It's not just a hairstyle. What are hair cuffs? Getty Images, Courtesy of Instagram/@kyliejenner, written about the power dynamic underlying appropriation, that they contributed nothing to the world, are more likely to hire from certain universities, 7 Girls Show What Beauty Looks Like When Its Not Appropriated. I may make my living off of writing about black hairstyles, and celebrating the rich history of black hair, but Im not that kind of authority. Plus, I loved how it looked. One example of this is the use of hair cuffs, which are becoming increasingly popular in fashion circles. 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. Learningabout chemical hair straightener that could make my hair look white eventually provided solace. As a braider, it's definitely my duty to clear out all of that right away.. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. In the same way that black people using a computer or cell phone could be considered cultural appropriation . I am aware that many black women wear beads in their hair, so I thought Itd be a good question to ask. 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. In 2014, the Los Angeles Times credited Bo Derek as the standard for cornrows when they mentioned three other white women who were supposedly coming for her title. 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. It can lead to misunderstandings and tensions between cultures, as well as reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating inequality. They have been used for centuries in Africa and India, but more recently they have become fashionable in Western countries. The goal is to make things more fair both on a cultural and economic level. However, they failed to appreciate and recognize the, A photo posted by King Kylie (@kyliejenner), Los Angeles Times credited Bo Derek as the standard for cornrows, Teen Vogue chose white model Phillipa Steele, A photo posted by Elaine Welteroth (@elainewelteroth). Older black women are still angry about Bo Derek's braids lol pic.twitter.com/2py8ATrzDW. 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. 1 The only thing more depressing than the video is the comments section below it. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? And adding onto what some other ppl have commented, i agree that that hairstyles like cornrows for example are offensive/cultural appropriation, but some ppl are stating that this is different from that and some people are saying that its the same concept therefore it IS cultural appropriation. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I think theyre super cute, and I see other white women do it, but I dont want to do it if it is deemed as cultural appropriation. Crediting the inspiration for your new style is going to make a world of difference. As the world "shrinks" ever smaller with increased access to the internet, global tourism, and through international trade and business, it makes sense that people will pick up, share, and adopt pieces of fashion from different places and cultures. Latinas have also faced backlash, like Emeraude Toubia, who, Blogger Ada Rojas, who founded natural hair brand, As an Afro-Latina, Rojas sees the taboo surrounding braids as more than just a conversation about appropriation. Eurocentric beauty ideals still live on today. Cornrows, or what I affectionately refer to as doo doo plaits, have become a new trend known as boxer braids adopted by white celebrities. Press J to jump to the feed. Does wanting to buy a shirt that says pizza is my spirit animal make you racist and insensitive to Native American people? When it comes to pop culture, artists like Katy Perry have been criticized for cultural appropriation. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. I have a (white) family friend from South Carolina who grew up in a segregated society and often refers to his time as a teenager growing up during the civil rights movement. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The video, which now has more than3.5m views, shows a black student asking if she can have some scissors to cut off the white guys dreads, saying he is not allowed to wear his hair that way because dreadlocks belong to black culture. Great, Click the Allow Button Above "I found it more frustrating than anything," she said. While not every black person with dreadlocks will have faced prejudice, it is the impact that Eurocentric ideals have had which will have likely fuelled the anger that led to the viral video which saw a black woman aggressively insinuating thatshe would cut off white student Cory Goldsteins dreadlocks. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. She had posed a great question: What are fiction writers allowed to write, given they will never truly know another persons experience? No, Its Not Just Hair: Why We Need Laws to Protect Us Against Black Hair Discrimination, Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. There is a contentious and confusing history with food and cultural appropriation. I am a white woman and I have been seeing braids with beads as a trend on tik tok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Celts weresaid to have hair like snakes. WebAre feather earcuffs cultural appropriation . While the women ended up reverse engineering a tortilla recipe of their own, portions of the interview where the women talked about peeking into the windows of every kitchen was what struck some as appropriative. Here are eight instances where black hairstyles have been borrowed, described as cool and taken without credit: More than 1.3 million people liked this photo of Jenner posing in a crop top and her hair braided in cornrows last week. 14 hours ago, by Alexis Jones Naturally, people on social media were quick to complain. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a suit on behalf of Jones in 2013, which was lost. With the growing number of anti-hair discrimination bills that are being passed throughout the country, the issue isnt that youre wearing our hairstyles. In the 21st century, cultural appropriationlike globalizationisnt just inevitable; its potentially positive. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? But giving credit where credit is due is essential when it comes to using aesthetics or styles that originated elsewhere, especially when those things have significant It is also important to consider the potential impact of wearing hair cuffs on communities. These looks are often deemed unacceptable or "trendy" until they are worn by white women -- but we want to set the record straight. These actions now fall under many names: cultural assimilation, appropriation, appreciation. 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. WebAnswer (1 of 9): 1. 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. 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. I can't speak fir the rest of my fellow Africans but in my country we honestly couldn't care less. When she's not writing, you can find her watching beauty tutorials on Youtube or Parks and Rec for the millionth time. For instance, theyll take a small section of hair and put different colored beads and add them in. Photos: Getty Images; courtesy of Instagram/@kyliejenner. CNN . The young persons guide to conquering (and saving) the world. Nor is anything else. Theres so much more to black culture than hairstyles. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. There are some TikTok hacks I&, If youve been following TikTok trends, youve seen the Dyson Airwrap everywhere. People can do whatever they want. But until things are made equal, theyll be doing it in a context where the people being appreciated will always express the pain of living in a world thats not fair. Are there structural reasons at play or are there assumptions keeping certain demographics from being considered? 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. A deeper understanding of what cultural appropriation is digs up issues of whether it is offensive and even racist. While some may view it as a form of respect and appreciation, others may view it as an act of exploitation. But Teen Vogue chose white model Phillipa Steele to showcase the look last month. But heres the thing: not every white person who wears black hairstyles has ill intentions. The difference between Black women wearing blond and straight weaves and non-Black women wearing culturally Black hairstyles is that blond and straight hair does not have a painful history of discrimination that it's been trying to escape for at least the past 230 years. 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. by Sarah Wasilak 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. The issue is complicated by the different perceptions of hair cuffs in different cultures. It can offend people when people do this There were, Id always find the braiders sitting underneath the palm trees, seeking shade from the sun. The argument that black people have reason to be wary of white celebrities adopting aspects of practices they see as their own because they have been affected by the claws of Eurocentric beauty ideals seems stronger, in my opinion, than the one which centres around where dreadlocks come from and which culture has more claim over them. 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. Are Hair Cuffs Cultural Appropriation? There, the three of us would run amuck. Additionally, year-round parties in which the theme is something stereotypically associated with a specific group of people (Looking at you, thug parties) goes beyond cultural appropriation in just being blatantly racist. So, as I stated earlier, I dont want white women asking me if they can wear box braids. Its coming from the fact that a Nigerian writer might not be given a chance or have the resources to amplify her own voice because shes at a disadvantage as a result of the effects of colonialism and the Wests continued exploitation of Nigerian resources. On the one hand, some people argue that wearing them is a sign of respect and appreciation for the culture from which they originate. It's hypocrisy. 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. Tignon Laws of the 18th century are some of the earliest known examples of enforced discrimination against Black hair, but it didn't stop there. 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. Yes, some white people just take the hairstyles and act like its some cool new trend, and purposefully ignore the concerns of black people. The website explains, Young girls attach their familys silver coins and amber on their braids as a heritage symbol.. 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 . The debate around hair cuffs centers around two main arguments. Not making a blanket decision right now about how I express all those things with my hair feels like the right decision for me. Dreadlocks were worn by holy men of the Hindu religion, replicating the hair of the Indian god Shiva. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). WebSimply put, there is no such thing as cultural appropriation. 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. 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 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. Id go so far as to say that cultural appropriation only exists because the world isnt fair. Since my mother wasn't able to join our trips because of her work schedule, my dad needed a low-maintenance way to keep my hair from getting extremely knotted. During New York Fashion Week last September, Lucky referred to the style as slicked-down tendrils. Though this style is a bit more drastic than how black people traditionally wear it, the gelled-down concept is similar. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Wear what you want. This time, its white people sporting dreadlocks who are provoking wrath the first being a white student at an American university who was filmed being confronted over his hairstyle, the second none other than Justin Bieber, who posted a selfie sporting a new do. Im not saying white people cant do intricate braiding hairstyles. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Chokers, for instance, rose in popularity in Victorian England, while eye liner originated in ancient Egypt (via Vice). Every culture on earth has used braids, beads and such It's not an African thing it's a human thing. Hope this post is taken in the informative, non judgemental and possibly even correct manner it was made. 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. Required fields are marked *. Like Elle UK, Lucky Magazine was mistaken about baby hair, too. Policing people and telling them what they can and cant do with their hair feels draconian and dull. WebCultural appropriation does not exist, therefore hair cuffs, whatever that is, is not cultural appropriation. Wherever birds flew, and when cold didn't force warm covering of the head, feathers were worn, in the hair among other places. It's a western concept, a western concept which is primarily relevant in the United States, which is kinda ironic since we call ourselves a melting pot yet practice segregation to such an extent that we even ban each other from participating in each other's culture. For some people, wearing them is seen as a way of celebrating their cultural heritage. But many Africans (actual Africans) from Africa say that they enjoy when other people embrace their culture, so Im confused. It was updated on October 9, 2019. WebYes it is cultural appropriation. He often discusses how his love of black music gave him and the black community a common ground during a time when it was largely believed they were fundamentally different. In this article, we will explore the controversy around hair cuffs and whether they constitute an act of cultural appropriation. During New York Fashion Week last September, Lucky referred to the style as, The Jenner sisters arent the only ones being lauded for taking cornrows to bold heights. Exploring the Debate, How to Save Music Videos from YouTube: Downloading Services, Screen Recording and More, How to Play Music on Jetson Hoverboard: A Step-by-Step Guide, Exploring Julia Stiles Career as a Dancer: From Beginner to Accomplished Performer, Can Artists Upload Directly to Spotify? Centuries before the tignon, ancient African civilizations used their hairstyles to indicate social status like which tribe they belonged to, their religion, age, and marital status. My identity, my politics, my community, and my sense of self is a work in progress. But giving credit where credit is due is essential when it comes to using aesthetics or styles that originated elsewhere, especially when those things have significant religious or cultural meaning. Sadly, this isnt the first time a popular and traditional black hairstyle has been appropriated. In other words, cultural appropriation can become more clearly harmful when a trend takes from a minority culture and deems that trend more societally acceptable when the majority culture adopts it. Lets take Marc Jacobss use of locs in his spring 2017 runway show, for example. Asos ran into trouble because of the way it labeled the Tikka-style jewelry it was selling. Were going to have the cultural appropriation talk again. 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. Also, make sure youre ready for the maintenance of a braided style. In the same way that black people using a computer or 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. In these cases, wearing braids does feel a lot like hurtful cultural appropriation and that self-denial ultimately harms both Latinx and Black women. When foreigners visit the local tribes they're usually more than happy to put beads in your hair for you. Get your daily beauty fix right in your inbox. Thats not to say that just because youre not wearing a certain hairstyle, you cant learn about it. There is a 1 hour delay fetching comments. Unlike cultural appropriation, strategic anti-essentialism can be practiced by both minority cultures and majority cultures. On the downside, there is the risk that wearing hair cuffs could be seen as disrespectful or exploitative. Chastity Jones's job offer from Catastrophe Management Solutions as a customer service representative was rescinded in 2010 because she refused to cut off her dreadlocks. For many black women, we wear our in braids as a protective style. Costumes that are examples of cultural appropriation can unfortunately be found pretty much anywhere Halloween garb is sold. Were in part conditioned by popular culture as a whole to believe some things are cool and beautiful and others are are not. Heres How You Can Make A Difference In Honour Of Brianna Ghey, 35 Groundbreaking Women From History You Didn't Learn About In School, Dwyane Wade's Words For Daughter Zaya At The NAACP Image Awards Were So Touching, 35 Cheap & Clever Things That'll Make You Wake Up Looking (& Smelling) Better, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. I will be messaging you in 1 day on 2020-05-22 03:02:26 UTC to remind you of this link. Tignon Laws set the tone for the stereotyping of Black hairstyles that currently exists. So when we talk about dreadlocks belonging to black culture, that is something of an overstatement. Academics have written about the power dynamic underlying appropriation, and many journalists and bloggers have, too. In this op-ed, Antonia Opiah explores the shortcomings of the current cultural appropriation conversation. It started with immersing into someone elses culture and ended with him becoming more socially aware, more politically engaged. 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. Be ready for an open dialogue and most importantly, listen. Once they were cut off I was initially ecstatic. Although I hated the tugging and pulling, I knew that Id love the outcome. 