I'd have to understand what you even mean by appropriating black culture in this context. The first wave of ska is presumably what you're referring to as the black culture that was appropriated. The second wave of ska (when white people got involved) was all about racial unity. The third wave, which eventually got mainstream popular for a few years, was kicked off by a bunch of snotty teenagers in the east bay who combined ska and punk.
Like yeah, the shit you heard on the radio in the late 90s and early 2000s was a bunch of white people, but what were they appropriating? And at that point, isn't all modern music appropriating black musicians? I could agree with that take a lot more, I just don't get why ska is considered a primary offender. The history of it is a genre of music pushing for unity.
Edit: additionally, most of the "style" associated with ska comes straight from London mod culture.
I'd have to understand what you even mean by appropriating black culture in this context. The first wave of ska is presumably what you're referring to as the black culture that was appropriated. The second wave of ska (when white people got involved) was all about racial unity. The third wave, which eventually got mainstream popular for a few years, was kicked off by a bunch of snotty teenagers in the east bay who combined ska and punk.
Like yeah, the shit you heard on the radio in the late 90s and early 2000s was a bunch of white people, but what were they appropriating? And at that point, isn't all modern music appropriating black musicians? I could agree with that take a lot more, I just don't get why ska is considered a primary offender. The history of it is a genre of music pushing for unity.
Edit: additionally, most of the "style" associated with ska comes straight from London mod culture.