Roots

I was talking with a friend the other night and the topic of roots came up.  This person has one of those surnames that's difficult to pronounce and dripping with culture, and they told me they're hesitant to/have mixed feelings about it.  Something about not feeling connected to their roots and not feeling ownership over their surname.  I let them talk it out, and I did not and do not agree. I also spoke with another white person who had similar beliefs--they could trace their surname to a country and/r culture, but wasn't actually taking ownership.

I dunno, maybe it's me, but if I could trace back my actual ancestors' surnames and find out what area they were taken from, I'd be all up in those genealogy records.  But, of course, this is all hypothetical, cause you know, transatlantic slavery and all that.

And you know, when white folks who can trace back their ancestry don't because 'it doesn't feel like theirs,' but are so quick to snatch up the cultures of people of colour and wear them like they own it.... No pity and very little compassion.

For the record, I'm not saying my friend is a cultural appropriator. I know the trolls already lining up to spew some acidic shit....