Some may think it's silly to argue about hair. Others contend that it could be the tipping point into a broader conversation about race and the effects of cultural appropriation. And to think, it all started with a selfie.
After taking Kylie Jenner to task for posting an Instagram photo in which the reality star sports cornrows, actress Amandla Stenberg is clarifying her position on what she calls the "double standard" of Black beauty.
The Hunger Games star has been vocal about cultural appropriation in the past, sharing a video on the topic in April. Now, she's shared a statement on Instagram that draws attention to the dangers of "fetishizing" Black culture.
Among Stenberg's point is that Black women are criticized for features like dark skin and plump lips, and yet those same attributes are considered covetable when adopted by white women. On a Black woman, cornrows are just a hairstyle. On a white woman, they're a statement, or a trend.
Is the 16-year-old actress ready to lead the charge against cultural appropriation? It's beginning to look like she is. It's certainly high time for honest, respectful dialogue about these issues. Andy Cohen, that probably means you should stop calling Stenberg a "jackhole."
OPENER IMAGE: Rob Latour/Rex USA.
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