Is it cultural appropriation for other races (not just white) to wear black hairstyles?

[CriiBBY]

Yes

No

Updates

+1 y

I'm talking about dreadlocks, braids, etc

[BrittBratt2416]

I don't care if someone other than black wants to wear braids, cornrows, dreads, or whatever. As a black person that doesn't offend me, what offends other cultures is when that culture is taken by someone that doesn't belong in that culture and suddenly gets recognized by the media/ beauty industries. They call it new, trendy, unique when someone outside that culture is wearing or representing it, but the people who KNOW, PRACTICE, and UNDERSTAND it from being taught for generations, are completely ignored and don't get any credit for it. The fact that you used kylie Jenner's picture is a great example, she had naturally thin lips then gets lip injection and suddenly she's becomes the queen of big full lips when black women have been rocking big lips since we were created. That's why a lot of people of different cultures get offended cause they feel like it has something to do with the color of their skin and why their not praised for it. I don't mind sharing our food, our fashion, our music or beliefs, but don't freaking act like its new/freshly invented when its not. However i do think there are some things we should respect, for example, the Native American war bonnet. That is not a fashion statement, its not to make you look good or cute, its worn by native men in their tribes to show great respect mainly cause they were used in war. And i see a lot Americans kind of role their eyes at it like other's shouldn't take offense, but if someone wears the united states military uniform or purple heart without actually serving, they get all high and mighty about it and loose their shit. If the American fan was ripped down, put on the ground and suddenly stopped, a lot of Americans would want that person freaking dead or kicked out the country. As long its not them who's being disrespected, they could give two flying shits. So yes okay to share cultures? Yes. Take it and try to make it like it something that's brand new? No. Wear certain clothing and items that represent respect, honor, rank, or for religious purposes? No.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b33twnpqvEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ6VmxuNl0s

[BrittBratt2416]

Ear stretching in certain African tribes: done for either for status or religious purposes
news.bme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/mursi.png
Ear stretching in America: done cause its now a trend, popular rock musicians and people have them cause it just looks "cool" or "edgy":
http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/4ear0121.jpg

[BrittBratt2416]

it was suppose to say if the American flag was ripped down or stomped on, American would be offended.

[bedroomeyes]

It's considered cultural appropriation if a culture's practices are adopted and praised in the adopting culture when the original culture gets flack for it (physical features, style of clothing, cultural practices, etc.).

In either case, I have honestly only had an issue with white people styling their hair in more Afrocentric styles... not because they're white and I feel they shouldn't be allowed to do it... but because it looks ugly as shit on most white people who do it. There are hair textures that fit certain hair styles more. I've seen an Asian musician style his hair in partial cornrows and I thought it was sexy and fit him so well. Asian people tend to have very coarse hair, even more coarse than black hair is considered to be. If your hair is of a finer texture (which tends to be the case for white people, but is not always so), certain hairstyles just look HORRIBLE because they require a natural hold from the texture of your hair.

Another example is my own hair. The hair at the back of my head are of are a finer texture (I'm told they feel like silk). It makes braiding the back of my hair a problem because the braid barely holds and my hair always slips out without the use of gel or holding products. The hair on the rest of my head does not need that much product to be braided. If my hair were as soft as the hair on the back of my head, I wouldn't even bother with braids.

[misstalia_95]

The Oxford Dictionary defines cultural appropriation as, the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society. So to answer your question, yes, you don't have to be white to appropriate the culture of another. And to all the idiots saying things like, "well then black people can't use computers, play frisbee, etc" those things are not part of a culture. White people may have invented them, but those things carry no significance to any given culture. That's the key difference. And, as a black person, I really don't care what people do with their hair. Just give credit where credit is due. Don't act like things like cornrows or henna tattoos are "trendy". And lastly, be aware of the double standard minorities face when expressing their culture. Styles like cornrows are considered "ghetto" when worn by black people but are "fashionable" when worn by white people. Bottom line is, show some respect. Take the time to educate yourself if you're really curious about another culture.

[Rainie_]

Cultural appropriation is bullshit so no.

A race does not have a culture. Somalis and Nigerians may both be black (how most see it) but their cultures are drastically different. Etc.

Ps. There is a world outside America. A big wide world of so many different cultures, even within a single country alone or a city.

[JDavid25]

It's not B. S.. It's real, and it's out here.. LOL..

[hellionthesagereborn]

Dred locks are not black, they have been found on every continent pre contact with Africa, plaiting the hair was actually really common, Vikings did it, Prussians (Poland, Russia) did it and it was found in the middle east and in asia. Same goes for braiding the hair, again, it was found every where. So their are few hair styles in general that can be considered unique to one group or another. That said, if your going to claim cultural appropriation for a white person wearing dred locks, even ignoring that its not a black hairstyle to begin with, are you also going to call cultural appropriation for every non white person who wears jeans? Or any modern clothing we associate with the west? How about modern medicine which was created by western society and is derived from our culture, same goes for rationalism, and science, how about modern technology or the internet which is an invention of the west? What about equality of all people regardless of race which actually is a western concept (which is why you will not see the levels of diversity you see in the west in asia, or the middle east or any non white nation. In fact studies have shown that the most racist nations are actually Asian, middle eastern and African while the least are all western European, and both North and latin America)? I'm guessing not, and that's my issue with the concept (beyond the fact that every culture has borrowed from every other culture and this should in fact be encouraged rather then this idea of cultural isolationsism borderlineing on xenophobia) that you (as in those who ascribe to the ide of cultural appropriation not you specifically) are not applying these rules evenly, in fact they are applied along racial lines i. e. if its white its okay to appropriate, if its not then whites cannot "appropriate" it. Its one sided white cannot appropriate culture from non whites but non whites absolutely can appropariate from white culture, without question. Its actually incredibly racist. So no cultural appropriation is not a thing, its just another tool meant to encourage victim hood and racism.

