https://youtu.be/KwT2sxsW-KA
Black culture being stolen?
Now with all of the previous ruckus about supposedly “white people stealing the black culture and making it their own” on social media, there have been quite a few topics on certain celebrities like the Kardashians getting plumped lips, butt surgeries, thick hair, etc.
Now for the braids phenomenon…this is a recent trend that started among white women, and this trend, which I should mention has been a part of the black culture for centuries, has been making some black women well, uncomfortable.
Of course, America is a place where many cultures co-exist. Yet some people of different cultures can get quite offended when their symbolic clothing or hairstyles are used by people of a different culture as a fashion trend.
What about braids though? Should be black women be offended by the white women who choose to rock box braids, dreadlocks, or flat twists?
To decide, we must first understand the history of braids…
Braids date back to 25,000-30,000 years ago depending on whom you ask. Throughout history, braids established ethnicity, social status, even religious and marital status around the world.
Paintings showing European ladies, like the “Idealized Portrait of a Lady” by Sandro Botticelli shows a noblewoman with intricate braids as part of her hairstyle. He lived from 1445 to 1510.
A depiction of the Emperor of Ethiopia who reigned from 1855 until his death in 1868 shows him wearing cornrows.
As Europeans made their way into Africa, photographs of both men and women in many parts of Africa are shown with both cornrows and braids. Of course, they were wearing braids and cornrows for centuries before those images were published.
Even native Americans have braids as a part of their culture. Most of their braided hairstyles’ symbolism remains a mystery, but the majority of the styles symbolize spiritual and physical war.
So it looks like braids and cornrows have been worn in antiquity in Africa, Europe, South America… Basically all over the place.
So how is all this relevant you ask? Well, I think it is more than just hair, it’s about current culture and right now, box braids and cornrows are seen as black hairstyles. It’s also worth mentioning that added hair, aka braiding hair, has not historically been a part of white culture.
Regardless of the history though, the fact that these days white women are going the extra mile by actually adding braiding hair to their braided hairstyles is a bit much to some black AND white women.
The concern was brought up on Instagram a while ago and two users replied to the post. One user, a black woman said these words:
I love box braids, marley twists and any other protective hairstyles on black women. I think it’s a beautiful way to embrace our heritage and culture. I don’t even mind white women wearing them because it shows the influence black women have over other ethnicities.
What I dislike is when white women emulate our hairstyles and change the name & call it “urban” as if they invented it. It’s just like what they’ve done for centuries; take something we’ve invented and claim it as their own.
Another Instagram user, who is a white German woman, commented on the concern as well.
I love braids and dreads, but now do I like them on whites? I do, but I wouldn’t wear them because I personally do not think it is my style. Where I am from, I will be judged if I wore braids. A lot of white women try to look (and act) like Americans. I’d be judged definitely. Hairstyles should look natural.
Other points of view
Now since this article was published on the blackhairinformation.com website, it has received numerous comments from both white and black women giving their views on the subject. Here are some highlights:
Nicketa says:
Really this is ridiculous black women pay thousands of dollars to get long weaves and bone straight hair so what if a white woman does it…
What’s the difference
Melissa says:
I agree with the first response in the article. I don’t care what you do to your hair. It’s yours to do as you please. But, don’t go changing the name of the style as if it was something you yourself created. Give credit where credit is due. Which is the issue. Blacks, majority of the time if not all of the time never get the credit that is due to them. We tend to set the trend which others follow but never get recognized for it. Also, the part that confuses me is why add fake hair and braid it in? Just braid your own hair. It would look much nicer and more realistic which is what you want.
Debby says:
Why the hate and negative talk. Its their hair and they do whatever they desire on it. I see women of color wear weaves, relax their hair, the list is endless but no one is hating. Black or white we all have the same desire to have beautiful hair be it extensions* or otherwise.
Natural beauty says:
Dreadlocks on white people is ridiculous because they don’t look good with their hair type and they’re trying too hard to be Black. They look better with thicker, stronger Black hair. This also goes for Black people with blond hair and weaves down to their butt, which is equally ridiculous
Lola says:
This is beyond stupid! To sit there and say white women are copying black women by rocking braids is just ridiculous. Last time I checked all nationalities wear braids, yes mostly black women do, but it’s not solely one race. And I simply had to laugh at the users saying that white women get lip injections, butt injections, etc to look like them as well!! The most curvy women I know are NOT black. Middle eastern and Hispanic women also have these attributes so stop thinking certain characteristics are specifically for ONE race
Mae West & The Dude says:
I am white and wear them for functionality. Without box braids, I have to wash my hair every 2 – 3 days. The braids make it so I can go about 2 months without washing. This comes in super handy on long camping trips. Cornrows are great for SCUBA diving trips… my hair tends to get caught in my gear and tear out if I don’t wear them. Looser braided styles just come unraveled on me. I had no idea until coming across a few blogs that wearing those styles could be offending anyone.
