Hair is a big topic in the black community. But what exactly does that mean? Plus, I loved how it looked. They adorn braids, twists and even free-flowing locks with effortless style. Show due respect to particular traditional objects while expressing admiration through compensatory measures when fitting excluding harmful stereotype playbacks. 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. We're an independent feminist media site led entirely by people of color. I feel it is a celebratory time now that black women are starting to mirror the images of powerful, black heroines of the past. I am unable to wear them due to nerve injuries on both feet, but I did have them on for the duration of my wedding ceremony. When considering the debate around hair cuffs and cultural appropriation, it is important to recognize the complexity of the issue. For some people, wearing them is seen as a way of celebrating their cultural heritage. This style of nose ring is specifically for the South Asian bride. Cultural Appropriation is a Concern Countries across Asia and beyond are mired in a history of oppression. Natural hair has once again become a big business and the business is finally staying in the community. For the price of a single lunch out, you can help save us. These actions now fall under many names: cultural assimilation, appropriation, appreciation. Hair Cuffs Are Here To Stay In my eyes, its not that serious. In the same way that black people using a computer or cell phone could be considered cultural appropriation . When she first hit the scene serving as the head of the Spokane, Washington NAACP, my first thought was good on her. It seemed to me that there was no harm in a white woman posing as black if shes willing to help the black community. It can offend people when people do this without making it clear . While it has been traditionally expected that married women wear bangles, it is no longer imposed upon us. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? This can lead to tension between those who see it as a sign of appreciation and those who view it as disrespectful. What you can do is support our art, culture, and music. Used thoughtfully within ones own hairstyle is very different than trying to recreate styles that have particular cultural contexts like cornrows. The rest of the five have been mentioned in the article toe rings, bangles, nose ring, and kumkum (vermillion powder worn at the Maan just before the forehead). As put by Syreeta McFadden inThe Guardian, a fashion magazine would celebrate Kylie Jenners side cornrows as a bold statement and simultaneously regard darker-skinned women donning the same style with lesser esteem. On the other hand, there are those who believe that it is a form of cultural appropriation and should not be done without the permission of the community from which it originates. For many of us, the oppression is far from over, and we still exist within marginalized communities. Today, when so many peers wear one, its not considered a problem. 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. As noted in the previous post non-Blacks/African Americans who do this hairstyle are seen as trendy and cool, whereas Blacks/African Americans are seen as dirty and bad. In these cases, wearing braids does feel a lot like hurtful cultural appropriation and that self-denial ultimately harms both Latinx and Black women. Cultural appropriation is a hotly debated topic in todays society. As long as we do not dismiss cultural significance while adopting styles, it should be fine to add our flavor to attractive accessories like hair cuffs. Feminism 101 A saree is typically six yards long, and there are countless of textiles and draping methods that vary according to the region you hail from. On the plus side, wearing them can be a way of expressing pride in ones culture and heritage. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The most sacred symbol in Hinduism. A place for the curious to ask questions about black people. This time, its white people sporting dreadlocks who are provoking wrath the first being a white student at an American university who was filmed being confronted over his hairstyle, the second none other than Justin Bieber, who posted a selfie sporting a new do. This has sparked debate over whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation. The history around black hair is extensive and laden with racial tension. The hairstyling technique known as braiding had been practiced for generations within this community and involved creating intricate patterns with braids or twists using synthetic extensions. Without it we wouldnt have jazz, Tex-Mex or even Christmas trees (look it up). Now, it seems that a more voluptuous look is suddenly more desirable. It can lead to misunderstandings and tensions between cultures, as well as reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating inequality. Is it ever okay for someone outside of that culture to wear hair cuffs? Since I am a North Indian married to a South Indian (our cultures could not be any more different), it has been interesting to see the differences in which we pick out fabrics and styles. Hair salons like, Root & Fleurish Salon in Cypress, Texas, about 30 miles north of Houston, have been erected to cater to the unique needs of black women who have opted to wear their hair in a natural style. The answer is that Im figuring it out. So if you are not a person of color, I would caution you against wearing this for an Indianized look I dont even know what that term is supposed to mean. Of course they are allowed. How to Handle Cultural Appropriation: 16 Examples, Next Steps - Healthline wearing a bindi as a trend. in this context, the pressure to have straight hair) as a black person. There are hardly any visible Afro-Latinx people in the public sphere. If youre a fashion lover, you might be familiar with hair cuffs the tiny jewelry pieces that embellish your braids and dreadlocks making them more stylish and trendy. As she says, "There's more to gain from recognizing each other's stories, and the ways that might create awareness and complexity through all of our experiences and how we relate to other people.. Celts weresaid to have hair like snakes. The phrase originated in the 1980s in. