Skip to content
Contact Us
Stories

When it Comes to Religious Appropriation, Northeastern Professor Says it Could Be Better to Borrow More, Not Less

Is Cardi B posing the Hindu goddess Durga a form of cultural appropriation? What about American women wearing hijab as a form of solidarity? Or Western people practicing yoga?

While cultural appropriation has become a common topic of discussion in recent years, in everything from the Great British Baking Show to Halloween costumes, the concept of religious appropriation has been left largely untouched. In her new book, “Stealing My Religion,” Liz Bucar, a professor of religion at Northeastern, shines a spotlight on this “particularly messy form of cultural appropriation,” what it reveals about inappropriate cultural borrowing more broadly and what can come out of these often uncomfortable conversations.

“Being uncomfortable can be productive,” Bucar says. “It’s not about shaming people, but it’s about trying to provide some framework for conversation and reflection.” 

Read more at News @ Northeastern.

More Stories

Sina Fazelpour’s IDEAS Program: An Interdisciplinary Approach to AI Ethics Training

05.24.2023

Avoiding Curricular Pitfalls of Study Abroad

05.24.2023

What is Mental Imagery Good For?

05.26.23
Public Scholarship