Celine says:
I dont like the fact that ww wear braids now… do you know how many bl women didnt get a job or lost a job because they had their traditional heritage braided style.. uh i didnt think so..so NO i dont accept it ..white women copy too much
Melanie says:
I love twists and braids. I’m white. I would think that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. America is a melting pot. We are all people. We are all sisters. Let’s stop making divisions. Live and let live. When I had braids I got a lot of attention. Even more when I had dreads. Most of it wasn’t positive attention. But it’s my hair and I do what I think looks cute and is a fun change. If I were prejudiced I wouldn’t wear black hairstyles. The fact that I do shows that I’m not. I think white women wearing black styles shows friendship and oneness with all races. I also love to do henna* and make Ukrainian Easter Eggs. I’m not black or Indian or Ukrainian. I’m American.
Adult says:
I love how people start out their comments with “I’m a white girl”, or I’m a black girl” etc… Or I don’t want to offend anyone… but…
NO… I’m not playing that game… I’m an adult. I don’t need to get permission to have rights to my own body.
Shoot, life’s too short not to be yourself. If you think you look good… go for it. You don’t need anyone’s permission (including mine) to exercise your right to freedom of self-expression.
If I want to straighten my hair… I will. If I want to braid my hair… I will. If someone wants to be offended by my hair… they will.
What do you think?
Now, I pass the question off to you: do you think braids, dreads, and other kinky* hairstyles should be strictly for blacks, or are you one of those people who feel it just doesn’t matter? Let us know in the comments.
They gotta wash their hair everyday so the style wouldn’t last long anyway.
Lol…
their hair doesnt lay down to the scalp.. too damn flyaway.. so why copy.. braids are for blk hair..everything aint for everybody.
here is the issue with that . you people dont reolize that when black people where blonde hair, thats white people ahir color, yours is black . so what if white people got offended by that . so what . its their flippin head you know let them do it . its not hurting anyone
(btw not being racist .i am black so dont @ me)
kudos to your comment ????
Because white people have never been oppressed for their hair like black people. Or fired for having braids as well. Also the weaves and extensions we have are not from yt people they are from Indians and Brazilians so invalid point. Blonde hair common in many ethnicities including black not just yt.
I undercut with design too should I stop that also, I started that when I had to have brain surgery, it was rather mentally and emotionally healing for me to be able to have a lil fun with the inevitable. Please don’t be so close minded.
I am white, but my hair texture is the same as blacks’. So, I need to steal your styles guys 😀
Same here. No disrespect ever intended, my husband and I both have thick textured hair. He’s Sicilian and I’m Native and French/Polish
Seriously this is an ignorant comment. The last thing this white girl does is wash her thick white girl hair daily. I often put braids in for convenience.
That’s not true they don’t have to wash there hair everyday they choice to because they wanna stay clean also braids are for everyone there a protective hair style and white people hair is also super fragile and can snap easily and fall out braids are a hairstyle not a object for people to try and be racist about and start fights about we all got hair and we can all wear any style we want so if you think white people cant wear braids then I guess you can’t straighten your hair or wear it in a bun or ponytail or pigtails I guess you can’t have blonde hair or red hair or any Color for that mater expect for black and maybe a dark dark brown.
It’s their hair and can do what she please with it.
I think braids and kinky hairstyles are cute on anyone. Hair texture n race makes no difference
They can do what they want but the ones i know that do have really bad thinning with wearing braids i think if they have have super thick curly hair they would be safe
White people with dreds confuse me. I asked a white friend and she was confused about it too. So I don’t care lol
What type of question is this? It’s offensive. It’s like a white hair information blog questioning black women dying their hair blonde or straightening our hair. This question is offensive to all races.
Wow thanks Joedy, I never thought about it like that.
Not sure it’s a question
If you read the article, all the way to the end they ask what do you think about white women wearing braids or something in that sense.
Offensive in everyway
There are Blacks throughout history who only not come in various shades, but in various hair textures. Black people have NATURALLY kinky, coily, curly, & straight hair. Having straight hair is not acting white…AND when Blacks do have, straight, curly, coily, kinky, blonde, reddish, etc. hair does not mean they are mixed with europeans.
having curly hair does not mean your black either.
Having straight hair is not part of white culture my great-grandmother had straight hair and she was an African American woman my daughter also has a blonde streak through the front of her hair, you would be surprised our culture has many different hair textures and skin colors I’m not sure what white culture is I don’t think you guys have Traditions or cultural traditions as far as your hair, it just has to be washed daily.
What? I’m white with super kinky curly hair and it gets washed once a week max or it gets way too dry. No one should wash their hair every day.
You likely never seen “super kinky hair” mucless actually have it. Made it up to be impressive.
What’s thick hair for caucasian hair still not thick enough to hold box braids.
To the person who said that white people with dreads confuse you… Do black women with chemically straightened hair and weaves that mimic straight hair confuse you too? Smh. This topic is ridiculous.
Whou! Really?! Lol
We wear blonde wigs and blue contacts lens in our eyes on dark skin so why not we look ridiculous so why not?….LOL
Bol, this is so true.
True lol all wrong
Google blue eyed blonde hair black people. there are actually dark skin africans with actual piercing blue eyes and naturally LIGHT blonde hair…i’ll wait.
