Some of our Gods namely Ganesh, Shiva, and Kali seem to be cooler than the rest, and they have been tatted onto bodies across the world. wearing a bindi as a trend. I hate this assertion, because there is nothing inherently wrong with how white people look with dreads. Plus, I loved how it looked. Required fields are marked *. Concave Layers Are Going Viral On TikTok HereR Springs Top Hair Color Trends Are Straight Out Of NYC (& T Unpacking The Many Layers Of The Big Chop & What It How ADHD Makes Natural Hair Care Hard For Black Women. The days of Abercrombie and Fitch ads lauding androgynous, white women as the perfect body shape are slowly slipping away. Men sport the tilak after a prayer or religious occasion. By wearing these accessories without understanding their history, significance and cultural context it defeats the purpose of traditional customs as well as spreads offensive messages regarding other races identities through tokenizing their appearance. This could undermine the efforts of those who are trying to raise awareness of cultural appropriation and its potential impacts on communities. Since my mother wasn't able to join our trips because of her work schedule, my dad needed a low-maintenance way to keep my hair from getting extremely knotted. Yes, chlorine can bleach hair by stripping away, Short Answer: Does Cat Hair Grow Back? One needs to understand the context of the adoption and also learn about its origins before using any cultural aesthetics as fashion statements. Were so glad you asked. The accessories have since been worn and celebrated in cultures throughout the world for centuries. Are Hair Cuffs Cultural Appropriation? Cultural Appropriation Definition and Examples - What is Cultural Just as I was allowed to wear a bindi to that club night out in south London a few years back before I got woke, just as my best mate donned a headdress for a fancy dress party without realising that, according to one Native American writer, it constitutes to the denigration of restricted symbols, and just as each Halloween theres still at least one news story about someone or in last years case, many people wearing blackface. Indians wore rings on the nostril and septum way before it got fashionable. But I will say beads are also fine but whatever you choice, make sure it's not damaging to her hair and. Celebrities like the Kardashian ladies have made millions of dollars surgically enhancing their bodies to appear curvier and blacker. 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. Dressing up and accessorizing is supposed to be fun so lets make sure we have fun together without hurting anyone elses sentiments along the way. It seems that people always credit a celebrity as opposed to crediting the actual history, she says. recently shes been talking a lot about how she loves the look of hair cuffs in dreads/braids. Acknowledging is key when borrowing from other cultures if your intent bears no malice; sharing honors the legacy while building relationships by showing appreciation for other cultures differences instead of homogenizing them. That black people have felt the pressure to change their hair since slavery and colonialism (potato and lye burned our hair straight, grease slicked it down), and that when we do wear our hair in natural styles are told that they are unprofessional, smell of patchouli oil or weedor inappropriate might not mean a lot in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement in some peoples eyes, but in my opinion we need to fight these microaggressions as hard as we can, as they ultimately all point to the pervasiveness of racism in our society. 3. Comparing blackface and white people having dreadlocks might seem extreme, but it helps to simplify this discussion. Also, they are a very handy guide for dance teachers to figure out who is not dancing coherently to the rhythm. Not making a blanket decision right now about how I express all those things with my hair feels like the right decision for me. They are placed by the groom onto the brides feet during the Hindu wedding ceremony. There were, Id always find the braiders sitting underneath the palm trees, seeking shade from the sun. I enjoy seeing thick afros like the one worn by civil-rights activist, Angela Davis or natural locks like the ones proudly sported by author and Nobel Laureate, Dr. Toni Morrison. It can be seen as a form of exploitation or disrespect, particularly when the elements being appropriated are closely tied to a specific groups cultural identity. No such thing as cultural appropriation. Actually, let's start with the age-old fight over so-called good vs. bad hair. What tires us, however, is the misinterpretation, misrepresentation, and disregard of South Asian culture. Shes posing. Hair cuffs were initially used as a way to hold hair in place, especially during formal occasions. Natural hair is beautiful not because another culture has sanctioned it. Heres looking at you, Madonna. Hair cuffs were first used by African tribal women as symbolic jewelry to adorn their braids and dreads during traditional ceremonies. 11 of the Most Culturally Appropriated South Asian Accessories - And ", Growing up, my father took my brother and me on an annual summer vacation to the Dominican Republic to visit family. Although I hated the tugging and pulling, I knew that Id love the outcome. Hair cuffs have a long history in many cultures. Ultimately, it is up to individuals to decide whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation or a sign of appreciation. 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. 