April in New York City is a time of renewal. The trees are beginning to flower, the days are growing longer, and New Yorkers emerge from their homes to take over sidewalk cafes, public parks, and events once again like the opening day of baseball season and the Easter parade. But April is also Celebrate Diversity Month, and in one of the most diverse cities in the world, it feels especially important to embrace it.

What is cultural appropriation vs appreciation?

At Coqui the Chef, we strive to practice cultural appreciation each day by sharing food, our love of music, and the pleasure of getting to know cultures different from our own. Cultural appreciation happens when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture to broaden their perspective and connect with others. That may seem straightforward, but it’s surprising how often attempts to interact with a culture that is not our own crosses into cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation involves taking an aspect from a culture that is not your own and using it for your personal interest. There can be some nuances here, as I’m sure you have seen widely debated on social media, but the most important thing to remember is that your impact matters more than your intent. As long we are willing to take the lead from people who belong to the culture we are enjoying, it will be okay.

Appreciating culture through music and food

If you’ve ever taken a class with Coqui, you know that we love to appreciate culture through our two favorite things: food and music! When cooking food from other cultures, you can show appreciation through learning from chefs and cooks native to the dish’s region, using authentic ingredients, and staying true to the traditional preparations of the meal. It’s one of the reasons we are so passionate about providing authentic ingredients and sharing the significance behind each dish we share. Nothing pairs better with a delicious meal than great music. Music is a powerful piece of cultural storytelling that often tells the history, pain, and passions behind a community. You can appreciate music from other cultures by seeking out local musicians, investing in learning the significance of a popular piece or native instrument and refraining from financially supporting musicians who are using another culture’s music for profit.

How you can appreciate diversity

People may argue that cultural appropriation is a term lobbed to divide and cause guilt. (If you don’t want to take my word for it, check the top listings on Urban Dictionary) But those who genuinely care about appreciating a culture will recognize that enjoying it in its purest form, learning from those who know it best, respecting it, and then stepping back out of it when appropriate is the best way to show your appreciation.

We hope you have a wonderful April, enjoy the true start of Spring, and appreciate a new culture in recognition of Celebrate Diversity Month! If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate, you can book an authentic cooking experience with Coqui the Chef.