Cultural misappropriation and hair

[meandthem]

Am I being unreasonable to object to ethnicity being a factor in respect of what hairstyle choices women are "allowed"? I am pissed of that it now seems acceptable for some styles to be considered cultural misappropriation. What happened to the sisterhood and feminism and women's right to do what the hell we want with our hair!

Black womens' hair is political. You'd have to be really living a narrow life to be totally unaware of that. Years of being told what to do with their hair. Then black women started weaving and that's an issue too.

Wear dreads, braids, whatever you like. It's not illegal is it. But don't pretend not to know that black women particularly in the corporate world have been discouraged from wearing natural hairstyles. Then a white woman wears corn rows and suddenly it's wow...! If you can't understand the issue around that you'll just have to be left to whoever wants to listen to you banging on about hair. Maybe they'll get your point. I don't

& by the way Rastafari don't claim that dreadlocks are particular to them only. Albeit if Rastafari weren't wearing locks they'd never be fashionable in appropriation terms. When it comes to cultural appropriation many others transform themselves so much they may as well be in blackface, so far do they want to get away from who they really are. There's a saying 'everybody wants to be black but nobody wants to BE black'

But as said, get on with your hairstyle. On this particular score you aren't going to get huge numbers of complaints, especially if you're in UK. People don't care as much as you appear to want them to.

Thanks Mistress, I am in UK and I work with young people where lots of the girls are wearing their hair natural. I have never been in the corporate world but I appreciate your illustration. I live in London so am part of a very racially and ethnically diverse community where pretty much anything goes in terms of how people present themselves in my sector (health). That's why I resent restrictions based on ethnicity - I wish people would care less.

I do think in america its more of a 'hot button' topic then in america. That being said me what kind of styles were you thinking of? London is so culturally diverse with so many differebt people living in such a small area its harder to qualify whats cultural appropriation. I remember in high school one girl getting corn rows (in north africa from a local hairdresser who obviously knew her stuff) in the midlands it was shocking to most (i personally was just impressed by the quiality of the rows.). However we had a transfer student later that year with the same hairstyle (obviously done in london) and by then it wasnt even commented on. They were basic braids and nothing area specific and done by people who claim that culture. They were both happy to do it so why argue the toss. Sometimes people get offended on the behalf of others and then get upset when those people dont get offended by thoae same things.

I think Pretend you have hit the nail on the head with regional differences and London so obviously not typical of the UK as a whole. Its been good to get informed opinion from some posters though (and some less than informed vitriol from others!)

Signing off now...

VladimirsPoutine

I know you think you sound all intelligent and cutting, but actually you come off as fucking rude, ignorant and determined to take offence over shit all.

If the OP has (to your mind) missed the point, then explain why. If you can't even be bothered to do that, and prefer to rely on sneering sarcasm, that says a great deal more about you than the OP.

Get the fuck over yourself.

I found this documentary informative:

It's hair. Do what you want with it.

At the risk of a flaming, I am a white woman with locs. I have them because my Jamaican great grandfather had them, but he was my only black ancestor, so I'm pale as the driven snow with European features. My big sister has inherited more of his appearance but I remember playing with his hair as a small child, and I wanted locs my entire childhood, especially when he died, as he was so proud of his hair, and I wanted that too. I love my hair and how it ties me to him, but you'd never guess that looking at me.
I also have Chinese tattoos, because my mother grew up in China and had one with her best friend before she left. I have the same tattoo as her as did my sister.
So people can look at me and easily assume I wear cultures I know nothing about as a costume, that my tattoo means chicken noodle soup, and I am some hippy that smokes weed constantly, but that's not me. To assume that someone with my hair doesn't understand the history behind them (globally, I've done a lot of research) is rude. There's idiots, yes for sure, but the judgement you get from strangers is intense. It's something I'm happy to deal with, but maybe understand the multitude of reasons that someone may make a choice to present themselves that way.
On a separate note, I work with children in a very diverse area and many of them wear braids or similar styles and really connect with me and my hair.

I’m doing my best to bring up a child, who will obviously see and learn about cultural differences but will also respect everyone and see everyone as equal. As a parent, I’m genuinely confused as to how to do that if she is told “oh no, that hairstyle is not for you because x y z”. Much as I understand the significance and the origins of braids if we ban our children from braiding their hair even though we teach them the origin of braiding, aren’t we then highlighting differences instead of coming together as a community?

"Chances are you’ll look like a dick, but that’s your prerogative." What a ridiculous comment.

Who do you feel is restricting you op?

This article might be helpful

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.theweek.co.uk/amp/87925/cultural-appropriation-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-wrong

Everyday Feminism is the most ludicrous website I've ever read in my life.

That's not to say it may not be making some relevant points but just to say it is utterly bizarre, IMHO.

But appropriate means something like "take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission."

But doing something someone else does is not taking it.

The problem (IMHO) with these kind of almost 'blanket bans' is that they fail to highlight things that may be offensive and make it impossible to appreciate other cultures. Plus if you notice if it often women being told what to do, not men. 'Appropriation' is a very loaded word. What about appreciation, where is the line between appropriation and appreciation?

I completely agree, Tabby - well said

Give me a minute, I shall write you a novel...

Vladimir.... I’ve seen your attitude quite a few times on MN and it’s infuriating. If you actually had a decent argument you’d have used it. As it is you’re hiding behind your arrogance.

In real life nobody gives a shit OP but being offended on others' behalf is a competitive sport on MN. As is being a smug pompous patronising ass Nothing like an unhealthy dose of Mumsnet Angst.

I live in the NW and had corn rows and braids (with beads) over 30 years ago. I'm white and it was done by a friend and work colleague who is black. Back then no one had an issue with it. Both my black and white friends thought it looked fantastic.

It's utter nonsense. Showing disrespect to a culture is one thing, getting inspiration or sharing another one entirely

Using any cultural aspect to mock it is not acceptable but that's where it ends. When it comes to hairstyle, it's even more ridiculous. People do like to be offended for the sake of being offended nowadays.

GrannyGrissle has it spot on. No one in real life will give a monkeys. Cultural appropriation is a ridiculous concept from the same loons that brought us “safe spaces” and “no platforming”.

If a black person straightens their hair isn't that cultural misappropriation?
I'll wear my hair however i like thanks.

Whilst in my own experience, you only get compliments on black curly hair (from other women to be fair), being told how so much hair is beautiful, they wish they had the same.

Never heard a nasty comment in the work place either, even in corporate office.

Now it's not wrong to straighten your hair if you prefer it that way, my sister always does because she thinks it makes her look slimmer. Why not