White person with braids

In this op-ed, Antonia Opiah explores the shortcomings of the current cultural appropriation conversation. At the heart of conversations about CA — in its very definition — is an imbalance of power. Academics have written about the power dynamic underlying appropriationand many journalists and bloggers have, white person with braids, too.

I see it as a welcome cultural export, not pernicious appropriation. The politics of hair is becoming another issue that exacerbates the racial divide. H air is not an easy thing for a woman to manage, day to day. In recent times, hairstyles have increasingly become a politicised, racialised issue that women are expected to have a stance on. I do understand the symbolism of hair, especially to black women who, like black men, have had to endure taunts and insults about their natural physical appearance in the past. However, in the words of India.

White person with braids

Arterbery drew on her own experience and that of professionals in fashion and media to explore the role of cornrows in contemporary American society. Readers responded on Facebook and on nytimes. Here is a selection of comments. Read the full article and the comments here. Either white girls will dislike your hair and ridicule it, or they will like it and try to imitate it. You already know how painful the first one was. I am genuinely sorry that those mean girls gave you such a hard time for a hairstyle, which was actually very cool. But the girls who are now wearing cornrows are not the same girls who ridiculed you for wearing them. To blame them is the same sort of racism that blames Trayvon Martin for black-on-black crime. The women who like your hairstyle are your friends. The women who hated your hairstyle were your enemies. They are not the same people just because they have the same skin color.

Another aspect that infuriates many African-Americans: what white culture deems worthy to borrow is often so narrow that it perpetuates negative stereotypes rather than increases racial appreciation. I do understand the symbolism of hair, especially to black women who, like black men, have had to endure taunts and insults about their white person with braids physical appearance in the past.

In June , amid nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism , Little Women star Florence Pugh took to Instagram to acknowledge her own past contributions to the problem — particularly wearing corn rows as a white girl several years prior. After a friend told Pugh the hairstyle was a form of cultural appropriation, Pugh wrote, "It was true. I could see how Black culture was being so obviously exploited. Of course, Pugh is far from the only white or non-black celebrity who has worn the hair style — and many have been far less self-aware about it. In July , Kylie Jenner posted a mirror selfie on Instagram of herself in loose grey sweatpants, a sleeveless turtleneck crop top and her hair braided into neat rows, known as cornrows. Soon, people were acting like cornrows were some new, exciting trend, swapping the term for " boxer braids " or even " KKW Signature Braids ," in the case of Kardashian West. Then there was that video posted by Cosmopolitan with a woman braiding her hair into small, straight cornrows.

Arterbery drew on her own experience and that of professionals in fashion and media to explore the role of cornrows in contemporary American society. Readers responded on Facebook and on nytimes. Here is a selection of comments. Read the full article and the comments here. Either white girls will dislike your hair and ridicule it, or they will like it and try to imitate it. You already know how painful the first one was. I am genuinely sorry that those mean girls gave you such a hard time for a hairstyle, which was actually very cool. But the girls who are now wearing cornrows are not the same girls who ridiculed you for wearing them. To blame them is the same sort of racism that blames Trayvon Martin for black-on-black crime. The women who like your hairstyle are your friends.

White person with braids

Braids have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with evidence of their existence dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Throughout history, braided hairstyles have held various meanings and significance in different cultures. In African cultures, braids have been a significant part of the community and individual identity. They have served as a way to express creativity, cultural heritage, and social status. Different braiding techniques and patterns have been passed down through generations, carrying with them stories, traditions, and symbolism. Similarly, Native American tribes have a rich history of braided hairstyles. Braids were often adorned with feathers, beads, or other decorative elements, representing spiritual beliefs, tribal affiliations, or personal achievements. In recent years, braids have gained popularity in mainstream fashion and culture, transcending racial boundaries. People from all backgrounds have embraced braided hairstyles as a form of self-expression, fashion statement, or simply as a way to manage and protect their hair. When white individuals choose to wear braids, they may face criticism or accusations of cultural appropriation.

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But when it comes to race, white women have more institutional power than Black women. Race issues can have a quicksand effect, but experiences are powerful in shaping individual perspectives. Remember me Forgot Password? While high-priced cornrows on a white celebrity on the red carper at the Oscars is chic, those same cornrows on the little black girl in Watts, Los Angeles, are a symbol of her ghetto lifestyle. These are styles we get as kids! The women who hated your hairstyle were your enemies. Kind of like wearing the teeth of your pillaged enemy as a necklace. My white brother wore an Afro, about two inches puffed out — because he could. They are not the same people just because they have the same skin color. Through her own project, Inkblot Arts , Maisha taps into the creative arts and digital media to amplify the voices of those often silenced. But it's like, we started it, though. And then we find a treasure that helps us challenge those abusive narratives, helps us recognize our value and be proud of our heritage, even after a lifetime of degradation.

I see it as a welcome cultural export, not pernicious appropriation. The politics of hair is becoming another issue that exacerbates the racial divide. H air is not an easy thing for a woman to manage, day to day.

It is a tricky affair to start marking out cultural territories in the realm of fashion because this raises unending questions. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. A lot of people think avoiding cultural appropriation means policing self-expression. Dance styles would have to go back a hundred years. In an era in which mixing, matching and borrowing are fundamental elements of fashion worldwide, an era in which we are trying to emphasise our common humanity, do we really have to insist on particular hairstyles being the exclusive ownership of a certain race? Hip-hop language? We can do that by looking at the industries we work in and asking ourselves if they really reflect the face of the population, and if not, why not? But for the most part, Culture is a ravenous beast that consists of many commercial outlets that need to sell consumer goods. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. Contact us at letters time. In this op-ed, Antonia Opiah explores the shortcomings of the current cultural appropriation conversation. With each subsequent generation, cultural icons truly will be based on assimilation, not appropriation. Then there was that video posted by Cosmopolitan with a woman braiding her hair into small, straight cornrows. Our online racial justice training Used by hundreds of universities, non-profits, and businesses. But, in that moment, it was an act of kindness because I fit into that neighborhood.