Ultimately, our problem with the way white people look with dreadlocks ties in very neatly with society's general obsession with everyone looking the same and not breaking any kinds of cultural conventions. This could undermine the efforts of those who are trying to raise awareness of cultural appropriation and its potential impacts on communities. One of our first destinations was always Sosa beach, an hour and a half drive from my grandparents' house in Santiago. The legs are considered the dirtiest part of ones body, and getting one on your back is frowned upon. What this story serves to point out, I hope, is that to say dreadlocks are just hair undermines how difficult it can be to fit into Eurocentric norms (i.e. It is worn with a blouse the length of a crop top and a petticoat used to help tuck in the pleats of the saree in order to hold it in place. A newlywed bride from parts of North India and Punjab, for example, is expected to wear a full set of bangles known as the Chuda for the first two weeks of marriage. Also known as the Bichiya or Metti, it is often seen on the feet of married women. Comparing blackface and white people having dreadlocks might seem extreme, but it helps to simplify this discussion. Its necessary to understand the culture behind the items you want to use, respect their roots, and credit them where appropriate instead of appropriating it without proper understanding which can lead to erasure. The accessories have since been worn and celebrated in cultures throughout the world for centuries. So when I see someone wearing it on their tie-dye camisole or sarong during a resort vacation, you can imagine how it feels. It refers to the taking of elements from one culture by another, often with little or no understanding of the cultural context from which it originated. Weave and wigs are famously a part of black culture. Hindu babies are adorned with simple silver anklets and typically, a girl child continues to wear anklets while boys grow out of it. By understanding the history behind them, you can better appreciate their significance. Personally? The rituals and symbolism of South Asian culture are beautiful. In pop culture, you have probably seen the likes of Iggy Azalea and Selena Gomez wear them for music videos and performances. But before we start equating white people being challenged on deciding to dread their hair with black people being forced to sit at the back of the bus, there are a few things to take into consideration. Any way you slice it, the definition is vague in too many areas to judge the legality. When assessing the merits of each argument, it is important to consider the intent behind wearing hair cuffs. 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And up until very recently in both the white and black community, the main reason I heard bandied around as to why white people shouldnt wear dreadlocks was because they look bad not because of any kind of knowledge or understanding of Rastafarianism which is arguably the culture that dreadlocks are most synonymous with, at least in the UK. It is the sound of the conch at prayer. Cultural appropriation takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way. Men sport the tilak after a prayer or religious occasion. Not fun to get singled out in dance class, I can vouch for that! For every black-owned business like Root & Fleurish, there is a beauty supply store operating in our communities and owned by people who look nothing like the primary patrons.We dont need outside influences to endorse or even acquiesce our culture; it is ours and its time we own it. recently shes been talking a lot about how she loves the look of hair cuffs in dreads/braids. Hair cuffs are a fashion accessory that have been around for centuries. in this context, the pressure to have straight hair) as a black person. Different regions and communities of India have varied versions of the mangalsutra or taali. Were so glad you asked. Let hairstyles keep reflecting diversity in cultures such as African American hairstyles made unique through bodily adornments like uniquely designed accessories such as hair cuff made popular amongst Black women globally. Every year, we reach over 6.5 million people around the world with our intersectional feminist articles and webinars. When considering the debate around hair cuffs and cultural appropriation, it is important to recognize the complexity of the issue. Then it dawned on me. But as you have read, I value and understand their significance enough to be able to inform you that these are not of mere aesthetic value. