You can see it in the American Southwest where people come in and produce pseudo-native american goods for mass consumption. That's a problem, because 1) it divorces the meaning from the object and turns it into some exotic curio, and 2) it crowds out actual tribal artisans.
Outside of this sort of venal commercialization, I agree that when you are actively participating in a culture, "appropriation" is nonsense.
First of all, I see no problem with people making whatever they want if its not patented. An object may have meaning for some but does not need to have meaning for others. I also don't mind competition in the marketplace. To take another example, from the article - matryoshkas. Russian culture and all that plus my heritage. I don't mind anyone else making them outside of Russia in whatever pattern they want. I have seen amazing versions made that are of historical figures. I don't care if its made in Russia or here in the US or in China. I don't see a problem. If someone wants something that is Russian made, they can buy that. If they want some cheap knockoff made in China, they can buy that. I see no problem.
At the end of the day, cultures mix. They give ideas to others and accept ideas from others. Objects are part of that exchange. I fully support more cultural mixing. I just don't believe in appropriation.
*NM*