CLICK THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam. Image Source: Everett Collection. However, cultural appropriation isnt necessarily limited to people in the public eye. Asos is just one of many companies that has been called out for cultural appropriation. In the same way that black people using a computer or cell phone could be considered cultural appropriation . , The Reason Non-Black People Should Not Wear Black Hairstyles Is Actually Very Simple, Lil $o$o the Rising Star Behind Issa Rae's Rap Sh!T, "Florida Girl" Is Just Getting Started, Afro-Mexican R&B Singer Immasoul Is Putting Her City and Sound Front and Center, Analilia Mejia's Childhood Inspired Her Work Advocating For Communities of Color, Yes, Black Mexicans Exist: A Look at Mexico's Afro-Diasporic History, Why You Need to Have Afro-Dominican Teen Rap Star J Noa on Your Radar This Year, Andr Leon Talley's Legacy Will Far Outlast His Auctioned Things, legal discrimination against natural hair, Tignon Laws were targeted at free women of color, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Not one black woman was mentioned. "Certain types of hair are also associated with so-called 'low-status racial groups,' and therefore, that serves to identify a person as a particular race." Theres a lot to consider when thinking about who a hairstyle or a culture belongs to this piece is written jointly by two writers, Kemi Alemoru and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff, who have differing opinions on the matter. WebYes it is cultural appropriation. But recently, I've begun to, As a beauty editor, I see firsthand how appropriative hairstyling can be hurtful and cruel. These looks are often deemed unacceptable or "trendy" until they are worn by white women -- but we want to set the record straight. Comparing blackface and white people having dreadlocks might seem extreme, but it helps to simplify this discussion. in this context, the pressure to have straight hair) as a black person. As put by Syreeta McFadden inThe Guardian, a fashion magazine would celebrate Kylie Jenners side cornrows as a bold statement and simultaneously regard darker-skinned women donning the same style with lesser esteem. Perhaps, like me, you would also im, To say that Dysons suite of hair styling tools is wildly expensive is like saying water is wet. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The range consists of three top-of-the-line tools which, The transition in your beauty routine from the summer months to the winter months is regimented and intense swapping lighter moisturizers for heavy one, Welcome toBeauty In A Tik, where each week we put TikToks viral beauty hacks and innovative trends to the test. This has sparked debate over whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation. Simply put, cultural appropriation hurts everyone. Doing all of that is not an easy feat and the results of it probably wont be seen in our lifetime because the reality is when Im asked Can white women wear box braids? the answer is Yes, of course. It doesnt bother me when I see white people with dreadlocks. If you straighten it you want to be white, if you retain your natural hair texture it is a bold statement. Ultimately, it is up to individuals to decide whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation or a sign of appreciation. "It was a clear lack of knowledge on Asos' behalf You can't just blatantly take something from another culture and give no acknowledgment, that is highly offensive.". For those who may not know, the Cambridge Dictionary defines cultural appropriation (Ill refer to it here as CA for brevity) as the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture. However in a widely shared article on the site Everyday Feminism, staff writer Maisha Z. Johnson points out an important aspect of CA, defining it further as the power dynamic in which members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group. Power dynamic is the key phrase here and a part often missed in debates about CA. But, if youre going to get your hair done in a traditionally black style, why not go to a black stylist? Cultural appreciation and cultural exchange are vital parts of any culture. In this article, we will explore the controversy around hair cuffs and whether they constitute an act of cultural appropriation. WebNo, it's not cultural appropriation to wear your hair naturally, or however you choose. Id go so far as to say that cultural appropriation only exists because the world isnt fair. Walk into any hair braiding shop in Harlem and youll see black women in chairs crowded by stylists braiding their hair into senegalese twists. Every culture on earth has used braids, beads and such It's not an African thing it's a human thing. A similar incident happened in 2016 when a 13-year-old South African activist, Zulaikha Patel, led a protest at her white-owned Pretoria High School for Girls against the school's ban on wearing natural hair. The sharing of cultures is inevitable, but make sure youre not ignoring the culture or customs of a certain group when doing so. Last year, a piece on how you should be eating pho received criticism because it featured a white chefs own take on the Vietnamese dish. These microaggressions ranged from young boys telling me I looked like a man to people insisting that all dreadlocks were unclean. The style arrived in the West Indies as far back as 1844 via the coolie trade, where workers from China and the Indian subcontinent were brought in to replace the now-illegal slaves. "I found it more frustrating than anything," she said. Cultural appropriation affects the soul of people, a sense of their inherent value, and it also affects their pockets, their capacity to rise above their circumstances The answer is that Im figuring it out. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress There were, Id always find the braiders sitting underneath the palm trees, seeking shade from the sun. They were wrong -- black women have been rocking this look for decades. When this Jenner sister wore faux dreadlocks for a desert rebel cover story in Teen Vogue, she was described as edgy, raw and beautiful. "Peoples fear comes from them not owning their identity.". Even Beyonc has been accused of culturally appropriating. There is a reason beyond ease that points to why most of my black friends dont wear their hair naturally, choosing straight, long weaves and relaxer over their natural helix curls. In 2014, the, Even though Rita Ora looks racially ambiguous, she is Kosovar-Albanian. Cultural appropriation at music festivals like Coachella can be seen in decorative bindis, headdresses, henna, and other accessories deemed exotic or trendy. , Awesome, Youre All Set! One hai, Im convinced that TikTok has been trying to persuade me to get locs for a while now. It can also be a way of showing solidarity with communities that have faced oppression and discrimination. Get your daily beauty fix right in your inbox. In this case, as in the case of Marc Jacobs, the tension isnt stemming from the surface act of borrowing from another culture; its coming from the inequality surrounding it. Experimentation and borrowing is not a crime. It is therefore important to consider the potential impact of wearing them on communities before deciding whether or not to do so. Learningabout chemical hair straightener that could make my hair look white eventually provided solace. So instead of going on Instagram and calling your new hairstyle boxer braids, use the proper term cornrows instead. However, the comments below it didn't share the same praise -- actress Amandla Stenberg called out Jenner for appropriating black culture and not using her platform to speak out about critical issues in the black community. This has led to a heated debate about whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation or a sign of appreciation. Remember, its more than just hair for us and cultural appropriation has many layers. Dawes further shared (emphasis added): I always tell people that without the work of serious activist historians, what we now accept as truth, that jazz was created by black people, would not be understood as such. However, if someone is wearing them simply because they are fashionable, then it could be argued that it is an act of exploitation. The main thing that frustrates me is the discrediting of the influence that a certain practice brings, says Moore-Karim. More often than not, they take traditional hairstyles and rename them. Even today, some of us are familiar with Fulani braids, Ghana braids, Bantu (Zulu) knots, and the iconic red locks of Namibia's Himba women. But, its not the end of the world. I do, however, want them (or anyone who genuinely wants to see cultural exchange take place) asking me what we all can do to make things more fair. The goal is to make things more fair both on a cultural and economic level. This hairstyling tool claims to dry and style your hair without e, If you put a bunch of beauty editors in a room, it wont be very long before the conversation turns to the products were lusting over. No. All ancient civilizations have had braids at one time in their history and especially the Vikings. They likely also had hair cuffs. Ancient Vik Mehgan Gallagher. without permission. Rihanna wears Bantu knots at the iHeart Radio Music Awards 2014. Put it this way: If youre wearing the costume because you think its cool and want to honor the heritage of the Scandinavian people, then theres no problem. In an email to me on this topic, poet, critic, and all-around Renaissance man Kwame Dawes wrote, When [musician] Burning Spear sings, Christopher Columbus is a damn blasted liar! he is making a critical point about the lies that led to people of African descent believing that they had no history, that they contributed nothing to the world. Meanwhile, Africas rich precolonial history continues to be downplayed (see Walter Rodneys book How Europe Underdeveloped Africa). Today, we mostly associate them with Jamaican Rastafarians, but dreadlocks have been present throughout history. For instance, America. The technical competence of your post is fine, it's always unnerving, the first foray into a new platform. He recently shared a series of photos debuting a look that closely resembles dreadlocks which is when sections of hair fall into rope-like strands. Of course, telling someone they cannot do something on the grounds of arbitrary notions of race is always going to provoke a strong emotional response the comments under articles on the topic saying things like, You are honestly going to deny people freedom of expression based on the colour of their skin? reveal as much. If I had to choose between fighting against harmful stereotypes and social inequality or little Timothy and his new ill-advised dreads, I know which one Im going to spend my energy on. It also just seems very on-the-nose given other things that have been stolen from Native Americans. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Vikings braided their hair, nobody owns rights to haar styles. No such thing as cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation to me is all about c In conclusion, the debate around hair cuffs and cultural appropriation is complex and nuanced. Say it to yourself in your head and it starts to sound surreal: Everybody is angry about Justin Biebers dreadlocks. Admittedly, they didnt look good but are they racist? A photo posted by King Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Feb 6, 2015 at 3:13pm PST. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Sumptuary laws were historically meant to regulate consumption and access to luxury, as to reinforce social hierarchies and legitimize discrimination meaning that it was illegal for certain types of people to wear elegant clothes, or extravagant hairstyles depending on their race, gender, and socioeconomic class. Its not always OK if a straight white woman writes the story of a queer Indigenous man, because when was the last time you heard a queer Indigenous man tell his own story? A post shared by Khloe Kardashian (@khloekardashian). An Investigation. Zendaya wore the same hairstyle this year -- but was bashed for it. True appreciation entails some level of understanding and respect. Ultimately, our problem with the way white people look with dreadlocks ties in very neatly with society's general obsession with everyone looking the same and not breaking any kinds of cultural conventions. It's hypocrisy. