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[Currygan]

Before I respond, are you saying that hair styling is a trivial endeavor for black women?

no, I know the meaning associated to various historical and political American events, and African traditions as well. I just don't get why it is seen as something that cannot be appreciated by white people as well. That girl doesn't seem to have done it for racist purposes

 

[studyguy]

I'm pretty sure I have that same washing machine.
The hair looks fine, whatev.

 

[Rembrandt]

Ahem. I changed the formatting of your post so I can tackle each questions one by one. (I gave each point a number)

1. I have seen it happen. I am mixed so in London I never had any racism, but when I went to school in Manchester (only two black students) people acted differently. Some people would straight off be racist and ask me if I could do black things (basketball, rap, you name it) and otherwise there would be others who would just act, cautious. Like, it was worse because they we had a class where we were told to compare differences to students next to us, and the student next to me had to be the only one to say general shit like "we both have arms." When the teacher asked the kid took about a minute to mention I was black. It was actually the first time I was called black.

2. Exactly how my post says.

3. This right here. Listen to yourself. It's a hairstyle and YOU make the connection about niggering it up. You assume that the next person down the street from her is a thug in your imagination. I wonder where that comes from? Also they are not dreads, fyi.

4. My point is, it is kinda fucked up that black kids are now going to have to go to school feeling like every white kid is afraid to offend them. White kids will compare the size of their lips because one kid has really tiny lips or something, then the black kid joins in and wants to play. Everyone shuts up and says "it wouldn't be appropriate."

1. They were educated on institutional racism? Also you went to school with two black people which also explains that, but doesn't excuse it.

2.

3. I make the connection because I live in America and I see it happen. That hairstyle is a black hairstyle. That hairstyle will most likely be looked at negatively by employers. That hairstyle will probably get dirty looks by certain people. Where do I say those were dreads? I have dreads, I know what they look like and have received flack for them.

4. Yeah, that doesn't happen. At least I haven't seen it happen. For the most part, white people aren't too afraid of offending black people. Look at this topic. Of course, there will be some topics/games that will be uncomfortable to do like your weird compare lip games, but I'm also not playing games that will point out noticeable differences between me and a fat person.

You want to live in a world where race is ignored. It would be nice, but it isn't the world we live in nor will we live to see it. Wake me up when you have black people in commercials to the sake extent as white people or when black people come up with something that gets praise and the originators are instantly praised, not after its looked down upon until a white person does it. Or when I can give my child an African sounding name without worrying about their future job prospects.

 

[Fenderputty]

Before I respond, are you saying that hair styling is a trivial endeavor for black women?

It isn't. It should be though, ideally.

 

[BPoole]

I think the braids look good on her. I'm going to refrain from commenting on the attacks she's getting over them.

 

[Cagey]

If you want to ignore the "narrative" that's at play here, that's fine. I'm not the first and won't be the last to state that black women's hair is, yes, a highly sensitive and complicated cultural issue.

Black women have to deal with white women being applauded for being "bold" and "daring" when they wear black hairstyles (or "urban" styles, as they're commonly called) while at the same time being told that braids are ghetto or that locks are extreme/unacceptable hairstyles.

First, I'm entirely unsurprised you assumed I am ignorant of the issue and that you subsequently felt the need to educate. You're woefully incorrect on that point, but thanks.

Second, that's not the narrative that you're promoting.

I'm stopping with this post, as I don't care to get banned.

 

[NEOPARADIGM]

So honest question: if a white girl asks white mom if she can have box braids, and mom says: "No, those are for black people," is that the correct response then?

 

[Angelus Errare]

Okay fair enough, but what if this girl turns around and says she doesn't respect the idea of cultural appropriation and says how it doesn't apply to her because she didn't do anything?

Would she then, through complaining, be America?

No one has any right to blame this girl for what she did and if black females (I assume they are on twitter) are complaining to her, that means they blame her.

And again, I'm not talking about the little girl anymore, she can shave her head for all I care. I'm speaking WHY people complain about cultural appropriation. The answer while obvious to me is apparently lost on many people in this thread, as they write about these fictious utopias in which all groups are treated equal and complaining about cultural appropriation is stupid.

