People Are Furious About Kim Kardashian West's Latest Hairstyle
The reality star's self-proclaimed homage to Bo Derek has the Internet seething.
It was another day, another underwear-clad mirror selfie for Kim Kardashian West — until it all went wrong. Here's what happened: On January 27, the reality star posted a video to Instagram that showed her swaying from side to side in white undies and a button-down T-shirt, with long, beaded corn rows plaited into her mane.
The very next day, the mom of three decided to chat up her new coif on Snapchat. Sharing a video of herself wearing the same corn rows from the day before, Kardashian West announced: "So, guys, I did Bo Derek braids, and I'm really into it," she said, while gazing amorously at her own image. Those familiar with the Kar-Jenners' history of cultural appropriation controversy may have just gasped, here — and you'd be right to do so, considering what comes next.
But first, take a peek at Kardashian West wearing the style, below:
KimKardashian/ Snapchat
Quick refresher: in the 1979 film 10, Derek famously ran on the beach while wearing her hair in beaded corn rows. As you may have guessed, the style did not actually originate with Bo Derek — or with any other white woman. Cultural appropriation is a hot-button issue, and the backlash came on fast and furious after Kardashian West's posts. In broad terms, cultural appropriation is defined as a moment when a dominant culture adopts ideas from a minority culture. And when a celebrity samples a style from an African tribe without at least crediting the origin of that style, backlash is bound to ensue.
Fans were quick to call the KKW Beauty mogul out on her seemingly flip statement. Several social-media users identified the style as Fulani braids, which are said to have originated with the Fulani Tribe of West Africa.
What a hairy situation, indeed.
