cultural appropriation
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TikTok Appropriation Is 'Savage,' But It's Not Happening on Our Watch—Meet Keara Wilson, the Creator of the #SavageChallenge
TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon, and like most things in pop culture, the black community is leading the narrative on what’s considered trendy. With the newest popular social media platform, the concept of “digital blackface” is still thriving, unfortunately. While the platform’s content is rarely meant to be taken seriously (it’s provided some extra…
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Come Again? Commes des Garçons Ignites Cultural Appropriation Controversy With Cornrow Wigs
Hot damn heaux, here we go again! Another day and another high-end fashion brand embroiled in a cultural appropriation controversy. On Friday, Japanese fashion brand Commes des Garçons–which I thought was French all this time (shrug)—held its Fall 2020 menswear presentation during Men’s Paris Fashion Week with their models wearing what appeared to be oversized…
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It’s All Greek to Me: After Pushback and a Petition, Ralph Lauren Apologizes to Phi Beta Sigma for ‘Chino-gate’
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Ralph Lauren, keep our black Greek iconography off of your chinos. In what was the latest but likely most inadvertent incident of cultural appropriation since Gucci’s blackface-sweater scandal this time last year, American legacy brand Ralph Lauren crossed the line—by demonstrating that no one on…
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Tom Hanks’ Son Chet Was Filmed Speaking Patois at the Golden Globes, and We Have Questions
This year’s Golden Globe Awards witnessed Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks’ son, speaking patois on camera, which left the entire Internet asking, “But why, tho’?” The 29-year-old rapper/actor posted a video of himself to Instagram on Sunday highlighting his attendance at the awards ceremony where his dad, actor Tom Hanks, was being honored with a lifetime…
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Orlando Jones Says 'Culture Vulture' American Gods Showrunner Was a 'Wigga' Who Wore Black Panther T-Shirts
Orlando Jones is not here for that culture vulture mess! Jones has been all over the news and social media lately, after confirming he was fired from Starz’s American Gods. As The Root’s Karu Daniels recently reported, “Jones, who portrays the infamous trickster god Mr. Nancy (based on Anansi the Spider—the African folklore character), claimed…
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When 'Diversity & Inclusion' Is Disrespectful and Insulting: Kerby Jean-Raymond Calls Out Business of Fashion for Tokenizing and Appropriation
Sometimes, “a seat at the table” just means “sit there and make us look good while we pick your brain, exploit your culture and give you little to no credit.” At least, that’s what Kerby Jean-Raymond, designer and founder of Pyer Moss and a creative director at Reebok is alleging of fashion analysis and news…
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Supermodels, You May All Retire. Rihanna Just Killed Another Magazine Cover
That’s it. That’s the entire post. No others need apply. Ever. But seriously, will you look at this woman? Icon. Entrepreneur. Inspiration. Survivor. Perpetual thriver. Rihanna is all of this and more and remains flawless while doing it. And the cover star of Harper’s Bazaar China’s August issue once again proves there’s no one better…
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Access Denied, Okurrr? Cardi B Turned Down for a Trademark on Her Signature Phrase
Cardi B may have brought the catchphrase “okurrr” into the mainstream (and even into the Super Bowl ad echelon, via Pepsi), but like Madonna and voguing, she did not originate the concept—a fact recognized by Bronx natives, members of the drag and ballroom communities, and now, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. As reported…
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A Year After Trademarking the Word ‘Kimono,’ Backlash Convinces Kim Kardashian to Do the Right Thing
Well, wonders never cease…and it only took a year for you to grow some damned common sense, Kim. In May 2018, TMZ reported that Kim Kardashian West had filed papers to trademark a new line of shapewear and intimates under the questionable name “Kimono Intimates.” Yes, we obviously get that Kim considered “Kimono” a cutesy…
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The 10 Biggest Cultural Thefts in Black History
Netflix’s new documentary, The Lion’s Share, chronicles the history of the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” how it became a worldwide hit and—most importantly—how media companies including Disney, kept the song’s original creator, South African musician Solomon Linda, from receiving any of the profits. While discussing the film, someone on The Root’s staff pondered if—considering…