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[Imm0rt4l]

Expected some actual physical confrontation, not fuckin twitter heclking
keep rockin those braids gurl

This.

 

[radios shipping overview]

Here's why people get up in arms about it: white people, as the majority in power, have been taking black culture and selling it as their own for decades. Meanwhile, black people have seen a disproportionately small share of the profits from culture that they originated, and white use of black culture has diluted its meaning. So when a 14-year-old adopts a black hairstyle, she's adopting something whose cultural significance she doesn't understand from people she doesn't know. She just thinks it looks nice.

If you consider yourself colorblind, you are intentionally oblivious to the power imbalances that exist in our society with regard to race.

If I learned anything from Barbershop and Barbershop 2, it's that black hair culture is real and demands respect.

Also, Good Hair. I learned so much from that documentary.

 

[Anton Sugar]

I think it's important to realize the sensitive racial atmosphere we're currently in, where white men and women are lauded with "bringing rap back", where Iggy and Miley are credited with "twerking" and "bringing big butts back", where white fashion models are lauded as "bold" for wearing cornrows ("braids") and baby hair, etc.

Having said that, no, I don't think that she deserved any of the twitter harassment she received. She is young, has a lot to learn, and responded well to it. I think communities whose culture is appropriated get frustrated when being exposed to it often (see: Native Americans and now-infamous "Coachella" feathered head dress).

EDIT: ^Beaten.

And a big fucking LOL to anyone here who claims they are "colorblind" or don't see race. We're not there yet, y'all.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Sad to see people so insecure about their "culture" that someone can't wear a certain hairstyle.

 

[Cream]

If a culture is getting appropriated doesn't that mean it's become mainstream and accepted as "normal"? I'm coming from a position of ignorance and I'm honestly asking here.

Is the ultimate goal to completely become part of the main culture or to stay separate? Not that an entire race or ethnicity could have some grand, unified voice or anything.


If everyone is becoming comfortable enough to view each other's culture as worthy of emulation isn't that a good thing in the long view? Ideally won't we all just eventually become one race at some point in the far flung future of water wars beyond Thunderdome?

Like I said, I'm just some white dude speaking from ignorance here and I'm sorry if I've offended someone by asking this.

It would be like this:

You are a super cool guy. You do a lot of super cool things, and invent new cool things without even thinking about it. You are proud of the cool things you come up with. They define who you are.

But a lot of people you know take those cool things you do, and they get recognized for it, over and over again. Those cool things become super popular. But not you.

Meanwhile, all the people that like that cool thing don't like you.

 

[neojubei]

The "stop biting on our style" shit is getting old. Art and style does not belong to anyone.

So true.

 

[ghst]

as a proud white person, it is my culture to appropriate, exploit and unceremoniously dump the culture of others when i'm bored of it.

none of you can take that from me.

 

[Rembrandt]

Sad to see people so insecure about their "culture" that someone can't wear a certain hairstyle.

Nobody is insecure about their culture. What kinda bullshit is that? People sometimes get hostile because white people take from black culture and get praise for things black people get criticism for. It's as simple as that. It's so hard to actually have discussions about things like this because people like you avoid topics like the institutional racism one but come in full force on topics like this.

Also why put culture in quotes?

 

[WorriedCitizen]

I would call that cultural appreciation not cultural appropriation.

 

[The Faceless Master]

as a proud white person, it is my culture to appropriate, exploit and unceremoniously dump the culture of others when i'm bored of it.

none of you can take that from me.

*hi-5*

 

[Takuan]

I think this stems from black women seeing hairstyles that they were being mocked and ridiculed for wearing become acceptable and trendy now that white people are doing it.

My thoughts exactly. They jelly mad.

 

[keuja]

Nobody is insecure about their culture. What kinda bullshit is that? People sometimes get hostile because white people take from black culture and get praise for things black people get criticism for. It's as simple as that. It's so hard to actually have discussions about things like this because people like you avoid topics like the institutional racism one but come in full force on topics like this.

Also why put culture in quotes?

Black people get criticism for their braided hair?