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Yes, hair loss is a potential side, Short answer: Does body hair keep you warm? 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. Dear White Girls These Appropriated $14.00 "Metal Hair Cuff Sets" From For those of you wh, Every once in a while, a brand gets so big, so fast that you dont even remember what it was like before Sephora stores and salons carried it. sports teams with offensive and inappropriate names. For more information, please see our If Dolezal truly wanted to help, then she should first understand the message her presence sends. They have become The main thing that frustrates me is the discrediting of the influence that a certain practice brings, says Moore-Karim. Also, they are a very handy guide for dance teachers to figure out who is not dancing coherently to the rhythm. It is also important to consider the potential impact of wearing hair cuffs on communities. Back home in Queens, my mother would take me to the. Look at it this way: When you have been colonized, had your finery stolen, and your identity poked fun at, cultural appropriation is not just personal; it points to a bigger picture. ", Growing up, my father took my brother and me on an annual summer vacation to the Dominican Republic to visit family. | 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. I hate this assertion, because there is nothing inherently wrong with how white people look with dreads. by Emily Cottontop October 19, 2022 in News Stories, Culture 12 Dear white girls before Culture vultures, Urban Outfitters have ya'll out here spending a grip on appropriated accessories let me put you on game real quick! Cultural appropriation refers to the act of taking elements of a culture that is not ones own, often without understanding or respecting the context in which they originated. They speak volumes about personal expression and provide insight into how people use style choices to express themselves alongside their connection with cultural identities! While I have no idea as to whether Justin Bieber, who in the past few weeks now famously (or perhaps infamously) has decided to twist his peroxide-blonde mane into a head full of dreads, knows about the sufferings black people have gone through with their hair, too much of this conversation has focused around whether or not white people should be allowed to dread their hair. Henna tattoos have become just as commonplace as bindis within the Western culture. Still, in my opinion she was much ado about nothing; that is, until she decided to engage in her latest theft of black culture. It is a different story, however, when a tourist thinks its fun to purchase these anklets and parade them with no knowledge of its use or history. Despite the fact that naturally straight hair is not as adaptable for braids, the women were called beautiful and cutting-edge. Would it be okay for a white child to wear hair cuffs over some plaits? If you purchased your hair cuffs from a store or online without researching their origins, chances are they were made without consideration for cultural significance. While it looked cool to my friends when they sported a bindi, I could not help but feel strange about it, like an invasion of space. These cultural appropriation scandals can often feel driven by people who are so left wing they've gone right. Natural hair is beautiful not because another culture has sanctioned it. Which was why I was defiant in school when I was told to remove my nose ring after piercing my nose at fifteen. One of our first destinations was always Sosa beach, an hour and a half drive from my grandparents' house in Santiago. 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. Except when its not with dreadlocks, there are ongoing discussions over whether white people should feel able to lock their hair. The Cultural Appropriation of Natural Hair. I do not take issue with the nose ring as much, but I do not like the bridal nose ring being exported as yet another fun fashion accessory. By being respectful isnt just something superficial but engenders sensitivity toward others life experiences that have brought inspiration/historical significance into our lives daily. They can be worn on all hair textures. Some have diamond pendants while others have coral beads. They practiced along with us and were respectful about it, while taking great care of the anklets (you are ordered to do so) and learned to tie it appropriately. If someones appropriates said specific style along with wearing the Nigerian Fulani braids associated with theirs by using jewellery pieces such as cowrie shells or beads (which in turn represents wealth.) If youre a Beauty In A Tik r, I knew I had to review MONDAY Haircare when it popped up on my TikTok For You page not once, not twice, but three times within an hour. A forehead close-up of a person wearing a bindi. There has long existed a civil war in the black community with hair and skin tone at the center of the fight. It is understandable that acculturation happens; a lot of us live in a merry existence of a myriad of cultures. 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. For example, if someone is wearing hair rings that are traditionally associated with a culture that is not their own, without any understanding or appreciation of the cultural significance of the accessory, it could be seen as cultural appropriation. