Cultural Appropriation with Mahjong

The Mahjong Line Controversy Renews Debate on Cultural Appropriation” – Inside Edition, 2021, 4:45https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-wH7EoOizw

An example of cultural appropriation—Three white women release an adaption of Mahjong (a traditional game in Asian cultures) and charge up to $425 per game set. They also changed the tiles which are reportedly a hallmark of the game. Moreover, as can be seen in a screenshot of a message in the video, the women claimed to have “refreshed” the game. Other examples mentioned in the video include appropriating Asian fashions and Chinese food. Of course, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to whites who profit from appropriating other cultures… What other examples can you think of? 

From the video’s description: Many Asian Americans were angered when “The Mahjong Line” went viral for their pricey mahjong sets, which some are calling cultural appropriation. “[It’s] this ownership and profiteering from Asian culture that white America loves to do,” Andrew Ti, of the podcast “Yo, Is This Racist?” told Inside Edition Digital. The founders have since apologized, but is that enough? Inside Edition’s Johanna Li explains.