Many celebrities have been guilty of cultural appropriation. There is a fine line between appropriating a culture and appreciating it.
Cultural Appropriation can be defined when a dominant culture or group adopt elements from a group that is oppressed. It is especially harmful and problematic when celebrities are profiting from it.
On Feb. 22, the 2015 Oscars aired, where directors, actors, and producers are rewarded for the films they have created. Zendaya Coleman, a Disney channel actress and singer, appeared on the Red Carpet. Coleman wore a silky off white Vivienne Westwood gown, and she wore her hair in dread locks.
Coleman stated that she wore her locks to commemorate people of color, since many African Americans get criticized for the way they style their hair. She wanted to shed a positive light on the hairstyle and remind black men and women that they are more than just their hairstyle.
On the show "Fashion Police," E News anchor, Guiliana Rancic made a racist comment about Coleman's hair. Rancic stated that she felt like she "smelled like patchouli oil and weed."
It was very ignorant of Rancic to make this assumption about Coleman simply because of the way she styled her hair.
This is very harmful because celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Kylie Jenner can wear dreadlocks and people think it's edgy. Why is it that when Coleman wears a hairstyle that is apart of her culture she gets criticized and stereotyped? But when Cyrus or Jenner wear it, it's a new trend or a boho look.
This perception is very problematic and must be stopped. You can still like the music or appreciate a celebrity for what they produce, however it is important to recognize why their actions are problematic.
Many black men and women who wear dreadlocks have a hard time finding jobs. Some even make the commitment to get rid of their hairstyle in order to keep their job.
Celebrities aren't the only individuals guilty of appropriating cultures. Many of us may do it and not even realize it. During Halloween there are costumes that are viewed as problematic, in that they appropriate other cultures. Costumes such as "Mexican Serape" or "Native American Princess," are harmful since you are dressing up as a different culture, that is not yours. However, you would not want to take the oppression the culture faces in society from a day-to-day basis. It is also problematic because when you dress up as a different culture you may do stereotypical things or make fake accents to go along with it.
It is important that we recognize this and how it can offend others. We should all make conscious effort to respect other people and their cultures.
