cultural appropriation
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Dear Kim Kardashian: You Have Cornrows, Not ‘Bo Derek Braids,’ You Bird
I usually try not to pay attention to the Kardashians, because they are a family full of well-known stunt queens. They have proved time and time again that they will do anything for a storyline and attention—whether that attention is positive or negative. Kim’s latest stunt is no exception, but it deserves to be addressed…
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A Prayer for Post Malone, Who Says It’s a ‘Struggle Being a White Rapper’
Heavenly Savior, Today I come to you, O Lord, and humbly as I know how. In fact, I come to you so humbly that I will admit that I don’t know whether or not to pronounce the “h” in “humble.” I mean, I can see the letter right there at the beginning of the words,…
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Lena Waithe Asks Twitter to Weigh In on Netflix’s Step Sisters … and They Tell Her
We here at The Root have already weighed in on Step Sisters, the Netflix movie in which a black woman teaches white coeds how to step, the African-American cultural tradition where one’s body is used as an instrument. Frankly, many were looking at the flick with the side eye because … more cultural appropriation. But…
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10 Reasons I’m Most Likely Going to Watch Netflix’s Step Sisters
On Jan. 19, Netflix is going to set Twitter afire with the release of its original film Step Sisters. I remember when Drumline: A New Beat (effectively Drumline 2) came out on VH1 (and was terrible), black folks had a field day tearing it to shreds. But this shit right here? This shit right here,…
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Ankara, Ankhs and the Ongoing Appropriation-vs.-Appreciation Argument: Is There a Right Way to Rock African Style?
We’ve been celebrating Kwanzaa Week here at The Root, which, for The Glow Up, also meant thinking up new outfits to wear for each night of the festivities celebrating the seven principles of what many lovingly call “Black Hanukkah.” Fun fact: I love African fashion, iconography and decor; always have. I love wax prints (yes,…
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‘Cash Me Outside’ Teen on Cultural Appropriation: ‘Do Not Tell Me I’m Acting Black Because I’m Not’
Danielle Bregoli, better known as the “Cash Me Outside” girl, has some words for those who would accuse her of appropriating black culture. The 14-year-old, who also raps under the moniker Bhad Bhabie, told The Fader that she was just being herself and has no time for those who accuse her of cultural appropriation. “I…
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In Praise of Sailor J: The Woke AF Beauty Vlogger We’ve Been Waiting For
Sailor J thinks she knows my life. My entire insecure, aggressively honest (or just aggressive), disorganized and easily distracted Aries life. She also does one hell of a bronzed cat eye. The increasingly popular YouTuber—more than 120,000 subscribers and rising—first hit my radar in October with “Getting a Man 101”— a hilarious yet poignant take…
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Black Twitter Is Dragging Kim Kardashian for Dressing as Aaliyah for Halloween, but Is It Cultural Appropriation?
Black Twitter is dragging the Kardashians again. I know it seems as if they do something stupid more often than Stephen A. Smith says something stupid, but in the KKKKK clan’s defense (Kim, Khloé, Kendall, Kylie and the other one … ), they are pretty stupid. And when you combine stupidity with a nonexistent sense…
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Oh No, White People! What Is Y’all Doing? Why Every Caucasian Needs a Black Friend
Contrary to popular belief, I do not wake up every morning trying to figure out how to attack my beloved Caucasian brothers. I only wish them peace and prosperity. In fact, every day I wake up before sunrise and whisper a plea to the Most High (Snoop Dog) for a special favor: Can I leave…