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Cultural Appropriation

woman-dreadlocks[Blind Gossip] Some of the models at New York Fashion Week were wearing dreadlocks.

When someone made a remark about how white women wearing dreadlocks was “cultural appropriation”, a very well-known model snapped back, “Well, then, black women should stop straightening their hair, because that’s cultural appropriation, too!”

Similar: Messy Hair

Model:

[Optional] If someone told you that your hair/outfit/whatever was “cultural appropriation” and demanded that you stop wearing it, what would you do?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. violetandsnoopy says

    Sorry, when I see dreads on a non Rastafarian, these thoughts come to my mind:
    Patchouli,
    Really stinky, resinous weed,
    B.o. (Uses Thai crystals for underarm deodorant),
    Hair might have nits in it,
    Doesn’t wear underware,
    If a guy, he might mug me,
    He is a Twink,
    Surfs,
    Wears vans and leaves a mess on the toilet seat when he and his friend leave the bathroom.

  2. dannithewomani says

    Hi all, longtime reader, first time poster, I love this site. I think it’s ken-dull.I think it’s wrong when one culture tells another culture something about them is ugly..like what the world has always told black women about their hair. But then uses what their hair does sometimes naturally and thinks its cool. I don’t think black women straightening and dying their hair is cultural appropriation at all.BThey are told their natural hair isn’t good enough.They aren’t doing that to seem…

  3. NoseyNana2008 says

    Were Marc Jacobs designs so bad this is all anyone can talk about? Sounds like someone’s wagging the dog, again!

  4. NoseyNana2008 says

    This is jmho but I think dreadlocks look nasty – I don’t care who’s wearing them. It just looks like you’re too lazy to brush your hair. A red-headed friend tried to dread his hair and it was horrible! He had to start with little braids coated in wax. Nas-tee! Luckily, after about 6 weeks, he lost patience with it. And this should have been a discussion years ago when whites first started doing this, why now?

  5. commonsense says

    Kendall

    I think many people miss why there is a problem with cultural appropriation. Many times, what is appropriated has been viewed historically as something ridiculed and widely nonaccepted in a culture. When it becomes OK, when culture vultures do it, but others are still ridiculed, that’s where the problem lies.

  6. TedTheodoreLogan says

    White people are often called edgy when they wear locs. Whereas when Blacks wear traditional hairstyles they are discriminated against. There have been plenty stories in the news that confirm this.

    That’s why cultural appropriation is a problem. It seems that Marc Jacobs doesn’t understand that. Nor does he want to.

  7. camellia says

    The only time I agree with the cultural appropriation argument is when it’s something considered sacred to a culture (like a war bonnet) being used as a fashion statement or costume. A hairstyle is not cultural appropriation. What happened to our country being a melting pot where we can share in each others cultures and be better for it?

  9. nowitzkifan41 says

    Sounds like Hadid or Kloss to me.

    And I’m going to attempt to explain this, though I know a lot of people won’t get it and still argue. For YEARS things like afros, cornrows, weaves, and dreadlocks were seen as ghetto and not professional if a black woman wore them. Black women were made fun of for their big lips and big butts. Now, when a white women does it, she is praised and seen as hip. The problem to me is not cultural appropriation, as much as one group being called names and seen…

  10. PizzaDog says

    I’m a Caucasian American woman with German heritage. My question is: where does the concept of ‘cultural appropriation’ end? Am I wrong if I wear a kimono? Or leiderhosen? Or wear a basket on my head? How about if, instead of calling these things a negative- we see the positive in all cultures embracing the good that comes from other cultures? #sheesh

  11. GretaGuesses says

    Dreadlocks go back to ancient Greece, India, Egypt, and have been a part of many cultures and religions. All of this “cultural appropriation” stuff needs to stop. We all borrow from other cultures, always have, and always will.

    I don’t know what model made the comment, but I read hundreds of comments on different sites of people saying the same thing. If someone told me I was culturally appropriating something, I would ignore it and wear what I want.

    • LooLoo says

      Right? As someone who studied anthropology both in college and in post-grad work, I can see a bigger picture. There is no hairstyle that has never been shared, spread, copied or blended with another. Ever. Cultures all over the world have blended together, sharing many characteristics, since civilization began. When I think of dreads I automatically think of the ancient Egyptians.

