It never once mentioned that a viable solution would be to restrict others from making similar hair choices because that…solves… nothing. A thoughtful article from 2001 discussed the issue as improving, as more employers were willing to take a more even-handed approach. It used to be that the fight to expand images of professionalism (to include elements of black culture) was handled in court now, we just scroll through the comments. Today, the conversation has shifted and while the concept that Black people are punished for styles linked to their culture and history remains, the new facet is that White people donning the same looks are heralded and because this dichotomy exists, it is cultural appropriation for a non-black person (especially white) to wear braids or similar ‘do’s. Consequences for hair choices disproportionately affected African Americans, but there was also an understanding that if a person of any race (however, unlikely) punched in wearing an ‘unapproved’ style, they too would have reprimands thrown their way. Sometimes, it’s okay to simply watch from a distance, as long as you just don’t touch.As far as I can remember, conversations about the appropriateness of specific Black hairstyles were typically centered around the workplace and whether or not someone would appear unprofessional (especially in a corporate setting) wearing braids, locs and the like. This includes giving credit to our baby hairs and cornrows and refrain from imitating everything that you see. If you must be so interested in our culture, at least get your facts right. So as we are finally waking up, and taking pride in our natural hair, it only makes sense that you would take that from us too. Judgment is what pushed us into the welcoming hands of straightening irons and perms. It took a long time for black hair to become ‘acceptable’ in social life still, to this day black hair isn’t completely accepted and is often used as a mean of discrimination. Basic research would show you this, yet it is much easier for white journalism to rename the trend completely- this time in terms that are easier for them to understand. What they don’t consider is how renaming a black trend is taking some of its cultural prominence away. Yes, I said Bantu knots, a hair style that has been prominent in Africa for ages. And alas, they are back at it again with our Bantu knots. They then seized this opportunity to take over the ‘brand new trend’ of slick baby hairs splayed against foreheads and sideburns- which may I add, have been around throughout the Latino and African American community for a while now. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for this preexisting hairstyle to become a new trend amongst school hallways and Instagram feeds everywhere. They took our corn rows and turned them into ‘boxer braids’, renaming their ‘new invention’ because ‘boxer braids’ sounds cuter and sporty and much more tasteful. Kylie Jenner’s blatant portrayal of black culture was merely the stirring that they needed to initiate their master plan. Black women across the country shared a bond built upon the annoyance that was brought with the single question: “Can I touch your hair?” They treated us like science projects, petting and probing our kinks like they were magic. Like all fascinations, white America’s intrigue with black hair began with observation. This ladies and gentlemen is what we call a slippery slope. But when you’re a person of social influence, you are going to have followers and imitators that justify their appropriation with the notion that ‘If Kylie can do it, so can I’. Surprisingly, we weren’t too hard on Jenner- she’s young and naive and doesn’t know any better. This wasn’t the first time that the youngest of the Jenner sisters pranced the thin line between cultural appropriation and appreciation, and probably will not be the last. When she flaunted her Yaki ponytail at NYFW, we questioned her intentions with skeptical glares. When Kylie Jenner decked out in fresh cornrows, we let it slide but not before voicing our protests. Image courtesy of Ĭultural appropriation is a concept that white America should be quite familiar with by now, proving unstoppable with their frequent attempts to claim what does not belong to them.
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