This is old as s**t but you need to Google Native Americans and ask yourself this question. How do I know if someone is mixed with Native blood or not? How do I have a right to judge someones ethnicity based off skin tone and eye color? When in fact you are right. There are African Americans and just plane Africans that have light hair and light eyes so what is the moral? Glad you asked…unless you’re going to blatantly ask someones race who is rocking braids which is rude as he’ll, how about you just take it as a lack of knowledge of OTHER cultures, understand you aren’t GOD so you don’t judge, and move along. Europeans wore braids throughout early history oh, the French War braids, the Irish wear Celtic braids. I am Native American with blue eyes and tan skin. I’m also on the registrar of Native American Status in the US ans Canada. Educate yourself. Many cultures share in braids. Change your thought process. Many cultures think its beautiful. That is an empowering compliment. As a Native with hardly any ancestors or culture left due to the Europeans or what you call white people, taking over if we don’t continue what our ancestors did and forget about the Judgment that we get from other cultures then our culture will never survive and you should think of the Black Culture that way too. Just a bit of advice. Namaste
I’m from the Seneca Nation reservation in New York, and my moms native and my father’s polish and french and I have light skin, blue eyes and dark, thick, unmanageable hair.
And yes, Seneca Rain is my real name
True Statement.
Hold on there. It’s 2015 and u guys dont know of africans who have NATURAL beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair????? Yes they do exist.
Hold on there. It’s 2015 and u guys don’t know of Africans who have NATURAL beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair????? Yes they do exist. So no we do not look ridiculous.Features do not define a race. And about this article, lighten up. So what if she wanted to talk about this article. If it’s not for u then pass it by. She made some very interesting and logical points in this article, and was only wanting to get ur opinion on a matter that’s obviously fueling some tension.If you are not bothered by the trend then say ur not and if u r ….etc. Me personally i don’t mind it. It’s ur hair so do ur thing.
Really this is ridiculous black women pay thousands of dollars to get long weaves and bone straight hair so so what if a white woman does it
What the difference
white women copy bootys , lips tan skin color,, ot makes a lot of difference because they have been racist for decades and may like they dont like blks SO WHY COPY..
You’re ridiculous!!!
The white women that have braids or dreads obviously aren’t racist because if they were racist why would they would wear a “black” hairstyle. Not all white women
have been “racist for decades”
Im white as ever and no-one would know I’m Mexican.. My daughter has really tight ringlets that gives her very thick hair it has to be straightened out to work with it..now I was raised in a black family and I lived there for years under the impression it’s ok to like my hair in braids.. heck they introduced me to it.. but why does it have to be the white girls got this or it’s a black thing..mama della calls everyone brothers and sisters I’m white she is black but our blood is the same.. smh.. why does it have to be down to a line in the sand to choose sides when Jesus comes back for us here isn’t taking muslems first black or white we all go home together…
i’m white and i was born with big lips and a big butt. my dad has a natural kinky curly black Afro and my mom has naturally curly blonde hair. i have always wished i got that trait so when i want to curl my hair, i would rather not be flamed or i’m confused as to how my “plump” lips and butt is copying but OK. i have always thought curly hair was pretty and i think black women with a natural Afro or curly hair is beautiful. everyone is no matter race or what. it is just hair. i am white and my husband is black. he likes when my hair is in braids so if i want to look good for him, i shouldn’t care if people are gonna get offended over something silly as braiding my hair for a day
You’re ridiculous lmfao
I agree with the first response in the article. I don’t care what you do to your hair. It’s yours to do as you please. But, don’t go changing the name of the style as if it was something you yourself created. Give credit where credit is due. Which is the issue. Blacks, majority of the time if not all of the time never get the credit that is due to them. We tend to set the trend which others follow but never get recognized for it. Also, the part that confuses me is why add fake hair and braid it in? Example, the second picture in the article. Just braid your own hair. It would look much nicer and more realistic which is what you want.
Why the hate and negative talk.Its their hair and they do whatever they desire on it. I see women with color wear weaves, relax their hair and the list is endless but no one is hating. Black or white we all have the same desire to have beautiful hair be it an extension or otherwise.
Omg. This is some stupid s**t. People dying innocently daily by police planes are disappearing and all you can up with today for a topic is white people wearing black hairstyles. Do Chinese complain when we eat their food?
They can get that Afro from us:)
Nothing. It is their business
The black man loves white women in braids. In fact they love it when they get butt injections, lip injections and now braids. All the physicalities of a black woman without the black skin.
I’ve never in my life met a black man who likes nor encourages these things in a white woman.
wow. i am pleasantly surprised 99% of all the comments were “who cares?”. to be fair to the writer of the article, i have heard black women comment negatively on white folks that have dreads or synthetic braids. women in general don’t say much about weaves, wigs , or simple extensions added to hair because we either don’t notice them (if they are really good)or if we do we don’t see it as a race thing. but dreads and synthetic braid styles we do see race. i read it inthe blogs and i hear it when a white person with dreads walks by. so i am glad 99% of y’all commented “who cares/” but in my life i have heard/seen black women and men take offense because of a white person’s dreads.
Hold on there. It’s 2015 and u guys don’t know of Africans who have NATURAL beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair????? Yes they do exist. So no we do not look ridiculous.Features do not define a race. And about this article, lighten up. So what if she wanted to talk about this article. If it’s not for u then pass it by. She made some very interesting and logical points in this article, and was only wanting to get ur opinion on a matter that’s obviously fueling some tension.If you are not bothered by the trend then say ur not and if u r ….etc. Me personally i don’t mind it. It’s ur hair so do ur thing.
