Adele

[angieb89]

I don't understand how she is being culturally appropriate for wearing Jamaican bikini and wearing her hair in a Jamaican style in honour of Notting Hill carnival?
She doesn't seem to be doing it to offend anyone?

Call me ignorant but I would like to understand why some people are kicking off? Seems it mainly African-Americans that are offended and Jamaicans are fine with it.

Seems we can't do anything without upsetting or offending anyone?

For context, I'm white British female.

@OverTheRainbow88 the context is what it's important, she is celebrating NH Carnival, an event she has attended she she was young and celebrates culture and encourages inclusivity. If she was posting randomly for likes, money or to further her career, or even if she had been papped bumbling around Sainsbury's then sure, I can see your point. In this case, especially when the vast majority of those who it affects are largely saying they aren't offended, but being told by people miles away that it is offensive, that's still others silencing people- hypocritical.

@RealLifeHotWaterBottle

If the bantu knots were being used as fashion, as part of her job or as an end product that Adele either capitalised on or simply had the privilege to wear without experiencing the negative responses others do day to day it would seem inappropriate.

To wear a traditional hairstyle while celebrating that culture, and specifically citing the festival where this is done is cultural appreciation imo. Its a fine line, but there is a line.

Exactly, well said.

@carbuncleonapigsposterior There is a difference. Merriden explained it better than I could.

Americans aren't great with nuance they tend to lump all white people together & not realise they are lots of cultural differences. Same with the whole of Africa & the Caribbean.

Cultural appropriation is a thing but Adele is celebrating carnival, that's what you should wear.

The straightening hair and colouring it is a bit of a weak argument, I have naturally very curly hair (which I usually straighten so it’s easier to manage) and it is bleached blonde. (I’m white),

@RealLifeHotWaterBottle

If the bantu knots were being used as fashion, as part of her job or as an end product that Adele either capitalised on or simply had the privilege to wear without experiencing the negative responses others do day to day it would seem inappropriate.

To wear a traditional hairstyle while celebrating that culture, and specifically citing the festival where this is done is cultural appreciation imo. Its a fine line, but there is a line.

This is what I was thinking. It is being a part of it. It's like I cover my hair with scraf with traditional embroidery (gifted by them) when doing certain things with my muslim in laws. Or when bunch of us had beautiful henna done by our friend when we celebrated Diwali with her and few others.

It would be different to have it just because when people who usually use it/wear it are told off.

It's very important to think about the whole situation and apply common sense and decency imho

@Brocolibean

I see your point, but I do disagree. It’s interesting reading others opinions but those who have never experienced hair discrimination will never truly understand.

I was reading about the tennis player Naomi Osaka & some American comments didn't understand why she identified as Japanese & were offended. Apparently the fact her mother is Japanese & she was born there is irrelevant as she largely grew up in the US. Odd

Case in point is Kamala Harris who is often described as being African American when her father was Jamaican.

Yep & an Indian mother, some people are very confused by that.

No! You don't get to do that! Not here when proper explanations are possible. That's dismissive and PA.

Try explaining. Women here want to understand. But "you can't understand if you aren't black" is a brush off and is classic reverse racism.

What is the line that must not be crossed? What is cultural appropriation these days? It seems to be growing, gathering in all sorts of non events to increase offence.

Yes my best friend is Hindu, our families are close. We wear saris when appropriate, celebrate Diwali, etc

@BoomyBooms

She's wearing Bantu knots in her hair - a style hundreds of years old that is traditionally work by black women. So when a privileged white woman takes a piece of black African culture and uses it for her social media i.e. part of her job, where she ultimately profits from this, she is misappropriating a component of black African culture for her benefit. Meanwhile black women are facing discrimination about their natural hair and traditional styles such as Bantu knots. Not to mention the broader racism that black people still experience. That is why it could be argued that Adele is guilty of cultural appropriation.

If that still doesn't make sense, there's a good quote - 'if you don't understand cultural appropriation imagine that you work really hard on a project and are given an F. Someone else copies you and gets an A and the credit for your work'.

As a black woman I disagree with you.

But isnt that the point. Not every black person experiences racism. Those that do have different experiences.

In other words don't make assumptions as you are doing that if someone does not do well in life it's because they they were discrimated against. Some will have but some won't.

She loves London so much she lives in Beverly Hills!

She also lives in Notting Hill. I haven’t lived in London for around 15 years now. Doesn’t mean I don’t love London or I’m not a Londoner.

It’s interesting reading others opinions but those who have never experienced hair discrimination will never truly understand.

I’m ginger. I can empathise more than most.

Wow never knew that only lesbians had undercuts and wore dungarees.

They don't. But if a straight person decided to get an undercut and wear dungarees specifically for Pride day when they would not usually go for this look it would be a bit weird wouldn't it?

The same as Adele styling herself as Jamaican for Carnival weekend when she doesn't usually have that look.

Somebody up thread said that New York was racially integrated
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

Beyonce was criticised for appropriation of African culture recently wasn't she?

Cultural appropriation is a pile of crap.

@SmudgeButt

Hmmm. wondering about inclusion.....

If she is participating in a celebration of culture why should she get criticised for dressing to fit in with that celebration? Should she show up in a tweedy skirt and twin set with pearls?

If we non Caribbeans ignore things like Carnivals then we are not being inclusive. Personally I like to join in because a lot of traditional Brit culture is dull - it's what I've always referred to as "too white bread" and have thought it's the immigrants (wherever they are from) that add zest to life in the UK.

(frankly I think she looks dreadful but that's just due to a silly mix of what she's wearing. And for goodness sake, get yourself a last name!! not a fan.....)

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins

@Blackcurrant66

Adele grew up in a very multicultural part of London. I think this makes a difference as Carnival is part of her heritage too really, something she’ll have grown up celebrating and being part of.

It’s different to some white girl from the shires doing it.

I grew up pretty much where she did (except the move to Brighton when she was a kid) went to carnival almost every year, I have black and mixed race family members and didn’t feel the need to Bantu Knot my hair.

@MorganKitten when did she move to Brighton? My friend lived near her in West Norwood

@angieb89

So once again Americans are kicking up a fuss coz they have nothing better to do. Sad existence

I don’t think there is anything wrong with what Adele did. I do however find the statement above offensive... and probably racist since it’s already been said it is African Americans who have been offended

@ploppieblopp she moved there for two years when she was 9/10

@gemandjule - I've said in this thread that it's also white Americans as well. And if you're from America then your statement proves my point!

Thanks everyone for your points! Sorry I couldn't reply to every individual comment. I think I'll read through all your comments again later and try and learn from this! I've obviously been rather naive.

What do black posters think about the way I do my daughter's hair? The main reason I style it like this is because I can leave it in for a few weeks and when I take it out it is tangle free.