My message against wearing another's culture as a trend and why it's not "OK" usually goes over most people's heads for two reasons. Reason one: they don't understand the mere definition of nor have understand what cultural appropriation is. Reason two: the idea that many others should appreciate their culture being "admired" acts as an aid for those who want to condone their choices. In terms of dreadlocks, a very popular hairstyle in black culture, there's been a lot of controversy in other cultures' adopting the look.
When a black man dons dreadlocks and walks through my town in broad daylight, he is stereotyped by many as a thug, dirty, a Chief Keef fan, or a heavy drug user. When a white man walks through the same city at the same time of day with dreadlocks he gets the privilege of people thinking he is a skater, a peaceful soul, or a surfer on a trip to the city. Now be aware, many Facebook keyboard preachers will tell you people are entitled to do what they want with their hair and that's not their problem, but none of them will say how completely wrong that is. Lots of judgment was even thrown towards Bob Marley for his dreadlocks during his career. Something very popular in my culture isn't appreciated in said culture, but someone trying a new hairstyle in another will be seen as exotic and edgy for what reason? I'll wait.
I'm not the hair police, but there is undeniable evidence that the race of the person wearing the dreadlocks spawns certain prejudices that the black culture doesn't appreciate. In Chicago, if you're a black male with dreadlocks, police won't think twice about following you or trying to search you, and if you don't believe, me call up my homeboys from 87th to 47th Streets.
With all of this going on, hell yeah I'm mad that if my brothers and sisters convert to locks it'll bring more cons than pros. Are black people just supposed to not be bothered by this or get over it like every grandmother named Martha who comments on a police brutality video on my feed? This is not me getting "offended by everything" or "being sensitive," it's me seeing the issue and addressing it.
The entire attitude of people embracing black culture, but not black people, is what's upsetting, and a big part of the appropriation that no one seems to understand. I hope this cleared a lot up.