Dreadlocks on white people is ridiculous because they don’t look good with their hair type and they’re trying too hard to be Black. They look better with thicker, stronger Black hair. This is also goes for Black people with blond hair and weaves down to their butt, which is equally ridiculous.
This is beyond stupid! To sit there and say white women are copying black women by rocking braids is just ridiculous. Last time I checked all nationalities wear braids, yes mostly black women do, but it’s not solely one race. And I simply had to laugh at the users saying that white women get lip injections, butt injections, etc to look like them as well!! The most curvy women I know are NOT black. Middle eastern and Hispanic women also have these attributes so stop thinking certain characteristics are specifically for ONE race
once upon a time a black woman or man straightening their hair was considered heresy and some felt like they were trying to be white…I think that a person has a right to express themselves. Hell half of my family looks like a box of crayons and different hair types. That makes no sense for me to state that you should look this way or another because you need to uphold a image for this race and etc. If someone is ignorant enough to hate on your style, then that’s a personal problem. Race or skin tone does not define someone’s character or personality and what they choose to do with themselves.
What about white girls, like me, who have extremely thick, curly, frizzy hair? I’ve never done this because I don’t know if it would look good on me, but I imagine it would make managing my crazy hair so much easier.
lmao unless you are willing to live as a black person i don’t think u should even appropiate a part of black cultural heritage
cornrows were used in pretty much all cultures, including celtic culture (an ancient white group of people), and hair is hair. she should be able to do whatever she wants.
PREACH!! right dont come take our good stuff.. how about the bad shat!
I am white and wear them for functionality. Without box brads I have to wash my hair every 2 – 3 days. The braids make is so I can about 2 months without washing. This comes in super handy on long camping trips. Cornrows are great for SCUBA diving trips…may hair tends to get caught in my gear and tear out if I don’t wear them. Looser braided styles just come unraveled on me. I had no idea until coming across a few blogs that wearing those styles could be offending anyone.
Braids have been used in every culture, including ancient white cultures (the Celtics were believed to have used cornrows). People should be able to wear their hair however they want.
Seriously? Now it’s not ok to be white and wear braids in my hair because they are offensive? Give me a break! African Americans (read: AMERICANS and HUMANS) did not INVENT braided hair. Or natural big butts for that matter. Just like I am not offended by black women who prefer to dye or straighten their hair (never said to myself “oh, they are stealing our white heritage by dying their hair. I’m so offended” Never even THOUGHT that), women should support each other and build each other up. Women should be able to wear their hair however they wish. White, black, purple, green or blue, if we see a do we think is cute and think we can pull it off, you know we are going to try it! LOL!!!
I love twists and braids. I’m white. I would think that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. America is a melting pot. We are all people. We are all sisters. Let’s stop making divisions. Live and let live. When I had braids I got a lot of attention. Even more when I had dreads. Most of it wasn’t positive attention. But it’s my hair and I do what I think looks cute and is a fun change. If I were prejudice I wouldn’t wear black hair styles. The fact that I do shows that I’m not. I think white women wearing black styles shows friendship and oneness with all races. I also love to do henna and make Ukrainian Easter Eggs. I’m not black or Indian or Ukrainian. I’m American.
bullcrap.. its only good now that you white women are copying and realizing our black beauty which has always been there.
I have read articles before about why white people shoulldn’t wear Afros, cornrows, dreadlocks, box braids etc. bc it’s cultural appropriation. But I didn’t think that braid in general were supposed to be just a Black thing, bc I’ve seen white girls wear braids all my life (I’ll admit, I even had my mom do it for me when I was younger). Was I being racist without knowing it? I’d really like to know because I want to experiment with my hair but I don’t want to offend anyone. So would having a braided hairstyle, like my queen Mary-Kate here, be considered cultural appropriation? Bc I’m a little confused. Maybe that means I really am ignorant. Anyway, if you tell me the truth, I promise I won’t be upset. Thanks.
I dont like the fact that ww wear braids now… do you know how many b;l women didnt get job or lost a job because they had their traditional heritage braided style.. uh i didnt think so..so NO i dont accept it ..white women copy too much to be so damn racist.
Sorry but now YOU are a racist to white people.
As a 60-something white woman, I’m finding this entire discussion fascinating. I lived through the late 60s and 70s when cornrows and Afro hair dos were in vogue. If Stevie Wonder didn’t start the trend of men wearing cornrows as a fashion statement (Songs in the Key of Life came out in 1976), then he certainly helped make the style popular at that time. The Bo Derek movie “Ten” came out in 1979 and she was most definitely the first white woman celebrity to wear the style and make it popular in white culture. As for Afros, arguably Carol King’s style was an Afro (Tapestry, 1971) and many whites followed her (the singer Janis Ian, Art Garfunkel of Simon and Garfunkel, Epstein on Welcome Back Cotter, Barbra Streisand). I understand the “cultural appropriation” argument and I also see the “imitation is a form of flattery” argument. I think most of us fall somewhere in the middle of that.
Your “white people” examples are (nearly) all Jews – it’s called a “Jewfro” and it’s probably just their natural hair. Many (if not most) Jews have naturally thick, curly or even kinky hair. If you see a Jew with stick straight hair – look for the flat iron!
