Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation? A Stoic Take on the Prom Dress Debate
Cultural appropriation, I see, at least in this case, is much ado about nothing. I see it as yet another failed attempt at social justice, fairness and inclusivity from a crowd which appears to be anything but that their way, or you are the enemy, you're with them or against them, the saviors or the oppressors- a far stretch from the virtue of justice central to stoic thought.
Picture this: a teenager wears a traditional Chinese dress to her high school prom, and suddenly, the internet is ablaze with accusations of cultural appropriation. In this episode of the Stoic Solutions Podcast, Justin Vacula dives into the heated debate surrounding Keziah Daum's prom dress choice. Drawing on Stoic themes like cosmopolitanism and humility, Justin argues that the controversy is much ado about nothing.
He explores how wisdom from any culture can enrich our lives and why we should appreciate, rather than criticize, cultural exchanges. Using letters from Seneca, a prominent Stoic philosopher, Justin illustrates that the wisdom of the past is not confined to its originators but is a treasure for all. By challenging listeners to rethink their assumptions and consider alternative viewpoints, this episode offers a fresh perspective on a contentious issue.
Tune in to explore how embracing diverse wisdom can lead to a more harmonious world.