Before answering this question, I think it's crucial to establish what cultural appropriation means. Cultural appropriation, as Susan Scafidi defines it, is the "appropriation, from a culture that is not one's own, of intellectual property, cultural expressions or artifacts, history, and ways of knowing." Cultural appropriation involves the taking by a majority group of minority groups of valuable aspects of their heritage for their own consumer satisfaction, while at the same time silencing these individuals within their respective societies. While this definition may seem simple, the reality is that “culture” is difficult to define. Especially in the modern world, where the commodification of culture is a common occurrence, it is difficult to understand when cultural appropriation is occurring. The challenge arises in part because proving the authorship and authenticity of cultural products is difficult due to hybridization and the constant borrowing and sharing that occurs between cultures. So it is difficult to draw the line between cultural appreciation, cultural exchange and cultural appropriation. Before stating that something is culturally inappropriate, one must belong to a cultural group and determine what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. Since even defining what a cultural group is is difficult, because cultures often overlap and cultural practices “develop from an amalgam of influences, it becomes difficult to assign them to one group over another.” What is problematic in trying to show appropriation with products and goods is the fact that in most cases “authorship cannot be traced”. Almost anything can fall into the realm of appropriation, as each blends, blends, and synthesizes aspects of different cultures. So by... using paper... Hitler appropriated it, transforming it into a symbol of the Nazi party. The ancient origins of the symbol are therefore no longer recognized or appreciated, as it is now associated with the Holocaust, despite its existence in many indigenous cultures around the world before. For example, “in China it was found on Buddha statues; it was fundamental to the religious beliefs of the Jains.” Therefore, the preservation of cultural heritage is important especially when this culture risks being diminished due to loans for the simple purpose of consumption or to follow a passing trend. Bibliography: Scafidi, Susan. Who owns the culture? : Appropriation and authenticity in American law. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2005.Ziff, Bruce H., and Pratima V. Rao. Borrowed Power: Essays on Cultural Appropriation New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1997.