Cultural appropriation can cause confusion and misunderstandings because people begin to lose knowledge of the origins and true intent of certain things. For example, yoga. Yoga was initially a free, devotional practice. However, some people used yoga for their own benefit and started making pricey yoga classes that emphasize fitness rather than what it truly was from the start. This has caused confusion about what yoga truly is.
Cultural appropriation can also harm people's mental health. According to Stephanie Fryberg, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, research shows that many Native American teens have decreased their self-esteem, lowered their achievement-related goals for themselves, and diminished both their sense of community worth and belief that the community can improve itself because many sports mascots have culturally appropriated Native American symbols and imagery.
Cultural appreciation is the opposite of cultural appropriation, which is to celebrate or show respect and honor for a culture. It is taking the time to do research, to understand and be able to respect a culture that is not your own, in what you are doing. For example, you could have an interest in learning Taekwondo, so you would look for an instructor with an understanding of their practice from a cultural perspective.
However, there is a fine line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. The moment you try to use that culture for yourself and try to take authority, it becomes cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation is something to be avoided at all costs. Always remember to educate yourself about a culture or topic before you do something that you think is even just a tad bit offensive. And be aware of whom you are supporting and giving your money to. Always support the minority, non-dominant groups rather than the ones who culturally appropriate them.