# Bruno Mars 100% is a cultural appropriator **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 12, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433 "2018-03-12T16:15:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/21 "2018-03-12T19:18:54Z")
The use of the term “Cultural Appropriation” is bullshit about 95% of the time. I don’t know why you’re sharing some obscure blogger’s shit as if it is supposed to mean anything. As a tactic, this sort of thing is the realm of the alt-right / conservatives who love to find one obscure loon and then spread their shit with the claim that ALL LIBERALS believe whatever lunacy they’re posting. As a “Huh, look at this, this chick is nuts”, I’m less interested in seeing this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/22 "2018-03-12T19:26:27Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > I hereby propose the deletion of this thread for lack of notability. > > Some random blogger said something stupid, and you brought this to the attention of the SDMB for what reason? There are some genuine social issues where the alt-right latch on to rare extremist nonsense in an attempt to discredit everything. But with “cultural appropriation” the proportions are reversed, it seems to be 95% bullshit to me. So I don’t think mockery of the nonsense is inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/23 "2018-03-12T20:15:18Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But with “cultural appropriation” the proportions are reversed, it seems to be 95% bullshit to me. So I don’t think mockery of the nonsense is inappropriate. There is a tribe on a remote island in the Pacific whose culture revolves around mockery of nonsense. I would appreciate it if you did not callously appropriate their culture in this thread! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/24 "2018-03-12T20:47:40Z")
No worries, mate! G’day! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/25 "2018-03-12T20:50:06Z")
Australians got culture? Who knew!? Next thing you’ll be telling us is that Americans got cuisine. We just take stuff from everyone else and supersize it. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/26 "2018-03-12T20:50:33Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > When Overwatch gave its Egyptian character Pharah a skin that made her into a traditional/stereotypical Native American, I read both of the following sentiments from Native Americans writing in good faith from a social justice perspective: > > A. I nearly cried, I was so happy, when I saw this representation of NA culture as a focus of power. > > B. I nearly cried, I was so angry, when I saw this thoughtless appropriation of NA culture. > > As a white guy I tend to kind of stay out of this, for good or ill. This is the kind of thing I’m not sure there can be sweeping, hard fast rules about. It’s very situational–and even relative to particular people. I would never argue with someone’s feelings. I might well argue whether anyone’s feelings ought to be the basis of policy or accepted practice, even though I am a white guy and the other person may not be. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/27 "2018-03-12T21:40:37Z")
I can still wear my Prince T’Challa costume with realistic dark skin overlay for Hallowe’en, though, right? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/28 "2018-03-12T22:35:43Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I can still wear my Prince T’Challa costume with realistic dark skin overlay for Hallowe’en, though, right? I literally tweeted Ryan Coogler and asked him this very question, but he hasn’t replied. He may be a tad busy, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/29 "2018-03-12T22:46:33Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Otherwise known as “how pop music works.” Not just pop music, but all music, unless you go back to the first person ever to bang two rocks together. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/30 "2018-03-12T23:01:03Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > Not just pop music, but all music, unless you go back to the first person ever to bang two rocks together. “Me invent rock music.” ---
**Author:** ![Dobbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Dobbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dobbs)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/31 "2018-03-12T23:30:49Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > Not just pop music, but all music, unless you go back to the first person ever to bang two rocks together. That’s not how it happened [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tYBNoFcvcWI/hqdefault.jpg "Caveman - Invention of Music") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYBNoFcvcWI) ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/32 "2018-03-13T01:00:24Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > I hereby propose the deletion of this thread for lack of notability. > > Some random blogger said something stupid, and you brought this to the attention of the SDMB for what reason? You forgot the part that the Bruno Mars one is from 2016 and the two linked in the OP are from 2015 – so pointless AND old. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/33 "2018-03-13T01:09:31Z")
Wah? Bruno is like pineapple and pepperoni pizza. I’ve been so wrong about him. I will have try another slice. I like the little dude, truly. He’s all kinda cool. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/34 "2018-03-13T01:12:19Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I can still wear my Prince T’Challa costume with realistic dark skin overlay for Hallowe’en, though, right? You and I should trick or treat together! I’m going as Stepin Fetchit. Dude alway cracked me up. Meetcha at 11PM, corner of 125th Street and Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/35 "2018-03-13T01:13:52Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > y’know, I vaguely remember at one point in time this country was considered the “great melting pot.” > > now, all of a sudden, both left and right have shat all over that notion. The right is retreating into nationalist/nativist “us vs. everyone else,” and the left screams “cultural appropriation” any time someone even looks like they’re adopting something from another culture. same shit, different stink. > > Outrage as a Pastime ™ is really getting tiring. and people who make a point to constantly be offended on behalf of others should just go DIAF. QFT. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/36 "2018-03-13T01:58:44Z")
> [@JeffB](#): > > You forgot the part that the Bruno Mars one is from 2016 and the two linked in the OP are from 2015 – so pointless AND old. [It was recently that Meshell Ndegeocello called him “karaoke”. Not for real like she is with her album of covers.](http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/burno-mars-karaoke) For real. She’s accusing Mars of appropriating while shilling an album of covers. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/37 "2018-03-13T02:09:03Z")
Unless you’re wholesale stealing an entire culture for yourself, or stealing something of deep cultural or spiritual meaning for a different meaning in your culture, there isn’t any such thing as cultural appropriation. Humans are smart. We learn and adapt. We filled every ecological niche on the planet we grew up on. Not through evolution, through adaptation and technology. The Horse Cultures of the American West would not have happened without lost and escaped Spanish horses. Were they “culturally appropriating” horses? No, they were adapting to something new. New experiences and new ideas breed even more new ideas and creative impulses as more people are exposed to them. This is a good thing. We will adapt and adopt alien cultural ideas and patterns too once we’re exposed to them. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/38 "2018-03-13T02:18:02Z")
Of course, an intentional cultural appropriation that really didn’t work was One Man Gang, this 6’9" 450 pound **white** professional wrestler, becoming Akeem the African Dream. No, he wasn’t in blackface. He just wore African garb, claimed to be from Africa and had to live the gimmick in the era of kayfabe (read: back when they pretended it is was all real). But the entire idea was to draw heat - boos - for OMG/Akeem as a bad guy. And he had a black manager, a skinny, slimy guy named “Slick”. Why yes, that actually happened, from 1988-1990. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/39 "2018-03-13T03:08:32Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > y’know, I vaguely remember at one point in time this country was considered the “great melting pot.” Some would argue, and I’m inclined to be sympathetic to the argument, that this concept was, is, and has always been hooey, given how immigrants and their cultures are often treated, and how important many think “assimilation” is. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433/40 "2018-03-13T09:06:14Z")
There are reasons to dislike Bruno Mars (hint: grenade), but ‘cultural appropriation’ isn’t one of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruno-mars-100-is-a-cultural-appropriator/810433.md?page=3)