    • camellia says

      Black people created everything first and are the only group to have ever faced injustice, if you say otherwise you’re just a racist white person and you have no culture of your own.

  12. PomegranatePam says

    Someone did once tell me this when she saw a 90’s picture of me at camp in “cornrows” (it was actually only 5 french braids, and quite practical since my hair is too slippery to stay in a pony tail or in a regular french braid). I asked if she was active on Tumblr– of course she is!

    IMO, if it’s just one thing, leave the person alone. It’s their hair. But if a white person has an overall look that’s trying to emulate Black culture, then that’s annoying.

  13. Lebowski says

    Hey, Predator rocked the dreads successfully, and I dont think he had any African American blood (unless it was green.)

  15. artistsnow says

    THIS comment about Jacobs offensive instagram explains it better than I ever could:

    “He MUST be trolling. Nobody is so stupid as to compare black women having to assimilate by removing their natural curl and white girls costuming with the dreadlocks that black people actually lose job opportunities over.”

  16. artistsnow says

    OMG. These comments are appalling.

    Dreadlocks are Rastafarian, correct???????
    Jamaican, Afro Caribbean, Hello????????????????

    Boy George did NOT invent them.
    Marc Jacobs is an *.

    You are all living in the white mans world and have no clue.
    No Clue At All.

  17. brjjrb says

    Gigi Hadid or maybe Kendel Jenner at Marc Jacobs.

    Optional: I’d probably tell them their normativity was patriarchal with whispers of Imperialism and then walk away. Keep doing what I do.

  18. Heathersmist says

    Also, that’s such a beautiful part America…to get to know all of the variety of ethnicities that we live with! What a blessing!

  19. Heathersmist says

    Especially in America it’s ALL “cultural appropriation”! Really there are so many more important things to take a stand for…
    Optional: I wear what I enjoy always with understanding the meaning behind it, but that’s my choice. I’m mixed race, none of any of it bothers me as long as all of us are respectful of one another, period.

  20. CevansLeftpec2 says

    Idk who the model is but Marc Jacobs’ comeback was a false equivalency and he knows it. I’ve seen black women with natural hair get made fun of for wearing it like that and one of my friends was even told by her boss that she either ‘get her hair sorted out’ (i.e. straightened) for being ‘unprofessional’, or that she could find herself a new job. This isn’t something that ‘goes both ways’.

    • CevansLeftpec2 says

      Oh and to answer the optional, I can see why POC would be mad at having things from their culture stolen when more often than not they’re made fun of for those same things. Dreadlocks look awful on anyone that doesn’t have the hair texture that black people do bc our hair (non black people’s) isn’t made for that. I’m white and blonde; I’d look ridiculous in a Kimono or other traditional cultural clothing.

    • LooLoo says

      I’m white, and I look great in a kimono. When I visited Japan I had friends put one on me, explaining each part of it, and took tons of pictures of me. I have one framed on my wall. They are gorgeous garments, and if I want to put one on again, I certainly will.

  21. mayer2816 says

    model: have no idea there are so manyyy

    optional : I would apologize or perhaps not responding in any way. These rude people need to be shown that not all rudeness should be replied with rudeness too.

  22. riotdontdiet says

    I agree,black women straightening their hair is cultural appropriation as well. And you know its so funny that no one even knew how to spell or pronounce cultural appropriation a year ago and now its been used for everything lol

    • Realistic says

      Whose culture is being appropriated by someone straightening their hair? It’s not exclusive to one race. Anyone can be born with it.
      The problem that comes from appropriation is that some are praised while others are ridiculed; it’s seen as a trend, while to others it’s a way of life. No one can stop you from doing what you want but don’t be surprised if not everyone is as receptive to it.

  23. bostonbratt says

    Model- Gigi hadid’s sister

    I would tell the it is none of their dam business . Although the model have a dumb response, good for her for standing up for herself .

  26. katedw says

    Whoever the model was… do they think white people are the only people with naturally straight hair? No one needs to appropriate that, lots of people of many races have naturally straight hair. It’s not a white culture thing… whatever “white culture” is. Yikes.

