Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Adele Called Out For Cultural Appropriation Over Photo Of Her Hair Tied Up Into Bantu Knots

Adele Called Out For Cultural Appropriation Over Photo Of Her Hair Tied Up Into Bantu Knots
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

A recent photo of Grammy winning singer Adele has stirred up controversy over her appropriation of a traditional African hairstyle called Bantu knots while wearing a Jamaican flag bikini top at Notting Hill Carnival last year.

The festival was cancelled this year due to the necessity of social distancing measures and the singer seems to think that the photo was a good tribute to the event. The effort seems to have largely fallen short, however, judging by people's general reaction.


Bantu knots are a protective hairstyle that has been around for over 100 years, according to Naturally Curly.

Protective hairstyles are styles that help prevent damage to Black hair. They also have important cultural significance in the Black community.

Not everyone disapproved of the singer's grooming choices, and several high-profile figures cheered her on in the Instagram comments.

@lisarinna/Instagram


Twitter was on fire over the weekend with criticism for Adele's hairstyle choice, however.






The Vixen, best known for appearing on season 10 of Ru Paul's Drag Race, wasn't having any of it.


While not specific to this incident with Adele, Naturally Curly has already covered the issue of cultural appropriation when it comes to Bantu knots and other Black hairstyles.

"Cultural appropriation is particularly threatening with regard to Black hair because Black women have had to fight for equal representations in several industries and for our beauty to be valued by society."
"Often times when Black women have worn traditionally Black hairstyles it is written off as 'unprofessional' or 'ghetto,' but when White women do it, suddenly it's fashionable or a 'new' trend."

When thinking about choosing a hairstyle or other fashion choice with cultural significance, consider whether you have any connection to the culture that style comes from.

If not, it's probably best to stick to what you know.

More from Trending

Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep Reading Show less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep Reading Show less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep Reading Show less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep Reading Show less
Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep Reading Show less