What's wrong with copying a culture?

[baepink]

I think if your hair has the ability to do the black hairstyles and you make it look good why not. What is it doing to hurt the black people? I'm infatuated with all the braids twists cornrows etc. that black people do. If I use it and it looks good on me, it my hair so there for its myhairstyle. I dont see it belonging to black people when it my head of hair. C'mon people it just hair, live a little. A part life is trying new things right. I'm not saying go do crazy thing all the time, but putting other girls down for wearing "black hairstyles" is very hurtful. It's my hair and my choices and it shouldn't bother you that much. I'm not hating on anything except the hateful comments over some hair and what ethnicity it belongs too. Why wouldn't I be able to wear a hairtsyle because it was less fortunate for someone else?

[KDA20]

I agree - I don't see the fuss - If you admire a style from another culture or race it is fair enough to wear it - I only have a line for things that would have maybe religious or cultural significance and the wearing of them may seem to belittle them - An example would be a Christian or non Christian having a a crucifix tattoo for cosmetic purposes - I have always liked the braids/cornrows on black girls amd think it can look very well on white girls as well.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Remember this:

Copying is the greatest form of flattery.

The person may not be doing it to offend or mock a person or culture, they may just really like it and want to rock it. Like in your case. :)

I love wearing my hair straight. Does that mean I'm stealing white people's culture? No. I just like the style and want to wear it.

[Esplorare]

Black people straighten their hair due to assimilation. Because white people used to make fun of their hair, call it nappy, and reject them in the workplace if they didn't straighten it. There's a difference between a Black person with straight hair and a white person wearing dreadlocks.

[RainbowFanGirl]

@Esplorare what is assimilation?

[Esplorare]

To assimilate is to conform with the customs and attitudes with a particular group. This is why so many Irish and Italian people consider themselves to be white after decades of assimilation. When they first got here, they were treated like shit until they conformed and did their best to resemble the dominant culture.

It's nice that you're trying to be understanding of the Asker's viewpoint, but you wearing your hair straight has nothing to do with 'stealing white people's culture'. You and other black women wear their hair straight because for centuries, white people told you it was unacceptable, ugly, and less beautiful unless it looked like theirs.

[Esplorare]

*AMERICAN Irish and Italian people

[RainbowFanGirl]

@Esplorare Oh okay. I was just trying to see things from the other side. Yeah, when I was younger I hated my natural hair because I saw all the girls with straight hair and I thought I was abnormal, but now I embrace it. Now I just straighten it because I like it that way. I was told that copying is the greatest form of flattery by my parents and was just trying to see both sides of the argument. Thanks for explaining, though.

[Esplorare]

You're welcome, love. I know you are just being kind hearted and attempting to see things from a perspective that's not just yours. Just wanted to clarify that there is a difference and what you are doing doesn't even come close to stealing a culture.

[KawaiiPie67]

Totally agree.

[Jxpxtxr]

I so feel you! I used to have yarn braids and, as I live in Europe, I actually had a lot of black people (and just people in general) complimenting me on my hairstyle and saying it looked really cool but as soon as I posted a photo of it on Twitter and on here I got this "culture appropriation" and "looks disgusting" kinda shit..

[baepink]

lol People like sharing rude opinions, b/c it won't get them in trouble finally, haha.
They know you are cute though and get attention so it will mess with the cultural oppropriation, like Yeah it might be but whats wrong with it. All humans share something from every race.

[peachblossomluck]

I guess it depends on the person imitating the culture. If you are a white minority in a black neighborhood, maybe one of your friends braided your hair. If you identify with that culture more than your own it may be a natural thing to do. Otherwise, I can see someone getting annoyed like you're stealing their idea.

[Esplorare]

@baepink There's a high level of self-absorption in this post. To sum it up, entitled white girls wearing dreadlocks makes them look like culture vultures. It's backwards for a group who has oppressed minorities and made them feel like parts of their racial identity are unacceptable in the workplace or in terms of global beauty to turn around and imitate it.

I recommend that you put aside your self-centered lens and do some self-educating. I'm sure you can find some highly informative, in-depth articles on this topic. No offense, but I really don't have the patience to sit online and educate racially oblivious, racially illiterate people who are too busy trying to validate their entitlement and lack of empathy that they fail to see how something is wrong.

[baepink]

You obviously not making a change my being ugly. To you it makes them look like culture vultures, whats the problem with that anyway if it for a harmless reason. Im self absorbed in this topic b/c it is about my likeings and interests and how it suits me in a good way. About oppressed minorities and how white people criticized them by there looks that is true but it wasn't me! Stop thinking all white people are racist and cruel. I never hurt someone on how they looked, actually Its the opposite. Yes some hairstyle are never allowed in certain restraunts b/c its not the style they want for the owners business, not b/c it ugly. Dont be a prude, be professional. You put me down before you here my first comment so that must mean im right if it got you so upset to hear the truth, take a seat, honey.

[baepink]

and if you "don't have any patience" and i'm so oblivious why take your time and write it anyway. Patience is key to everything, I think you were talking to yourself when you said get education. lmao.

