It seems to me that cultural appropriation, like other recent attempts at critical thinking about culture, is reasonable when applied to a very narrow range of activity, and unreasonable when applied broadly. Moreover, we've moved toward the broader interpretation at such blinding speed that the idea is understood only in the broad fashion.

It seems reasonable that the majority culture should hold some sensitivity to minority elements. Christians would be upset to see a tabernacle used out of context. We should show the same respect to the morally equivalent symbols on other cultures. That idea seems compatible American values - no prohibition of speech, but mutual freedom and respect.

This idea has been rapidly and rabidly misinterpreted as absolute ownership of all unique elements of a culture by its members, and an imperative to shame anyone that uses any symbol they don't 'own'.

I don't know that I had a broader point besides that those crying cultural appropriation should take a deep breath, and those of us shaking our heads should recognize that the idea does have some value