Two of my son’s children, and soon-to-be three, attend the Chinese immersion public school in Cottonwood Heights; we love this school. Our first grader speaks more Chinese words and writes more Chinese characters than I ever did. At the school’s recent Chinese New Year program, several white girls wore Chinese outfits. Whew — sure glad no one accused them of “cultural appropriation.”
Frankly, every culture is guilty of cultural appropriation. For instance, the White House was designed by Irish architect James Hoban, his inspiration being the Leinster House, Ireland’s Parliament buildings. The exterior of our own Utah Capitol has many details from the Corinthian style, its roots coming from Greek and Roman architecture.