 

[Clinton514]

It would be like this:

You are a super cool guy. You do a lot of super cool things, and invent new cool things without even thinking about it. You are proud of the cool things you come up with. They define who you are.

But a lot of people you know take those cool things you do, and they get recognized for it, over and over again. Those cool things become super popular. But not you.

Meanwhile, all the people that like that cool thing don't like you.

There it is. Can't put it anymore simple than that. No, I don't agree with anyone berating a teenager who doesn't know anything else but when people choose to ignore why some people can be upset over it, I think they're a part of the problem too.

 

[Goodstyle]

This is reminiscent of the Iggy Azaelia harassment.

 

[MagnaderAlpha]

As long as there is exclusivity, there will never be equality.

NEVER.


Just a day after Martin Luther King Jr Day, I think we need another leader like him that subscribes to the same idea of equality. It's become too segregated regarding movements for equality, and I don't believe we'll get closer to achieving such feats until we do. And the template to this movement should be based on this:

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

And relevant to THIS topic:

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

God bless you, Martin Luther King Jr.

 

[Wiktor]

Can I assume those outraged people never wear any clothes/hair styles invented by white people either? Should I force myself to feel outraged if they do?

 

[Majmun]

This is reminiscent of the Iggy Azaelia harassment.

Imagine Iggy Azaelia with braids. The internet should explode.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Twitter can be so bad sometimes.

 

[Anton Sugar]

It would be like this:

You are a super cool guy. You do a lot of super cool things, and invent new cool things without even thinking about it. You are proud of the cool things you come up with. They define who you are.

But a lot of people you know take those cool things you do, and they get recognized for it, over and over again. Those cool things become super popular. But not you.

Meanwhile, all the people that like that cool thing don't like you.

Perfect post.

My thoughts exactly. They jelly.

Jealous =/= getting pissed at racist hypocrisy.

Can I assume those outraged people never wear any clothes/hair styles invented by white people either? Should I force myself to feel outraged if they do?

It's not quite the same thing.

 

[Kinitari]

Cultural appropriation is a difficult subject for me, because as an Ethiopian living in Toronto, I'm not sure what I'm allowed to do. And I'm not sure what other people are asked to do. I honestly feel like many if not most cultural appropriation misgivings are misplaced. Culture doesn't, hasn't and will never exist in ethnically segregated silos - and that means there will be people who see something, like it and emulate it. Whether it be clothing, music or dance or whatever.

 

[Rembrandt]

Black people get criticism for their braided hair?

It's often looked at as unprofessional or ghetto, so yeah? I mean, not everyone, but it happens often enough for men and women.

Can I assume those outraged people never wear any clothes/hair styles invented by white people either? Should I force myself to feel outraged if they do?

Lmao, I hate this site at times.

 

[captainpat]

Can I assume those outraged people never wear any clothes/hair styles invented by white people either? Should I force myself to feel outraged if they do?

It's not like there's a history of white people forcing their culture on other races.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Nobody is insecure about their culture. What kinda bullshit is that? People sometimes get hostile because white people take from black culture and get praise for things black people get criticism for. It's as simple as that. It's so hard to actually have discussions about things like this because people like you avoid topics like the institutional racism one but come in full force on topics like this.

Also why put culture in quotes?

If we gonna have a conversation don't get sensitive and attempt to get outraged. Nobody? I'd argue the people attacking someone due to perceived disrespect to their culture are absolutely insecure. Point blank.

Sorry but going in on a kid because she is rocking a certain hairstyle is fucking dumb. Let her wear her shit however she wants.

I put it in quotes because people too damned uptight about what constitutes "culture" these days as if it's something owned and can only be used by "others" with explicit permission. That's bullshit.

I avoid topics about institutional racism? What kinda soundbite-drive-by-comment is that bullshit? Have you fucking READ my post history? Outta here with that noise.

 

[Cream]

Can I assume those outraged people never wear any clothes/hair styles invented by white people either? Should I force myself to feel outraged if they do?

if people were ALWAYS taking white people styles, while oppressing and hating white people, then sure, get mad.