    • LooLoo says

      Just exactly is that supposed to mean? You don’t know what white culture is, or you think they don’t have one? Caucasians and Asians generally have straight hair, fyi. If you are black and you straighten your hair, you are culturally appropriating. That is, if you believe that this stupid * is real. Stop separating people by race and telling them what they can and can’t wear. This is downright medieval.

  28. carriebradshaw says

    this whole thing is bull*.

    I would like to know why nobody calls Beyoncey becoming whiter everyday cultural denier?

  29. celebiddy says

    I’d tell them that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and that it is counterproductive (in improving race relations) to tell one race they can’t wear a style that originated with a different race. how can this country be a melting pot when we continue to push the divisiveness?

  30. jonty30 says

    I’d tell them that whatever they are wearing is cultural appropriation too and they should remove whatever they are wearing. I’d also tell them to go away in not-so-nice-terms.

  31. amagod121 says

    Cara Delvigni? Or else Kendall Jenner?

    If someone accused me of cultural appropriation, I would point out that everything that person is wearing is appropriated from my culture, as well as the money in their pockets and the words coming out of their mouths. EVERYBODY does it – it’s how we expand our knowledge as a civilization to make us a better functioning society.

  33. craicmehappy says

    Kendall or Gigi.

    People need to stop getting their noses bent over stupid things. It’s just hair for crying out loud!

  36. LaPerla says

    Marc Jacobs flat-out said the same.

    Can anyone explain to me the (seemingly super-fine) line between between appreciation and appropriation?

    This took place in NYC. Pretty much ground zero for the USA’s “melting pot”. Is separation the new thing?

    • nosykins says

      When a white person receives accolades and compliments for wearing things that other cultures have been vilified for, it’s a problem. Muslim women have been fired for wearing traditional scarves, black woman have been teased and attacked for wearing afros and cornrows and having big lips and big butts, Asian and Native American cultural attire has been turned into Halloween costumes, the list goes on.

      I don’t think it’s offensive if a person wears something from another culture, but be…

    • Moonpie says

      I remember when people thought dreads were disgusting, but a model on the run way with them is the bomb and they look kuuute. How about when rap was disgusting for white folks to listen to. In walks Emenem and MacLemore and they are winning Grammys. Elvis Presley copied that hip gyrating move. It was outrageous and it made him a very wealthy and famous man. That is the issue right there and why black folks get so angry.

  38. lovelylovely says

    This comment is so obviously Kendall Jenner, I can actually imagine her saying this.

    [Optional] I personally think this whole ‘culture appropriation’ politically correct nonsense has gotten so far out of hand. I don’t pay attention to it: I wear my clothes, and stay quiet about my opinions. Getting into that topic is like fire and gasoline to me.

  39. NailpolishFixa says

    I don’t know who the model is but it ISN’T cultural appropriation. ALL cultures have history wearing dreads. People need to be better educated on the history of other cultures than only in the US.

    And if someone told me I was appropriating someone else’s culture I’d check to see if they were right. In this case – they aren’t!

  40. Annaliese says

    I have no idea who this is, but I thought exactly the same thing when I read about that. This is the thing- if we choose we can spin a story and make anything a negative. I think there are so many legitimate claims of racism we shouldn’t clog up the works with silliness such as this! Also, it just would seem racist to me to say “only blacks wear their hair that way.” That is only a hop, skip and a jump from saying blacks should only marry blacks and other such nonsense!

  42. kspeedian says

    one of the hadid sisters, for sure IMO- I’ll go with Bella; she’s always struck me as one of those people who thinks they have a “dry sense of humor*” but in reality just says inappropriate and/or nasty things and then gives a little snort at the end….

    *not saying you can’t have a dry sense of humor, just saying some people think they have that, or a dark sense of humor, when that’s not the case lol

    and it doesn’t say the model was walking in fashion week so even if she wasn’t…

  43. countervail says

    Well, we all know it’s the Marc Jacob show.

    Minority groups say they can’t be guilty of cultural appropriation because they’re “just fitting in.” In 2016, I don’t see many places where you’re expected to have a traditionally Caucasian hair style to “fit in.” I don’t see that as a valid argument.

