[LaneSig]

Rachel Dolezal = cultural appropriation

white guy with dreads = cultural diffusion

Clearly in my opinion, most people are confusing cultural diffusion with cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation would be taking something from somebody else's culture, using it, and claiming it belongs to the new person using it and not the original culture. Or, in the Rachel Dolezal case, taking aspects of another culture and claiming that you belong to that culture.

Cultural diffusion is the natural transference of cultural aspects from one culture to another. The world does not, and never has, existed in a vacuum. Words, food, hair designs, fashion, etc., naturally criss-cross cultures. And have since time immemorial; and with the advent of technology, will continue to do so.

Whether it looks good or him or not, this kid saw a hair style that he liked and decided to wear it. He's wearing it because he likes it. If he were doing it to mock the other culture (thinking of the "South of the Border" or "Who Rides the Bus" parties that were stupid and inappropriate), then it would be an issue.

No one is supposed to wear a certain hairstyle, unless that hairstyle is specifically from the history of their culture?

No one is supposed to use a canoe or kayak, unless they are Native American or First People (Canada)?

The much more scarier issue is cultural suppression. Denying people the use of their own culture. Think of the Indian schools that the U.S. government used to try and make the Native Americans "white". The same happened in Australia with the Aborigine people and in Canada with the First People. Also, in Korea by the Japanese prior to the end of WWII.

I hope this white guy isn't claiming to be from the culture of Sparta, India, ancient Aztec, Senegal, Niger, Mali, or Tibet- all cultures that historically had people who wore dreadlocks. If he is claiming to be one of these without knowing about them, then he should be schooled on the history.

If this white guy is confronting women or men of color who are wearing dreadlocks and telling them they can't, he is completely in the wrong and I would have no problem with someone holding him down and shaving his head bald.

This is a guy who saw a hairstyle that he liked, whether he knew the history or not, and decided to wear it. He isn't (hopefully) denying anyone else of the chance to do the same or (again, hopefully) claiming that the style came from his culture. If he is looking in the mirror and saying "Damn, I look good", then que sera sera. If I'm allowed to speak French, since my cultural background is Scottish, Jewish, Protestant, and American Indian.

These statements are clearly my own. I have worked with people from other cultures for 99% of my teaching career- 30+ countries. I will never claim to be an expert or that I don't have places to grow, but I do deal daily with cultural differences. They are to be respected, honored, and learned from. Not denied and isolated strictly to one group.