Bedrockgames
Legend
The argument is over whether the term is useful and whether or not it describes something that is bad or not.
So going back to the OP!
My question is, in the context of RPGs, where do you really find someone like that? Has anyone else used a resource like that, or what other ways have you tried to keep from engaging in cultural appropriation?
I haven't used a resource like that. In my opinion, the best way to deal with questions of cultural appropriation is to constantly interrogate yourself, and to be open to criticism.
There's the old saw about the difference between artists and critics, and I think that there's some truth to it. It is always really hard to put yourself out there. It takes a leap of faith, sometimes, to offer a part of yourself - whether it's through writing, or music, or painting, or anything.
So when someone comes back and says, "Hey, I don't like that," it doesn't feel good. And, even worse, it someone says, "Hey, I don't like that, and even worse, you're crudding all over my culture," I think that there will be a natural defensiveness; a desire to attack the messenger.
Don't do that.
I finally got around to watching Eye of the Beholder movie last night about the art history of D&D - WATCH IT, IT'S FREE ON AMAZON PRIME. Anyway, there was a long bit about the four in the middle (Easley, Elmore, Caldwell, and Parkinson) and it was discussing how Caldwell, in particular, tended to draw female characters without realistic armor (is that a good euphemistic way of putting it?) and relayed the anecdote about Goldmoon.*
Anyway, I was thinking about this thread when I was watching that bit; times have changed. I love the early TSR art as much as (if not more than!) most, but I also know that some things that were par for the course back then wouldn't fly today. Times change.
So to answer the OP, there is no perfect answer, but the important thing is that you are asking yourself the questions. IMO.
*Look it up.
The argument is over whether the term is useful and whether or not it describes something that is bad or not.
I don’t think this is going to happen.
Small hint, it isn't. Its a natural process that happens when different cultures interact with each other and has been going on since millenia.You think this:
"cultural elements are copied from a minority culture by members of a dominant culture, and these elements are used outside of their original cultural context—sometimes even against the expressly stated wishes of members of the originating culture"
is even up for debate on whether or not it's harmful? Wow...
Small hint, it isn't. Its a natural process that happens when different cultures interact with each other and has been going on since millenia.
And for many people who are affected by this it is not a problem.
Well that’s exactly it, we all have the internet. And there are people who will be happy to volunteer for this work, or work for very small pay, because they know that the indie creator has little resource to work with.I think that's a great idea for larger companies, WoTC, for example.
But it's harder for most TTRPGs, where the margins are small, there's a lot of DIY and indie and smaller publishers and self-publishers (DMs Guild, etc.).
But that's why we have the internet, right? Everyone has a platform that allows them, if they want, to send out early and pre-publication versions of their material and get some feedback.