The MAIN reason any group ever complains about culture appropriation is because that group feels oppressed. If people want minority groups to stop crying about cultural appropriation the answer is simple. Stop being complacent on how America treats minority groups. If said groups were treated nearly as well as so many people's utopic visions...I doubt this thread would even exist.

The little girl did nothing wrong, the argument of hair being exclusive to one group is dumb. Now divorcing ourselves from this little girl, I'm going to explain to people why some people draw issues with something as insignificant as hairstyles. In America the metric standard of beauty has and still is straight luscious hair. It's the standard that all women are measured at. This is doubly damining toward black females as straight hair is not the natural state of black female hair. The various methods to achieve said hair is scarring and expensive. Every day that idea is reinforced to black women by TV, Music, movies, photos and all other avenues. They're often told their natural hair is "ugly and unkempt", "nappy headed" and that they would look better if they straightened it.

Many black women started embracing hair styles more suitable to their hair, and again are greeted with the same negative attitudes towards it. And for just as long as these women have been ridiculed for their hairstyles; magazines and other avenues pour on accolades when the fairer skinned females do the same thing (Bo Derek as an exampled was lauded for it and many found the style refreshing and new, despite the fact at the same time many establishments and news/media were flat out calling black women who had this hairstyle "ghetto" or "unattractive". Or a better example would be Kylie Jenner or whatever her name is when she rocked half braids or whatever and Vogue or whoever stated it was "brand new, bold, and innovative hair style" rightfully black people, females especially were upset with the statements and the magazine and much less Kylie, in fact most people gave two fucks about Kylie herself and drew issue with the magazine perpetuating the idea that white is right and black is wack.

Or a better example check out that NeoGAF thread on Lupita's hair style, many suggesting she grow it out and straigten it, and many more saying she looks like a boy and her hairstyle is ugly. That is what black women face, that is what America says to black women and their natural hair. Or check the NeoGAF thread about the young African American girl who was expelled from her school for keeping her hair natural and the school telling her to straighten it.

The issue shouldn't be with this little girl, the issue should be and is with how American media views the two groups when they do the same thing and the effect it has on members of each group in how they perceive themselves and how they perceive themselves relative to the other group. Much like you and others don't want people judging this little girl for simply doing box braids, the same needs to be applied to these twitter users. They're not representatives of black culture, yet too many people in here are making damning statements about the culture because of what a few bumfucks stated on NeoGAF and that irony is lost on these posters.

Or to make it relatable to anyone with a drop of empathy. Imagine have two sons/daughters; and they both do the same thing. You constantly praise one for it and insult/demean the other for doing the same thing...what is the expected outcome? How do you think it'll affect how they view not only his/herself and you but also the sibling who has done absolutely nothing wrong. Then you have the mother who doesn't care that this is happening. Obviously in my analogy the sibling in question would most likely realize that father is an asshole and would probably try to shine light on their sibling. This too is done in our society you see those people all the time throughout history, whites who rallied with MLK and did the million man march, those who take part in the #BlackLivesMatter movement. You also have the equivalents of mothers in our society, you know these as the "I don't see race" or "It's not happening to me so who cares" type people. And much like in society, mom and dad's voice and influence is so much more powerful than your siblings and will mark you much more deeply.

At this point, most of us aren't talking about the little girl anymore and we're now talking about American society at large (tends to happen with these threads). We've already had a number of people with the usual "Cultural appropriation is stupid because here is my utopia dream of how we treat each other in the US". and other such nonsense that really should be dismissed but we can't help but respond to such nonsense.

Again, divorce yourself from the little girl because it's no longer about her. I'm no longer talking about her, she is an anchor to none of my posts anymore. She doesn't speak for America at large much like any one black person doesn't speak for African Americans at large.

The girl can do with what she wants with her hair, no one should draw issue with that. People should redirect their anger to the massive cog that is American news, media, employment and how they they view and treat the different groups of people when they do the same thing. It is because of that different treatment that we have the cries of cultural appropriation.

