I ask this having been to events with national/ethnic dress, food, and other cultures. What can a white American say their culture is? It feels that for better or worse it’s been all melted together.

Trying to trace back to European roots feels disingenuous because I’ve been disconnected from those roots for a few generations.

This also makes me wonder was their any political motive in making white American culture be everything and nothing?

  • the_abecedarian@piefed.social
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    14 hours ago

    If you see a number of people from Asian cultures playing classical music originating from Europe, does that mean it has become part of their culture? What if they are appreciating music from another culture? What if their families originate somewhere in Asia but they feel no connection to that place? Or what if there are more extracurricular opportunities for European-style orchestras than for other kinds of musical ensembles from other cultures?

    The Great Replacement Theory is a racist and antijewish lie.

    Edit: a white person who put in time and effort learning to play the Erhu, understood a reasonable amount of its history and context, and showed real respect for it would be fine.

    • jsomae@lemmy.ml
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      12 hours ago

      Yes, it can become part of one’s culture to appreciate another’s culture.

      I thought by adding “or whatever it’s called” would make it clear that I’m aware that the theory is a racist and antijewish lie, but I guess that was not enough. How should I have worded that differently?

      What would it mean to take the time and effort to learn to play the Erhu, understand its history and context, but somehow not show real respect for it? I am asking because the first two things seem very measurable and observable things one can do, but the last one sounds like something that critics can decide arbitrarily however it suits them.