are not self-created, soulless automatons, whatever your favourite YouTube personality might say. We are the products of thousands of generations, some of whom belonged to very tiny peoples or tribes that only survive today because their tartan, religion, or cookery is being celebrated and spread freely by interested citizens of every background.
Of course, my exhortation needs its caveats. The history of English-speaking peoples is not without its shortfalls, mistakes and outright misdeeds.
But once again, the fact remains that no other "privileged group" has done so much to make right its trespasses, even going so far as to provide legal funding and cash compensation for the various grievances of parties all over the world. Furthermore, Anglo-Saxon common law is the greatest instrument of exposing the truth and causing reconciliation.
This last point must be stressed because the manner in which accusations about cultural appropriation occur exposes the bad faith and Schadenfreude at the heart of the matter. The definition of maturity is acknowledging things good and bad, then self-improving. I cannot blame my family, my society, or even my own failings forever: ultimately, I must correct my own mistakes, learn to forgive or at least forget trespasses against me and do my best to move forward intentionally.
Or, put another way, there's an old saying about revenge: when you finally go after the person you blame for everything, be sure to dig two graves - one for him and yourself. Vengeance cannot satisfy us, whatever truth there might be in our charges. Bitterness and ungratefulness simply betrays that we are still letting someone else own our psyche. And how wicked is it that professors, legal teams and activists profit from these hurting souls? Does that not make a bad situation outright evil?
Finally, it's worth noting the single greatest instance of cultural appropriation has actually happened in reverse. That human beings have inherent dignity bestowed on them by their creator is not an idea found naturally occurring in all the corners of the world. Fatalism, arbitrary power, caste levels, divine indifference and majorities living in serfdom are the common assumptions of civilizations.
We are lucky to live after the Anglosphere's faith and freedom has been appropriated throughout the world.
Our Dominion of Canada has much to be thankful for and, yes, there is still so much to be done to heal past wounds. But we will not get towards that better world by undermining each other on the way there.
Cultural appropriation is nothing to shun - in fact, it celebrates our common humanity.
