Again, what does this have to do with the reception of Oriental Adventures?
See, this is why I'm so reticent to engage you here
@WayOfTheFourElements. It is a very common strategy to simply derail these conversations into endless rabbit holes and then declare that there can be no solution because no one can tell what the problem is. I've been dealing with cultural imperialism and appropriation as part of my professional life for about twenty years now. Numerous textbooks edited, courses and syllabi designed, endless meetings and presentations over the years. And the one thing that is ABSOLUTELY necessary whenever you want to talk about any of these issues is you must stay on topic, and never, EVER allow deviation.
Any deviation is a new topic and needs to be separated. Not that the deviations are necessarily bad, but, because it's far too difficult to answer all the questions at the same time. I mean, this is a thread devoted to talking about a single TSR published D&D book (well two I suppose if you want to include the 3e one as well) and the reactions of particular groups to that book. Now, you're trying to interject major philosophical questions in a discussion that has absolutely nothing to do with them. And, whether you intend it or not, is the prime strategy used by groups to impede discussion of the issues at hand.
Look, take it this way. Like I said, I've worked in this field for about twenty years now. I have a degree in political science specializing in ethnic conflict. Professionally and educationally, I have literally spent hundreds of hours on these issues, and probably closer to thousands of hours. When I tell you that culture is foundational to identity, you can take that as a given. It's not something I need to prove because, frankly, it's been proven multiple times by people a hell of a lot smarter than me.
So, at the end of the day, these are very good questions your are asking. Now, get yourself to a decent library and start reading in the field. Because, honestly, you are not helping the discussion, you are standing in the way.