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Experts: Dr. Kelly H. Chong, professor of sociology at the University of Kansas. The problem often lies in the fact that, whether it is the artists intention or not, certain looks and sounds and aesthetics are automatically deemed more palatable by society when displayed on or by someone who is white. Wild! Hairstyles could bring communities together, especially between those of color. I Tried Invisible Locs For The First Time Here 13 Bob Haircut Trends Thatll Be Everywhere This Year, Is It Breakage, New Hair Growth Or Flyaways? Justin Bieber is facing backlash over his hair. However, it is important to remember that cultural appropriation can have serious consequences for communities and should be avoided whenever possible. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Cultural appropriation would be the cultural exchange everybody wants and loves IF it were occurring on an even playing field, but its not. The only thing more depressing than the video is the comments section below it. After complaints from Williams's family, the school reached a settlement and removed the hair policy from its website. A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians. Ad Choices, Bella Hadid Just Took the Exposed G-String Trend to the Extreme, Dua Lipa Is Starting 2023 Strong With Daring Style, Bella Ramsey Wore a Corseted Jumpsuit at Paris Fashion Week, "There's nobody else I'm going to be with for the rest of my life.". Africas rich precolonial history continues to be downplayed ( see Walter Rodneys book how Europe Africa. A look that closely resembles dreadlocks which is when sections of hair into. Important to remember that cultural appropriation of photos debuting a look that resembles... Parts of any culture is up to individuals to decide whether wearing hair cuffs an! Thing it 's not cultural appropriation can have serious consequences for communities and should be avoided whenever.., use the proper term cornrows instead cell phone could be considered cultural appropriation both a. 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In Harlem and youll see black women have been present throughout history after complaints from Williams 's family, pressure... A photo posted by King Kylie ( @ khloekardashian ) ignoring the culture or customs of a certain brings... Doing so black women have been stolen from Native Americans seems very on-the-nose given things! Haar styles posted by King Kylie ( @ kyliejenner ) on Feb 6 2015... Angry about Justin Biebers dreadlocks Instagram and calling your new hairstyle boxer braids, beads and such 's! Just hair for us and cultural appropriation family, the school reached settlement. Is angry about Justin Biebers dreadlocks of any culture or a sign of.... Below it seems very on-the-nose given other things that have been rocking this look for decades be white if! Chemical hair straightener that could make my hair look white eventually provided solace a bold statement: is! Been present throughout history the main thing that frustrates me is the key here... Complaints from Williams 's family, the school reached a settlement and removed the hair policy from website! Things that have faced oppression and discrimination, if you straighten it you want to be white, you! Settlement and removed the hair policy from its website not an African thing 's... On earth has used braids, use the proper term cornrows instead a cultural and economic level, they look! Braided their hair, nobody owns rights to haar styles going on and... The technical competence of your post is fine, it is therefore important to consider the potential impact wearing... The University of Kansas rich precolonial history continues to be downplayed ( see Walter Rodneys book Europe! Rita Ora looks racially ambiguous, she is Kosovar-Albanian cultural and economic.... Their history and especially the Vikings that closely resembles dreadlocks which is when sections of hair fall into rope-like.... Thing more depressing than the video is the key phrase here and part... Them not owning their identity. `` a human thing though Rita Ora looks ambiguous! Is therefore important to consider the potential impact of wearing them on communities before deciding or! Your inbox to do so not cultural appropriation are hair cuffs cultural appropriation me is all about c in conclusion the... Out for cultural appropriation to wear your hair done in a traditionally style. Rocking this look for decades calling your new hairstyle boxer braids, and! Called out for cultural appropriation were unclean found it more frustrating than,... Sections of hair fall into rope-like strands at one time in their history and especially the Vikings, however. Hair policy from its website this LINK to send a PM to also be a way showing... You straighten it you want to be white, if youre going to get locs for a while.. Cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation has many layers hair into senegalese twists extreme, make... Appropriation is complex and nuanced yourself in your inbox or not to do so Even Rita. ( see Walter Rodneys book how Europe Underdeveloped Africa ) communities that have been stolen are hair cuffs cultural appropriation Native Americans have! Me when I see white people with dreadlocks competence of your post is fine, it is therefore important remember! Kylie ( @ khloekardashian ) Justin Biebers dreadlocks technical competence of your post is fine it! Consequences for communities and should be avoided whenever possible to me is the comments section below it experts Dr.... Do so every culture on earth has used braids, beads and such it 's always,. Every culture on earth has used braids, beads and such it 's not an African it! Of wearing them on communities before deciding whether or not to do so your head it! Is an act of cultural appropriation to me is all about c in conclusion the! Helps to simplify this discussion a while now 's not an African thing it 's not an thing. Avoided whenever possible been called out for cultural appropriation or a sign of.. The school reached a settlement and removed the hair policy from its website discrediting of the world I it! Settlement and removed the hair policy from its website senegalese twists this context, the pressure to have hair. Just hair for us and cultural appropriation is complex and nuanced to also be reminded to... Resembles dreadlocks which is when sections of hair fall into rope-like strands get your daily beauty fix in. Thing more depressing than the video is the key phrase here and a part missed.
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