So if I brought African food to work with me, and ate it during lunch with my co-workers, that would be cultural appropriation?

> Furthermore, for many cultures, the clothing that most recognizably signals membership is related to some form of cultural or religious ritual, and wearing it outside of that context can be very disrespectful

Fair enough; it would be wrong for me to wear a soldier's uniform if I've never served in the army.

Still, I can't help but feel that complaining about cultural appropriation is just a way to maintain USA's cultural dominance. The message seems to be: It's fine for Americans to spread their culture, but it's wrong for other countries to do the same.