I am a nearly 18 year old caucasian girl, and I love the idea of box braids for the ease of taking care of and that it is so versatile, but also unique. It also takes care of annoying frizz for the ‘hard-to-control’ type of hair. I would love to get some after the end of school graduation and before the start of college, so it doesn’t interfere with events or occasions, but I also do not want it to offend people that associate box braids with a culture. Box braids are amazingly easy to take care of, but after reading this I might hang off until it becomes more socially acceptable… in saying that though, if people do not go out of their comfort zone and challenge society norms then nothing will change in societies expectations. In challenging expectations though, people also have to be culturally sensitive and respectful to those who hold it dear.
I believe that anyone should have the right to wear their hair anyway they want as long as it is not intended (doesn’t mean that it won’t completely) to offend any culture, society or religion.
I feel that I must point out that ancient Europeans also braided their hair, spiked it, shaved both sides, etc. There have been bog mummies found with these hair styles, so you can’t really say that braids originate only from Africa.
Hi!
I’m ‘a white girl’ from Belgium and i think That boxer brades are very beautiful!
I should like of i had them to! But i understand That it’s dificult for people to let it go That boxer brades are for ‘Black woman’.
And i don’t get it because we can’t be racist to ‘Black people’ or people from ‘other origins’
But saying That boxer brades are not for White people of other people That are not ‘black’ is also racisme.
Ik have a lot of respect for all people Whit EVERY skintone and i not wanna be a racist.
But of you all guys say that White people can not be a racist and you are saying we cant ware what we like than you are a racist to!
And i understand that you don’t like that they are calling it different, and i understand that also not if iam True.
But we don’t say, that is for White people only, Black people can’t wear it. So don’t say that brades are only for ‘black people’ please.
I hope that you guys understand that
Btw sorry for the bad english
I love how people start out their comments with “I’m a white girl”, or I’m a black girl” etc… Or I don’t want to offend anyone… but…
NO… I’m not playing that game… I’m an adult. I don’t need to get permission to have rights to my own body.
Shoot, life’s too short not to be yourself. If you think you look good… go for it. You don’t need anyone’s permission (including mine) to exercise your right to freedom of self expression.
If I want to straighten my hair… I will. If I want to braid my hair… I will. If someone wants to be offended by my hair… they will.
Well said!
If a white woman or ANY other woman BESIDES. a black woman wants to wear braids in her damn hair she is perfectly able!!! Aint no such thing as a race “owning” a hairstlyle! Smh… thats ridiculous af. Its braids ppl!!! Who cares?.
I am a Women! I am also a healthcare professional. I’m live in the good old midwest in a big city. I’m originally from a small town. I meet my ” soul sister” when I moved and she talked me into getting box braids. I have been wearing braids in my hair for the last year now, and I LOVE it.I get complements from all types of people… men, women, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, I mean everyone! Everywhere I go I have at least one person stop me and tell me that they like my hair. I love it when women ask me where I got it done at… and then we get to talking about baids… lol! I wear colors a lot of bright colors, and my residents love it. These are people going all the way up to there 90’s. It is more accepted then people think. I work in a very diverse facility, and I as a nurse supervisor am respected by everyone… braided hair and all. I have fellow employees that are “black” ask me questions about my hair. We talk products I recommend and where to get them on the cheap, I even have recently inspired a couple to get there braids done in colors. It truelly is awesome
I do agree that it should not be renamed. That is not “urban”, those are box braids or twist or crochet. Yes many cultures have wore the individual braids but it is the African and then the African american cultures that have expanded upon it to what it is today. I respect that influence and talents that it has taken to make it what it is today. That demand respect!
I’m mixed, they not making it they own. Y’all just getting pissed off and in y’all feelings. Yak know wear wigs and shit to look like white girl hair? Tf?
This topic is ridiculous… it’s hair. Black women can get a weave with other types of hair.. and white women can put braids. It’s all about personal preference. I do not understand how anyone can be offended by someone else’s hair choice.
I’m white. I know I don’t speak for everyone, but let me say that when I do things that are considered as or part of black culture, I’m not trying to do it as a trend or mock anyone in any way. I personally live around Detroit, where a lot of the population is of African descent. The culture around me — as well as anyone — changes the way I act, my clothing/hair preferences, etc. As a white girl who lives around many other cultures, African and other cultures fascinate me. I like to play around with styles from other cultures. Does this make me or other people who dabble in other cultures racist or biased towards other cultures? I don’t think so, as long we do it in a respectful manner. Yes, I have rocked a lot of traditional African hair styles, but I don’t go around trying to imitating Black stereotypes or mocking African culture. One of the biggest reasons I do it is simply because my hair can put up with those kinds of styles, so why not have some fun? I think it’s great to try out styles from different cultures as long as you are respectful of them. 🙂
I came upon this article to see if it’s “okay” to get my hair braided. I have T H I C K unmanageable curly/wavy ginger hair. Like if I even brush it it poofs 4-5 inches out. Lookin like a goddamn lion. And this is WITH a undercut that removed about a 3rd of my hair. Also, I have some mental illness that drains me of energy. It takes so much to try to make it presentable that a big ass bun or pony tail is all I got. So I wanted to have it braided. At least then it would be gorgeous and I wouldn’t look homeless all the time.