[OlderAndWiser]

Under what logic does one race "own" a particular hairstyle, fashion, etc? Is it "cultural appropriation" for black men to wear a suit and tie? At one time, that is something that black men did not do; it was entirely a Caucasian thing. Is it "cultural appropriation" for Caucasians to eat collard greens? or to eat egg foo yung?

[madhatters4]

yes those are all examples of appropriation. i think for too many there is a negative connotation of the word. we glean things from other cultures for our own personal use. it's not a big deal. it's not necessarily and rarely is negative

[misstalia_95]

Well considering that African Americans actually invented hairstyles like afros, cornrows and other "protective styles" as they're called, yeah, we DO own them. They are part of our culture and date back to to the early 1800s when our people were still enslaved.

[madhatters4]

@misstalia_95 you don't own something if you don't have a copyright or patent on it. and there is no way for a race to "own" a hairstyle, style of dress, manner of speaking, etc.

[misstalia_95]

@madhatters4 maybe we don't own it in a legal sense but those are still hairstyles WE invented. And if you really knew American history, you would know what cornrows and accessories like headscarfs represent in the black community

[madhatters4]

@misstalia_95 i am very aware of American history... thanks
and just because a culture invents or popularizes a method of dress or any other thing doesn't mean other cultures can utilize it.

[misstalia_95]

@madhatters4 You're right, it doesn't mean other cultures can utilize it. Glad we agree.

[Taciturn]

@misstalia_95 By your own erroneous, regressive logic, no body but whites have the right to use the Internet, since white people invented it. You don't "own" shit.

[madhatters4]

@Taciturn white people didn't invent the internet. a few white people did. and it was never isolated to white culture but rather human culture so it's no especially good example in a discussion of cultural appropriation

[madhatters4]

straight hair would be an example of cultural appropriation

[Taciturn]

Not all black people invented the hairstyle, either. It's not an innate quality of black people. Everyone has hair, but specific black people popularized a certain styling of hair. Few black people invented that hair styling method, and popularized it and expanded the adoption of it over time. As far as I know, hairstyles aren't isolated to specific groups of people either, but the adoption and usage of that hairstyle is common within those certain demographics of people. That doesn't mean that this hairstyle is only exclusive to people of their kind.

I see a huge amount of black women straightening their hair and altering their natural hair texture, but I don't see any white people accusing them of appropriating their hair texture.

[Taciturn]

Humans have been exchanging traditions, lores and ideas for thousands of years. This "appropriation" bullshit serves nothing but to further divide and segregate people into distant groups. It's more like "adoption", Not "appropriation". I've never seen a white person style their hair into dreads and then claim that white people invented that hairstyle. In that case, it might be appropriation.

[madhatters4]

@Taciturn appropriation is just a word. if you ascribe negative connotation to it (and you do so in calling it bullshit) but it's just a word with no negative or positive value

inventing the internet is not the same as a hairstyle. you have to be able to see that. a few white guys invented the internet. saying people culturally appropriated it is absurd as it was not designed by or became the signature of any singular culture. dreadlocks were signature of the black culture. straight hair is a signature of white culture (and some others as well obviously).
so if a black person straightens their hair or a white person puts their hair in dreadlocks this is appropriation (again neither negative or positive it just is)
any person aside from the inventor of the internet is not cultural appropriation as the internet was never synonymous with a singular culture

[misstalia_95]

@Taciturn there's goes your white fragility... Please, get a clue.

[Taciturn]

@madhatters4 "Ascribing" certain connotations to words implies subjectivity, which is ridiculous. You can't assign subjective meanings to words like "appropriation". It's an objectively negative word in nature. I'm not quite sure at this point if you're familiar with the definition of the word "appropriation", but it's typically used in this context as "the action of purloining something without the permission of the owner". This is a fundamentally incorrect word to use because in this case, you're not "stealing" anything or claiming it as your own. There's no universal law that states that human beings cannot adopt certain traditions from other cultures. There's nothing negative about it, I do not understand what the big fuss is. It's intended as negative, so it should be expected to perceive it as so.

[Taciturn]

@madhatters4 When white people style their hair in this manner, the intent (for the most part) is not to dismiss the hardships black people went through, but they simply like the aesthetic of it. Again, sensationalizing arbitrary shit like "muh hairstyle" needs to stop, because it derails the attention from the real problems of the world, and acts as an incentive to divide and compartmentalize people. Uh, the popularization of the Internet and a hairstyle are actually quite similar in principles, and are analagous to some extent. Someone invents something and proposes it to the public, the public vastly adopts and circulates this idea, and it becomes widely utilized and popular. I understand the difference that in this case it's from traditional basis, and this hairstyle was only commonly used by black people, but that doesn't grant them any legal/moral/universal right to restrict anyone from using this hairstyle.

[Taciturn]

@madhatters4 Dreads originated from Africa and it was only widely adopted by African people because it accommodated the phenotype of hair that they possess, and over time, it became a part of their culture. Someone recreating this hairstyle from aesthetic basis is perfectly normal.

[TuMeManques]

@Taciturn right on 🖒🖑👏

[madhatters4]

yes it is. it's appropriation whenever a person of a different adopts a style that is or was created by another culture... but cultural appropriation isn't necessarily bad, in fact in most cases it is not a bad thing

[madhatters4]

i feel like too many people assume that cultural appropriation is necessarily evil... especially judging by the answers.

we appropriate things from cultures all the time. cuisines, hair styles, makeup styles, clothing styles, laws, media, etc. it's not a bad thing it is just what it is

[SarahsSummer]

We don't "appropriate" we share, blend and or utilize.
Appropriate: the action of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.
No race "owns" a hairstyle.

