The 'culture appropriation' crowd is appropriating America

One of the annoying buzz phrases from the left these days is “culture appropriation.” If you wear a sombrero on Cinco de Mayo and you’re not Hispanic that’s culture appropriation. However, if you dress like a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day you’re good. Funny how it doesn’t work for white folks.

Anyway, some idiot set up a petition at Change.org to demand that singer/actor Justin Timberlake be arrested for culture appropriation. Seems he’s just a little too soulful. The guy who set up the petition wants President Obama to do something about it. “Justin Timberlake has made a career out of culturally appropriating his music, looks, and just about everything else from the black community,” the petition reads. “This should be a crime and it needs to stop. It’s okay for white artists to appreciate black music, but they shouldn’t do black music. This is racism and white privilege out of control.”

One signatory said, “I like Justin’s music, but he owes black people money.” Another said, “Obama needs to stop this,” while another said Timberlake needed to be deported. Uh, he’s from Memphis. Which probably explains his soulful style. 

We are a product of our upbringing and our surroundings. Some people mistake me for a black man on the radio. That’s certainly not on purpose. (God forbid I would appropriate someone’s culture) It’s just the way I am. To condemn or, in Justin Timberlake’s case, arrest someone for being who they are is absurd. But the left in general is absurd these days.

Two can play this culture appropriation game, though. Black folks are going to have to stop playing basketball because they stole that from a white man. Same goes for cars and airplanes. Wouldn’t want to be so insensitive as to steal a man’s culture by flying in his invention.

And while we’re at it, let me hold that light bulb. You won’t be needing it in your new world order of political correctness. In fact, cut off your electricity because a honkey came up with that, too.

Look, what makes America great is the famous melting pot. We appropriate cultures from all over the world, mix them together, and make them uniquely American. It’s how french fries, pizza, and hamburgers can be as American as apple pie.

These leftists have pushed multiculturalism for decades yet when we embrace another culture we’re somehow stealing it.

By the way, you did see the latest poll on the Redskins issue, didn’t you? Over 90 percent of American Indians have no problem with a football team using that nickname. This has never been an issue with Indians, only with the hyper-sensitive looney left.

But what about that 10 percent who are upset with the name. They’ll have to get over it. This is the way America works. Majority rules. We’re not ruled by the tyranny of the minority, nor should we allow ourselves to be bullied by them.

The majority these days seems to cower in the corner and allow an incredibly small number of people to push them around. They’re bullies. They’ve learned that all they have to do is accuse someone of racism and they’re putty in their hands. People are terrified of being labeled a racist. Companies pay big money to make such accusations go away, whether they’re true or not.

Will Justin Timberlake succumb and either stop stealing black culture or turn himself over to authorities? I trust he’s not that stupid. The petition as of this writing has a whopping 51 signatures. Fifty more and Obama will probably sign an executive order.

Phil Valentine is the host of the award-winning, nationally syndicated talk radio show, The Phil Valentine Show.