Kim Kardashian is not backing down from her appropriation of cornrows and braids anytime soon. During a panel at BeautyCon, as Cosmopolitan reports, Kim doubled down on her defense, claiming her styling comes from a “real place of love and appreciation.”
Last month, the beauty mogul faced heaps of backlaash after she styled her hair in Fulani braids and wore the look to the MTV Movie And TV awards. “I’ve definitely had my fair share of backlash when I’ve worn braids," she said on Sunday. "I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel around the world and see so many different cultures that have so many different beauty trends.”
That was far from the first time Kim or her sisters were accused of cultural appropriation, specifically when it comes to hair. Despite that criticism, KKW can’t leave braids alone. While at BeautyCon, she further explained why she believes she deserves a pass:
“My daughter actually loves braids, like this last time I wore [them], she helps me pick out a look and will show me pictures. I just think if it comes from a place of love and you’re using it as cultural inspiration, then I think it is okay,” she said. “Sometimes I think maybe if you don’t communicate where you got the inspiration from—and I’ve done that in the past—then people might not understand it. But yeah, I think as long as it comes from a place of love and you’re getting inspired, then it is okay.”
As Cosmo points out, this isn’t the first time she’s called on five-year-old daughter North in defense. Using her young, black daughter as a shield against appropriation critics is troubling, because, to put it in layman’s terms, Kim still isn’t black.
She also sported blonde Fulani braids in January. People clowned the reality star using the nickname “Bo West” and called her out for referring to them as Bo Derek braids.
"I obviously know they're called Fulani braids, and I know the origin of where they came from and I'm totally respectful of that," Kim said after the fact. "I'm not tone deaf to where I don't get it. I do get it."
At this point, it’s a wonder she doesn’t leave braids behind altogether. Until the Kardashian crew decides parading blackness no longer interests them, looks like Kornrows Kim is here to stay.
