Calling It What It Is: Cultural Appropriation Problems

Photo/Graphic Design Cred: QREV Production

"Love your wild hair look", "It's messy but it looks so cute on you", "You need to tame those tresses"... Reactions to my hair in it's natural state. The comments did not bother me much until the other day scrolling through my timeline I see a video titled, Beautiful Texture. The video is showing a tutorial of how to get the natural hair look for people with straight hair, specifically, white people.

I sat and watched as a white stylist dampen, spray, and wind the model's hair tightly around pins, added more spray, pressed each pin down with a flat iron, and set to dry. The end result was what was described as a "Zig Zag Twist". My side eye intensified as I thought to myself, that's a braid out. You know, when black women braid or twist their hair and pick it out. No chemical manipulations needed.

This lead to me thinking more about cultural appropriation. How many instances in my life I've witnessed or have been subject to white society creating a negative perception of black culture until they adopt it as their own and present is as something trendy. Something they supposedly thought up all on their own (see my It's Not A French Braid post). From our full lips, curvy figure, hairstyles, music and fashion, they all have been re-presented in some way to appease white society.

Some of you may say, "well black society appropriates white culture as well. Take relaxers and straight weaves for example". My answer to that is for generations, it has been beaten into black people (literally in some cases), that their natural beauty, their culture, their sense of identity is not accepted and in order to be viewed as somewhat acceptable, they must conform to the ways of their oppressors. This reality is so deeply rooted that it still affects us as a whole today.

Now we are in a time where slowly our eyes are being opened to the beauty of our culture. Black women are relaxing less and allowing their hair to grow in it's natural state. We are tapping into our roots and exploring head wraps. We are taking over social media with hashtags like #BlackGirlMagic #BlackGirlsRock #MyBlackIsBeautiful. We are researching our history and learning to love ourselves. It seems the more pride we attain and convey, the more our culture is appropriated.

To be clear, I have no issue with white society admiring and participating in black culture. Something so beautiful should be shared. My issue is when our culture is taken and disguised with a white stamp of approval. Just give us our recognition and call it what it is. No reinvention is needed.

Kind Regards

Why Wearing A Head Wrap Is Appropriate In ALL Settings

Photo cred: QREV Production

A couple weeks ago I met up with a few close friends for dinner. While enjoying our meal and catching up, one of my friends stated, "I could never go to work in a head wrap." Then my other friend nodded in agreement. I paused in reflection for a moment trying to understand why they feel they can't wear one to work and I can. I work in the corporate world just like they do so what is the difference between them and me? Then it clicked. They FEEL they can't. They THINK it will be viewed as unprofessional. I thought maybe if the significance of this fashion statement were explained, those who have reservations about wearing it in the professional sense would be more confident in doing so.

The head wrap has been apart of African culture for centuries. Over the years it has symbolized spirituality, modesty, prosperity, wealth and social status in African society. In the United States during the era of slavery, though slave masters imposed it on their female slaves as a badge of enslavement, slaves regarded head wraps as a symbol of their true homeland, Africa. A reminder that they do not belong in the land of their captors. It is also functioned as a uniform of rebellion signifying their fight to never forget where they have come from.

Being integrated in society, it is important that we never lose sight of our history. Over time through different psychological strategies, we are being conditioned to simply forget about the plight of our ancestors. They want us to blend in, accept the cards life has dealt us through their hand, and be a good non-threatening black person. Any inkling of black pride or culture association may make them uncomfortable. And because these truths are so deeply rooted, we sometimes say things like, "I could never go to work in a head wrap", though it is apart of our identity.

I take pride in wearing my head wrap and it is a look that is appropriate for any setting. Just because other cultures may not understand the look or the majority in the corporate world are not wearing them, does not mean we have to hide who we are to ease the comfort of our colleagues. Own who you are and where you came from. Acknowledge your history and it's beauty. If we do not make effort to keep some of our culture's traditions alive, our future generations will not have a clear understanding of their identity. So go ahead and wear that wrap!

Food for thought