A few posters have made the suggestion that blacks are segregating themselves and that they should be trying to assimilate and this is the best way...these people (bless their hearts) clearly speak from a place of either privilege (trigger word!) or ignorance (double trigger!). Black people have been trying to "assimilate" since they were brought here. Blacks are simply responding to the segregation being afflicted upon them, in order for blacks to segregate themselves you have to put forward the argument that segregation has ended....it really hasn't. Segregation ends when racism ends and racism in this country is far from over.

It was called white flight not black flight, black people have been trying to assimilate for fucking ages, too bad the majority group by large doesn't want said assimilation and passes law after law to disenfranchise, imprison and generally keep blacks in a fucked state out of hatred, fear and stupidity, and what's worse is that so many Americans are completely fine with it, and others even blame black people saying things like "earn it first". Black people have "earned" equality 600x over.

I went on a craaaazy bit of tagents but meh.

TL;DR - No one is talking about the little girl at this point, divorce yourself from her.

 

[Violence Jack]

The response from the 11 year old was more thoughtful and mature than the reactions to her hair. It's a fucking hair style. Get that culture bullshit out of here. People are people.

 

[Count Dookkake]

What a horrible racist. A good thing she was stopped and now everything is ok.

 

[Rembrandt]

So honest question: if a white girl asks white mom if she can have box braids, and mom says: "No, those are for black people," is that the correct response then?

No. I'm guessing the more likely response is that those are ghetto and even more likely, just a no. Nobody is saying they can't get them. It's just if they do, they should understand that if a black woman had that style, they would most likely be treated a lot differently than they are.

Spoiler

Fully agreeing with you.

--

The 'white people steal our culture' stuff is also invading hip hop culture. I mean, who would have thought that all it takes to make people lose their mind is a single mediocre Australian white female rapper with good numbers? People make such a huge thing out of Macklemore and her, like: name all relevant white rappers from the beginning of hip hop; and then name all black ones.

Also, in this particular case: it has become quite rare to see black chicks with braids since a lot of women that I see use fake color or weave their hair. I'm not saying that this is the case for every woman, but those natural hair styles have become very rare these days. Not saying that this is a bad or good thing, but please don't act as if wearing braids was a privilege reserved for a certain part of the demographic; it's just a fucking hair style. Put your energy in much more serious matters than cyberbullying a teenager.

Hm... I wonder why black women refrain from this hair style and natural hair.

 

[Coconut]

This just makes me think about how funny it would be to see some country club white guy walk up to a black guy and tell me that he can't wear pleated khakis because that's our thing.

 

[Anton Sugar]

TL;DR - No one is talking about the little girl at this point, divorce yourself from her.

 

[Dennis]

I want Iggy Azalea to get box braids.

I just want to see the world burn.

 

[tbm24]

...but she was black in the book...

I still don't get the outrage on that one.

The outrage was that certain folks who read the book then saw the movie admitted that they assumed she was white, and her being black made them not care as much that she died. It's weird and makes no sense like most outrages.

 

[CherryWoodFuton]

Just want to chime in that box braids look fuckin sexy on a woman....no matter what ethnicity

 

[AyaisMUsikWhore]

If you are SHITTING on a person on twitter cause she white and she got braids you are insecure as fuck. If you are NOT one of the people shitting on a person on twitter cause she white and got braids then my statement does not apply to you. Find something else to get offended about, please.

Of course braids can be considered a part of Black culture but you cant be fucking shocked when living in a diverse society that someone from another ethnicity rocks a hairstyle from another ethnicity. If a person is THAT sensitive about it and feels THAT much of a NEED to go in on someone like that then in my opinion they're insecure and they shouldn't be. Braids on Black people will survive a few White people rocking the same hairstyle. Give me a fucking break, lmao.

You say you aint defending their attack but at same time claim they NOT insecure? Ok.

You expect me to be tactful to people attacking a person because of their hair? Sorry if that offended you but tough shit. They're insecure if they need to go in on a person because of their hair.

Ok, I get what your saying and I agree.... But partner... Using insecure to describe the displeasure of seeing someone cop a hairstyle that still to this day is associated with ghetto, trashy, balding edges on blacks etc, is not insecurity.