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. Can Latinas Wear Braids Without Backlash? - Refinery29 Heres a step-by-step guide to help you determine if youre appropriating with your hair cuffs: Step 1: Educate yourself on the history of hair cuffs. Adorning a womans feet symbolizes an act of devotion by her family or spouse. The issue arises when the line between inspiration and appropriation is blurred because elements have been taken out of context or without due involvement from representatives from the culture itself. Over the years, the racial microaggressions that offend and upset us have mutated, but they are aggressions all the same. 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. Wearing them without understanding the origination or just because they look trendy while ignoring their historical significance may lead to unintentional disregard for acknowledging their roots which can result in erasure. Hair cuffs have been traditionally worn by African American women for decades as part of their unique hairstyles such as braids and dreadlocks. There are people who aren't doing it on purpose, says Guingui. Thats not to say that just because youre not wearing a certain hairstyle, you cant learn about it. 5. The Cultural Appropriation of Natural Hair. While some may view it as a form of respect and appreciation, others may view it as an act of exploitation. They adorn braids, twists and even free-flowing locks with effortless style. Cultural Appropriation is a Concern In conclusion, wearing culturally significant accessories such as hair cuffs is acceptable provided you take conscious measures not to disrespect someones religion or beliefs- much like how you respect someones religious faith or personal lifestyle choice-you cannot ridicule anothers heritage by casually borrowing elements from it whilst making light of its value system. Appropriation. Personally? Some things might just be as simple as I just do what I feel like. Some black women chemically alter their hair texture and spend money on human hair that once belonged to someone in Asia. All who buy into it are insane. She holds a Masters in Psychotherapy with a focus on contemplative psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Of course they are allowed. So while this is a fun option for the West, it is an imposition on some in the East. and avoid shutting down. Here are some frequently asked questions about hair cuffs and cultural appropriation: What is cultural appropriation? Step 3: Assess how you use your hair cuffs in relation to your hairstyle. Body Policing Police: Because Your Body Belongs to You! During the Victorian era, hair jewelry became incredibly popular across Europe and North America. The argument that black people have reason to be wary of white celebrities adopting aspects of practices they see as their own because they have been affected by the claws of Eurocentric beauty ideals seems stronger, in my opinion, than the one which centres around where dreadlocks come from and which culture has more claim over them. Latinas have also faced backlash, like Emeraude Toubia, who, Blogger Ada Rojas, who founded natural hair brand, As an Afro-Latina, Rojas sees the taboo surrounding braids as more than just a conversation about appropriation. For rastas they symbolise a spiritual journey, but theyve been worn by African Maasai warriors and even have biblical roots. I couldnt be more tired of this shit. Once they were cut off I was initially ecstatic. You see, the problem with culture appropriation is that certain parts of a culture are first mocked then mimicked; it sends a message that our bodies, music, clothing and language are all coveted but we are not. Yes, some white people just take the hairstyles and act like it's some cool new trend, and purposefully ignore the concerns of black people. Hair cuffs are not a new trend they have been used by different cultures for centuries. Learning about the origins and proper usage of cultural traditions while creating fashionable trends should be crucial as it can lead to both respect toward cultures we borrow from and a better understanding about our own choices hence moving towards more inclusive society rather than contributing to shallow appropriation which belittles various communities. If a white person wears hair cuffs, is it cultural appropriation? Exploring the Debate: Are Hair Cuffs Cultural Appropriation? The legs are considered the dirtiest part of ones body, and getting one on your back is frowned upon. 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. GO AHEAD!! Actually, lets start with the age-old fight over so-called good vs. bad hair. Butterflies, stones, unicorns, or just ribbons Her imagination and tastes are her limits. Still, in my opinion she was much ado about nothing; that is, until she decided to engage in her latest theft of black culture. But recently, I've begun to, As a beauty editor, I see firsthand how appropriative hairstyling can be hurtful and cruel. Ultimately, it is important to remember that cultural appropriation can have serious consequences for communities. Cultural appropriation refers to the adoption of aspects of one culture by another culture without proper understanding, acknowledgment or respect towards its original context or meaning. 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. One of the most pervasive offenses is when white celebrities wear Black hairstyles like Bantu knots and call them other names like twisted mini buns, erasing these styles origin and integral roles within Black beauty culture. This is why the act of "dreading" hair among non-Blacks/African Americans is often appropriation.