Sigh: Kim Kardashian Wore Cornrows and Called Them 'Bo Derek Braids'
Kim Kardashian, has been continuously called out for culturally appropriating black hairstyles in the past, but it appears the backlash hasn’t had a lasting impact on her hairstyles. Over the weekend, she posted a video to Snapchat wearing cornrows with beads on the ends. “So guys I did Bo Derek braids and I’m really into it,” she said, referencing the white actress and model from the 1970s.
Social media reacted instantly, calling Kim out for yet another instance of cultural appropriation. One Instagram user @candypaynt wrote, “They’re NOT ‘BO DERECK,’ [..] Braids–They are African Cornrows ? Shes gotta do better with her cultural stylings.” Another user @t.kaliyah commented, “What angers me is the fact that she called them Bo [Derek] braids as if that’s where they originated. If you gone try to rock African cornrows ATLEAST have enough respect to call them WHAT THEY ARE.”
As Instagram commenters pointed out, Kim’s hairstyle is problematic for several reasons. Not only did she wear her hair in cornrows, she also credited a white woman as the inspiration for a hairstyle that has a long history and cultural significance.
While some on social media came to Kim’s defense by arguing that it was actually cultural appreciation, she didn’t take the time out to educate herself on black hairstyles, instead deciding to post them on social media as the next big trend. Kim has yet to respond to the backlash, but getting a hair makeover as an excuse for cultural appropriation is never okay. As Amandla Stenberg has said before, “Don’t cash crop my cornrows.”
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