1) It's insensitive to such a complex situation.
2) You are not even using the word correctly as it is.

I think it's pathetic to be offended by someone who happens to be of another ethnicity wearing a hairstyle that we as blacks normally wear, as ridiculous and try hard as best.....

But insecure or lacking confidence in the hairstyle.... I'm sorry but that's a stupid word to use to describe this. I don't think there's anybody wearing box braids right now or in the past who was insecure about wearing box braids... You can be offended though.

Now I'm ok with this girl wearing the box braids. I have no problem with it what so ever. As I said before.. It's on fleek.

 

[SonnyBoy]

The response from the 11 year old was more thoughtful and mature than the reactions to her hair. It's a fucking hair style. Get that culture bullshit out of here. People are people.

And in what alternate reality do you live in? I'd like to move my family there.

You cannot simply disregard the truths of an entire people because you want to believe "people are people". Their actions were repulsive but you can't simply deny the hurt and pain that is the primary cause of it.

 

[FDC1]

...

A few posters have made the suggestion that blacks are segregating themselves and that they should be trying to assimilate and this is the best way...these people (bless their hearts) clearly speak from a place of either privilege (trigger word!) or ignorance (double trigger!). Black people have been trying to "assimilate" since they were brought here. Blacks are simply responding to the segregation being afflicted upon them, in order for blacks to segregate themselves you have to put forward the argument that segregation has ended....it really hasn't. Segregation end when racism ends.

...

The thing is, I don't know how this kind of attitude is supposed to help improving the situation. 2 wrongs don't make a right.

 

[Infinite]

I love you angelus

 

[Anton Sugar]

Articles relevant to this discussion:

Head-turning hair fashions for fall: bangs, rows and tails. Not a single mention of any black fashion models, icons, etc. They even attribute some cornrow styles to Elizabethan "edginess".

Move over, Bo Derek. Far from the bead-bedecked cornrows and plaits the actress wore in the 1979 film "10," cornrows with a punk vibe have shown up recently on model Cara Delevingne, singer Rita Ora and actress Kristen Stewart, as well as on the Alexander McQueen, DKNY and Marchesa runways. Madeline Brewer in "Orange Is the New Black" was another forerunner of the trend.

"Cornrows are moving away from urban, hip-hop to more chic and edgy," says Reyman. "There were spiral cornrows at Alexander McQueen, and I did fishtail cornrows woven with fabric. I have also been incorporating cornrows into center parts and side parts. Just one cornrow or a couple on the side is really cool [as opposed to a headful], but they have to be on the right person with the right clothing. Obviously, McQueen is very gothic and strong, so that customer is looking for that Elizabethan or 'Game of Thrones' edginess.

"A French braid is actually just a large cornrow. Whether it's a small row or a big row, plaits create a nice intricacy and point of interest that make hair look fresh. We also see braids evolving into other styles, like ponytails and the pulled-apart braided chignon at Elie Saab couture."

Black Twitter Schools Marie Claire on Cornrows

Also, there are similar articles related to this phenomenon:

 

[Rembrandt]

The thing is, I don't know how this kind of attitude is supposed to help improving the situation. 2 wrongs don't make a right.

Did you even read her comment about it?

 

[Coconut]

And in what alternate reality do you live in? I'd like to move my family there.

You cannot simply disregard the truths of an entire people because you want to believe "people are people". Their actions were repulsive but you can't simply deny the hurt and pain that is the primary cause of it.

Just for a second let's imagine that this girl was raised in a 90% black neighborhood in Detroit, what's her culture?

 

[mekes]

If anybody should be shouted at it is me, as I have washed my hair today but I have not styled it at all.

 

[Htown]

And again, I'm not talking about the little girl anymore, she can shave her head for all I care. I'm speaking WHY people complain about cultural appropriation. The answer while obvious to me is apparently lost on many people in this thread, as they write about these fictious utopias in which all groups are treated equal and complaining about cultural appropriation is stupid.