I just don’t want to hurt or upset anyone in the process.
Hi Sarah. My personal opinion is “Do you”. If you feel that you could benefit from wearing an easy style like braids then go ahead and do so. HOWEVER, as you can see it’s a controversial subject and wearing the style alone may be a trigger to black people who think it’s not ok. Honestly, don’t expect to wear the braids for any length of time without expecting some comments, some of which may be negative. If you don’t feel that you could cope with that kind of thing then stay well away.
I am a white woman considering getting box braids. I am not that young either – I am in my forties. The reason I am considering this is because my hair takes a lot of effort to style etc daily. I have frizzy hair that must either be straightened or curled. This takes me a good forty minutes each day and is damaging to my hair. My lifestyle has become increasingly busy and I just dont have the time. Box braids may be just the solution. I celebrate all cultures and races and believe that we can learn from one another while keeping it real about the origins of the good stuff we borrow from one another.
For Lisa, did u get your braids, my hair is very similar, though I am of African heritage. I am in my 50s and am getting braids for the first time, wanted them years ago and was always concerned about other peoples opinions. Now I embrace all cultures and utilize what I believe makes me a more loving human being. I am white of skin colour and multi cultural of heart and mind xx
Lisa,
I am a caucasian 44 year old and currently have box braids with braiding hair added. I love them and many people give me compliments. From older black women to younger black women, someone is always giving me praise about my hair. White women, hispanic women, they all say positive things. I have yet to hear anyone give me a bad comment, maybe they keep their mouths shut, I don’t know. I am married to a black man, have mixed kids and my environment puts me into a different social class. I really feel like it is your choice to rock a hairstyle. I keep it real and call it the same style that the ethnic group calls it. I don’t urbanize the style. I also do crochet styles and sew-in hair. I just like the styles! My current box braids were done by an African native with a local salon and she loves doing my hair. If you want them, just do it!
Ok yes I’m white and why does it matter we are all just people. There is no “white people” thinks and there is no “black people” thinks, we are all just people. We all are equal. Everyone might not think this and that’s ok it’s my opinion but I feel if a white girl wants to get braids they can it’s not just for “black people” and if a black girl wants to have a realgar ponytail they that can. You might think who is this “white girl” and you have every right to think what am I doing she don’t know what she is talking about she is only 11. Well my last message to say is we are all the different individuals, but we all are people.
Race shouldn’t stop people from looking how they want! Smh
Interesting comments. Just gonna do my thing. I’m getting to the age where in the nicest possible way, other people’s opinions matter less and less. Love to everyone and keep shining everyone is unique and beautiful in their own right. Xx
i am “white” and i have braids. i have rather frizzy and undefined curly hair. when i wake up in the morning i should wash and define my hair. so, i love braids a lot but for me it is also a necessity because my curls are lost. i don’t like chemicals and i am living in a snowy city, so i can’t just wash and define my hair and go out. so am i allowed to have braids now?
The comments about how white people don’t have cultural anything is laughable. Like white people were born yesterday..what’s also laughable is this whole white people copy black people with their butts and lips…well what about the white people, many of which are born with big butts and lips…what about the black woman with blue eye contacts and who perms their hair to straighten it….you know martin Luther King does because he wanted people to be equal, for blacks and Whites, and blue people, everyone, to get along and be equal, but all I here is how black woman want to be better than white woman or excuse me, are better than white women…it is sad because womanhood is beautiful period. We are all sisters shit, black men were allowed to vote before white women. Let’s stop all the hate and live each others differences and our many likenesses. A lot of hate seems to be thrown toward white people, which makes you a racists and no one here was ever a slave so stop whining. Everyone here has the same rights whether black or white.ignirance us feed by ignorant people and I find it funny that the people on here that have said white women should not be wearing braids and that it’s not okay, I can’t help but wonder what you would say if someone told you that you couldn’t wear your hair a certain way,,,, you would be livid and cry the race card….stop playing the race card and let your skills, hard work, and truly judgeless, kind soul be the thing that gets you through life..because you raceist hate is ugly
Very well said.
yes there are black people with blond hair and straight hair which are natural. we are just saying braids can damage your hair. very badly, for us with kinky hair, braids actually grow out our hair so yeah
The author needs to get over herself. All of these things are SUPERFICIAL and do not concern the heart or the spirit which are universal to all cultures, backgrounds, sexes, and races.
Ha! I cant even believe this is a discussion??? My mother was braiding my hair since I was in primary.. I’m 45 now and I still do different styles with my hair, including different braids, straight and curly. Noones gonna tell me im trying to copy anyone, that’s absolutely ridiculous!! Its hair, and it belongs to the individual! Reading some of these comments about white women stealing black culture made me so sad, I mean, seriously?
White girl here. Box braids are for black women or men, white girls should not copy them trying to look more ethnic. However, even some white girls like myself have curly hair and only wash once a week. Still, there are so many other braids for us.
The author has conveniently ignored the long history of braided hairstyles in the West and Asia.
Both Viking men and women wore battle braids that look like cornrows or box braids, literally to go to war. Braided hair in a woman was a sign that she was married. Complex hairstyles with different braids were a sign of status. Early Christians and Hindus wore dreads as a sign of their faith, which was then emulated by the Rastafari. Celts and Gauls were described by romans as having their hair “like snakes”. So no, braids are not solely an African (I use the term loosely) tradition, European women have worn their hair in a multitude of small or large braids throughout history. It’s not a “trend” to want your hair out of your face.