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Hair cuffs have a long history in many cultures. And you can call out the appropriation of meaningful festivals or traditions when you see them happening, passing some of the knowledge you learned here along to them. The only thing more depressing than the video is the comments section below it. To fully understand its consequences, though, we need to make sure we have a working definition of culture itself. Shes posing. Ultimately, it is important to remember that cultural appropriation can have serious consequences for communities. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Also known as the Bichiya or Metti, it is often seen on the feet of married women. It is the representation of the holy Hindu trinity of Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It is still considered the primary piece of clothing in India even in modern wardrobes like mine and the tradition of draping one has been going strong for the past 6000 years. It can be anything really, any type of hair jewelry that will stay in her hair. "America turned free people into 'niggers,' and to everyone's surprise, we created new forms of beautiful expression out of that pain. He often discusses how his love of black music gave him and the black community a common ground during a time when it was largely believed they were fundamentally different. Fail to do this (and worse, profit off of it), and you are likely guilty of cultural appropriation. Diving into the lyrics, Grande fumbles again at the line between appropriation and appreciation. Why might wearing hair cuffs be considered cultural appropriation? Hair rings, also known as "hair cuffs" or "hair hoops," are decorative hair accessories that are worn around the base of a ponytail or bun. During the Victorian era, hair jewelry became incredibly popular across Europe and North America. Originally published on Wear Your Voice Magazine and republished here with their permission. She could disappear into the anonymity that white privilege provides, even after all of the controversy she created. It is therefore important to consider the potential impact of wearing them on communities before making a decision. Comparing blackface and white people having dreadlocks might seem extreme, but it helps to simplify this discussion. the Australian who got into trouble for his Yellamma tattoo, What Happens to Immigrant Families When Theyre Detained Will Horrify You, Want to Come Out As Polyamorous to Your Parents, But Not Sure Where to Start? There, the three of us would run amuck. 10 Trends That Are Actually Cultural Appropriation - Bustle In pop culture, you have probably seen the likes of Iggy Azalea and Selena Gomez wear them for music videos and performances. The United States has a legacy of demanding assimilation from black women. When brides are married off without their consent (yes, it still happens), Mehendi is an unfortunate sign of patriarchy submission to the unwanted matrimony, a possession of the feminine body. Hair cuffs are an incredibly popular hair accessory. So, what should we do if we still want to wear hair cuffs but dont want to appropriate someone elses culture? It is important to show respect by acknowledging cultural origins and seek alternatives if using again would lead towards appropriation. The foot is regarded in Hinduism as the humblest and most impure part of the body since it touches the ground first. It doesnt absolve her actions, but it could go someway towardsexplaining them. Indians wore rings on the nostril and septum way before it got fashionable. Father, writer, poet socially conscious. This could undermine the efforts of those who are trying to raise awareness of cultural appropriation and its potential impacts on communities. Its always best to ask why is this significant to your appearance if youre not from that specific culture wherein it originated; appropriately acknowledge its origin properly when you use them accordingly, which may require research beyond basic internet searches into their historical meaning and significance into why these items hold value within certain cultures including linguistic barriers particularly for indigenous peoples who make up significant parts of non-English speaking populations around the world. Stories that matter delivered to your inbox. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Their origin can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece. However, have you ever thought about the origins of these accessories? The issue is complicated by the different perceptions of hair cuffs in different cultures. It is only hair, FFS. Amplifying Black voices through news that matters. Like the Bindi and Maang Tikka, they have variations that hold special significance. The Bindi, also known as the Pottu (a red vermillion dot) or a tilak (a vertical marking), is placed on the center of the forehead between the eyebrows, which is known as the third eye, referring to the point of higher consciousness. In a society that continues to prioritize, I think about cutting all my 4C hair off every wash day, reads an anonymous post from one Reddit user who identifies as a Black woman with ADHD. For women, these designs are drawn on the palm, back of the hand, and on feet, to contrast with the lighter skin on these surfaces, which naturally contain less of the pigment melanin. and our My identity, my politics, my community, and my sense of self is a work in progress. Seek artist collaborations or compensations when applicable, avoid simplifying complex histories into one tokenistic trend particularly culturally nuanced examples such as hair cuffs which warrants historical significance among Black women in its sophisticated hair styling practices. My mother, aunts, cousins and a few friends have all divorced their flat irons and have been chemical-free for quite some time. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. Unlike Dolezal, black women are not able to simply take out their braids when they are done being black. However, I just feel it should have been done without Dolezal on the marquis. One trend that has caught some backlash in recent years is hair cuffs. Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. While many individuals who use decorative hair cuff accessories admire their appearance for what they bring to the style industry, its important to acknowledge that this trend has raised concerns about cultural appropriation. For example, YouTube user Dav Ze asked the pertinent question: lolz why the dude didnt killed that negress right there?. I get it. Cornrows, or what I affectionately refer to as doo doo plaits, have become a new trend known as boxer braids adopted by white celebrities. A black bindi is worn in parts of South India by unmarried girls, while married women wear a red bindi. and avoid shutting down. When I learned the South Indian dance form known as Bharatanatyam, I wore thick anklets with bells known as the Saalangai, and when I picked up the Northern Indian dance form known as Kathak, I wore thicker anklets with bells known as the Ghungroo. Hair cuffs were originally worn by people from different cultures and ethnicities throughout West Africa to signify social status and traditions within their respective tribes- specifically Fulani women have worn them ceremoniously for centuries. And while the culture behind the trend may not initially belong to all those who use this accessory, appreciation is essential for respecting other peoples heritage/culture when engaging them. And even thatis considered too simple! For rastas they symbolise a spiritual journey, but theyve been worn by African Maasai warriors and even have biblical roots. By wearing hair cuffs without taking into account their deeper cultural meanings, non-black people have exploited Black peoples attributes liking them on themselves but denying any kind of cultural context beyond aesthetic or fashionable traits that they see as trendy. Cultural appropriation does not exist, therefore hair cuffs, whatever that is, is not cultural appropriation. In the 1979 movie, "10," Bo Derek, ran down a beach with her hair braided in cornrows. I believe wholeheartedly in the efforts of Isis Brantley and the BraidOn movement to bring awareness to the plight of black women who choose to wear a natural hairstyle. Thank you! I have a (white) family friend from South Carolina who grew up in a segregated society and often refers to his time as a teenager growing up during the civil rights movement. For those who may not know, the Cambridge Dictionary defines cultural appropriation (I'll refer to it here as CA for brevity) as "the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not. In Native American culture, they were used in ceremonial hairstyles. I am not the best at draping a saree, but I do appreciate the place it has in my life as an Indian woman. Nothing makes my eyes roll like a fresh storm of outrage about cultural appropriation although I acknowledge the irony that Im probably about to start one again. I did it to commemorate my very first trip to the homeland. 3 Quora User Fabric Artist Author has 5.9K answers and 2.3M answer views Updated 8 mo Related Theyve garnered attention across various subcultures such as punk rockers, goths, and hippies proving that theres no universal style when it comes to fashion accessories. 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. 5. However, if you obtained them from an artisan who has knowledge and respect for their historical meaning, then the legitimacy of using them as an accessory increases. Try These 5 Tips , The Glorification of Masculinity in the Queer Dating Scene Is Totally a Thing But No One Seems to Want to Talk About It, 5 Reasons Why Animal Rights Are A Feminist Issue, My Tattoos Arent an Invitation for Harassment So Please Stop Tatcalling Me, If Asian Women Hit On White Guys the Way White Guys Hit On Asian Women, 4 Things We Need to Stop Teaching Boys to Avoid Nurturing Their Sexual Entitlement, What Walking Through Life With Thunder Thighs is Really Like, Here are 12 Trans Folks Whose Transformative Work You Should Know About, Here Are 5 Cultural Appropriating Outfits Its Time to Retire for Good. And, often the taali is elaborately crafted with representations of the family deity Shiva, goddess Sri, the tulsi (basil plant), or the emblems of Vishnu. Not making a blanket decision right now about how I express all those things with my hair feels like the right decision for me. The earliest evidence of henna application appears to have been mentioned in Egypt and in the earliest Hindu Vedic ritual books. It can be argued that over time, cultural appropriation has become more prevalent in our society than ever before. This is a sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by married women as a symbol of their marriage. The old, pre-Christian, Nordic society was definitely not static. Nose rings didnt originate in India; they were brought to the region by the Middle East, thanks to the Mughal Emperors. The 2013 poster campaign Were a Culture, Not a Costumeby Ohio University highlighted how problematic it is to view someone elses culture as make believe. Experimentation and borrowing is not a crime. As more black women return to natural hairstyles, the economic impact is undeniable. 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.
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