I think this is a good discussion to have about cultural appropriation because those are all very valid questions that should be explored but I have seen on social media that there doesn’t seem to be a dialogue and if you ask a question you are shut down and made to feel like a fool.
For me I feel if a culture or religion holds something in high regard, something that is sacrosanct and I have no connection to said religion or culture then I shouldn’t really be doing something that demeans it’s value. So I wouldn’t wearing rosary beads as an example because I’m not Catholic and I would only wear them for ‘fashion’ (not that I’d actually wear them but because I have no religious connection what other point would there be).
It is a fascinating discussion, for so many reasons!
I agree that personally if a culture or religion holds something in high regard, then this should be respected, but....it often isnt!
And hasnt been for hundreds of years. Think of language and swearing. Words , like bloody, as an abbreviation for, by your lady, (virgin Mary) that would have been highly offensive a hundred years ago, are now acceptable, and used on TV and in films!
And its also often used in popular culture for a specific reason, eg Madonna and her use of crucifixes for decoration in her videos and fashion, or even hitler and the Nazis and the swastika! Thats a hindu symbol, whose use has been totally hijacked!
Sometimes its designed to cause offense, thinking of marilyn manson et al, but just becomes part of everyday culture!
Then again, Im not sure throwing coloured powder paint around is just because of Holi, I think its also because its now much more readily available. it was used in adverts to create effects etc before being used at festivals, so im not sure there is a direct link.
I dont completely know what is and what isnt offensive to different religions, so it can get tricky!
And, If I am being completely honest, I do get fed up that the Christian religious festival that is symbolised by Christmas, (even though I know it has massive pagan roots,) has ended up as this atheist commercial spend fest. That is cultural mis appropriation on a massive scale.
But virtually no one mentions this!