[madhatters4]

@SarahsSummer it doesn't say anyone own's it. it just says taken for one's "own" use. it isn't shared. it's not like mexican people said "here wear our ponchos and sarapes". it is taken from a culture (appropriated) for the use of others. and again unless done in certain ways is not wrong in any way

[SarahsSummer]

But by saying a hairstyle is taken from one culture, you are assuming one race owns that certain hairstyle to begin with, I say they don't.

[madhatters4]

@SarahsSummer there are many definitions of "take". let's not get overly literal. cultural appropriation is taking something from someone's culture (not stealing but simply making use of it). obviously no one owns it otherwise it would be illegal to "take"

if i "take a page" from a _____________ does it mean i've literally stolen from someone who owns something? or does it merely suggest someone has followed the lead of something or someone else?

[Hurdleez-Swampede]

@SarahsSummer
Stanley Cup Champs: Saint Louis Blues
Stanley Cup Chumps: Boston Bruins

Thoughts?

[RJGraveyTrain]

I don't think so. I think it would be more like wearing and disrespecting a traditional garb. Most styles and hairstyles have been influenced by different cultures, it's called DIVERSITY.

[kenjaminslutton]

That's retarded caveman had dreads since they never washed they're hair so technically whatever race they were thats who that belonged to and black people wear dreads all the time so it makes no sense and is hypocritical ideology

[Trump2020]

Will stop using you hairstyles if you stop using:
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[Trump2020]

electric iron, food irradiation, jeans, JELLO-O, jukebox, Kevlar, Kool-Aid, laser, laundromat, gas-powered lawn mower, Lego, incandescent light bulb, fluorescent ligh bulb, ligh-emitting diode (LED), linoleum, tube lipstick, FedEx and UPS, liquid crystal display (LCD), lock and key, flip-top cans, chlorofluorocarbon (Freon), locomotive, longbow, GPS technology, soda pop, loudspeaker, voice mail, modern hang gliders, electric fence, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), margarine, friction matches, metric system, microphone, microscope, microwave oven and other applications, wet suit, American baseball, Google, weed eater, miniature golf, golf, glass mirror, guided missile, supermarkets, musket, mobile home, electrical tape, electric wire, paper money, refrigerated trucks, Monopoly board game, Morse code, heart transplant, electric motor, outboard motor, motorcycle, computer mouse, books (codex), Muzak, nail, necktie, neon light, compressed rubber, nuclear reactor, nylon, oil lamp, oil well

[Trump2020]

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[Trump2020]

respirator, Frisbee, catsup, revolver, Richter scale, assault rifle, republic, roller coaster, Big Bird and Sesame St. characters, vulcanized rubber, basketball, American football, rubber band, Facebook, saccharin, cattle prod, Teflon, riding saddle, safety pin, vacuum tubes, wax paper, flares, communication satellite, saxophone Scotch tape, car seat belt, sewing machine, anthropology (Aristotle), Mars and moon land rover, shoelaces, silicone, skateboard, ice skates, roller skates, tooth paste (Greeks), snow ski, steel-frame skyscraper, slot machine, snowmobile, soap, discount stores, carbonated soft drinks, sonar, postage stamps, windshield wipers, pickle, alternate speed windshield wipers, stapler, water treatment, steamboat, mass-produced steel, polyester, stainless steel, stereophonic sound recording, cloud seeding, stethoscope stock ticker, stock market, stocks, electric stove, gas stove, drinking straw, submarine, sunglasses, sunscreen, supermarket, music synthesizer, drywall,

[Trump2020]

synthetic skin, military tank, tea bag, teddy bear, Teflon, telegraph, telephone, mobile telephone, telescope, television, thermometer, thermostat, threshing machine, pneumatic tire, rubber processing, tissue paper, toilet paper, flush toilet, tractor, transistor, traffic lights, typewriter, ultrasound imaging, vaccination, electric vacuum cleaner, Velcro, video game, video recorder, videotape, virtual reality, vision correction laser, electric washing machine, wheel, wheelchair, windmill, rickshaw, World Wide Web, digital wristwatch, X-ray, Zamboni, zipper, corn syrup and other corn derivatives, man on the moon, etc.

[Trump2020]

by the way braids were invented separately in Scandinavia...

[0112358]

Well I think it by definition 'is', at least as you've asked it. (It's ambiguous in the sense that some hairstyles that may be frequently associated with black people have also been traditionally worn by other cultures).

The question is, is there a problem? If there is a problem, what is it?

I do not believe there is anything wrong with someone using a style that's typical of another culture. Ideally care would be taken in -particular- around elements of a culture that have very specific meanings. For instance, it would be very rude for someone from another culture to wear the exact outfit of a catholic priest, complete with cross, because they liked the look, or for someone to wear an exact replica of a 4 star U. S. general. So we should avoid doing similar things with other cultures.

Beyond that though? Cultural exchange is how the world works, and is a positive thing!

Now there is a -specific- frustration I'm aware of that crops up and 'black hairstyles' is a great example. The issue is: you have a hairstyle that's been considered -unacceptable- or looked down on. Like black women have been told they can't wear that hair style in some workplaces etc. And then some trendy white women do it and now it's fine.

I understand how this would create tremendous rage.

I humbly as a white male suggest the solution is not to prevent white women from wearing black hairstyles, it's that we instead try to STOP BEING FUCKING PREJUDICED and be more accepting of differences without having to wait for some jenner/Kardashian to lead the way first.

[Kaazsz]

In my mind it's cultural appropriation when a group of rich white people make money and steal business from a culture business. For example, native Americans. The only income they had was selling Native American stuff. White people picked it up and made fake native shit to sell and drive them out of business. Laws were created of course to prevent that. But it happens with other cultures of course.

