The world is going globalize, cultural exchange is inevitable. Dominant groups selectively engage and adopt elements of marginalized cultures such as music, fashion, culture, or symbols. Without truly understanding and giving credit. Moreover, some might make fun of or with racism attitude. Cultural appropriation, defined as the “taking of intellectual property, cultural expressions, and artifacts from a culture that is not one’s own” (Lalonde, 2021, p.331). It is also defined as the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices or ideas of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society. According to this essay, cultural appropriation reinforces stereotypes, silence marginalized voices, and takes money away from oppressed cultures, all of which contribute to the continuation of inequity. By examining case studies in media, literature, and music, this essay will show how structural injustices allow appropriation and offer solutions for moral cultural exchange based on kindness, respect, and acknowledgement. Colonialism, unfair systems and power gaps are the root causes of cultural appropriation, which will harm marginalized communities by misusing and taking away their cultural expressions. We should raise voices that are ignored, to improve this and set up a more equal and respectful work. This means offering them the opportunity to share their experiences and stories. Organizations that control culture must also be changed to welcome more people and promote teamwork. This encourages mutual respect and understanding between cultures.

-Historical Exploitation in Music and Literature
As shown by the exploitation of Solomon Linda’s Mbube, the origins of cultural appropriation are closely linked to colonial structures of authority (Mishan, 2022). For this work, which eventually became the soundtrack for Disney’s The Lion King, Linda, a Black South African musician, was paid very little. In the meanwhile, white corporations and artists made a lot of money; by 2000, they were estimated to have made $15000000 (Mishan, 2022).
-Economic Exploitation and Commodification
Cultural appropriation is a harmful act in which dominant groups profit from important traditions without acknowledging or making up the original communities. Examples of this include the economic exploitation and commodification of marginalized cultures, as shown by cases such as Damien Hirst and Urban Outfitters.
Firstly, Exploitation, which dominant individuals or groups profit from marginalized cultures without giving back credit or profit to them, and it is a very common aspect of cultural appropriation. This is harmful to those marginalized groups or communities and is most clearly shown by Urban Outfitters' sale of "Navajo" goods, which brought in millions of dollars without notifying the Navajo Nation (Lalonde, 2021). Similar to this, Damien Hirst's 2017 Venice Biennale installation, which copied a Nigerian Ife head, hidden the artifact's original sources and swap switch financial and cultural resources to a white artist (Mishan, 2022). "According to Lalonde (2021), when those companies sell sacred Indigenous objects such as headdresses fashion, they ignore their deep cultural value and meanings behind and make them to merely fashionable accessories."
-Counterarguments and Limitations
Although cultural collaborations like music and festivals are often seen as mutually beneficial, but they still shape racism and discrimination that faced by marginalized groups, highlighting the critical need of profit-sharing and equitable representation. There are supporters of cultural borrowing, and they will often call this ‘appreciation’ or ‘inspiration’. Such as music collaboration, festivals & celebrations and language exchange. However, those marginalized groups might face racism and discrimination. They rarely really gain profit and respect when their traditions are adopted (Lalonde, 2021).
Nevertheless, some people disagree with such concerns as “oversensitivity,” arguing that culture should to be freely exchanged. However, equity makes a difference. One game that benefits the community is Never Alone, and it’s always the dominant group gaining social status while also widening the power gap. which was co-created with the Iñupiaq people and shares Indigenous stories on their terms (Lalonde, 2021). This reciprocal relationship is missing from most cultural appropriation, which denies credit while keeping stereotypes and widening economic gaps. The question at hand is not how to regulate creativity, but rather, "Who is in charge and who carries the consequences?"
-conclusion
As a conclusion, as shown by situations like Urban Outfitters' exploitation of Navajo designs and the appropriation of Solomon Linda's song, cultural appropriation not only reduces the contributions of marginalized communities but also upholds social injustices and silences their voices. This points out the critical need for justice, respect, and fair cultural exchange. By ignoring their contributions, promoting stereotypes and widening economic gaps, and stealing their cultural items for profit, cultural appropriation hurts marginalized communities. Urban Outfitters' Navajo designs and Solomon Linda's stolen song are two examples of how this act silences others while benefiting powerful groups. Fairness, respect, and diversity of every point of view are key elements of real cultural exchange. These adjustments will allow us to celebrate diversity without creating past mistakes.