Another Angle of Appropriation

Recently there has been much greater knowledge of cultural appropriation.?For anyone seeking clarity on the meaning, cultural appropriation is defined as the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.?While there are countless examples of this behavior displayed with malicious intent, there are also times where there is a simple lack of consideration or cluelessness.?Even as woman of color, I have been guilty of this - referencing zebras as my “spirit animal.”?I have recently stopped saying that anything is my “spirit animal” to show more deference to the indigenous population.

Growing up Gen X, there were countless egregious behaviors which I witnessed, tolerated, and just rolled my eyes about.?Working with younger generations and watching them process inappropriate behaviors in such a different way has led me to think about so many things that I currently witness or experience which historically would have only elicited only my “Gen X eye roll”.

While not quite the same as cultural appropriation, there is a similar trend where people who are typically of a “more dominant role or position in society” suppose they understand something they absolutely do not because they have “connections”.?I can best describe this behavior in a recent interaction I had with a white male who had the audacity to disagree with me about how a Black woman may process interactions with Caucasian women (in the context of a professional engagement).?He literally told me my position was flawed and likely incorrect and that he knew his position was correct because was married to a Black woman… it was a new and even more offensive twist to good old fashioned “I have Black friends” statement that is so frequently waived around as if it is a "get of jail free card".?It was a first for me to think that this white man knew better than I how I might process something ….

I am a firm believer that all people should use what they were given as a birthright and make it into a superpower that is used for good.?That good can mean a lot of different things including one’s own financial gain.?For the first time in my life, being a Black woman is helpful in my profession and I fully intend to use that to my benefit.?Interestingly, some Black women who are not from my generation have shared different views on this and don’t want their identity to drive the desire to work with them.?I fully respect their position, but I personally don’t care if I control my narrative and benefit from my birthright.?And this idea of financial gain brings me to the point of this musing….

Recently, I saw post from a male who works in my field about his extensive knowledge and expertise on understanding the journey and path to diagnosis and treatment for a condition that affects a uterus… yes, a uterus, something he does not have.?I acknowledge that he can talk to women about this condition, and they will tell him some information about their journey (although perhaps not to the same extent they would share with another women).?However, the part that was more offensive to me with his post was the clear call to action where he invited pharmaceutical clients to reach out to HIM for HIS help on sharing a WOMANS journey to her diagnosis and treatment path…using a woman and her painful experiences for his financial gain during Women’s History Month.?As proud bearer of a uterus, I am really offended by this post. I have seen so many posts this month by male colleagues singing the praise of their mothers, their friends, their wives or simply acknowledging the importance of women.?This post, however, is not a celebration of women and their contribution, struggles or vital role in America.?Nor is it a post to bring light to a painful and difficult diagnosis for women and the need to take women and their healthcare seriously.?Instead, this is a self-serving, pompous, and opportunistic post to appropriate womanhood for one’s financial gain.

When I do research for prostate cancer, I always use a male moderator to talk to patients and share their journey.?As a woman, I firmly believe that while I may be able to tell the story of men and what they experience, there are parts of that journey that would never be openly shared with me nor that I would fully comprehend or do justice in relaying to others. Touché

Que Gen X eye roll.