Cultural appropriation topic of next DifCon

Published October 18, 2017 This content is archived.

This story was updated on Oct. 20 to reflect a room change.

Cultural appropriation — the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture — is the topic of the next session in UB’s Difficult Conversations series on Oct. 24.

The discussion will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. in 210 Student Union. It is presented by the Office of Inclusive Excellence, the Department of Art and Campus Life.

Participants will tackle such questions as what is cultural appropriation, is it theft or tribute, does it honor or exploit, and who decides.

Serving as panelists are Allie Ambrosio, a health and human services major in the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Program; Paul Vanouse, professor in the Department of Art and director of the Coalesce Center for Biological Art; Reinhard Reitzenstein, associate professor of art; and Terri Budek, associate director of the Intercultural and Diversity Center.

Teresa Miller, vice provost for inclusive excellence, will moderate the discussion.

The Difficult Conversation series aims to bring faculty, staff and students together for constructive conversations about provocative issues affecting the nation in order to gain a better understanding of the issues and different points of view.