The MAIN reason any group ever complains about culture appropriation is because that group feels oppressed. If people want minority groups to stop crying about cultural appropriation the answer is simple. Stop being complacent on how America treats minority groups. If said groups were treated nearly as well as so many people's utopic visions...I doubt this thread would even exist.

The little girl did nothing wrong, the argument of hair being exclusive to one group is dumb. Now divorcing ourselves from this little girl, I'm going to explain to people why some people draw issues with something as insignificant as hairstyles. In America the metric standard of beauty has and still is straight luscious hair. It's the standard that all women are measured at. This is doubly damining toward black females as straight hair is not the natural state of black female hair. The various methods to achieve said hair is scarring and expensive. Every day that idea is reinforced to black women by TV, Music, movies, photos and all other avenues. They're often told their natural hair is "ugly and unkempt", "nappy headed" and that they would look better if they straightened it.

Many black women started embracing hair styles more suitable to their hair, and again are greeted with the same negative attitudes towards it. And for just as long as these women have been ridiculed for their hairstyles; magazines and other avenues pour on accolades when the fairer skinned females do the same thing (Bo Derek as an exampled was lauded for it and many found the style refreshing and new, despite the fact at the same time many establishments and news/media were flat out calling black women who had this hairstyle "ghetto" or "unattractive". Or a better example would be Kylie Jenner or whatever her name is when she rocked half braids or whatever and Vogue or whoever stated it was "brand new, bold, and innovative hair style" rightfully black people, females especially were upset with the statements and the magazine and much less Kylie, in fact most people gave two fucks about Kylie.

The issue shouldn't be with this little girl, the issue should be and is with how American media views the two groups when they do the same thing and the effect it has on members of each group in how they perceive themselves and how they perceive themselves relative to the other group. Much like you and others don't want people judging this little girl for simply doing box braids, don't assume and think every

Or to make it relatable to anyone with a drop of empathy. Imagine have two sons/daughters; and they both do the same thing. You constantly praise one for it and insult/demean the other for doing the same thing...what is the expected outcome? How do you think it'll affect how they view not only his/herself and you but also the sibling who has done absolutely nothing wrong. Then you have the mother who doesn't care that this is happening. Obviously in my analogy the sibling in question would most likely realize that father is an asshole and would probably try to shine light on their sibling. This too is done in our society you see those people all the time throughout history, whites who rallied with MLK and did the million man march, those who take part in the #BlackLivesMatter movement. You also have the equivalents of mothers in our society, you know these as the "I don't see race" or "It's not happening to me so who cares" type people. And much like in society, mom and dad's voice and influence is so much more powerful than your siblings and will mark you much more deeply.

At this point, most of us aren't talking about the little girl anymore and we're now talking about American society at large (tends to happen with these threads). We've already had a number of people with the usual "Cultural appropriation is stupid because here is my utopia dream of how we treat each other in the US". and other such nonsense that really should be dismissed but we can't help but respond to such nonsense.

Again, divorce yourself from the little girl because it's no longer about her. I'm no longer talking about her, she is an anchor to none of my posts anymore. She doesn't speak for America at large much like any one black person doesn't speak for African Americans at large.

The girl can do with what she wants with her hair, no one should draw issue with that. People should redirect their anger to the massive cog that is American news, media, employment and how they they view and treat the different groups of people when they do the same thing. It is because of that different treatment that we have the cries of cultural appropriation.

A few posters have made the suggestion that blacks are segregating themselves and that they should be trying to assimilate and this is the best way...these people (bless their hearts) clearly speak from a place of either privilege (trigger word!) or ignorance (double trigger!). Black people have been trying to "assimilate" since they were brought here. Blacks are simply responding to the segregation being afflicted upon them, in order for blacks to segregate themselves you have to put forward the argument that segregation has ended....it really hasn't. Segregation end when racism ends.

I went on a craaaazy bit of tagents but meh.

TL;DR - No one is talking about the little girl at this point, divorce yourself from her.

good post even though one of the sentences got cut off

 

[Fenderputty]

And again, I'm not talking about the little girl anymore, she can shave her head for all I care. I'm speaking WHY people complain about cultural appropriation. The answer while obvious to me is apparently lost on many people in this thread, as they write about these fictious utopias in which all groups are treated equal and complaining about cultural appropriation is stupid.

