2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Photography via instagram.com/jenatkinhair, Photography via instagram.com/bridgetbragerhair, Photography via instagram.com/thehautepursuit, Cara Delevingnes braid at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards, Sienna Miller on the red carpet at Cannes earlier this year, North West and Kim Kardashian-West wear matching braids, Kate Bosworth pairs a centre braid with a half-up braid at Coachella, Janelle Monae does a double French braid at Paris Fashion Week, Jessica Chastain wears a chain braid on the red carpet at the Critics Choice Awards in January, The Haute Pursuit blogger Vanessa Hong brings a centre braid together with a tight ponytail, Amber Heard brings the braid cage to the Magic Mike XXL red carpet this summer, 2023 St. Joseph Media All Rights Reserved, invoked the powerful #whitegirlsdoitbetter hashtag. Some ancient Egyptian mummies were found to have had dreadlock wigs from 1400 BCE. None of us are free from being body-shamed about all of the reasons our hair, body, teeth, or skin are not what someone else says they should be. 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. What It Really Means: The Day of the Dead, or Dia de Muertos, is a hugely significant Mexican holiday. According to Africa.com, the beads arent just for aesthetics, they hold a special significance. But now youve got the key: applying context. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Theres also a face veil draped over a womans face keeping her completely shielded while still allowing her to see. In recent times, hairstyles have increasingly become a politicised, racialised issue that women are expected to have a stance on. They say Im calling for locking people up just for hurting feelings. As Jenkins pointed out, cultures borrow from one another out of curiosity and respect. 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). When Atkin posted the adorable Instagram of mother-daughter with two side-Dutch braids combined into one, the look seemed easy and daytime appropriate. You can find her writing at the intersections and shamelessly indulging in her obsessionwith pop culture around the web. What are some examples of cultural appropriation? The sooner you understand that, the sooner we can start moving forward. However, if you change your voice to sound more like an ethnic group that is different from yours, that is cultural appropriation. 1. Offers may be subject to change without notice. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. DiFranco wore her hair in dreadlocks for many years but has gone back to a straight hairstyle lately. As University of Richmond professor Bert Ashe writes in Twisted: My Dreadlock Chronicles, the better question is, Who hasnt worn dreadlocks at one time or another?. It's not acceptable to wear the bead on your hair because you're offending black people. The thing is, wearing chopsticks as a hair accessory isn't even technically a Chinese hairstyle, because Chinese chopsticks are used exclusively for eating. Remember, its more than just hair for us and cultural appropriation has many layers. Rita, appropriation from WHICH culture? In short, its not just about you. If, for instance, Rachel Dolezal wants to wear her hair black or dress black, is she really hurting anybody by doing that? Showing love for something awesome and doing so with respect to the culture is appreciation and I dont see problems with that, for the most part. Thats not to say its a free-for-all for asking strangers questions and demanding answers. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Still not sure? Just because it's a trend doesn't mean it's in any way OK. Henna tattoos, or Mehendi, are stunning. To see other people take extra steps to push their hair in that direction is an interesting thing to look at as a different sort of metaphor as opposed to this is what your hair would do naturally.. To imply that cultures borrow from one another for financial exploitation is far-reaching and unreasonable, and it leads . The tense encounter focuses on the origin of dreadlocks, which both parties seem to agree is Egypt. So when whites choose a traditionally black hairstyle such as dreadlocks, it adds another layer of complexity to the issue. This is because they are not a historical style of a single cultural minority group. Part of being a more inclusive feminist, and just a more inclusive human being for that matter, is celebrating cultural diversity. Its different from appropriation, when the dominant group takes from an oppressed group without respect for the culture theyre taking from. The woman contends that dreadlocks belong to my culture, and the man says it doesnt matter.. I can attest to how differently people treat Black women depending on the style of our hair. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The actress quickly apologized for her mistake and admitted that she'd never been, "schooled" on how using the term could be offensive to indigenous peoples. If one Black person says its okay, you have one persons opinion, and thats a start. 'The Bachelor': The Focus on So-Called 'Vulnerability' is a Cruel Way to Exploit Contestants' Traumas, 'The Bachelor' Nick Viall Calls Out Victoria and Anna: 'There's Nastiness At Their Core', Rave Nailz Review: The At-Home Manicure That Completely Exceeded My Expectations, The 5 Biggest Celeb Moments From Paris Couture Week, Ashley Benson and More Celebs Are Obsessed With This Affordable Jewelry Brand. 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. The reality is, cultural appropriation does exist, and one of its most prevalent, visible forms is in the realm of hair. Dreadlocks are essentially entangled locks of hair achieved through various means of rolling hair. While cornrows are considered cultural appropriation, Yes, braids are a hairstyle that can ultimately be worn by anyone but this mere hairstyle serves as more than that to. The latest crop of statement making braids that won't get you into trouble. 