Other than that I say no. It's great that a culture is loved and spread by people. I think it's silly to get upset about that.

[Starrk]

Cultural appropriation is a term to describe the adoption of elements of a foreign culture. People have been doing this since the beginning of human interaction. Hell, without it, there would no modern civilization. So adopting the hairstyle of another culture is cultural appropriation but it isn't necessarily a bad thing.

If a non-black person wants to wear braids/dreadlock or any other type of black hairstyle then go ahead and do it. But I must warn you that majority of black hairstyles look god awful on non-black people.

I don't know if it's the hair texture difference or what, but whenever a non-black person try to adopt a black hairstyle they usually fail at it miserably.

[Phoenix98]

You honestly don't see all that many white people wearing dreadlocks and braids to be honest.

I mean I'm white yet I can pretty much grow an Afro due to have an extremely curly hair genetics and this is just how my hair naturally grows it doesn't get longer it gets higher.

Doesn't mean I'm appropriating black culture and personally I think cultural appropriation is kind of BS to be honest, since almost every culture on earth was more or less influenced by another culture and took things from it.

[MaiNameIsSunshine]

At the risk of having a ton of people try to fight me, I think that cultural appropriation is sort of not the worst thing ever. I understand it being a problem if the person appropriating thinks they wear it better or does not respect the culture but other than that I don't see the big deal.

Before people come at me saying that I'm white and I don't understand (has happened a lot when I say this opinion) I'm actually Mexican, come from a long line of Mexicans, was born in Mexico, lived in Mexico till I was 4. So don't try to come at me with the "you don't understand" crap.

[MaiNameIsSunshine]

The idea of cultural appropriation (as long as the culture is respected by the person appropriating) does not help society move forward. "This is mine, don't touch it" will not help people feel united and equal.

[TheWorldEndsWithYou]

You don't look white, you actually look Mexican

[MaiNameIsSunshine]

@TheWorldEndsWithYou you are actually one of three people that has ever said that to me. People always say I look Asian or White lol.

[TheWorldEndsWithYou]

It's probably because I'm Mexican that's why

[Cryostatic]

As a general rule, I only feel "cultural appropriation" comes into play when it's actually got something to do with the culture. It occurs when you take something of cultural significance and reduce it to a fashion statement.

Hairstyles, unless there's something particularly significant about them (e. g, hair is worn in a certain way for a particular cultural ritual), do not equal culture.

Native American headdresses are cultural, they are crafted in very symbolic fashion and have a high level of religious significance. Polynesian tattoos are cultural, they have a high level of tribal symbolism and significance. To wear a mock headdress because you think they're "pretty" or get a Polynesian tattoo because you think they "look cool" is cultural appropriation.

[JailbaitGamerGirl]

Lol, why wouldn't it be? I mean I never have myself, but I've seen other girls do it and think it's cute, though for guys in my opinion it's a bit harder to pull it off if you are white, cuz sometimes it just looks silly to me. Like, "Oh I'm so badass" Just my opinion though. I've never seen a black dude try to have a white hairstyle, but I've seen plenty of girls straighten/perm their hair to. It's not weird, it's just whatever suits the person best, or whatever they feel most confident with is what they should go for.

[KadBitty]

Like which kinda hairstyles? But no I don't think simply wearing it is, it's when they do shit like one of those Kardashians did and took stuff and pretended it was all her creation to make money off it.
I think it's as much appropriation as when other black people wear "African clothes" and actually call it that lol (no such thing) and they aren't African and don't even understand what they're wearing beyond it being semi in for some right now.

[demonics]

What are 'black hairstyles?' En-fucking-lighten me about such things.

cdn3.bigcommerce.com/.../pob-rope__82184.jpg

www.hairfactory.com/.../new_york_remi_straight.jpg

[JDavid25]

Hairstyles that originated with "Black" people.. LOL..

[demonics]

@JDavid25 Black people invented the concept of twisting hair? (hence the photo of rope) Citation needed.

Does it then follow that the 2nd photo is NOT cultural appropriation because * insert SJW carve out here* I mean correct me if i'm wrong but in order to remove the kink from someone's hair one requires the aid of certain technological advancements such as the iron or chemical processes that alter the molecular structure of hair. But hey it is 2017, wherein people believe George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and William Shakespeare were all black men so anything is possible at this point.

*Thats actually not her real hair.

Tell you what, they can keep the hair, and whitey can keep the space shuttle, nuclear fusion, indoor plumbing, taxes and the nuclear family. Seems fair enough right?

[JDavid25]

LOL.. Maybe not but they created twist styles to suit afro textured hair.. Get it? And the second picture is not cultural appropriation, it's called cultural assimilation.. "Black" people are entwined into American culture, in fact "Black" people helped to created some of the culture.. And as for the rest of what you sayin, you just bein silly.. So, I'mma ignore yo ignorance.. LOL..

[demonics]

@JDavid25 'cultural assimilation' ahhh there it is. A double standard masquerading as enlightenment. You know... just a tip... espousing superiority whilst feigning inferiority in exchange for free stuff as a result of white guilt, is how one ends up back on the plantation. Its like a teacher patting you on the back for getting the answer right, when in reality you're one foot in the special needs class and everyone is laughing at you behind your back... one day when that teacher (*read white guilt) is no longer there the world is going to eat you alive. And you're going to be #AssedOut wondering why "i'm black!" no longer works #GetWoke

A black person living in the western world calling anybody 'ignorant' holy shit man...

