A Tired Black Teen

Cultral Appropriation.

Let me just say this straightforward- cultural appropriation is real, and it occurs even more than you see it.
Cultural Appropriation is defined as "the adoption or use of the elements of one culture by members of another culture." But it is much more complicated than that. It's not just use of another's culture, it's direct disrespect.
For example:
•wearing a Bindi without knowing the history, meaning, or reason for wearing it. Also not being part of the religion or culture that commonly wears Bindis
•cornrowing your hair while not being of african decent
•cosplaying in a traditional cultural outfit (Moana, Pocahontas, Mulan, etc. you get the point.)
Now I realize that anyone who is not of a dominant culture obviously has reason to not understand cultural appropriation, but I'm working to change that.
When we, as black people, express our irritation when white people wear cornrows or box braids or weave, we are often told something along the lines of "No one owns a hairstyle!", "It's 2017, get over it!", or "It's just a hairstyle!". But here's the thing.
When a white girl wears cornrows, it's considered high-fashion, chic, or trendsetting.

Black people have been wearing cornrows for years.

We got teased in school and called ghetto for them.

And also, when certain people wear it, they also rename it or try to take credit for it as if they created it. For example:
•braid rows
•french braids (there is a distinct difference between cornrows and french braids)
•dutch braids (there is a distinct difference between cornrows and dutch braids)
•corn rose💀

A list of celebrities who have been called out for Cultural Appropriation multiple times:
•Gigi Hadid

•Kim Kardashian (all of the Kardashian/Jenner sisters honestly)

•Selena Gomez

•Beyoncé 😭

• and lastly, Katy Perry.