She holds a Masters in Psychotherapy with a focus on contemplative psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. The politics of hair, particularly in the black community, is a touchy subject. For women, these designs are drawn on the palm, back of the hand, and on feet, to contrast with the lighter skin on these surfaces, which naturally contain less of the pigment melanin. This has sparked debate over whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation. Ive had many conversations with her about the difference between appropriation and appreciation, in ways that a five year old can understand. Source: iStock. Step 2: Consider where you got your hair cuffs from. This feels a lot more personal than the rest of the accessories mentioned. Why You Should Think Twice Before Wearing This Type Of Hair Jewelry If youre a fashion lover, you might be familiar with hair cuffs the tiny jewelry pieces that embellish your braids and dreadlocks making them more stylish and trendy. However, one in four, "Characteristics like hair are racially charged," Negrn-Muntaner adds. It is also important to evaluate the impact of wearing hair cuffs on cultural appropriation. Dear White Girls These Appropriated $14.00 "Metal Hair Cuff Sets" From Urban Outfitters Are Actually $2.00 At The Beauty Supply! Whenever a client mispronounces a style or calls it by the wrong name, stylists have a role in correcting them so that they leave with more context and knowledge. However, it wasnt until the early 90s that hair cuffs experienced a resurgence in popularity. It only becomes cultural appropriation when an element of culture is adopted from a marginalized group without respect for its cultural meaning or significance or with the purpose of exploiting the culture If they are seen as a sign of disrespect, then it could lead to tension between those who view it as a sign of appreciation and those who view it as disrespectful. | The black beads of a Mangalsutra denote the safety of the grooms life from evil forces. Gold anklets are strictly forbidden in Hinduism because Gold symbolizes Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, and we do not place God at our feet. Some hairstylists believe that the responsibility also lies with professional hairstylists. It is only hair, FFS. While not everything done is inspired by a culture to appropriate off it, you might want to get some research done before you try something on to make sure you dont come across as racially insensitive. And what are their implications in terms of cultural appropriation? For more information, please see our If someones appropriates said specific style along with wearing the Nigerian Fulani braids associated with theirs by using jewellery pieces such as cowrie shells or beads (which in turn represents wealth.) of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.". The hairstyling technique known as braiding had been practiced for generations within this community and involved creating intricate patterns with braids or twists using synthetic extensions. While they may seem like a harmless accessory, their origins and cultural significance should not be ignored. As put by Syreeta McFadden inThe Guardian, a fashion magazine would celebrate Kylie Jenners side cornrows as a bold statement and simultaneously regard darker-skinned women donning the same style with lesser esteem. Naturally, I was sent to detention for disobedience, even though this is a mark of my culture. Are Hair Beads Cultural Appropriation? : r/AskAnAfrican - Reddit While it has been traditionally expected that married women wear bangles, it is no longer imposed upon us. Yes it is cultural appropriation. Locks of hair from loved ones were often turned into items like brooches or pendants, which would subsequently be worn by family members as a sentimental keepsake. As noted in the previous post non-Blacks/African Americans who do this hairstyle are seen as trendy and cool, whereas Blacks/African Americans are seen as dirty and bad. Back home in Queens, my mother would take me to the. This can lead to tension between those who see it as a sign of appreciation and those who view it as disrespectful. This time, its white people sporting dreadlocks who are provoking wrath the first being a white student at an American university who was filmed being confronted over his hairstyle, the second none other than Justin Bieber, who posted a selfie sporting a new do. Of course, telling someone they cannot do something on the grounds of arbitrary notions of race is always going to provoke a strong emotional response the comments under articles on the topic saying things like, You are honestly going to deny people freedom of expression based on the colour of their skin? reveal as much. Depending on region and community, bangles are made out of differing materials glass, silver, conch, or shell. Hair cuffs have a long history in many cultures. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Of course, there is something to be said for the fact that Kylie Jenner has profited from surgically enhancing her lips, or that white stars can come off as pioneers by sporting looks that have been cultivated for years by black people. If Dolezal truly wanted to help, then she should first understand the message her presence sends. Appropriation artists want the viewer to recognize the images they copy. It's not just a hairstyle. This is the epitome of appropriation and privilege. ", "To really be able to appreciate these hairstyles, we must educate ourselves on the origin. However, there have been instances of people being accused of cultural insensitivity for wearing them. Lip injections, waist trainers and implants have all been implemented in a quest to recreate the classic black womans frame. It is styled differently, depending on what part of India you hail from the Rajasthanis wear a Maang Tikka, otherwise known as the Bor, that has a simple round tikka at the forehead, while in a Muslim wedding, the Jhumar Tikka that is placed on the side of the head. Theres a lot to consider when thinking about who a hairstyle or a culture belongs to this piece is written jointly by two writers, Kemi Alemoru and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff, who have differing opinions on the matter. This has sparked debate over whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation. Hair cuffs were originally worn by people from different cultures and ethnicities throughout West Africa to signify social status and traditions within their respective tribes- specifically Fulani women have worn them ceremoniously for centuries. The origin of hair cuffs can be traced back to African tribal culture where women would adorn their hair with jewelry as a symbol of status and beauty. Respect Our Roots: A Brief History Of Our Braids | Essence Those Sosa braids were my introduction to protective styling. Either you can shave your afro off like mine or you can have dreads, she said, and proceeded to braid my hair unevenly, leaving one small plait sticking out at the front. According to Professor Negrn-Muntane, finding connections and sharing both the difficult and beautiful aspects of each others cultures can create a stronger sense of unity across communities. I believe wholeheartedly in the efforts of Isis Brantley and the BraidOn movement to bring awareness to the plight of black women who choose to wear a natural hairstyle. Full Document. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. A black bindi is worn in parts of South India by unmarried girls, while married women wear a red bindi. This disregard for non-European beauty and subsequent ones assuming features that come naturally to other cultures during fashion trends further perpetuates harmful narratives and reinforces colonial attitudes. Ultimately, whether you wear ethnic-inspired jewelry or not- what matters most is remaining respectful toward others backgrounds- appreciating diversity without erasing individuality altogether! Which Hairstyles Are Cultural Appropriation? Here's - Femestella
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