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?. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. For example, when I'm back home in southern Missouri, I start to drawl pretty hardcore but since I arrived in New York, I've tried to wipe as much of that twang out of my voice as possible so that when people hear me talk they won't automatically assume I watch Fox News. So wearing chopsticks in your bun and calling it a celebration of Asian culture definitely isn't OK, and it doesn't even make sense. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Lets answer your questions. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In the United States, for example, white people get the unearned benefits of having the dominant culture. Their conversation led to a physical confrontation that is being investigated by the university. But, if youre going to get your hair done in a traditionally black style, why not go to a black stylist? Cultural appropriation is when someone adopts a culture that isn't their own and does not acknowledge or respect the culture being used for their own benefit, according to the Cambridge. We're asking you to join our membership program so we can become fully financially sustainable (and you'll get cool perks too!) From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. There are gendered and racialized connotations and stereotypes attached to them.. Did you research the meaning and history? If youlove rap, study how it developed into the mainstream music genre it is today, and promote your favorite artists. Oftentimes, the same people who appropriate elements of our culture are completely absent when we need support. Got questions about why people get mad when white folks wear traditionally Black hairstyles? If a headdress has no religious significance to you, dont put it on. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Davis has been cultivating his dreads for years. Dear Beloved Reader, we're going to be real with you. Were going to have the cultural appropriation talk again. 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. She loves her locks but acknowledges they come with baggage. and avoid shutting down. Even now, things are slowly changing from how it was for them and Ive found work spaces open to my natural hair. No? In the US, people have a variety of reasons for straightening their hair, but for many Black women, its a matter of survival, not just preference. Got that? Maybe youre stuck on the idea that if youre a white person, you cant wear your hair a certain way. Where did beads in hair originate? And you are one individual who consumes media, and acts on the ways they influence your view of the world. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Cultural appropriation is never as simple as saying, White people arent allowed to do X, period. Its about saying its ethical to consider the context of what youre doing. Cornrows are very similar to Dutch braids but according toblogger Azizi Powell: With Dutch braids only some of each portion of the hair is braided, but with cornrows all of each portion of the hair is braided to the middle of each braid., To get a good Dutch braid, we hit up hairstylist and braid pro Sandra Yang of JudyInc in Toronto for tips:For Dutch braids, part hair with arat tail comb because you want the part to be perfectly straight and in two sections, says Yang. Fortunately, this hairstyle isn't nearly as popular as it was back in the mid-to late '90s and early '00s Friends era, but it's still important to be aware of the fact that wearing chopsticks in your hair is a form of cultural appropriation. The wearing of beads and hair ornaments on braids, remain an unmistakably African tradition, upheld by black womenand men in many instancesacross continents. 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. These hairs are usually fishtailed or french braided flat. Additional Questions. How, exactly, can cultural appropriation as it applies to braids be . What doesnt make sense is the constant bickering over what qualifies as black hair. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Bantu knots, Fulani braids, and cornrows are just some of the African hairstyles that have been around for centuries. This style, then and into the present day, takes up to eight hours to create. There was even a time when we legally had to cover our hair. Cory Goldstein responds to viral dreadlocks video: UPDATED. The term "cultural appropriation" is bandied about a lot these days largely when a fashion line or a famous person plays into a look or accessory that had its origins in another culture and pays no attention to what it means or where it comes from. Right, then. Her latest iteration of cultural appropriation is just a drop in the bucket thats been filling up for centuries. By taking these styles and not giving credit to the originator, they are literally erasing black hair culture. So if youre wondering why Id take any time away from these pressing issues to worry about hair, the answer is that youve just stumbled upon one of the realities of Black womens everyday existence in the US. While cornrows are considered cultural appropriation, French braids are generally acceptable. Some of the earliest hair rings were found in Great Britain, France, and Belgium at the end of the Bronze Age. I used to wear them and it wasnt for any spiritual reason and I wasnt a rasta; I just liked how they looked on me. Henna booths are not uncommon at music festivals but it's important to remember that getting Henna painted on your hands isn't the same thing as applying those stick-on tattoos you got out of gumball machines as a kid and you shouldn't treat it as such. Even if you dont contribute to these struggles, the fact is that Black women wrestle these conditions every day. Just be yourself, and use your own voice. Yes, braids are a part of Mexican culture. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. And as big fan of liberation, I get why that feels fucked up.