Of course I’m not going to imitate a complex tribal hairstyle, because I respect the religious and cultural significance. But seriously, getting all heated about white women “appropriating” something pretty much all races have been doing one way or another since ancient times?
Since when should skin colour define our hairstyles?? We are humans first and shouldn’t be defined by colour or religion or anything else. I’m a ginger and I wear braids because otherwise its a m everyday war with my hair to ” do” something with it. I love braids and braids suit me. Leave the skin colour out of hairstyles. There are much bigger issues in our world than petty mealy- mouthed comments thinking a skin colour owns a certain style. After all if I see a darker skinned lady with bleached blonde hair or blonde braids I wouldn’t dream of saying she’s “stealing ” a ” white person’s ” style. Ridiculous.
I’m a white girl and I have big frizzy curly hair and I’ve never had box braids before and I want to try it to protect and grow my hair but I’m worried it would look weird or I might be bullied for it. I love people with braids it looks so cool
about 15 years ago I met my friend Sunny. Her family had just moved in across the street from me, from St.Louis. Sunny had beautiful braids going all the way down her back when we started unloading the moving truck I was amazed to watch her use her own hair to tie it all back and out of the way. I will admit I was a little jealous of how manageable her hair was. From that day to now I have wanted them.
I am a stay at home Mom of four, I home school, I’m trying to train a puppy, and I have Long thick, curly, and lots of it hair. I have tried short looks to keep my hair manageable I end up with an afro if I don’t spend an hour straitening it, I keep my hair long so it stays in ponytails but even with brushing multiple times a day my hair still ends up trying to dread its self. the only time my hair ever looked nice and was easy for me to do was the summer after I met Sunny and she put cornrows in my hair.
I loved them, my hair was manageable, I didn’t have to worry my hair tie would snap, I could almost literally wash and go something I have never been able to do, but the hell I got from my friend sharing her heritage with me killed me, it was only with her support that I had the confidence to rock it.
Mind you this was long before the Dumm-Dashiens. I don’t want to follow trends I just want to be me, but how can I when I worry about what would happen to me if someone took offense and reacted violently because this day and age with the social climate I could easily wind up dead over box braids.
So, right off the bat, I am a white woman, genetically I’m whiter than a fresh sheet of snow, but what people don’t seem to think about is people’s genetics versus their appearance when it comes to ‘who should wear braids?’ I’m legally white but I actually look Mediterranean, to the point that when I worked in an Italian restaurant they asked me daily where I came from. But my brother looks like he’s of Asian descent. And there’s twin girls where one of them was born white with ginger hair, while the other was black. Does that mean the ginger twin can’t wear braids like her twin? Because she was born with paler skin? I try not to judge people for their styles, because I don’t know if that’s a style from their ancestry. I look at people, not the colour of their skin, because the only change that happens is change we make happen, and it scares me that there’s so many people that know the pain from racism doing it right back.
Its 2021, and this article has had some hatred over the year and the issue sparked massive controversy. Would someone of colour seriously violently attack another person for Braids? (Plaits here in Ireland)
I would love box braids, but I love all braids, and all cultures respectively. So, lets look at me I am a White, Irish female who rocks (Plaits all the time) I’m mid 30s and likely to old for my piggy tail plaits, but do I care… do I F!!
People spend way too much time ‘Pre – Judging’ others and making assumptions that because they are White, or even Asian they are racist or been given privilege and on the reverse, apparently if you are Black you can’t possibly be racist, or hateful? If you are a horrible person your skin colour isn’t going to make a difference if someone likes you. Yes Racism and White ‘ism’ is a thing, it isn’t nearly as bad as it was…. but its going backward not forward. Division is being sown in and you are all helping it along nicely. We are supposed to come together as women and be the queens we should be as one race.. but instead everyone pushes the divisive crap.
So… let me paint a picture for you! I go and get box braids, go celebrate Mardi Gra, have big thick hair, that is untamable and crazy. I have luscious lips, and beautiful blue eyes, and skin as white as snow. What does a POC think of me? What is the reaction?
I am Irish as I said, but my great great grandfather was born 1883 in Brazil… guess his colour? Now, can you all imagine what reason he was sent to Ireland in 1884 for, and why his mother didn’t come? I will let you all check your history books (the ones not created for division) So, I may only have that tiny bit but I am proud as punch to have that and I adore it, no shame.
So, you pre-judged me, before knowing me!! Isn’t this what POC have been alleging for decades, that they were pre-judged based on a stereotype, or a instilled opinion driven in by others?
I share my Irish with whomever wants to share it good and bad, and I adore history (the real history), I love culture and exploring, learning and loving it and I make a point in purchasing local items wherever I am. In fact I currently regularly purchase kufiyah’s from a man who hand makes them in Palestine… They aren’t for white people, but guess what I rock it BECAUSE I can, and I have helped a mans business. I purchased items from a Native American Tribe in Arizona, and made a point too seek out authentic pieces because I believe in respecting and loving the differences we can share.