 

[Wiktor]

It would be like this:

You are a super cool guy. You do a lot of super cool things, and invent new cool things without even thinking about it. You are proud of the cool things you come up with. They define who you are.

But a lot of people you know take those cool things you do, and they get recognized for it, over and over again. Those cool things become super popular. But not you.

Meanwhile, all the people that like that cool thing don't like you.

I don't know man. if there's one thing I've learned in three decades of injesting cultural content it's that true innovators almost never get credit they deserve. Instead they remain unknown and somebody else then takes their work, makes it popular and gets rich off it. And its happening to white creators on regular basis too.

 

[Bgamer90]

This is so stupid.

And I'm positive that the same people offended over this would get offended over multiple White people saying a Black person "needs to act more Black/hood". Hypocrites.

 

[Izuna]

This is such bullshit. I actually think calling things appropriation is mostly racist itself. She does not need to apologise.

I wanna set up some sort of support group to tell these guys to get a life.

 

[Blunoise]

im black and this went overboard, and what about the black people who would perm there hair to look like emo white guys, nothing wrong with that

 

[Mesousa]

im black and this went overboard, and what about the black people who would perm there hair to look like emo white guys, nothing wrong with that

Guys getting perms are clowned to infinity. Where you been?

 

[Rembrandt]

If we gonna have a conversation don't get sensitive and attempt to get outraged. Nobody? I'd argue the people attacking someone due to perceived disrespect to their culture are absolutely insecure. Point blank.

Sorry but going in on a kid because she is rocking a certain hairstyle is fucking dumb. Let her wear her shit however she wants.

I put it in quotes because people too damned uptight about what constitutes "culture" these days as if it's something owned and can only be used by "others" with explicit permission. That's bullshit.

I avoid topics about institutional racism? What kinda soundbite-drive-by-comment is that bullshit? Have you fucking READ my post history? Outta here with that noise.

If you're lumping in any comments about cultural appropriation as insecure, then that's bullshit. Are box braids not a part of black culture? Are you saying this isn't a hairstyle normally seen on black women? So how is that not part of culture? I'm not saying they were right in their attack of her, but I'm not going to say they're insecure. Defensive, maybe, but one doesn't automatically include the other. I'm not looking through your post history. I'm going off your dumbass post in here. If you do engage in those topics, I would have expected more tact in here than just disregarding this as insecurity.

 

[Wiktor]

It's not like there's a history of white people forcing their culture on other races.

Shouldn't that makes us happy though that we now have black culture influencing white one? Should white people really avoid that? How would that make any sense? It would be like cultural racism.

 

[Always-honest]

Yep, ridiculous behaviour. They should be ashamed.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

im black and this went overboard, and what about the black people who would perm there hair to look like emo white guys, nothing wrong with that

I agree.

The historical context of the dominant culture appropriating what it sees fit is a separate issue. This girl ain't responsible for that.

 

[cyberheater]

Cultural appropriation is a difficult subject for me, because as an Ethiopian living in Toronto, I'm not sure what I'm allowed to do. And I'm not sure what other people are asked to do. I honestly feel like many if not most cultural appropriation misgivings are misplaced. Culture doesn't, hasn't and will never exist in ethnically segregated silos - and that means there will be people who see something, like it and emulate it. Whether it be clothing, music or dance or whatever.

Musicians have borrowed, begged and stolen from every culture on the planet and no one thinks they are culturally appropriated stuff. It's called evolution.

Folks are way too uptight on this. Frightened to do stuff in case they offend folks. Fuck that noise.

 

[Clinton514]

and what about the black people who would perm there hair to look like emo white guys, nothing wrong with that

That's not true at all. I myself cannot stand it. But that's their business, not mine.

 

[Not Spaceghost]

Man I feel sorry for her when she decides she wants to take the braids out.

When we were in Bahamas like 11 years ago, my sister who was probably like 9 or 8 got a few of them done on her hair probably a good 20 braids or so.

