| Making things fair on a cultural level means correcting incorrect narratives of groups of people or preventing them from being mischaracterized in the first place. For example, YouTube user Dav Ze asked the pertinent question: lolz why the dude didnt killed that negress right there?. I can't speak fir the rest of my fellow Africans but in my country we honestly couldn't care less. Cultural appropriation at music festivals like Coachella can be seen in decorative bindis, headdresses, henna, and other accessories deemed exotic or trendy. So when we talk about dreadlocks belonging to black culture, that is something of an overstatement. I had dreadlocks from ages eight to 13 or 14, after my mum decided shed had enough of my screaming and crying every time she went to do my hair and gave me an ultimatum. While no one can tell you how you should wear your hair, take the time to ask yourself this question: Have I ever appropriated black hair?. I am aware that many black women wear beads in their hair, so I thought Itd be a good question to ask. i looked up this question & i saw what everybody was saying so i wanted to lyk my pov :) ppl from africa may want us to embrace their culture but when youre living the U.S. it may be taken as offensive bc of the discrimination theyve been thru for having hair ornaments. Yes it is cultural appropriation. Curly hair and locks are not the exclusive cultural property of black Americans. But many Africans (actual Africans) from Africa say that they enjoy when other people embrace their culture, so Im confused. On an individual level, it can be difficult to determine what is cultural appropriation versus cultural exchange versus appreciation. 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). We can do that by looking at the industries we work in and asking ourselves if they really reflect the face of the population, and if not, why not? However, the impact of whiteness benefiting from aspects of culture that are historically black is not to be dismissed. Since long ago I've been fascinated by natural feathers earcuffs, however as I am more familiar with cultural appropriation it started to beg the question wheather feather earcuffs are cultural appropriation of Native American culture . Again. Are there structural reasons at play or are there assumptions keeping certain demographics from being considered? They didn't Its seen in the way Elvis danced and heard in the way Iggy Azalea speaks. WebAs a result of systemic racism, Black people face consequences for wearing dreadlocks that non-Black people do not. A post shared by Kendall (@kendalljenner). The ignorance and mild bullying-type behaviour that I faced due to my dreadlocks was hugely influential in my decision to chop them off in my second year of high school. 14 hours ago, by Alexis Jones A photo posted by Elaine Welteroth (@elainewelteroth) on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:40pm PDT. Chokers, for instance, rose in popularity in Victorian England, while eye liner originated in ancient Egypt (via Vice). Here are seven examples of things most of us have likely encountered that can constitute as harmful cultural appropriation. When assessing the merits of each argument, it is important to consider the intent behind wearing hair cuffs. But thanks to fashion magazines, Marc Jacobs fashion shows, and the Kardashians, these hairstyles that hold a cultural significance to black people have become quite popular with people outside of the black community over the years. In 2017, the owners of a Portland burrito cart were criticized for cultural appropriation after a profile of the pair reveal some dubious origins for their tortilla recipes. The debate around hair cuffs centers around two main arguments. 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. Naturally, people on social media were quick to complain. Academics have written about the power dynamic underlying appropriation, and many journalists and bloggers have, too. Im genuinely curious and want to be the best person I can be! It was updated on October 9, 2019. Hi i like to dress up like a fairy and I have seen people using viking cuffs but i am not sure if that would still be cultural appropriation, i do not have viking heritage but im not sure how that works and havnt been able to find any info on it or if it should be treated the same way as African culture. On the one hand, some people argue that wearing them is a sign of respect and appreciation for the culture from which they originate. Lmk! These looks are often deemed unacceptable or "trendy" until they are worn by white women -- but we want to set the record straight. These Latinas' allyships with Black communities are only limited to their hair. If you think Black hairstyles are just hair, that's simply not the case. I hate this assertion, because there is nothing inherently wrong with how white people look with dreads. Theres a reason why The Brady Bunchs Marcia would famously count every pass over, PSA: The Dyson Airwrap Was Just Restocked Run, Dont Walk, This Hair Mask Is So Good, I Look Forward To Wash Day. Related: 7 Girls Show What Beauty Looks Like When Its Not Appropriated, 2023 Cond Nast. Rather than calling it a Tikka, thereby giving due credit to the culture from which it comes, the company called it a "chandelier head clip," as noted by Global News. For rastas they symbolise a spiritual journey, but theyve been worn by African Maasai warriors and even have biblical roots. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. It can also be a way of showing solidarity with communities that have faced oppression and discrimination. They probably saw a how to style mini-buns article in a magazine and thought it was cute, unaware that the proper term is Bantu knots, named after a large ethnic group in Subsaharan Africa. If someone is wearing hair cuffs out of a genuine appreciation for the culture from which they originate, then it could be argued that it is not an act of cultural appropriation. Yes, some white people just take the hairstyles and act like its some cool new trend, and purposefully ignore the concerns of black people. It is also important to evaluate the impact of wearing hair cuffs on cultural appropriation. Those Sosa braids were my introduction to protective styling. Hairstyles could bring communities together, especially between those of color. The issue, however, was that the company never mentioned the work "Tikka" or its cultural heritage and background. But, its not the end of the world. If someone is wearing them out of a genuine appreciation for the culture, then it could be argued that it is not an act of cultural appropriation. If you straighten it you want to be white, if you retain your natural hair texture it is a bold statement. Its the fact that Zendaya wore locs at the 2015 Academy Awards and received comments like, she smells like patchouli, and yet Kylie Jenner wore locs on the cover of Teen Vogue the very same year and it was deemed trendy. 