[JDavid25]

There's no double standard... LOL.. I don't know if you heard the stories where "Black" women have gotten fired for wearing natural hair styles because it was "too distracting".. Many "Black" people were forced to wear straight styles or they couldn't get jobs.. Duuh.. LOL.. Also Straight isn't a hairstyle it's a hair texture that anybody can be born with.. And LOL.. Oh, here goes another guy thinkin he's clever while being racist.. LOL..

[demonics]

@JDavid25 Not an argument. None of that was substantive, gerund, or factual. You're making shit up. And did you just assume my race Jamal? I assure you, by your own dumb logic I in fact, cannot be racist. #YaGarbage

[JDavid25]

I didn't make any of that up.. LOL.. You can do the research yoself guy.. Or are you too racist to try and look up some truth.. And not at all.. LOL.. Did I say anything about yo race, or are you as illiterate as you sound? LOL.. And you don't know my logic, you are doin more assumin than you claim me doin..

[metalsucks2]

Is it cultural appropriation for white people to do yoga?
Is black women straightening their hair or trying to make their hair look like white people/Indian/Asian peoples hair cultural appropriation?

Black women buy hair extensions made by the hair of Indian women is that cultural appropriation?

[DivaMonae]

Well I mean if we can straighten our hair and especially wear weave which most of the time is real and actually belonged to another human being...

Who are we to say that other races can't do the same? If anything I encourage it we try to look like others so why can't others look like us? Like someone already mentioned imitation is the sincerest form of flattery 😉

[ManOnFire]

Honestly? I think it's ridiculous when I see white girls trying to wear their hair in black women styles. Especially that whole annoying top knot thing nowadays. Black women usually wear it best, and when white chicks and Latinas do it it's sloppy most of the time.

[Rissyanne]

Does it bother you to see black girls were weave... like blonde weave?

[ManOnFire]

@Rissyanne Yep, that does too. They look really stupid. Yet they'll sit there and whine and complain about white women this and that but want to look like them.

[Rissyanne]

You are going to piss off some women on here... lol

[ManOnFire]

@Rissyanne Ahh, you know me by now. I don't give a shit. Lol.

[JDavid25]

@Rissyanne Blonde straight hair, is not a style.. It's a result of genetics, so that's not the same.. Also that would be cultural assimilation if "Black" women are wearing Blonde weaves since many times they will most likely succeed more if they wear them then their natural hair..

[Rissyanne]

@JDavid25 it is the same. Look I don't care what someone does with their hair. They just don't need to be hypocrites about out.

[JDavid25]

@Rissyanne It's not the same.. Like I mentioned, that's called cultural assimilation.. Doing what they can to survive and be seen as a better prospect in this "White" society... Also, like I mentioned Blonde, and straight are not styles.. Their genetics.. There are dark skinned groups that look like "Black" people with blonde hair, and there are "Black" people with straight hair.. So, yeah.. Try again lady..

[Rissyanne]

@JDavid25 I don't have to try again. You are just making stupid excuses. Honestly I don't care what someone wears on their head... but this cultural appropriation is bull shit. What are you going to do if a white girl wears braids... beat her up?

[JDavid25]

@Rissyanne There's no excuses, these are facts I'm spittin.. Considering the history of America, and the stuff still goin on today, it makes plenty of sense.. LOL.. Just do research.. And it's not B. S.. It's real and it's here.. You just need to know what it is.. And no, cause I don't know that "White" girl and her relationship to "Black" people.. She could have been born in the hood, or have a lot of "Black" friends, or came from a trip with an African tribe who braided her hair..

[Rissyanne]

@JDavid25 dude I really don't care. People can wear what they want. Like I ask before... what are going to do about it other than whine? I'm not going to do "research " on bull shit that don't mean anything. I can't see a white person wasting their time on bull shit like this. And that is all cutural appropriation is. There isn't nothing you can say to change my mind.

[JDavid25]

@Rissyanne Did you even read what I wrote? I already said I wouldn't do anything.. And I don't complain about anything.. I'm acknowledging that it exist big difference lady.. And well you lose credibility.. Aw wait.. You didn't have any to begin with.. LOL.. Like I said.. If you wanna mention "Blonde weaves" at least know facts instead of spittin ignorance..

[Rissyanne]

@JDavid25 dude you must have not read mine. Once again... I don't care what someone wears on their head. Cultural appropriation is BULL SHIT!!! And there is nothing you can do about it. I am muting this question.

[JDavid25]

@Rissyanne It doesn't matter what you're opinion on it is.. It matters of what is fact.. LOL.. And, of course you don't... It doesn't concern you.. I don't necessarily care either, I'm just acknowledging the fact that it exist.. If you read correctly.. LOL..

[ATuairiscean]

I personally believe it is taking the concept too far - No culture or race has a patent on a certain style - I think stuff that would be wrong is stuff that belittles a culture or race, say their religious beliefs or is offensive to their history, say jewellery based on slave chains or fashion based on concentration camp uniforms.

[XRabbitHeartX]

Hairstyles are not owned by anyone.. that is really weird and crazy to me that people can believe this. Sure a hairstyle could be more prelevant in a certain race group but that doesn't make it theirs and only theirs. Plus by that logic certain races technially then shouldn't straighten there hair because they are making their hair look like naturally straight racial groups...

[WalterRadio]

If one believes there is such thing as "cultural appropriation", then one must get on the case of all of those non-white people who use things invented by white people.

No more Christmas for blacks or Japanese.

[hahahmm]

Maybe but in those cases where it is it should not be about race but whether you actually grew up in the villages where that hairstyle is considered some kind of significant badge. Almost nobody living in a 1st world country has the right to say who should not be wearing some style.

