However, its important to know. The design really depends upon the family traditions. It is considered compulsory in some parts of India to wear the thread as a married woman due to its symbolism. In pop culture, you have probably seen the likes of Iggy Azalea and Selena Gomez wear them for music videos and performances. "In the salon, my curls became pelo lacio or straight hair a sign of a put-together, proper Latina, at least according to all the other women there. He often discusses how his love of black music gave him and the black community a common ground during a time when it was largely believed they were fundamentally different. 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.) Okay, let's start with the obvious and overt cultural appropriation. For decades, celebrities have been called out for appropriating Black hairstyles. There is an open hook at the back to make it easy for removal when it is in need of a polish or if the feet require a thorough cleansing. I often asked my parents if I could keep the style until the first day of school to show the plaits off to my other classmates. The use of hair cuffs by non-black individuals perpetuates a harmful narrative that black peoples natural hairstyles are unprofessional and undesirable while making it exotic when used by other races who could choose between those hairstyle options but do not naturally possess them. It was a way of living - and you decided how you should live it. 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. In many cases, it seems that it's not so much about someone's race, but rather their intent and the language they use to discuss their style. It is therefore important to consider the potential impact of wearing them on communities before making a decision. The debate around hair cuffs centers around two main arguments. There are people who aren't doing it on purpose, says Guingui. I have a (white) family friend from South Carolina who grew up in a segregated society and often refers to his time as a teenager growing up during the civil rights movement. I am not the best at draping a saree, but I do appreciate the place it has in my life as an Indian woman. The rituals and symbolism of South Asian culture are beautiful. Appreciate any culture you want as long as it not physically harming people or animals. One can confidently say that wearing hair cuffs does not automatically represent appropriation if done with respect and without any ulterior negative motives attached. Your email address will not be published. In India, Mehendi is typically applied during festivals such as Diwali and during weddings. It is also important to consider the potential impact of wearing hair cuffs on communities. It is the representation of the holy Hindu trinity of Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. If someone is wearing hair cuffs out of a genuine appreciation for the culture from which they originate, then it could be argued that it is not an act of cultural appropriation. What tires us, however, is the misinterpretation, misrepresentation, and disregard of South Asian culture. 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. There are brands that work to create culturally curated hair accessories that represent different cultures without diminishing their exclusivity or history. If you are unsure whether or not a particular accessory or item of clothing may be seen as cultural appropriation, it can be helpful to do some research and consider the perspective of those who may be affected by your choice to wear it. Thankfully the uproar from ASOS consumers made the company remove the selection on bindis. A black bindi is worn in parts of South India by unmarried girls, while married women wear a red bindi. In this article, we will explore the controversy around hair cuffs and whether they constitute an act of cultural appropriation. 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. Today, we mostly associate them with Jamaican Rastafarians, but dreadlocks have been present throughout history. Yes, hair loss is a potential side, Short answer: Does body hair keep you warm? Now, it seems that a more voluptuous look is suddenly more desirable. Part of HuffPost Black Voices. Fuck Dav Ze, obviously, but as someone who I suppose falls into the negress category Id like to delve deeper into the history behind this look. For every black-owned business like Root & Fleurish, there is a beauty supply store operating in our communities and owned by people who look nothing like the primary patrons.We dont need outside influences to endorse or even acquiesce our culture; it is ours and its time we own it. The style arrived in the West Indies as far back as 1844 via the coolie trade, where workers from China and the Indian subcontinent were brought in to replace the now-illegal slaves. Their origin can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece. This style of nose ring is specifically for the South Asian bride. However, it is important to remember that cultural appropriation can have serious consequences for communities and should be avoided whenever possible. Why might wearing hair cuffs be considered cultural appropriation? When brides are married off without their consent (yes, it still happens), Mehendi is an unfortunate sign of patriarchy submission to the unwanted matrimony, a possession of the feminine body. Adorning a womans feet symbolizes an act of devotion by her family or spouse. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. This has led to a heated debate about whether wearing hair cuffs is an act of cultural appropriation or a sign of appreciation. So, what should we do if we still want to wear hair cuffs but dont want to appropriate someone elses culture? Yes, body hair can help to, Short answer: Does bleached hair need protein? Cultural appropriation is a hotly debated topic in todays society. This TikTok-Famous Mask Revived My Dry, Frizz-Prone Hair. 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. in this context, the pressure to have straight hair) as a black person. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.". 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. According to the market research firm Mintel, sales of styling products increased 26.8% from 2013 to 2015 but sales of relaxers have dropped over 18% in the same time frame due to the transition to natural hair. They have been used for centuries in Africa and India, but more recently they have become fashionable in Western countries. Despite its controversy around cultural appropriation, hair cuffs are not going anywhere soon as they remain a popular trend in womens style/ fashion magazines, runways, and social media. Rather than waste time pinpointing the cause of this contention (slavery), Id rather discuss the renaissance that has taken place over the last few years of black women falling back in love with their natural hair. For example, in West African culture, hair adornments such as cuffs served as a way to show social status and were often passed down through generations. People just look lame, but thats their call. There is so much history steeped in this and it is unfortunate that this thing of beauty has been commodified into a sticker set. Required fields are marked *. Trans & GNC Experimentation and borrowing is not a crime. On the plus side, wearing them can be a way of expressing pride in ones culture and heritage. This could undermine the efforts of those who are trying to raise awareness of cultural appropriation and its potential impacts on communities. However, some people argue that wearing hair cuffs as someone from a different cultural background could be considered cultural appropriation. Like the paayal, they are not made out of gold for the same reason. 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. Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. It's not just a hairstyle. In these cases, wearing braids does feel a lot like hurtful cultural appropriation and that self-denial ultimately harms both Latinx and Black women. The old, pre-Christian, Nordic society was definitely not static. Source: iStock. I did it to commemorate my very first trip to the homeland. If you are not from that culture or region but admire a particular cultural item with an embossed history, it is essential that you educate yourself about its context and significance within that culture; be open for discussions and transparency. And, often the taali is elaborately crafted with representations of the family deity Shiva, goddess Sri, the tulsi (basil plant), or the emblems of Vishnu. Also, some of us dont have a choice in the matter. Once they were cut off I was initially ecstatic. While hair accessories themselves are nothing new or inherently problematic, the use of hair cuffs by non-black individuals has been called out as an example of cultural appropriation. The video, which now has more than3.5m views, shows a black student asking if she can have some scissors to cut off the white guys dreads, saying he is not allowed to wear his hair that way because dreadlocks belong to black culture. Is it ever okay for someone outside of that culture to wear hair cuffs? One trend that has caught some backlash in recent years is hair cuffs. So when I see someone wearing it on their tie-dye camisole or sarong during a resort vacation, you can imagine how it feels. Look at it this way: When you have been colonized, had your finery stolen, and your identity poked fun at, cultural appropriation is not just personal; it points to a bigger picture. By being respectful isnt just something superficial but engenders sensitivity toward others life experiences that have brought inspiration/historical significance into our lives daily. A saree is typically six yards long, and there are countless of textiles and draping methods that vary according to the region you hail from. 