Official Policy Concerning "Cultural Appropriation"

[WannabeDemonLord]

I disagree strongly with the idea that using mythical figures or creatures creatively counts as cultural appropriation.  This forum will not ban usage of any cultures or individual figures in the creative works of its members.  That being said, cultural appropriation is a real thing and a real problem, and while it is a difficult thing to define in the abstract, I'll know it when I see it.  For instance, the demonization of gods and other sacred figures (such as the western trope of Kali being written as a sociopath) definitely count.  Theoretically speaking, there are ways to get around that if you intend to write her or any other mythical figure that way, it could work in a setting where the creatures merely inspired the myths, but if you plan on using "All Myths Are True" or similar concepts, be respectful.  Demonization is one of the number one problems I predict seeing in this regard, and won't be tolerated.  

To conclude, this is a very difficult issue to discuss in the abstract, so until such time as I have examples from the board to use as models, there really isn't much more I can say about it, other than it won't be tolerated.  That being said, merely using mythical beings is not by itself cultural appropriation, though it's still a good idea to tread carefully, particularly when the creatures come from marginalized cultures or are viewed with reverence by their cultures of origins.