[hahahmm]

In other words, the people living in a culture where the hair is an essential thing have a say but not people in 1st world countries, in my opinion

[Anngel]

Appropriation and appreciation are two different things. The reason why Blacks and other minorities get upset is because Elle magazine will take a picture of Kylie wearing cornrows and call them "boxer braids" like they are something new she created, while a black girl is getting suspended for wearing them to school. Where is Kylie during these travesties, minding her Caucasian business. It is like sometimes use "ethnic" things for their come up, but the don't care about "ethnic problems".

[JhonnyMA]

Cultural appropriation... so they want to complain from someone just cuz he used a hair style that is mor often used by people from one race/culture, that's one of the biggest bullshit, if I'm using it is cuz I find them beautiful, how can someone be offended by that? And, for what I know, if I'm not getting in the way of someone, I'm free for doing what I want...

[404filenotfound]

No, partially for the reason that "cultural appropriation" is a loaded phrase and it's generally used to attack people and make them look bad, and, partially because a lot of most people's cultures was appropriated from another culture as well.

If someone is going to get offended over someone's hairstyle because they're the wrong race, I would suggest that that person is a racist an employing the same sort of logic that the KKK uses to justifying wanting black people to leave our country.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused on why so many people think dreadlocks and braids weren't in other cultures for centuries when in fact they were. Scandinavians wore dreads and braids as far back as history goes for them and they are white as hell. They simply fell out of fashion in later centuries but that doesn't mean one group gets to claim a monopoly on them when that happens.

[Pink2000]

Their hair won't even lock right.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not, I see it more like a welcome cultural export, not appropriation. The politics of hair is becoming another issue that exacerbates the racial divide. Politicising the issue of hair is so wrong. Women have truly fought for the freedom to make their own choices for centuries. Why do some women want to dictate to us how we should or shouldn’t look?

[Ceins]

Yes yes, we should all close ourselves in our own small culture frames. Hard to follow, because you know, multiculturalism... or is it a bad thing now also? SWJ got lost on their way. Mocking other cultures is a bad thing, but come one, putting on your body something inspired by other culture is not an evil thing to do.

[BDToast]

Cultural appropriation my ass. If a Samoan wore a kilt I would give as few shits as if a Frenchman had cornrows, if a Pakistani man decides to take up tapdancing, that's not cultural appropriation its cultural APPRECIATION mimicry is the highest form of compliment, so if a someone that isn't black decides that they like cornrows, then food for them, let them do their thing

[blondfrog]

No considering most "black hairstyles were actually greek hair styles. There are even statues of them at museums. So if anything its culture greek and Mayan appropriation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadlocks#Origins

[markymark9090]

LOL is it cultural appropriation for black people to speak the white man's language, enjoy his amazing scientific and technological innovation and be protected by his law and order? Where does this "appropriation" bullsh*t come from?

[JDavid25]

It's only appropriation if they don't appreciate the culture it's from or the people of it's culture.. If they got it from a shop that mostly caters to "White" people I'd definitely call that cultural appropriation..

[Cosytoasty]

Wow... I guess it's cultural appropriation for black folks to watch NFL or even drive cars... because you know it was white people who made those mainstream.

Even the most moderate minded people get sick of incessant whining at some point.

[curiousnorway]

I thinks everybody should be allowed to wear the style they wants to. No races own a hairstyle, clothes style, culture, values etc.

[Anonymous]

White people are exhausting. Why is this so hard for you to accept that cultural appropriation is a thing and you practice on your day to day routine? It's like racism isn't a thing. Feminist isn't a thing. Open your minds dear white people it's 2017...

[Shimy]

I don't think we can compare cultural appropriation to racism and feminism

[Opinion Owner]

And I didn't. I'm just saying that it's hard to white people to accept those things as well. Like it's the truth. Some white people do appropriate others cultures (these days they do it even more than other cultures) denying it it's like denying that water is wet. Then again I know not all white are like that and I know a couple of other people from different races that appropriate others cultures as well. But the ones denying it as exhausting.

[Shimy]

Alrighty, but I don't really know what is cultural appropriation and whats not. For example, if I eat sushis, am I appropriating the Japanese culture?
Anyway, people do it everyday, at least in western countries

[Rissyanne]

What about black women wearing blonde weave?

[Opinion Owner]

What about them?

[Rissyanne]

You can't call out white women for taking your hairstyles when there are black women wearing blonde weave or just long weave.

[Opinion Owner]

That's the thing white people are always so pressed that they can't admit that not all of their behaviors are acceptable. And see I'm only talking about the amount of white people pressed in this comment section. Like only white women can have long hair or blonde hair? Funny enough because I'm black, I'm naturally blonde and my hair is long. So what are you saying? I really don't want to argue this with you. I gave my opinion and don't want to discuss it anymore. You are free to think the way you do and I hope you can respect mine as well. So have a nice day I'll clean my house now.

[Rissyanne]

Yeah sure anon. Lol

[The_Pitiful_Kaiser]

Cultural appropriation isn't a thing. The thought that only one race of people can do something is blatantly stupid.

[Buttcake]

yeah, it's racist even. Kind of ironic.

[The_Pitiful_Kaiser]

I know right

[ImATragedyNow]

no race owns a hairstyle that's like saying black women can't get straight hair cause it's a white girl thing it's stupid everybody should get whatever hairstyle they want

[noturbabe]

I don't understand why cultural appropriation is seen as such a negative thing. And it's so one sided. Like if a white girl having braids offends you 1) you have too much time on your hands and 2) your weave offends me

[idk_riih]

@ManOnFire I was just waiting for someone who would have a different opinion , I must agree with you 🙏🙏

[ManOnFire]

Haha, thanks. It's true, society will call black hair styles ghetto up until the white people wanna start doing it. What a joke. Now, I like white people on some other things and I date other kinds of races but when they're being stupid, they're just being stupid.

