Justifications for cultural exemptions (CE) have been a controversial feature of recent discussions of multiculturalism. Some hold that CEs are justifiable (if at all) only on grounds of prudence (for instance, in order to secure political stability). According to the prudence-only view, CEs are justified inequalities. Meanwhile, some multiculturalists claim that at least some CEs are required to respect the equality of citizens from minority cultures. Sometimes this follows from a particular interpretation of what 'luck egalitarianism' requires, and sometimes it follows from a particular account of equality of recognition. In each case, the claim is that CEs are not justified inequalities but are justified for equality. This article rejects the prudence-only view and casts doubt on the two dominant egalitarian arguments for CEs, instead defending a version of a 'basic interests' argument. This approach is then shown to be supported by some widely held views about the importance of self-respect for democratic citizenship.