Stop complaining about cultural appropriation, and start laughing

Ever schlep a hockey bag to the arena? Hearing a non-Jew say that warms my heart. It gets me right in the kishkes. I’m flattered that the language of my eastern European Ashkenazi background and culture is so linguistically attractive.

I love it when Yiddish words are appreciated in this way. But sadly, I know many who would not use this language due to fears over cultural appropriation — a term that I believe is overused, and only serves to further mistrust between people.

Actual cultural appropriation is offensive. But what’s the line between true appropriation, which by most definitions requires financial exploitation or other harms that further marginalize a group, and cultural appreciation? There’s far too little guidance or discussion on this matter. And when reasonable people are