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Source: iStock. Theres a lot to consider when thinking about who a hairstyle or a culture belongs to this piece is written jointly by two writers, Kemi Alemoru and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff, who have differing opinions on the matter. Your email address will not be published. This can lead to tension between those who see it as a sign of appreciation and those who view it as disrespectful. Furthermore, another issue lies in the fact that much like many mainstream beauty trends popularized by Black people such as cornrows/Bantu knots on white models on runways only became trendy days ago after being sidelined despite being common amongst them for ages showcasing how beauty standards relating race historically focuses predominantly on Eurocentric features mainly blond curly long hair etc. This disregard for non-European beauty and subsequent ones assuming features that come naturally to other cultures during fashion trends further perpetuates harmful narratives and reinforces colonial attitudes. In a cultural climate where, in the US, the Black Lives Matter movement has been started to tackle racial hostility, and we have very real issues of our own in the UK, white people supposedly copying an exclusively black hairstyle feels low on the priority list. Natural hair has once again become a big business and the business is finally staying in the community. Cornrows, or what I affectionately refer to as doo doo plaits, have become a new trend known as boxer braids adopted by white celebrities. Some women still do make their own paste with the leaves, but it is most commonly used today by applying it with a plastic or paper cone to create more intricate patterns on hands and feet. For many of us, the oppression is far from over, and we still exist within marginalized communities. The answer is that Im figuring it out. Required fields are marked *. We have a duty to fight cultural appropriation by calling it out when we see it. "Peoples fear comes from them not owning their identity.". There's so much history behind it., "Someone who's non-Black is not going to have the same repercussions as somebody who's Black if they come to work with the same braids. The design really depends upon the family traditions. Just like how Dia de Los Muertos sugar skulls, catrinas, and ofrendas are part of a very important Mexican festival. Not that it matters, but as a man, I rather enjoy this nostalgic return to embracing natural hair. 1. Recently, Rachel Dolezal , the white woman who infamously posed as a black woman in 2015, lent her name, face and talent to a Braiding Demonstration in Dallas, Texas hosted by the organization BraidOn. But times have changed, and we draw them on the front of our hands and legs to display the patterns henna artists work laboriously over. The Aum is used everywhere now and not as it should be. What Is Cultural Appropriation? | Britannica That means that at any moment Dolezal could abandon her blackness and leave it on the side of the road. We're an independent feminist media site led entirely by people of color. Ultimately, whether you wear ethnic-inspired jewelry or not- what matters most is remaining respectful toward others backgrounds- appreciating diversity without erasing individuality altogether! The Cultural Appropriation of Natural Hair. Cultural appropriation is not just about taking elements from another culture but includes also exploiting the same for ones benefit giving no credit where its due. "Certain types of hair are also associated with so-called 'low-status racial groups,' and therefore, that serves to identify a person as a particular race." Im becoming more comfortable inhabiting a fluid, complicated space. It can be seen as a form of exploitation or disrespect, particularly when the elements being appropriated are closely tied to a specific groups cultural identity. According to Professor Negrn-Muntane, finding connections and sharing both the difficult and beautiful aspects of each others cultures can create a stronger sense of unity across communities. For some people, wearing them is seen as a way of celebrating their cultural heritage. If everyone reading this only gave $12, we could raise enough money for the entire year in just one day. However, some people argue that wearing hair cuffs as someone from a different cultural background could be considered cultural appropriation. It is understandable that acculturation happens; a lot of us live in a merry existence of a myriad of cultures. Historically, the tradition seems to have originated in the 5th-6th century A.D. LGBTQIA, Used by hundreds of universities, non-profits, and businesses. Answer (1 of 21): So you want to look like thisat a Viking cosplay? There are hardly any visible Afro-Latinx people in the public sphere. What's the Intent of Appropriation Art? Why might wearing hair cuffs be considered cultural appropriation? Heres a step-by-step guide to help you determine if youre appropriating with your hair cuffs: Step 1: Educate yourself on the history of hair cuffs. 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. Historically, the Afro-Latinx community has faced erasure in both U.S. and Latinx media, which tend to favor Latinas with lighter skin and long, straight hair (think Jennifer Lopez and Sofia . Cultural appropriation: What is it and what does it mean? Like this post? We need to recognize minority achievements instead of reducing them down ironically only until their attributes become profitable enough for us- eventually leading back down to square one where race relations remain at the forefront. Not appropriation. I can remember my mother spending hours on my little sisters hair ensuring that it was properly moisturized and maintained.