    Likewise, I don’t see this idea that only people of color can wear dreadlocks as a culturally exclusive style. Many cultures in history have worn dreadlocks. The assumption is always…

    • OneMorePoint says

      I’m glad you don’t see it.
      This year: Zara told a woman she couldn’t wear her hair in braids because they were going for a professional look.
      This year: #supportthepuff started in support of students in the Bahamas who were told they could not wear their hair natural (only straightened or permed).
      This year: Butler Traditional High School in Kentucky lifted a ban on natural hair styles.
      I could go on but I am running out of characters… #stillrelevantformany

  46. Katmandu says

    😀 LOL, no one has noticed what I’m wearing in decades! Though my daughter will occasionally criticise, most often she’ll say “I want that!”

  47. babymj says

    Model: Gigi Hadid

    [Optional]: I would tell them than they need to relax. Luckly in Europe we don’t make a big deal about it.

  48. NativeAtlantaGirl says

    Marc Jacobs Show
    Ditto with blond highlights, blah blah blah
    So folks want diversity/appreciation of others but when it becomes part of fashion, they can decide it is “theirs”? For ___s sake, look at it as a nod to something outside mainstream or go suck your thumb in your safe space.

  49. Jenners says

    I would tell them to f off if someone tried to insinuate that I was not culturally appropriate. I do what I want!!

  51. chalupacabra says

    I’m *very* big on respecting others, but the “cultural appropriation” issue makes no sense as long as you’re being respectful. I’m Scottish/Spanish etc and I’ve never once been mad at a stranger for wearing plaid or eating tapas.

  53. emster says

    No idea who this is.
    Reminds me of the black college student that went off on a random white guy at school for having dread locks. It’s a double standard and I don’t think it’s racist for calling it out.

  54. LooLoo says

    I’m glad that someone finally said it. This “cultural appropriation” nonsense is just straight-up racism. Telling white women that they aren’t allowed to wear their hair the way they want because the color of their skin is disgusting. I’ve never seen black women who thought it was wrong to straighten their hair or dye it blond, nor should anyone tell them they can’t. If someone said that to me, I’d probably smack them.

    • Stabby McKniferson says

      “Cultural appropriation” is not racism. Its a way of calling out hypocrites and people exploiting other cultures.

      The same way that white people telling black women it is wrong for black women to wear their hair in its natural state? Also, black women have told other black women dying their hair blonde was wrong and self hating.

    • daisydo says

      Some of the earliest depictions of dreadlocks date back as far as 3600 years to the Minoan Civilization, one of Europe’s earliest civilizations centered in Crete (modern Greece).Frescoes discovered on the Aegean island of Thera (modern Santorini, Greece), depict individuals with braided hair styled in long dreadlocks. — look at the frescos of two boxers..dreadlocks. Also found in ancient India, Aztecs, Buddhists, early Christians.

  57. tell me more says

    U can back and forth with that issue all day…tanning, fake big butts, plumped lips then u hv weaves, perms (which kills u slowly), etc

  59. Delightful says

    This was at Marc Jacobs show, and the model was only parrotting what Marc Jacobs said publicly. Man, are these people dumb.

  60. ghostrider44 says

    Model Kendall Jenner?

    I think this “cultural appropriation” thing is ridiculous. So what!? Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, if it wasn’t for the merging of different aspects of culture we would never have had great artists from Elvis Presley to Eminem. Cultural appropriation thinking divides us and stops creativity.

    • vajislav says

      No. Eminem’s not a great artist. We have the same hometown & tattoo artist and I think he’s trash. It’s interesting you named such famous artists who borrowed from black culture. White America frowned on r&b until Elvis sang it (not hating). Rap was a major threat, but Eminem could win an Oscar? R&B/rap was created by the AA community to soothe the wounds of discrimination. The appropriation is like your ex gf scratching your name off the mix tape you made her so she can give it to her new…

  61. firefly nights says

    This whole argument is so dumb. Marc should’ve just ignored it. (He inflamed the situation by making a statement.) White girls with dreadlocks and black girls with straight hair are just wearing hairstyles. Period. End of.