The MAIN reason any group ever complains about culture appropriation is because that group feels oppressed. If people want minority groups to stop crying about cultural appropriation the answer is simple. Stop being complacent on how America treats minority groups. If said groups were treated nearly as well as so many people's utopic visions...I doubt this thread would even exist.

I think there is a little bit of a catch 22 here. I think part of the process of eliminating racism is taking on cultural immersion head on. Things like this will occur. As another poster pointed out, I'm not sure the correct response from her parents would be to say, "No, that's a haircut for black people only." I also think it's silly to expect a 12 year old to understand the historical implications. Nor am I sure the parents are the appropriate people to be explaining the historical implications.

At what point in time does actual imitation become flattery (what IMO this girl did) and stop being appropriation used as a pejorative. It's a slow fluid processes not just a flip of the switch.

 

[itxaka]

Complaining about stupid stuff that does not care is white culture, yo. We complain about anything stupid and of no consequence.

 

[FDC1]

Did you even read her comment about it?

I did.

 

[SonnyBoy]

The thing is, I don't know how this kind of attitude is supposed to help improving the situation. 2 wrongs don't make a right.

So what would you have black people do? Seriously.

As it pertains to hair, our women do conform. They perm their hair, which is toxic. They flat iron it, they hot comb it. They do a ton of destructive sh** to their hair, just to not be further discriminated against. Just to land a job. Just to not be looked down at.

 

[vas_a_morir]

Kind of a side note, but damn am I getting sick of this 'call-out' culture we have thanks to twitter. Everybody harassing everybody for not thinking like they do. It's beyond obnoxious. A little girl has a hair style that you think she shouldn't have... how about you just go on living your life and worry about things that actually concern you?

 

[Bold One]

Title is misleading, thought it was a physical attack as opposed to twitter,

Fuck twitter opinions, she's done nothing wrong.

 

[Rembrandt]

I did.

Well, you have your answer.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

- I'm not looking to go back in time to make this situation not occur. That's not going to happen. However, if people want to learn why black women can be offended by something like this, I'll help explain it. If everyone is truly hellbent on understanding one another, and understanding why someone who is hurt, may lash out.... Understanding their plight and hurt will enable you to not be an offender.

This is where we differ in opinion. While I agree people should always try to learn more about each other, I don't think people should have to listen to people yelling at them and acting irrationally. And I don't think someone's personal experiences and biases give them license to act disrespectful when what they're getting offended about is obviously not intentional.

It would be like me talking to a female friend and her boyfriend constantly getting jealous and claiming I'm trying to steal her away from him. Sure, maybe the guy has been cheated on by every girlfriend he's ever had and he has some trust issues that cause him to lash out. But those trust issues and past experiences don't give him the right to insult me by claiming I'm some girlfriend stealing asshole. And I'm not going to sit around and let him keep saying it to me and try to understand why he's mad at me when he's accusing me of doing something I wasn't doing in the first place.

 

[Anton Sugar]

I think there is a little bit of a catch 22 here. I think part of the process of eliminating racism is taking on cultural immersion head on. Things like this will occur. As another poster pointed out, I'm not sure the correct response from her parents would be to say, "No, that's a haircut for black people only." I also think it's silly to expect a 12 year old to understand the historical implications. Nor am I sure the parents are the appropriate people to be explaining the historical implications.

At what point in time does actual imitation become flattery (what IMO this girl did) and stop being appropriation used as a pejorative. It's a slow fluid processes not just a flip of the switch.

I think this is a valid question, but Angelus had a good response:

If we lived in a country in which everyone was equal and no one group was oppressed then there wouldn't be nearly as much fuss about cultural appropriation.

If Americans really want blacks to stop complaining about cultural appropriation, all America really has to do is stop treating blacks like second class citizens, segregating them, disenfranchising them, using them as scapegoats.

Simple as that, really.

 

[SonnyBoy]

Just for a second let's imagine that this girl was raised in a 90% black neighborhood in Detroit, what's her culture?

