Kendall Jenner Accused of Cultural Appropriation

via aol

Kendall Jenner is yet again involved in a tone deaf project (*cough Pepsi cough*). The 22 year old reality star/model posted a photo on Instagram of her latest Vogue photoshoot. An ode to the 60’s and 70’s, Kendall rocks a beautiful floral dress and fresh faced makeup. However, what is most noticeable is Kendall’s hair. Rocking a teased, afro-inspired do, the Internet was quick to shout ‘cultural appropriation!’ Vogue explained the intention behind the shoot was to honor the 15th anniversary of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund— a joint organization started to create a fashion community that is “more caring, more creative, more conscionable.”

Hmmm…

More caring?

The fashion industry continues to limit or completely omit WoC, transmodels, disabled models and plus sized models.

More creative?

Really? Because we recycle trends literally every. single. year. Or better yet, steal designs and motifs from other cultures.

More conscionable?

The fashion industry remains one of the biggest global pollutants and wastes billions of gallons of water a year.

BUT, YEAH. SURE.

Why I don’t believe Kendall is culturally appropriating an afro, the message behind the backlash is more than about hair. Vogue and other well-respected publications and media outlets consistently utilize characteristics associated with other ethnic groups, just to slap them on their ideal Westernized woman. If they have time and money to construct a fake Afro for a 15 minute photoshoot or 10 second catwalk, they have the same time and money to hire a PoC who naturally has that hairstyle, body type or skin tone. Period.