[demonics]

If its any consolation, I think they both look stupid and 'STANK.' Feel better?

[Rissyanne]

@ManOnFire if I call out black people out I'm called a racist

[ManOnFire]

@Rissyanne So just leave that to me lol.

[Rissyanne]

@ManOnFire if you call out white people... I should be able to call out black people.

[ManOnFire]

@Rissyanne Well, enter at your own risk lol.

[Rissyanne]

@ManOnFire what are they going to do beat me up? Lol

[jaydtre]

Everyone's culture is appropriated. In the case of those cornrows the girl has, I think some Blacks don't like it because for the longest time cornrows were seen as trashy, ghetto, and NSFW along with other Afro-centric hairstyles. Nowadays it's deemed by the media when other races have the hairstyle as EDGY, BOLD, and STYLISH. Also sometimes people will go as far as to say they came up with the style when it's been done forever now.

[TadCurious]

I don't think so because I think "cultural appropriation" is pretty much a bullshit conception. But if it were to be cultural appropriation for non-black people to wear black hairstyles, the reverse would also be true.

[Qwastp]

It's not appropriation for someone to do traditionally black things. But it becomes another issue when people begin to take credit for or try to act like a certain style is something new or a new trend, when it has been around for a while.

[loveout]

wear what hairstyles you like. let other's get their panties in a twist over if it's wrong in the little prison they wish to live in.

[SarahsSummer]

A persons skin color should not dictate how they wear their hair, clothes, makeup... anything. it's questions like this that fuel apartheid and racism.

[Astoriana]

It also looks awful.

White peoples' dreads look like grinch fingers and they have to go without washing for weeks for it to take. That's disgusting.

[DeeperMeaning]

Nope a hairstyle is just a hairstyle no one has the right to dictate how you can and can't style your own hair. Nonetheless, culture is meant to be shared and appreciated.

[DizzyDesii]

Nobody black or white or whatever should wear the things in khloes head 😂 They look a hot mess. And i hate dreads. They give me alien vs predator vibe. Anyone can wear braids i guess

[Rissyanne]

Cultural appropriation is total bs. But if you are going to push it

https://youtu.be/Z5R3BPmm2u8

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

No, i don't think Whites should wear dreadlocks, braids , etc.
I'm White guy who thinks they should stick with their own
hair type hair styles.

[Izumiblu]

there's no such thing as cultural appropriation. There is such a thing as stupid people claiming stupid shit that doesn't matter.

[TuMeManques]

Best answer yet!

[JDavid25]

There is a such thing...

[Izumiblu]

@JDavid25

actually no, there is such a thing as transfer of knowledge, intentional or unintentional and adaptation and evolution of behaviors in cultures exists as a result of exposure to other cultures

cultural appropriation, or the idea that a person has taken something that is in essence a property of someone else doesn't exist for various reasons, first no one person can adequately represent an entire person, second, both representatives of cultures would have t agree that aspects of their own culture are in essence property that can't be transferred without approved rights. Since neither of those can or will happen cultural appropriation doesn't exist. Its merely a figment of the imagination of the overly sensitive and uninformed that have nothing better to do with their time.

[JDavid25]

Listen there's a difference between being influenced by or adopting a persons culture, and stealing a persons culture.. It's simple as that.. You trynna make adoption sound like appropriation.. Which is it not..

[Izumiblu]

@JDavid25. Like I said a cultural practice isn't a possession... it can't be stolen... it can only be adopted or not adopted.. if another person of another culture is offended it really doesn't matter... why? Because a single person or even group of people can't speak for a culture... its totally ok for them to be offended , being offended doesn't make them right... it just makes them easily offended

[JDavid25]

Yeah, it can be stolen.. LOL.. It is owned by the people who made the culture... If the people who made the culture is offended, it does matter because they are the ones who decided to make it, and someone disrespecting it ain't right.. It's about respect, and unity..

[Izumiblu]

@JDavid25

Who knows maybe I'm wrong what specific hairstyle are we talking about?

[JDavid25]

Stylized and re twisted dreads, micros, or any African style.. Cornrows.. Stuff like that..

[Izumiblu]

@JDavid25

So dress, braids, cornrows all traceable back to various aboriginal populations from Europe to Indian, north and south Africa, India, ... so by this "cultural appropriation" standard it seems disrespectful that exclusivity is claimed by one culture.

But after thinking about it I still don't believe this actually is a thing other than an irrational emotional response on the part of a small minority of people.

For two reasons,

I had a Bose wireless speaker stolen from my office. It was stolen because I paid for it, someone took it and I no longer have it. The same cannot be said for this cultural appropriation. If some white person wears dreds, which is part of their culture historically, that is not taking another black persons hairstyle no one is affected, other than an unfounded belief in some offense taking place. I say its irrational because no one is actually hurt and the assumption of emotional distress is... not meaningful.

[JDavid25]

Well, that is just one style.. But also cornrows originated in African, and is widespread throughout it, and a heavy part of it's culture.. To them it's an art passed down.. There may have been some people who came into contact with the some African cultures, and adopted they cornrow style... But it was mainly of cultural importance to many African tribes.. I comes from the word in the Carribean canerows which are patterns used to paved roads.. They also call them "African braids".. Also, you are undermining the importance of culture to people.. Culture forms people, and is part of what makes them who they are.. And I said a certain style of dreads.. The ones that are actually getting restyled and twisted.. That's "Black" culture..

[JDavid25]

It's not simply "don't wear that hairstyle".. Like I told you a while ago, there's racism, and ish involved.. Let's say somebody came to visit yo family, and there was something y'all did in the family that only y'all family did... So, that person ended up finding it interesting, and basically capitalized off of it without you or yo family's permission, and took it as if they created.. You would be pissed.. And you bet not lie and say you wouldn't.. That would be appropriating yo fams culture, or special thing.. They stole something from you.. Cultural appropriation is the same thing just on a bigger scale..