What difference does that make to what I've been saying? I'm not discussing that girl, I've already voiced my stance on her and what happened to her. It was appalling.

My point and my comments have solely been aimed at informing those who aren't in-the-know as to why such hatred exists for some people.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Ok, I get what your saying and I agree.... But partner... Using insecure to describe the displeasure of seeing someone cop a hairstyle that still to this day is associated with ghetto, trashy, balding edges on blacks etc, is not insecurity.

1) It's insensitive to such a complex situation.
2) You are not even using the word correctly as it is.

I think it's pathetic to be offended by someone who happens to be of another ethnicity wearing a hairstyle that we as blacks normally wear, as ridiculous and try hard as best.....

But insecure or lacking confidence in the hairstyle.... I'm sorry but that's a stupid word to use to describe this. I don't think there's anybody wearing box braids right now or in the past who was insecure about wearing box braids... You can be offended though.

Now I'm ok with this girl wearing the box braids. I have no problem with it what so ever. As I said before.. It's on fleek.

If you shitting on someone for their hair then that's insecurity. Our culture can survive one white girl wearing braids. Nothing to feel threatened over.

 

[norinrad]

Internet bringing out the crazy people again.

Lovely braids, leave her alone

 

[collige]

Articles relevant to this discussion:

Head-turning hair fashions for fall: bangs, rows and tails. Not a single mention of any black fashion models, icons, etc. They even attribute some cornrow styles to Elizabethan "edginess".

Yup. but the problem isn't with the people wearing the hairdos, the problem is with the people writing the article ignoring or downplaying the influence of black people in fashion. It's basically the same situation as the Iggy drama; the continued presence of institutional racism is a huge problem, but it has no bearing on whether the acts of appropriation are immoral.

 

[Anton Sugar]

A little girl has a hair style that you think she shouldn't have... how about you just go on living your life and worry about things that actually concern you?

I think in this case it does kinda concern them, in regards to cultural appropriation. However, the response given to the girl was completely off the mark.

 

[coleco]

The braids look good. Fuck the rest.

 

[archangelmorph]

Whilst I understand where it's coming from clearly the only thing misappropriated here is the twitter poster's anger...

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery"...

 

[SonnyBoy]

This is where we differ in opinion. While I agree people should always try to learn more about each other, I don't think people should have to listen to people yelling at them and acting irrationally. And I don't think someone's personal experiences and biases give them license to act disrespectful when what they're getting offended about is obviously not intentional.

Where have I said they were valid in their actions? As I've stated before, if everyone is truly all about not hurting people. Let's understand why such hatred exists and in our personal lives be more understanding to others.

My comment isn't about that girl. It isn't about braids. It's more so about what black women deal with in regard to their hair and bodies. How they're mistreated and looked down upon.

It's not about learning about "black culture". Whatever the hell that might be. It's about having empathy for women who are often seen as less in their natural state of beauty.

 

[Izuna]

1. They were educated on institutional racism? Also you went to school with two black people which also explains that, but doesn't excuse it.

2.

3. I make the connection because I live in America and I see it happen. That hairstyle is a black hairstyle. That hairstyle will most likely be looked at negatively by employers. That hairstyle will probably get dirty looks by certain people. Where do I say those were dreads? I have dreads, I know what they look like and have received flack for them.

4. Yeah, that doesn't happen. At least I haven't seen it happen. For the most part, white people aren't too afraid of offending black people. Look at this topic. Of course, there will be some topics/games that will be uncomfortable to do like your weird compare lip games, but I'm also not playing games that will point out noticeable differences between me and a fat person.

You want to live in a world where race is ignored. It would be nice, but it isn't the world we live in nor will we live to see it. Wake me up when you have black people in commercials to the sake extent as white people or when black people come up with something that gets praise and the originators are instantly praised, not after its looked down upon until a white person does it. Or when I can give my child an African sounding name without worrying about their future job prospects.

Thank you for your reply.