[Esplorare]

I never said nor implied all white people are racist and cruel. I also didn't personally accuse you of doing any of those things. Please take your defensive tone to a therapist's office. Don't misdirect whatever pent up feelings you have towards me because I didn't cosign and validate your take.

[Esplorare]

"Don't be a prude, be a professional." Wtf lol There's nothing prude about my answer nor am I obligated to be a professional with you. This is GIRLSASKGUYS. COM, not a therapist's office. You made a post on a website, you didn't sit down on my lush black leather couch next to a city view and tell me how you feel. So don't tell me to 'be a professional' lol

I didn't put you down: I gave you a reality check because you sound so obsessed with your own thoughts, feelings, and ideas that you are completely unrealistic about what's going on outside of your mind. I don't need to take a seat, honey: YOU need to make a disclaimer if you simply want your ass kissed or to be cosigned. Instead of being defensive and throwing a bitch fit because someone kept it real with you, humble yourself and accept truth. Being a culture vulture who lacks understanding and knowledge is an ugly thing.

[Esplorare]

Your blatant attempt to trivialize and dismiss anyone's viewpoint that doesn't align with yours in the process of being entitled is ugly. Instead of lashing out at me, you need to calm down, humble yourself, and really think about that, love.

[baepink]

Thats why it My Take and your opinion has a consequence. Why comment just to hate? Instead say something that could educate me instead of disagreeing. Rude people don't get any of my good time. so stop having patience with me. Goodnight.

[Esplorare]

My opinion has a 'consequence'? What are you going to do, put me in time out? lol!

I didn't comment just to hate, darling: I TOLD YOU THE TRUTH. Why ask a take just to get defensive and be argumentative when you are not validated? You perceive me as being rude when I'm simply being straightforward and honest.

[Esplorare]

In the future, you may not want to assume you are entitled to the patience and extended time and effort of random strangers to sit in front of a screen and educate you. Nobody here is obligated to commit extra time of theirs towards educating and informing you because you're more interested in staying comfortably content in your decision to trivialize people's feelings and less interested in digging for insight yourself.

[baepink]

Educate your self honey, consequence doesn't mean just going to jail, its a result or effect of an action or condition. Beginning to think I dont have patience for ignorant people. Bye, hope you go back and finish high school one day.

[Esplorare]

Educate myself on precisely what, sweetheart?

[Esplorare]

Love, stop reducing your womanhood. I have two degrees and an amazing job. You sitting over there and desperately making up random insults to soothe your pride is not a good look. You are much closer to high school than I am when it comes to age and mind it seems.

I'm not ignorant for hitting you with truth you clearly weren't prepared to receive.

[Anonymous]

Because back people will blame you for sh*t you've never done lmfao. Majority of them dislike white people.

[RainbowFanGirl]

I don't

[Anonymous]

Well you be got to look at history. white people have thousands of years of history of invading lands, and enslaving people and stealing their culture and shaming people for their ways, looks and beliefs. So yes culture appropriation is real.

[baepink]

I didn't say culture appropriation wasn't real. White people have thousands of years of history of invading lands, and enslaving people and stealing their culture and shaming people for their ways. Yes I believe this. Im not saying white people didn't steal. etc. Im was told about those types problems and that why I dont do it. Do you think its okay to not like something about another because of what some ancestor of theirs did 100 years back? I believe everybody is born new and deserves to be judged from there on instead of accusing them of history. Racism is taught. I believe cultural appropriation is real but i don't think anything wrong with it to a certain extent I guess. What could copying something do to offend somebody, it pretty much a compliment. All races share something with another. We are all connected in a way, and not just racially. I dont believe in what racist white people believe in at all, who am I to judge b/c my dads not white he is indian and shows it well.

[Opinion Owner]

Yes, but this still exists today. Black girls can't get a job having natural hair, black celebrities can't wear natural hair because they won't get a job. Ethnic people can't to be too ethnic because it's a problem. We take traditional wear and make it into fashion, like boho chic is inspired by Roma people, Roma people came from India and where enslaved for nearly a thousand years from Europeans. even today they are prosecuted in Europe. Native American wear is used in fashion, traditional Asian wear is used in fashion. Its cultural appropriation.

[baepink]

It will always will exist. white people are adopting the black peoples styles dont take it personally it just a new thing that sells and makes money, we know blacks have been put down by racism we all have. It all on how you see things though. this is not my problem if its a free country and you can do whatever makes you happy. I feel like it empowering to black people because white are showing other white we need to stop criticizing and be racist, black it beautiful that why we copy it sometimes. I also can't do anything government wise like helping some one get a job. if the person is racist i can't change there views.

[AleDeEurope]

You gotta take look at history if you think white people were the only ones doing that. That's humanity, not just white people -_-

[Opinion Owner]

@AleDeEurope yes look prehistory and how long the Roman reigned... and what continents they invaded. Fyi I'm white Lol.. I'm just now white people have along history of taking what's not theirs

[Bluemax]

"Why wouldn't I be able to wear a hairtsyle because it was less fortunate for someone else?"

I am not exactly sure what you mean by that. Could you explain it some more?