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. "I think it all depends on intention," says . The earliest evidence of henna application appears to have been mentioned in Egypt and in the earliest Hindu Vedic ritual books. In a cultural climate where, in the US, the Black Lives Matter movement has been started to tackle racial hostility, and we have very real issues of our own in the UK, white people supposedly copying an exclusively black hairstyle feels low on the priority list. Then it dawned on me. Certainly, getting my hair braided also benefited my dad. However, if you obtained them from an artisan who has knowledge and respect for their historical meaning, then the legitimacy of using them as an accessory increases. Diving into the lyrics, Grande fumbles again at the line between appropriation and appreciation. On the other hand, if someone is wearing hair rings that are inspired by a variety of cultural influences, and they are doing so with respect and an understanding of the cultural significance of the accessory, it may not be seen as cultural appropriation. Being responsible towards issues of cultural appropriation requires acknowledging historical contributions from different perspectives within broader social stakes. So what do you think? By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. While I have no idea as to whether Justin Bieber, who in the past few weeks now famously (or perhaps infamously) has decided to twist his peroxide-blonde mane into a head full of dreads, knows about the sufferings black people have gone through with their hair, too much of this conversation has focused around whether or not white people should be allowed to dread their hair. Even Beyonc has been accused of culturally appropriating. Celebrities like the Kardashian ladies have made millions of dollars surgically enhancing their bodies to appear curvier and blacker. How profit is distributed in profit and loss appropriation account.docx, Why do we need continuing appropriation.docx, What is the difference between Finance Bill and Appropriation Bill.docx, Unformatted text preview: permission from the owner is quite simply a form of theft . If you sport one as a pendant, bangle, bracelet, or a tattoo (be mindful of its placement) and are a practicing Hindu, While I am deeply appreciative of tattoo culture, it would be advisable to get these tattoos only if they hold a deep significance to you. We keep this symbol close to our being because it centers us and beckons us to perhaps utter a prayer (most Hindu prayers begin with the Aum). Naturally, I was sent to detention for disobedience, even though this is a mark of my culture. and our LGBTQIA, Used by hundreds of universities, non-profits, and businesses. 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. It is considered a symbol of Indian femininity and sensuality. Do Metamucil Gummies Work as Well as Powder. Appropriation occurs when elements from a marginalized culture are taken by those in positions of power without permission or compensation. But when did we decide to lambast an individual for exploring cultures other than their own? Ive had many conversations with her about the difference between appropriation and appreciation, in ways that a five year old can understand. Exploring the Benefits of Probiotics in Greek Yogurt, Who Invented the Pythagoras Theorem? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress But I will say beads are also fine but whatever you choice, make sure it's not damaging to her hair and. This is the epitome of appropriation and privilege. 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. Learningabout chemical hair straightener that could make my hair look white eventually provided solace. They are placed by the groom onto the brides feet during the Hindu wedding ceremony. When considering whether to wear hair cuffs, it is important to weigh up the potential pros and cons. Dreadlocks were worn by holy men of the Hindu religion, replicating the hair of the Indian god Shiva. Also known as the Bichiya or Metti, it is often seen on the feet of married women. While some may view it as a positive celebration of their culture, others may feel that it is a form of exploitation. We do, however, wear them for religious or festive occasions. Step 3: Assess how you use your hair cuffs in relation to your hairstyle. This is a sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by married women as a symbol of their marriage. It is important to show respect by acknowledging cultural origins and seek alternatives if using again would lead towards appropriation. Fashion and music thrive when they are influenced by a wide range of styles. This was particularly evident within African American culture in the United States. Here are some frequently asked questions about hair cuffs and cultural appropriation: What is cultural appropriation? 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Cultural appropriation refers to the act of taking elements of a culture that is not ones own, often without understanding or respecting the context in which they originated. 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. "Certain types of hair are also associated with so-called 'low-status racial groups,' and therefore, that serves to identify a person as a particular race." The Aum is used everywhere now and not as it should be. Those Sosa braids were my introduction to protective styling. If Everyday Feminism has been useful to you, please take one minute to keep us alive. However, it wasnt until the early 90s that hair cuffs experienced a resurgence in popularity. If I had to choose between fighting against harmful stereotypes and social inequality or little Timothy and his new ill-advised dreads, I know which one Im going to spend my energy on. There are many Latinx people who dont acknowledge their Afro roots. When considering the debate around hair cuffs and cultural appropriation, it is important to recognize the complexity of the issue. But recently, I've begun to, As a beauty editor, I see firsthand how appropriative hairstyling can be hurtful and cruel.