  62. thelasthigh says

    Cultural Appropriation is real. Marc Jacobs claimed it’s not & that he “doesn’t see color.” OH PLEASE! if he’s so “color blind”, why aren’t there more non-white models on his runway? racism exists, and those that refuse to admit it only help to perpetuate it! address it, admit it, work to fight it! even when it’s uncomfortable or embarrassing to yourself. otherwise you’re a selfish idiot. also straight hair isn’t cultural appropriation bc it naturally occurs in multiple…

    • ghostrider44 says

      Racism exists. But “cultural appropriation” is not racism in my opinion, it is one culture embracing something of another culture, it is unity, it doesn’t separate us. If it was racism it would be rejected not embraced. Seriously, let’s focus on what is really racism, the basis of which is hatred. When someone copies an aspect identified with a culture it is not hatred, it is not racism.

    • Squeezes99 says

      It has been my experience that the most ardent racists are the ones who see racism in everything, real or imagined.

    • fufufrankie says

      I agree, and usually the “racism” they “see” is imagined or an intentional lie designed to demonize and humiliate their target. Yes, those who cry racism day in and day out are usually guilty of that which they claim to stand against.

    • fufufrankie says

      Perhaps when Marc Jacobs says he “doesn’t see color”, he means race isn’t the first and only thing on his mind when he interacts with people. Maybe he meets people as individuals first, instead of judging them according to their race.

      Racism does exist, but it’s a two-way street – white people are not the authors of racism – and those who refuse to admit it are either racists or incredibly naive.

      If someone demanded that I get their permission to do anything – I’d tell them to f-off.

    • fufufrankie says

      Thelasthigh – are you suggesting curly hair is something only black people have? If so, you are wrong – it occurs in other races. Straight hair is common in Asians and Native Americans – amongst white people, hair can be straight all the way to curly, kinky, coily.

      You seem to be perpetuation the concept that white people are inherently racist, which is a belief held by racists. Racism exists in ALL ccountries.

  63. Taunnie says

    Hmmm… well, dread locs traditionally aren’t a fashion statement. They are worn by those (most often Jamaicans) of the Rastafarian faith. It has it’s roots in the Biblical story about Sampson, and how his great strength was tied to his “locs”. There definitely ARE people of color out here wearing them as a fashion statement and not as a symbol of their faith, so it’d be fair to accuse them of cultural appropriation.

  64. jerseygirlangie says

    I’d tell them to go f*ck off !

    Why doesn’t anyone complain about Beyonce, or NeNe, or others, who dye their hair blonde ???

    • spaceship says

      blonde hair is not owned by any one race! People that are albino have blonde hair, what are you going to complain about them also? Heck, we all know that most blondes aren’t even true blondes! Hair dye is for anyone that buy it!

    • rochambeau says

      Though I agree with you about coloring hair–your logic is grossly flawed–please, a genetic mutation?! So I guess you would be fine with Beyonce going out in “white-face” make-up or bleaching her skin “abino” because albinos of any race are white (really white–absent of any pigment)!? cray…

    • PollyMetropolitan says

      That’s entire point – saying dreads or straight hair or blonde, black, or whatever hair is only appropriate for a certain group of people is asinine. People are dying their hair gray. Is that only for old people?

    • LAJuice says

      exactly- and blond hair isnt associated strongly with a religion like dreadlocks. * anyone who uses the reverse discrim argument

    • annabelle77 says

      Exactly. My whole problem with people who make this type of claim is the hypocrisy. Of course racism is real and hateful. But claiming only certain races can wear certain styles is racism no matter who is saying it. If a Scandinavian white blonde claimed BeyoncĂ© was “culturally appropriating” by bleaching her hair blonde, there would be outraged reactions from these same people. It’s ridiculous.

    • pawpaw says

      Well said @annabelle77. People are so quick to call racism until they are the offender. I had somebody call me white trash. Can you imagine if I said a slur to someone of color? I would be on the news! SMH

    • Stabby McKniferson says

      Because the blonde color is a genetic mutation. And MANY people have complained about Beyonce, Nene, and other black women dying their hair blonde.

      Also, that model sounds beyond ignorant. Black women are not the only one straighten their hair. And most straighten their hair due to forced assimilation and discrimnation against their natural hair.

    • Karrene says

      Because many of them could have been blonde or red-haired as children. It’s not uncommon and it’s the norm, it places like the Solomon Islands.