When the summer was over and she wanted to take them out, it was suffering. I remember my mom and her screaming at each other for what felt like an eternity and the amount of conditioner and straightener my sister had to use to get her hair looking normal again was immense.

 

[Cream]

I don't know man. if there's one thing I've learned in three decades of injesting cultural content it's that true innovators almost never get credit they deserve. Instead they remain unknown and somebody else then takes their work, makes it popular and gets rich off it. And its happening to white creators on regular basis too.

You're right. And those people have a right to be mad.

But it does not happen to their entire race.

 

[skybald]

It is a14 yr old who has no idea why she does things being put down by people as smart as a 14 yr old

 

[Wiktor]

if people were ALWAYS taking white people styles, while oppressing and hating white people, then sure, get mad.

So..bassicaly what you want is for white people to try keeping their culture pure, without any black influences? They should't be racist against black people, but should be effectively racist against their culture?

 

[The Faceless Master]

all jokes aside that was a really good job on her braids....

but they're actually not that well done structurally. they're uneven and bulby.

 

[kaching]

Is this the first set of box braids that Twitter has seen on a white person and wouldn't it be more appropriate to direct any concerns over cultural misappropriation to whomever the hair stylist is that "crossed the line" and consented to braid this girl's hair?

 

[Mammoth Jones]

If you're lumping in any comments about cultural appropriation as insecure, then that's bullshit. Are box braids not a part of black culture? Are you saying this isn't a hairstyle normally seen on black women? So how is that not part of culture? I'm not saying they were right in their attack of her, but I'm not going to say they're insecure. Defensive, maybe, but one doesn't automatically include the other. I'm not looking through your post history. I'm going off your dumbass post in here. If you do engage in those topics, I would have expected more tact in here than just disregarding this as insecurity.

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.

 

[Cream]

So..bassicaly what you want is for white people to try keeping their culture pure, without any black influences? They should't be racist against black people, but should be effectively racist against their culture?

That's not what I said at all.

You can use whatever you want, as long as you give credit where it is due, and while you at it, don't keep the people down who you took the thing from.

 

[Byakuya769]

Waiting for Azealia Banks's opinion before I comment.


Girl didn't do anything wrong. People need to learn how to discuss culture appropriation correctly.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Waiting for Azealia Banks's opinion before I comment.

I need Ja Rule to chime in on this, personally.

Girl didn't do anything wrong. People need to learn how to discuss culture appropriation correctly.

This.

 

[lednerg]

I was the only white kid in an all black preschool and as a result, I ended up talking just like my friends. Was I appropriating black culture? No. My friends and I simply didn't have the same hang ups about race that adults do. While it's not the same situation as the girl with braids, I do think there are some similarities. Namely, the innocence, or ignorance if you will, regarding how many think cultures should remain segregated.

Side-note: Many years later, we showed the class picture from back then to my little brother when he was around 6 or 7. Mind you, he was in a mostly white school. We asked him where I was in the photo. To an adult it would be obvious, I was the white kid in the front row, but he scanned around the photo looking at all of the faces for a good while before asking "this one?"

 

[The Faceless Master]

Is this the first set of box braids that Twitter has seen on a white person and wouldn't it be more appropriate to direct any concerns over cultural misappropriation to whomever the hair stylist is that "crossed the line" and consented to braid this girl's hair?

if anything, criticism should be directed at the hairstylist because those braids are not that well done. pretty sloppy, but not quite amateur hour.

 

[Wiktor]

You can use whatever you want, as long as you give credit where it is due, and while you at it, don't keep the people down who you took the thing from.

You expect teenage girl to name a inventor of braids under her selfie? Is there even one thats officially recognized?
And do you really think that general population doesn't realize where all those specific hair styles or music genres camed from?

 

[Mesousa]

if anything, criticism should be directed at the hairstylist because those braids are not that well done. pretty sloppy, but not quite amateur hour.

^^^100x

These braids look terrible. I hope she didnt pay more than 30$ for this.

 

[Con_Smith]

I wonder how many of those twitter hecklers had their lace fronts and "hurr" did in white fashion.