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Then, 16-year-old Amandla Stenberg (best known for playing Rue on The Hunger Games before becoming best known for inspiring widespread awe with her summary of cultural appropriation) made me applaud my computer screen once again. At best, you'll look like a poser. line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, culturally appropriating without knowing it, avoid wearing racist costumes on Halloween, celebrities appropriating black hairstyles, ways you could be appropriating without realizing it, Chinese chopsticks are used exclusively for eating, adjust our speech depending on who we're with. Maybe youre stuck on the idea that if youre a white person, you cant wear your hair a certain way. The politics of hair is becoming another issue that exacerbates the racial divide. Oftentimes, the same people who appropriate elements of our culture are completely absent when we need support. Henna tattoos, or Mehendi, are stunning. Ghana braids or cornrows become boxer braids Im looking at you Kim Kardashian and Fulani braids become Bo braids, named after 70s it-girl Bo Derek. 3 REASONS WHY CULTURAL APPROPRIATION IS TABOO IN THE - MarieBraids Fulani braids, for example, come from the Fula people and its common for Fula women to add beads or cowrie shells to the braids. Now that we have that out of the way this is not about whether white people should wear braids, cuffs or beading, this is about mainstream stores robbing culture and selling it as new to an audience that clearly does not know any better or care to know any better. More often than not, they take traditional hairstyles and rename them. When Non-Black Minorities Wear Cornrows And Locs, Is It Appropriation? If a headdress has no religious significance to you, dont put it on. Just be yourself, and use your own voice. I say Im all about equality, but you think Im pulling for the opposite stating that only certain people should wear certain hairstyles based on skin color. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "Cultural appropriation is about the power dynamic. It's not acceptable to wear the bead on your hair because you're offending black people. But if you happen to catch a glimpse of yourself looking quirky in the mirror and decide youll tell the world you invented braids to gain profit, try re-reading this article before calling your agent. For the price of a single lunch out, you can help save us. What It Really Means: The Day of the Dead, or Dia de Muertos, is a hugely significant Mexican holiday. This would mean me having to reconsider my whole make-up routine. She loves her locks but acknowledges they come with baggage. And you are one individual who consumes media, and acts on the ways they influence your view of the world. She remembers seeing white people with dreadlocks in the same Berkeley, California, salon she used to visit for regular maintenance. Fortunately, though, there have been a lot of articles written about how everyone should avoid wearing racist costumes on Halloween, and thanks to the very public displays of celebrities appropriating black hairstyles, I think most of us are no longer ignorant to the more obvious ways white people in particular, and Westerners in general, can avoid appropriating. If you agree that we deserve better, then respect us enough to let us decide for ourselves what we need. I get it. Yes, some white people just take the hairstyles and act like its some cool new trend, and purposefully ignore the concerns of black people. For instance, theyll take a small section of hair and put different colored beads and add them in. and avoid shutting down. I wonder if an Indian person could say I was appropriating them? she said. Its roots are thousands of years old. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Criticism is inevitable, but its important to not get defensive. Yes, we do have things more important than hair to worry about. And as big fan of liberation, I get why that feels fucked up. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. MaishaZ. Johnson is the Digital Content Associate and Staff Writer of Everyday Feminism. Were going to have the cultural appropriation talk again. Goddess braids are essentially thicker cornrows. What They Really Mean: Bindis are purely for women, and they have many different specific cultural meanings in India. For others, its just a hairstyle. Obviously, no one can stop you from wearing your hair how you want, so, if you still want to wear a braided hairstyle, there are steps you can take before making your way to the salon. Black hair has long been politicized and policed in the workplace and beyond. Ive touched on several of the important issues for Black women already employment discrimination, lack of visibility in the media, police brutality not to mention things like healthcare, reproductive justice, and intimate partner violence. But now youve got the key: applying context. They functioned as symbols to. Thats why Im not saying youre a bad person, even if youre guilty of appropriating another cultures traditional hairstyle. The topic of cultural appropriation comes up often these days, but its a discussion that needs to be had, especially when it comes to the topic of white people wearing black hairstyles. Although Egypt sits in the north of the African continent it is considered by many to be a Middle Eastern country, partly because the main spoken language there is Egyptian Arabic, the main religion is Islam and it is a member of the Arab League. Hairstyles are not innocuous, she said. Once you commit to that process, youll understand a lot more about anti-Black racism and youll know whats at stake for Black folks if you appropriate our hairstyles. Here are a few other nonblack celebs who sport the hairstyle. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much But if you really want your answer, you also have to listen to other perspectives, learn about being an ally Black folks, and acknowledge your own privilege. Hairstyles and Exposure to Cultural Appropriation - The Odyssey Online Most of us probably adjust our speech depending on who we're with or where we are, and that's not always a bad thing. As stated in a article The wearing of beads and hair ornaments on braids, remain an unmistakably African tradition, upheld by black womenand men in many instancesacross continents. Linda Freedman Author has 2.6K answers and 1.4M answer views 1 y Coups and coos are two commonly confused words that are pronounced in the same way when spoken aloud but are spelled differently and mean different things, which makes them homophones. I cringe when I think about it today, but I was a child, and I really didn't know I was appropriating at the time. Are French braids cultural appropriation? Learn more about: cookie policy. A Warner Bros. One famous case of cultural appropriation is the Native American feather headdress, which is now banned at several festivals around the world and woe betide any starlet who thinks it's "cute" to pose in it on Halloween or Instagram. frogsareprettynice 1 yr. ago sorry, i realize i worded my post badly. All Rights Reserved. Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation: 12 Qs on - Healthline With each subsequent generation, cultural icons truly will be based on assimilation, not appropriation. Remember, its more than just hair for us and cultural appropriation has many layers. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The reality is, cultural appropriation does exist, and one of its most prevalent, visible forms is in the realm of hair. How, exactly, can cultural appropriation as it applies to braids be . No community is a monolith, and you could find a Black person who would say that appropriating our hair isnt not a problem. Sorry, since cultural appropriation isnt about one individual being a bad person, its also not about one individual person giving you a pass to do it. Im not trying to divide us. Sure, white people can wear locs, she said in an email. But I refuse to be apologetic or feel disloyal to my race for my beauty routines and extensions. Even now, things are slowly changing from how it was for them and Ive found work spaces open to my natural hair. After a black San Francisco State University student confronted a white student over his dreadlock hairstyle, calling it cultural appropriation, people are talking about the topic of white people with dreads. If you put your hair up in a bun or French twist, secure the brooch or pin to a hair comb or a large clip. If she really thinks Black folks are cool and wants to honor our culture, she should help eradicate the inequality between us instead. People argue that we share between cultures all the time, which helps us grow as people. Matt Cowan/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images, banned at several festivals around the world, origins in the Zulu tribe in the southern part of Africa, rightfully pissing off some Mexican people, emerged in Mexican-Americans communities in the '80s and '90s, people are either borrowing it without paying any attention to its roots, symbolize the arrival of a wife into her husband's house. Also known as a reverse braid (or sometimes incorrectly attributed to UFC fighters and referred to as boxer braids), The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BCthey were very popular among women. Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art. But if you really want your answer, you also have to listen to other perspectives, learn about being an ally Black folks, and, Ignores the inequality of systematic racism, letting it remain invisible, Distracts from the real issue of racism by leaving it up to people of color to point out the problem so its about our oversensitivity, rather than institutional oppression, Adds to the Eurocentric standard of beauty that says that Black womens features are acceptable only on white women, Claims profit, credit, and/or praise instead of the people of the culture she borrowed from, Trivializes the struggles of the people who identify with that hairstyle, Erases cultural differences that should be celebrated, Perpetuates the system of white supremacy by reinforcing false ideas of Black womens inferiority, Were suffering and invisible. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. And its not just about Kylie Jenner. Ghana braids or cornrows become boxer braids Im looking at you Kim Kardashian and Fulani braids become Bo braids, named after 70s it-girl Bo Derek. In fact, my Bustle author page actually contained the phrase, "Audrey Hepburn is my spirit animal" until I read about Washington's tweet and proceeded to edit my bio. Even if you have good intentions and insecurities to blame, don't do this. Yes, braids are a hairstyle that can ultimately be worn by anyone but this mere hairstyle serves as more than that to black women and those who grew up doing these hairstyles from childhood and beyond. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The sooner you understand that, the sooner we can start moving forward. Just because it's a trend doesn't mean it's in any way OK. This article was originally published on Oct. 28, 2015, 13 Plus-Size Looks From Fashion Week That 100% Slayed, All Of Gigi Hadid's Chicest Outfits On Next In Fashion, Emily Ratajkowski Wore A Flower As A Shirt At The Loewe Fashion Show, Carrie Bradshaws Ugly Crystal Novelty Bag Is All Over Fashion Week, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Some of the earliest depictions of dreadlocks date back as far as 16001500 BCE in the Minoan Civilization, one of Europes earliest civilizations, centred in Crete (now part of Greece). When a marginalized group takes on elements from the dominant culture in order to survive, thats called assimilation. I, as an African-American woman, cultural appropriation is a bitch and it becomes a problem when non-whites act like these beads/braids/dreads stem from their cultural (Example: Kim Kardashian and those fucking "Bo Dereck" braids, even though Bo came out herself and said she stole the style from African culture). By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Just look at the Ku Klux Klan | Michael W Twitty, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Kylie Jenner with cornrows. Many braided hairstyles have cultural significance, so make sure you educate yourself on the style youre getting. I wish I could give you the magical formula for what makes something offensive: Add the number of studies published on it + your number of Black friends, divide by the number of centuries this debate has raged on, sprinkle your intentions on top, and there you have it! 10 Trends That Are Actually Cultural Appropriation - Bustle The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BCthey were very popular among women. Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. LGBTQIA, Used by hundreds of universities, non-profits, and businesses. Where did beads in hair originate? Ghana braids or cornrows become boxer braids Im looking at you Kim Kardashian and Fulani braids become Bo braids, named after 70s it-girl Bo Derek. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. I cant believe Im about to say this, but the Biebs has a point here. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In our family, the protective love women showed girls looked like teaching us that our own hair was ugly and unkept. So maybe your first question is this: Why the hell do I care about what some teenager does with her hair? In short, if youve ever worn any of the styles mentioned, then yes, you have. Bear in mind, though, that the actual term dreadlock comes from the Rastafarian culture, which is widely credited with popularizing the look in Western culture. For me what it means to lock ones hair really felt like going back to the natural progression of what my hair was like on its own, she said. Cultural appropriation is about the power dynamic. Being Black comes with disadvantages in this society, like being profiled and stereotyped, but it also comes with things I love. As a result of systemic racism, Black people face consequences for wearing dreadlocks that non-Black people do not. She pointed out exactly whats wrong with this picture: Jenners using her fame to call attention to her hair, which mimics Black culture, but not to the racist violence taking Black lives. The hair on the sides of your head can optionally be shaved, flat braided, or cornrow twisted. But theres one major detail you have to think about when it comes to equality: the reality we live in. Best to rethink this Halloween costume if it isn't actually your culture. Dear Beloved Reader, we're going to be real with you. If people can share equally and benefit without harm, thats fantastic. I had hoped such days were long gone. Why the fuss over a white woman having a black hairstyle? Its just another cool hairstyle to them. There are plenty of other ways to make a style statement. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This is super important, especially since mainstream media loves to ignore the cultural significance of these hairstyles. Why You Shouldnt Wear It: Like the hijab, its clear theres a double standard tied to burqas and niqabs that you shouldnt perpetuate. 5 Ways You Might Be Culturally Appropriating - Bustle However, if you change your voice to sound more like an ethnic group that is different from yours, that is cultural appropriation. Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia, says Pace. We women often complain of being judged by men on our appearance rather than our achievements. By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our, Tamara Albertini, owner of the braid studio Ancestral Strands in Brooklyn. Theres also a face veil draped over a womans face keeping her completely shielded while still allowing her to see. Jason Castro is one of a few former "American Idol" contestants who have worn their hair in dreadlocks. John Travolta wore dreadlocks for his role as Terl in the film "Battlefield Earth." From the moment black people were forcibly brought to North America and the Caribbean, our hair has been politicized. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Mother and daughter also breathed new life into fashions ongoing fascination with braids only these ones are sculptured and close to the scalp, but able to circumvent the cornrow controversy that Kim and Kylie faced last summer when both embraced the Afrocentric hair-do. Non-Black people wearing their hair in dreadlocks is cultural appropriation. The media is an example of a structure that supports white supremacy, by showing positive images of white people and negative stereotypes of people of color. It also means leaving something alone if you learn that its not possible to borrow it in a respectful way, like blogger HaifischGeweint did when they researched dreadlocks and decided not to wear them. Cultural appropriation in America can be audacious. Can I put beads in my hair? - Cultural Appropriation And tangles arent our only trouble. Reading about Washington's unintentional appropriation alerted me to the fact that I'd been appropriating in the same way Washington was, and I had no idea. The hair rings are rings used like piercings so you can put them in your hair. Informally, the is a little more relaxed, but there are still limits to how it should be worn, lest the brooch itself be demoted to the status of a basic accessory when it is far more worthy. Theyre bigger in size and raised higher, and are also braided closely to your scalp. Youll have more questions about how all of this applies to particular situations. kimkardashian Verified She finished in second place. Right, then. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. By taking these styles and not giving credit to the originator, they are literally erasing black hair culture. Even if you dont contribute to these struggles, the fact is that Black women wrestle these conditions every day. Wear any hairstyle that is not offensive to other cultures. And tangles arent our only trouble. Click to learn more, 7 Reasons Why White People Should Not Wear Black Hairstyles, Then, 16-year-old Amandla Stenberg (best known for playing Rue on, We can start by talking about her hair, but if thats all we talk about, well miss the chance to learn something valuable about how, And youll still be left with questions, like, But for women of color, that unrealistic beauty ideal is, I didnt always know the word assimilation, but Ive always felt the pressure of it. Remember to braid over instead of under to giveheight for your Dutch braid. They could honestly feel that way, or they could be feeling the pressure to agree with the dominant culture.