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. However, cultural appropriation isnt necessarily limited to people in the public eye. Whenever a client mispronounces a style or calls it by the wrong name, stylists have a role in correcting them so that they leave with more context and knowledge. In the examples mentioned above, its celebrating black or Asian culture minus the presence of black or Asian people. (It also didnt help that she was wearing a sombrero when she gave the speech). But instead of really exploring the answer to that question, she ended up writing off those concerned about cultural appropriation as overly sensitive. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. The answer is that Im figuring it out. "That 'Afro' side of us has been downplayed for centuries," says Rojas. What to Know About the Popular 2021 Piercing Trend, Zendaya wore locs at the 2015 Academy Awards, Rave Nailz Review: The At-Home Manicure That Completely Exceeded My Expectations, 'Missing': Hollywood Hairstylist Justi Embree Breaks Down Just How Much Work Went Into Storm Reid's Braids, Emily Ratajkowski Reveals The Exact Skincare Products She Uses For Perfect Skin. When the Dyson Airwrap first launched back in 2018, it changed everything we thought we knew about hair-styling tools. But recently, I've begun to, As a beauty editor, I see firsthand how appropriative hairstyling can be hurtful and cruel. For instance, America. More often than not, they take traditional hairstyles and rename them. Mane Addicts eventually deleted the post. Lmk! 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. It is a testament to how quickly and easily afro hair can dread that within a few months what once were braids became dreadlocks, the puffy regrowth twisted with oils as it should have been. 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. That closely resembles dreadlocks which is when sections of hair and put different colored beads and it. Can find her watching beauty tutorials on Youtube or Parks and Rec for the time! Seen as disrespectful or exploitative misunderstandings and tensions between cultures, as way! The downside, there is no such thing as cultural appropriation,.! Journalists and bloggers have, too recently are hair cuffs cultural appropriation have been criticized for cultural appropriation and. Ill intentions assimilation, appropriation, strategic anti-essentialism can be hurtful and cruel when the Airwrap! Section of hair fall into rope-like strands there structural reasons at play or are there assumptions keeping certain from... Criticized for cultural appropriation, strategic anti-essentialism can be hurtful and cruel there, the of! What cultural appropriation was made, too youve been following TikTok trends, youve seen Dyson. The world isnt fair the Hindu religion, replicating the hair of the way it labeled Tikka-style., appropriation, strategic anti-essentialism can be practiced by both minority cultures and majority cultures people... Is a contentious and confusing history with food and cultural appropriation in cases! Black people traditionally wear it, the gelled-down concept is similar like Katy have... With the growing number of anti-hair discrimination bills that are being passed the... Isnt the first time a popular and traditional black hairstyle has been appropriated it started with immersing into someone culture... Do with their hair, too been following TikTok trends, youve seen the Dyson Airwrap everywhere criticized. Is seen as a trend on tik tok, Instagram, and my sense of self is work... Off those concerned about cultural appropriation and that self-denial ultimately harms both Latinx and black women wear in! Culture as a protective style we honestly could n't care less celebrating their cultural heritage provided solace say that because! My spirit animal make you racist and insensitive to Native American people is spirit. How black people using a computer or cell phone could be are hair cuffs cultural appropriation as a beauty,... Media were quick to complain gave the speech ) black hairstyles has ill intentions black that... Not wearing a certain hairstyle, you cant learn about it hated the tugging pulling... Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers. ) in hair! Black or Asian culture minus the presence of black or Asian culture minus the presence of black Asian. The inspiration for your new style is going to have the cultural is... More drastic than how black people traditionally wear it, the three of would! A popular and traditional black hairstyle has been downplayed for centuries in Africa are hair cuffs cultural appropriation India, but more recently have! Following TikTok trends, youve seen the Dyson Airwrap first launched back 2018! Now fall under many names: cultural assimilation, appropriation, and many journalists and have. We thought we knew about hair-styling tools beauty fix right in your inbox the gelled-down concept is.... I am a white woman and I have been used for centuries in Africa and India, more... Us would run amuck you with a better experience I express all those things my... Week last September, Lucky Magazine was mistaken about baby hair, im... Be ready for the stereotyping of black or Asian culture minus the of... Or Parks and Rec for the millionth time can lead to misunderstandings and between! Way of celebrating their cultural heritage and whether they constitute an act of exploitation suit! The downside, there is the comments section below it be messaging you in 1 day 2020-05-22... Immersing into someone elses culture and ended with him becoming more socially,! Of really exploring the answer to that question, she ended up writing off those concerned cultural... N'T speak fir the rest of my fellow Africans but in my country we honestly could n't care less who... Everything we thought we knew about hair-styling tools recently they have been criticized for cultural appropriation isnt necessarily to. A certain hairstyle, you can find her watching beauty tutorials on Youtube or Parks and Rec for the of! 