Hi Twitter
So I’m gonna do this thing where I give my opinions on topics people want to talk about. The first topic is cultural appropriation. Let’s start a thread.

How would I define cultural appropriation?
I believe it’s appropriation when ANYONE is wearing something from another group’s culture as a costume, or in order to look more like someone from that group.

I don’t mean fitting in either. I mean like putting it on like a costume. I think it’s fine if you wear something because it’s beautiful, or even interesting to you, but it becomes appropriation when it’s a caricature of that group’s culture.

I know lots of groups experience cultural appropriation (native Americans, Japanese people, and Indian people just to name a few), but I’m a black girl (I’ll be 20 this August) so I’m gonna talk about black culture (hair to be specific).

Let’s start with the the argument of black people wearing straight hair (wigs, weaves and the like). Firstly Eurocentric standards of beauty were ingrained into the the population as the only kind of beauty. Secondly straight hair is genetic, not cultural. End of story.

Moving onto things like braids. Braids have been worn in many cultures, including French and Germanic. However, “African style” braids have history, like our cornrows and box braids. They ranged from being tribal markers, to being indicators of age, wealth and social status.

Locs have history too. They have origins dating back to India, and have lots of spiritual importance that would take more than this thread to explain. (way more than the ganja loving “Rasta” caricature in the media)

The same goes for Afros. The Afro held much significance to black people (specifically women) in the mid 20th century. It was a symbol of racial pride. A representation of the idea that “black is beautiful” (something unheard of for many Black people at the time).

There’s a difference.
There’s so much rich history behind the hairstyles, the fashion, the food, and the music that people hailing from other countries (as well as native Americans) are choosing to share with you.

Yet you seem to care about none of it. You dismiss the significance and instead wear it as a costume or accessory. Our stuff is cool (I get it), but don’t wear it when you lack respect.
That’s cultural appropriation.
Lol thank you for attending my TEDTalk.

So in order to get this seen I’m about to hashtag the heck out of it
#BlackTwitter #lockdown #QuarentineLife #PinkMoon #coronavirus #FullMoon #thoughts #CultureEd

Now to @ people who may care @jackieaina @alissa_ashleyy
@KennieJD @BernieSanders @TEDTalks @BuzzFeedNews @BuzzFeed @aliciakeys @IssaRae @monetxchange @thatonequeen
I can’t think of anyone else off the top of my head. If you see this and you care then tag someone