Culture is a unique trait that we acquired since our births. We grew up with certain customs and traditions that eventually makes up in our own identity. But in an era where plenty of cultures are mixing together, cultural appropriation is bound to happen. But now as I think about it, showing our appreciation to a certain culture can be tricky since some others will perceive it as appropriation.
When I was a child and my parents were still paying for my vacation, we used to go to Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica or even BVI (British Virgin Islands). Every time I would stay in a resort, 90% of chances I would go back home with corn row braids. I used to get my hair done from women who were barely making enough money to support their children, so that way I helped them by getting that particular hairstyle on top giving them a massive tip. Looking back at it, I wondered why nobody called me out in public when I was rocking those braids because it is part of black culture. Maybe people don’t tend to blame children since “they don’t know better”, but in reality I had the corn rows done because I actually appreciated their culture.
Not a day goes by without seeing any drama on social media that involves cultural appropriation. Whether it’s from Diet Prada criticizing a fashion brand from stealing an culture’s look or from fans calling out their favorite celebs from sporting something that “don’t belong to them”. I remember scrolling through Instagram and seeing Nikita Dragun wearing box braids. I wasn’t a shock to me, but to black women it was. She was called out for cultural appropriation because it’s a black culture custom. She later posted a video explaining why she got them: “I would just like to take this moment to show my love and appreciation for all the gorgeous black women in my life and also to those that follow me”. Despite explaining her hairstyle choice, her fans were still upset over the situation.
Sometimes I feel like cultural appropriation is very similar to racism, and the people who are being called out for it are mostly white. For example, some Kardashian sisters have been targeted from wearing a certain type of braid because it is derived from the black culture. In my opinion, if it’s cultural appropriation for white women sporting braids in their hair, then it should be the same for black women wearing straight haired wigs. I understand that the black culture is important to the African Americans and others from the same origin, but if a white person has braids in their hair it doesn’t mean they‘re throwing shade to you. Sometimes you just have to step back think “is it really worth to call them out?”, “are they doing it on purpose just to get some sort of attention or are they actually showing their appreciation to us?”. A hairstyle is a hairstyle and it should stay that way.
Written by Jasmine Besner
March 21st 2021
(514 words)
https://www.popbuzz.com/internet/youtubers/nikita-dragun-instagram-braids/
The Language of Fashion 