Baka Bang
Baka Bang
Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read

To start off, I believe that this article is more focused on ignorant, racist employers rather than the effect that cultural appropriation may have. For example, lets say Cindy, a white female, really enjoys the looks of a traditionally black hairstyle. Cindy decides to take on this hairstyle. Meanwhile, Janette, a black female with a traditionally black hairstyle, is denied from her job because of her hairstyle. You claim that this is NOT completely about her hair. If this is the case, how could Cindy and the rest of the white population that take on black hairstyles be directly linked to Janette not being accepted by her employer? They aren’t, the employer is most likely ignorant and racist if it truly isn’t just the hair itself.

Also, I do not think that cultural appropriation should include hairstyles, unless it is a very symbolic hairstyle, such as a tribal hairstyle that has a very special meaning. I see that your most direct way of explaining cultural appropriation to your ex-employer was festival goers having: dashikis, bindis, saris, and headdresses. What do these all have in common? They are very symbolic pieces of culture that people are WEARING. The most common example is when people wear Native American Headdresses which is 100% disrespectful because of the true symbolism that the appropriator does not recognize or respect. Unless black hairstyles have a deep symbolic meaning besides the fact that it is common and works well on black people, then I do not believe you can criticize people for this. Excuse my ignorance here, but I do not believe that box braids, corn rows, and/or dreads hold a deep meaning within the black community as compared to the spiritualism that a headdress represents. If they do, I do not believe that black children are taught the origins of each hairstyle that they receive based on thousands of years ago when they originated. So if you claim that appropriation stems from the ignorance of the stolen symbol’s true meaning, then what would you say about black people who may be ignorant to their own culture’s roots?

Last note. Even dreadlocks have been considered to have originated in India, as the god Shiva has dreadlocks. Was Bob Marley culturally appropriating Indian culture or did he take the time to study and become a part of Indian culture instead?

Symbolic Wear is cultural appropriation. Hairstyles are not.

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