[Izumiblu]

@JDavid25

Honestly, I don't care. I'm Japanese, I don't care what other people do with elements of my culture. I like my culture, but no one stole anything from me. There's nothing they are doing that I can't do if I so choose. They aren't preventing me from doing anything. I frequently think people look stupid when they try to adopt elements of my culture but I don't care (weaboo) Why? Because it doesn't affect me. Be my guest. It doesn't impact the things that matter. My income doesn't change, my health doesn't change, my values don't change, my ability to practice in my own culture doesn't change. It only matters if I want to imagine that it somehow affects my emotion through this imaginary concept of respect applied to nonsense.. The whole racism argument... that's BS people don't adopt another cultural practice because they are racist. Cultures of man have been adopting each others cultural practices since man had distinct cultures.

[JDavid25]

You stayin talkin about adoption.. Like I said that's different.. Appropriation is not adoption.. LOL... I think I'm talkin to a brick wall.. LOL.. And yes cultural appropriation affects people.. Because it takes away the significance, and the hard work they put into their culture, and it trivializes it.. Also with the racism thing case in point.. Back in the fifties studio execs liked the sound that "Black" artist made, but since "Black" Americans weren't widely accepted "White artist were mostly in the limelight.. And til this day many people believe that "White" people created Rock N Roll, and they are attributed as some of the best Rock N Roll artist of all time.. With the cornrow thing. For years cornrows have been considered a "ghetto" hairstyle from the "Black" community.. But, now that they are sayin it's becoming a "new" edgy style.. Takin away from the "Black" community..

[Izumiblu]

@JDavid25 Taking nothing away from the black community. You aren't even talking rationally now. You can't actually show how this effects anyone other than someone's delicate sensibilities. You even want to get down to controlling the type of braid someone can wear... I guess with some form of black culture police. Its ridiculous really when it gets right down to it. Bottom line is there is this idea that says if someone becomes offended we must respect their hurt feeling. Total BS... just because someone has emotional distress doesn't mean I have to respect that. There's either good reason for it or not, if no one can actually show harm other than their irrational expressions of distress then I don't need to respect that. Act like an adult.

[JDavid25]

What? Yes it is.. LOL.. Just like they did with Rock N Roll, they're doin a similar thing with Cornrows.. The reason why it affects minorities (not just "Black" people) is that it robs them of the credit they deserve.. Art and music forms that originated with minority groups come to be associated with members of the dominant group. As a result, the dominant group is deemed innovative and edgy, while the disadvantaged groups they “borrow” from continue to face negative stereotypes that imply they’re lacking in intelligence and creativity. In addition, when members of a dominant group appropriate the cultures of others, they often reinforce stereotypes about minority groups. That's what cultural appropriation is all about.. So now tell me nobody gets affected.. I hope you ain't in Japan talkin all that mess like you know what's happenin in Murica..

[Izumiblu]

@JDavid25 American lived in texs, NYC, Detroit and Seattle while my parents now live in Japan. I am sitting in China at the moment talking all this shit. You should think more highly of your culture. A white person wearing dreads does nothing and does no harm. You compare your culture to white Americans as though you are losing some game. I have no fuvks to give to someone that wants to imitate my culture. Ill be busy making my path while they are busy copying. You seem like a smart guy and I like that you give a shit. We just disagree with each other. Nbd.

[JDavid25]

Aw okie.. Just makin sure.. LOL.. And that's the thing.. I am thinkin highly of it.. Actually if I just accepted cultural appropriation I wouldn't think highly of it.. You gotta think kinda lowly of yo culture to let somebody do what they want with it.. But, IDC about "White" people wearing dreads, or anything.. It's what they do that matters.. "Black" people already feel like in general "White" people don't give one about them, and them usin somethin claimin to be the originators of it, or just simply ayin that they do it better ain't right.. And it harms to culture to takes from.. Somebody "Black" could be makin money off of their own culture instead.. And the same goes for any other ethnicity... And yeah true..

[MrMysteryMan]

Nope. Just says to me that they aren't "racist" and are open minded to other cultures and experiences and diversity.

[Mexicoman101]

This entire concept of cultural appropriation is bullshit, be yourself & do what you like. You're free.

[gayaf]

No. That's like telling POC that they can't wear weaves or straighten their natural hair because that's "white."

[Maxemeister]

No. Some people might ask in return: "So then black people are the only ones that can do this? That's a bit racist to both white and black people, no?" It's not black people that are calling this out, or at least for the most part.

[Sha84]

of course everyone should be able to style their hair any way they want

[TuMeManques]

"Cultural appropriation" is ridiculous. Dreadlocks and braids do not belong simply to people of African decent. SMH

[JDavid25]

Certain styles do though..

[Marsha003]

Why would how someone wears their hair be an issue to anyone

[cinderelli]

anyone can style their hair in whatever way they want.. people need to shut up about owning a style..

[Anonymous]

Not really a fan of this whole "cultural appropriation" business. The people who moan about it are the intellectual cousins of those who berate black kids who do well school and care about their education as "acting too white."

[Qwertex]

well that's being racist asking that it's a freaking hairstyle you don't have copyrights on that stuff wear hairstyles that suit you don't bring things political correctness anywhere near it

[Josht13]

Yes of course it is, but there's nothing wrong with that.

[funme]

Well why not stop there? Why dont we have a law that allows a race to have its own technology created by a person of the same race and perhibit the use of this technology to other races. Well we know who is going to be ok hehe

[itiskissie]

Hairstyle. No... everything else like face and body features. Yes it is offensive