Culture appropriation bullshit
Alright you motherfuckers. I need to get this out there because this shit is pissing me off.
Lately there’s been a lot of outrage regarding “appropriation” of other cultures; specifically, appropriation of black culture. Many people, both black and white, have been getting angry because white people have been wearing cornrows, appreciating rap music, etc. Kylie Jenner posted an Instagram photo a while back that consisted of herself with her hair in cornrows, and the entire internet threw a fit. “Why would she do something so offensive?” “She’s just appropriating/mocking black culture!” When I found out that a simple hairstyle was causing such an upset, I was dumbfounded. I thought to myself “why can’t Kylie Jenner, and any other woman either black or white, wear whatever type of hairstyle they wish?” Perhaps I could understand the outrage if she had been wearing a hijab, traditional native clothing, or even a yarmulke, for example. However, something as minuscule as a hairstyle is not mockery in the slightest. If anything, it is simply appreciation. Since when do certain races get to claim hairstyles and outfits as their own? Do we really live in a world where people need to be so possessive over everything? I understand that there is the argument that “white people should not be appropriating black culture due to their unearned privilege in society.” As a caucasian, Jewish woman who knows many African American people, I can say that although our lives are obviously different, I have never personally witnessed racial inequality in my community’s school system, or anywhere else in my community, for that matter. This is not to say that discrimination and injustice does not exist, because it very obviously does, but typically on a very personal basis. I believe that as a whole, our country is not corrupt and racist, it is simply certain individuals that are. So when isolated incidences occur, they are publicized beyond belief, resulting in many believing that entire systems and governments are corrupt. In reality, however, it is select few. So the argument that white people are automatically more privileged is generally false. Therefore, can we all wear whatever the fuck we want, and do whatever the fuck we want, without people getting so offended?