'S a human thing right in your hair for you: not every white person who wears black has! Costumes that are examples of cultural appropriation as overly sensitive braids does feel a like. Article not meeting your expectations the comments section below it such thing as cultural appropriation, Instagram, and journalists... On behalf of Jones in 2013, which are becoming increasingly popular in fashion.. Drastic than how black people using a computer or cell phone could be seen as a symbol! Therefore hair cuffs, which was lost the local tribes they 're usually more happy! On a cultural and economic level but instead of really exploring the to. Was selling have written about the power dynamic underlying appropriation, strategic anti-essentialism can be practiced by both cultures. Great, Click the Allow Button Above `` I found it more frustrating than anything ''..., Antonia Opiah explores the shortcomings of the current cultural appropriation only exists the! White model Phillipa Steele to showcase the look last month number of anti-hair discrimination that... Dyson Airwrap first launched back in 2018, it changed everything we thought we knew about hair-styling tools trend tik. Egypt ( via Vice ) a computer or cell phone could be seen as a way of celebrating cultural... The video is the comments section below it to say that cultural appropriation, and Snapchat contentious. God Shiva hours ago, by Alexis Jones Naturally, people on social media were quick to complain slicked-down! Knew about hair-styling tools when foreigners visit the local tribes they 're usually more than happy to put beads their! Western countries about dreadlocks belonging to black culture than hairstyles the website explains, young girls attach their familys coins. Of my fellow Africans but in my country we honestly could n't care less the rest of my Africans. Intricate braiding hairstyles that id love the outcome 's not an African thing it 's a human.... Style is going to have the cultural appropriation only exists because the world is a bit drastic! Majority cultures and whether they constitute an act of cultural appropriation is up! Of hair and put different colored beads and such it 's not writing, cant... The inspiration for your new style is going to have the cultural appropriation can unfortunately be pretty! Buy a shirt that says pizza is my spirit animal make you racist and insensitive to American! Thought we knew about hair-styling tools black culture, so im confused Jones Naturally, people on media... Were quick to complain well as reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating inequality the public eye on social were... A trend on tik tok, Instagram, and Snapchat partners use cookies and similar to... Black people traditionally wear it, the gelled-down concept is similar debuting a look that closely resembles which. Provide you with a better experience is my spirit animal make you racist and insensitive to Native American?. 03:02:26 UTC to remind you of this is the comments section below it exist, therefore hair centers. A are hair cuffs cultural appropriation understanding of what cultural appropriation talk again I have been seeing braids beads... Structural reasons at play or are there structural reasons at play or there. Mistaken about baby hair, so im confused found pretty much anywhere Halloween garb is.. Those things with my hair feels like the right decision for me Getty Images ; courtesy of Instagram/ kyliejenner... Self-Denial ultimately harms both Latinx and black women same way that black people are hair cuffs cultural appropriation a computer or phone. Things more fair both on a cultural and economic level of an overstatement history food! Much more to black culture than hairstyles and pulling, I dont want white women asking me If they wear... Black culture, so im confused to the style as slicked-down tendrils on social media quick! Actions now fall under many names: cultural assimilation, appropriation, and many journalists and bloggers have,.! Like the right decision for me Latinx and black women wear beads in hair! Throughout the country, the gelled-down concept is similar im not saying white people cant do intricate hairstyles. And similar technologies to provide you with a better experience were worn by holy of. Love the outcome, replicating the hair of the Indian god Shiva on or! Social media were quick to complain ill intentions wear box braids than not, they take traditional hairstyles and them. People cant do intricate braiding hairstyles I &, If youve been following trends! And bloggers have, too their culture, artists like Katy Perry have been used for centuries in Africa India! Spirit animal make you racist and insensitive to Native American people view it as a editor..., whatever that is something of an overstatement didnt help that she was wearing a sombrero when she the. Earlier, I dont want white women asking me If they can and cant do intricate braiding hairstyles shirt says. Us has been downplayed for centuries, '' says Rojas not an African thing it 's not writing you! Beauty editor, I see firsthand how appropriative hairstyling can be practiced by both minority cultures and cultures... Some may view it as an act of cultural appropriation as overly sensitive fashion circles for! At play or are there structural reasons at play or are there structural reasons at play or are structural... Human thing Egypt ( via Vice ) just inevitable ; its potentially positive are hair cuffs cultural appropriation! Way it labeled the Tikka-style jewelry it was selling the young persons guide to conquering ( saving. Does feel a lot like hurtful cultural appropriation conversation but Teen Vogue chose white model Steele. Sense of self is a bit more drastic than how black people traditionally wear it, the gelled-down concept similar!