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.". Tignon Laws were targeted at free women of color and made it compulsory for Black women to cover their hair in public, because their intricate hairstyles were seen to threaten the social status of white women and, therefore, the patriarchal social order. A post shared by Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian). Mane Addicts published a tutorial on bantu knots in which the look was described as twisted mini buns inspired by Marc Jacobs. In a piece for Everyday Feminism, author Maisha Z. Johnson says, Recent transplants to the [Bay Area] write Yelp reviews in search of 'authentic Mexican food' without the 'sketchy neighborhoods' which usually happen to be what they call neighborhoods with higher numbers of people of color., Eating and enjoying food from another culture is not inherently appropriative or wrong. Hmph. These actions now fall under many names: cultural assimilation, appropriation, appreciation. On an individual level, we need to start surfacing our implicit biases because we all have them, myself included. Bantu knots, Fulani braids, and cornrows are just some of the African hairstyles that have been around for centuries. Stereotypes around Black hair, as we've discovered, have literally kept Black women from work and education, making it more difficult to be financially independent members of society. Which Dyson Hair Tools Are Actually Worth It? Please select the topics you're interested in: Would you like to turn on POPSUGAR desktop notifications to get breaking news ASAP? I dont want white women asking me whether or not they can wear their hair in box braids or Bantu knots. Crediting the inspiration for your new style is going to make a world of difference. Fail to do this (and worse, profit off of it), and you are likely guilty of cultural appropriation. An Investigation, The Pro-Approved Guide To Caring For Natural Hair In The Winter. "Peoples fear comes from them not owning their identity.". Walk into any hair braiding shop in Harlem and youll see black women in chairs crowded by stylists braiding their hair into senegalese twists. The length of her hair breached the school's policy, which states that "afro style hair must be of reasonable size and length." Webidentity. I often asked my parents if I could keep the style until the first day of school to show the plaits off to my other classmates. Sadly, the beautiful and intricate hairstyles that originated from Africa, and evolved through Afro-Caribbean and Black American cultures, have not fully escaped the painful history of stereotyping and discrimination created by white and non-Black people of color. When the Dyson Airwrap first launched back in 2018, it changed everything we thought we knew about hair-styling tools. This was cultural appropriation at work. But when did we decide to lambast an individual for exploring cultures other than their own? The answer to this question depends on the individual and their intent. 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. While some may view it as a form of respect and appreciation, others may view it as an act of exploitation. In a culture where black women are penalized for their natural hair, changing it to look more like the dominant culture (in this instance, white hair) is a means for survival. Were in part conditioned by popular culture as a whole to believe some things are cool and beautiful and others are are not. Cultural appropriation is complicated, which is all the more reason we need to be talking about it. Nothing makes my eyes roll like a fresh storm of outrage about cultural appropriation although I acknowledge the irony that Im probably about to start one again. When considering the debate around hair cuffs and cultural appropriation, it is important to recognize the complexity of the issue. Although the tignon similar to a West African head tie was meant to be a kind of scarlet letter for free Black women's naturally coily hair, it was reappropriated as a fashion statement. Ethiopians, Kenyans, ancient Greeks and ancient Egyptians woredreadlocks for various reasons. Required fields are marked *. Even Beyonc has been accused of culturally appropriating. Theres so much more to black culture than hairstyles. Also, make sure youre ready for the maintenance of a braided style. In a piece for Mic, author Jamilah King states, The problem, of course, is that it's unclear whether the Mexican women who handed over their recipes ever got anything in return. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. WebCultural appropriation does not exist, therefore hair cuffs, whatever that is, is not cultural appropriation. On the plus side, wearing them can be a way of expressing pride in ones culture and heritage. Your email address will not be published. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Black people are not homogenous. It is only hair, FFS. same thing for the japanese, they love when you wear their kimonos! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress The sharing of cultures is inevitable, but make sure youre not ignoring the culture or customs of a certain group when doing so. Fashion and music thrive when they are influenced by a wide range of styles. Some will be perhaps due to their religion and cultural beliefs more affected by a white person having dreadlocks than others, and I do think it would be very dangerous to dismiss this debate altogether as example of identity politics gone mad. Dont want white women asking me whether or not they can wear their kimonos a. On an individual for exploring cultures other than their own here are seven examples are hair cuffs cultural appropriation things of! Be dismissed or are there structural reasons at play or are there keeping! 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