1. It was done because that one kid, apart from everyone else, was taught to be careful. No one else in that class would have cared and said my skin is darker and I have curly hair, I wouldn't have cared either. But then this is the UK so there isn't much point in explaining it anyway. It would be fucked up if the black kids of that school got special treatment by other kids.

2.

3. Again, it is seen as a bad hairstyle for the same reason that those employers would think it is a "niggerish" hairstyle. This girl is being told she is appropriating black culture. So if she was an employer, will she think it is professional if she sees a white girl with braids now?

4. I don't know if you are black. Almost all black people I know have experienced people being uncomfortably careful around them. Maybe in the US you get flat out racism instead, but it's still bad.

 

[Coconut]

What difference does that make to what I've been saying? I'm not discussing that girl, I've already voiced my stance on her and what happened to her. It was appalling.

My point and my comments have solely been aimed at informing those who aren't in-the-know as to why such hatred exists for some people.

What I'm asking is if you are surround by black culture what is your culture? Just discussing and pointing stuff out to those reading. Food for thought is all.

 

[Rembrandt]

Yup. but the problem isn't with the people wearing the hairdos, the problem is with the people writing the article ignoring or downplaying the influence of black people in fashion. It's basically the same situation as the Iggy drama; the continued presence of institutional racism is a huge problem, but it has no bearing on whether the acts of appropriation are immoral.

It's a little both. The inspirations for those hairstyles didn't come out of thin air and those people aren't 12 year old. It would be interesting for Cara to come out with braids and say they were inspired by black women.

Thank you for your reply.

1. It was done because that one kid, apart from everyone else, was taught to be careful. No one else in that class would have cared and said my skin is darker and I have curly hair, I wouldn't have cared either. But then this is the UK so there isn't much point in explaining it anyway. It would be fucked up if the black kids of that school got special treatment by other kids.

2.

3. Again, it is seen as a bad hairstyle for the same reason that those employers would think it is a "niggerish" hairstyle. This girl is being told she is appropriating black culture. So if she was an employer, will she think it is professional if she sees a white girl with braids now?

4. I don't know if you are black. Almost all black people I know have experienced people being uncomfortably careful around them. Maybe in the US you get flat out racism instead, but it's still bad.

1. Was taught to be careful around black people? Not gonna lie, I'm kind of confused. Are you saying it's his parents fault or the uks? I can kind of understand him not saying you're darker but focusing on other traits and idk if I would say that's racist unless he was struggling to find any other differences and felt afraid to say that.

3. If she was educated about it? She would most likely have an entirely different perspective than people that don't know about the culture. At least in America, they see it as niggerish because it's not what they're used to. It's not in the typical definition of beauty.

4. I am and I have seen white people uncomfortable around me. Like I said, I have dreads and occasionally dress in all black. White people get afraid at times and give me strange looks at other times. I used to date a hipster/goth girl that dyed her hair frequently and we got strange looks everywhere. I've also been a victim to flat out racism by people in the streets, malls, stores, etc. But they don't give a fuck about making me uncomfortable or offending me because there's really nothing I can do. I've been called a nigger to my face midconversation and he had no qualms about offending me. It is what it is.

 

[Fenderputty]

I think this is a valid question, but Angelus had a good response:



Simple as that, really.

That's my point. It's fluid and not a flip of a switch. We're not going to wake up to post racial america tomorrow. Part of this fluid transition will be 12 year old white girls taking from black culture.

 

[TalonJH]

I'm totally fine with her wearing them. I don't think they look great in blond hair but I don't see why any person can't wear their hair how they like.

I just disagree with the idea of black or white things. Even more so when others are forbidden from liking those things. IDK

 

[akira28]

she looked cute. Little white girl, we need to teach you about how to deal with haters first, then you can wear all the braids you want.

 

[Randam]

Her apology sounds a little sarcastic doesn't it?
I hope it was.

 

[Anton Sugar]

4. I don't know if you are black. Almost all black people I know have experienced people being uncomfortably careful around them. Maybe in the US you get flat out racism instead, but it's still bad.

Maybe this is an important distinction. In the US, blacks are frequently exposed to or encounter "flat-out" racism. Sometimes it's more explicit than other times, of course.