In today’s world of social media, many people try to follow popular styles to seem as though they are current and trendy. While there is no denying that fads happen, some of the trends stem from specific cultures and nationalities. Many people from these cultures feel as though these looks and styles are sacred to them, and when other individuals use them, it’s cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation happens all over the internet.
Cultural appropriation, for those who do not know, is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture by members of another culture. Sometimes, it is also called cultural misappropriation.
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While embracing other cultures is beautiful, it can also be problematic.
The reason why many times we hear about cultural appropriation online is because it can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from minority cultures.
Many people who are a part of the Black community feel as though their culture is misrepresented in the mainstream culture.
However, they also feel as though people who are not Black utilize their culture immensely when it comes to music, fashion, hairstyles, and slang. The problem is that people who are not part of the Black community are making money by exploiting Black culture.
Especially with the climate of current events, it is understandable why people are calling others out for cultural appropriation.
Many people in the Black community say they are marginalized and dehumanized in society, and are staging mass protests all over the world to change that. Therefore, it’s understandable why they would be offended when popular white influencers are exploiting their culture.
In the world of beauty, Black women specifically have faced discrimination because of their natural hair.
Black women are constantly marginalized in the workforce due to their natural hair, with reports of some women even being fired because their boss deemed their hairstyle “inappropriate.”
While Black women are discriminated against for their natural hair, celebrities and influencers often wear these styles to be fashionable.
These styles were once accepted as part of mainstream fashion, but fans have started calling out celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner for appropriating Black culture on Instagram.
One Sydney-based influencer also faced mass backlash on Instagram when she posted a campaign for a popular brand.
Sarah Stevenson, who runs the fashion and mom page @sarahs_day, received backlash on her Instagram profile when she posted a photo for the brand White Fox Boutique.
In her campaign photo, the influencer is sporting two very long, colored braids.
The hair is done in the style of cornrow box braids, as the braids are tight and close to her scalp. Many people online began immediately commenting on her post, calling her out for cultural appropriation as this hairstyle is traditionally seen on Black women.
Some people said it was “tone-deaf.”
One person wrote :
“Your lack of awareness and belief that you can just delete comments of people trying to educate you is disrespectful and concerning.”
After receiving the backlash, she pulled the campaign and posted an apology video.
The mom was in tears saying she had never thought of cultural appropriation before and it, “hadn’t crossed her mind.” She was crying in the video next to her fiancé.
The influencer also added she “hates controversy” so she would never do something purposely.
She also said:
“If that even crossed my mind I wouldn’t have done it because you guys know I hate conflict, I hate controversy.”
She has now said she will try and be “better educated” on these issues.
Apologizing more, she added:
“I’m so sorry, I screwed up, I was misinformed, uneducated. I’m doing my best now to educate myself and use my platform.”
While some understood why she pulled her campaign, others thought it was wrong.
Some users said, “there’s nothing wrong with white people braiding their hair.”
Some followers thought it was wrong that she “gave into people” and apologized for the initial campaign.
One Instagram user left a comment saying:
“Why are you allowing people to bully you and tell you how you can and can’t have your hair! Stand up for yourself! EVERYONE on this planet is entitled to braided hair, dyed hair, straight hair or curled hair. Female boxers braid their hair for goodness sake.”
However, other followers quickly replied to these comments and said that not seeing the problem with the box braids was the problem within itself.
Ultimately, the influencer decided to reshoot her campaign entirely.
She posted a behind-the-scenes video for the new campaign. Many people were excited to see the “new” shoot and look —thinking it was great that she changed it entirely.
In light of the current events in the world, it seems that Sarah is using her influence to learn from her mistakes and educate others
Telling her fanbase she apologizes, and will remain to stay educated on cultural appropriation and other important lessons is one way to show growth. It’s important that everyone feels heard and accepted in today’s climate.
h/t: Kidspot