No one ever said POC had it easy, but neither did Asians, Neither did Irish… in fact you would be hard pushed to find a race that didn’t suffer at some point at the hands of another. As for privilege, define this?
My entire family has been in Ireland for 300+ years excluding my Great Great Grandfather, and My Great Grandfather. We have always been Iron mongers, or Smiths, Weavers, and Domestic Assistants. We had no wealth, no opportunities, and we were one of the first to die on the Titanic, and during its building. We were indentured servants, we were beaten, oppressed, had half our country taken from us, and forced under a different rule. We lived through a famine, we died from many illnesses, we fled to Eastern America, were taken to Australia as prisoners, made to fight a war for the rich and lost our loved ones. For 30 years, we bled, fought and died because of a religious divide pushed on us from above (the rich) we fell for it and allowed the divide to grow. ( this doesn’t include the many fights prior or after). In the last 25 years we rebuilt our country, yes there is still Sectarianism (your type of racism but ours for religious divide) But we don’t let that bring us backward, we push forward together, took down our walls, our gates, disbanded our on street military, formed a semi unified government and brought the people together. All our rules are equal, we must be employed and educated alike regardless of colour, religion, race, ethnicity, gender etc. You always get hateful people… but if you label all people the same, they will start acting how you accuse them and that’s on you for bigoted attitudes. I haven’t been privileged, but because this 16 year old mum, got herself to university at 27 and graduated at 32, her son is now seen as privileged, even though in 300+ years he is the second in our family to achieve this, and he will be the first to enter a profession as a career and not a job… You see, I’m medically retired, because my health care is so poor here (socialist health care you see) I have been waiting half a decade for surgery to give me my life back, but every year takes a little more from me I will never get back.
If you pre-judge anyone, simply on the colour of their skin, you are by definition the thing you hate the most… if you push someone and keep pushing eventually they will bite back… if you cry victim repeatedly, eventually when you are a victim no one will listen.. when you are divided beyond repair and wondering how this happened, you will have blood (metaphorically i hope) on your own hands… If we keep up this race divide, a race war will ensue and the only people to benefit aren’t the white people ‘who aren’t collectively racist or descent from slave owners’, It won’t be the Asians.. and It won’t be Americans of Black skin colour, or African Americans, or any mixed American, Asian, European, Russian etc… it will be the elite, the rich.. the people at the top that puppet everything and everyone just follows. Call me what you will… but who cares about box braids… who cares about bleaching, straightening, piercings, tattoos, food, clothing, St Patrick’s Day (Paddy’s Day)!! This is 2021, you all want inclusion for all, it includes being inclusive to all not exclusive… you want racism to reduce/disappear… stop being racist to others… if you don’t want people to hate you, don’t be a nasty person but equally don’t be silenced by others for having your own mind, opinion, beliefs, needs and wants… control begins when you hand it offer to someone and apologize for being YOU!
I am pointing all this out because this article offends me… nah I’m Irish we don’t do offended, and we don’t do victims.. we do fighting back through achievements, by personal success, by growth and laughing about the past, the tragedies, the horrible things, the funny things, the best things, and each other.. Life isn’t for being offended by everything… it isn’t about being violent to someone based on their skin, or heritage, and it sure isn’t for making assumptions about shit 300-500 years ago, that we can’t really prove ourselves fully. I resent the fact that the world has divided more in less than a decade than I ever thought possible in my 30+ years and primarily due to colour!
Don’t make assumptions just because someone in 2021 is of White Skin.. especially when you don’t want the same on the reverse.. if you have hatred for White people as a whole, that is bigotry, racist and Whitephobic. White people do have cultures, we have loads all over Europe, Russia, Hungary, Poland, France, Spain, Germany… and even Scandinavia and South Africa, Australia.
Assumption is the mother of all F Ups!
You do you, I will do me… if your a nice human being then I am gonna be as nice back and likely your friend. If you are a horrible person, with hatred in your heart, scorn, spite or even evil.. I am going to DISLIKE you regardless of your color, ethnicity or religion.. so when I say “I am not racist” its not code for I am, its not out of context or whatever twisted S&*T that is now used to twist every word spoke.. it means I could not careless about your colour on your skin, unless you are drowned in fake tan and look like you fell into the Ompa Lumpa lake then, girl I may tell you!! Articles like this need to be worded differently, by that I mean FREE EXPRESSION but remember, if you don’t want other races to do the same SMH. I would never question if a Black women in Netherlands should wear clogs, or if a Black person should wear anything from European Nationalities, or Asian or similar.
Unity doesn’t begin with divide.. and not all people are the same, or have the same story or believes. It is so sad sitting here in Ireland and knowing I won’t travel to America for a long time because it has become way too political, dangerous and essentially too woke for me to feel comfortable enjoying the people, cultures and friendships i have done previously. But I am just a White Irish Female..
I am away to see if I can find someone authentic to do my braids now.. my life would have a break and I think I’d rock them. Love to ALL x
Ps.. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Wear a Shamrock, Irish Dance, Drink a Guinness, enjoy an Irish stew, or fish n chips.. try a chip butty (chips in bread and butter).. wear green, buy an Irish Flag, Practice your Irish, or Practice your English Irish.. have a joke, laugh and smile.. we are different but that doesn’t mean we can’t share.