Check Your Privilege: Clothes White People Shouldn't Wear

You know white people...

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Being white grants you many privileges. You are the default race in America. Every other person in the media looks like you, and every other commercial is geared towards your tastes, needs, and wants. Isn't it great? Oh, and you also have the ability to appropriate style from any number of cultures—without the need to worry or deal with the cultural implications of what you're doing. Of course, doing so can make certain races get all "wait, WTF white people?" In which case you can tooootally just say "lighten up guys, I was just showing my appreciation for the culture."

Sure, there are plenty of excuses you can use as an alibi for your insensitivity—one of the other perks of being white—but there are certain times when you should leave that sense of entitlement at the door. One need only look at a brief history of fuck-ups in fashion to note that there are certain things you need to ask yourself before attempting to appropriate a piece of clothing. Beyond "does it look good on me" you should maybe consider what it says about you before you dip into the cultural style pool... and there are some clothing choices that you're better off avoiding altogether, like these. Read up and Check Your Privilege: Clothes White People Shouldn't Wear.

Keffiyeh

What you think it says: My style icon is Kanye West.

What it really says: My style icon is Rachael Ray and all of my social activism is done via Twitter hashtags.

You wore this a lot in the mid-2000s because you thought it made you look rebellious and channeled that "college student with a cause vibe." What you didn't know is that the keffiyeh has long been a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, which opens up a whole can of worms when it comes to international politics and Zionists who see it as a symbol of oppression.

American Indian-Inspired Gear

What you think it says: I have an appreciation for indigenous cultures.

What it really says: I don't care who I offend as long as I look cool.

You might be up on this trend from fashion and streetwear labels, but American Indian tribes aren't having it. In fact, most people who rock this gear are most likely ignorant of the cultural significance of prints and headdresses, not to mention the dicey history of atrocities commited against American Indians by—you guessed it—white people. More recently, Urban Outfitters caught flack for their so-called "Navajo Panty," not just for the item, but using the Navajo name. Oof. Just pass on this trend. Solids are more timeless anyway.

Kamikaze Hachimakis

What you think it says: Look at me, I'm The Karate Kid!

What it really says: I read more manga than history books.

Hachimaki headbands, in Japanese culture, are worn as symbols of perserverance, courage, and/or effort. Like, students cramming for a test and sports team Stans rock these on the regular. However, so did kamikaze pilots in WWII, who wore the shit out of the "rising sun" symbol on their way to crashing their own planes into Allied ships and stuff. Don't get it twisted Frank Ocean does not wear one of these, so if you're trying to channel his style... how about something a little less offensive?

Kimono

What you think it says: Memoirs of a Geisha is my favorite book and The Last Samurai is my favorite movie.

What it really says: You've never met a culture you didn't want to appropriate.

You are like the herb who comes to New York, buys a "I Heart NY" tee, and then has to do everything "like the locals." You went to some up-and-coming restaurant in Brooklyn, and simply walking in the doors made their rent shoot up 15%. That's right, you are so white you gentrify the very ground you walk on. Instead of a genuine reverence for culture, tradition, and a desire to shut up for a second and observe, you insist on a mixture of doing things "your way." You are the worst kind of cultural tourist.

Du-rag

What you think it says: I need this to look way "ghetto."

What it really says: I use "ghetto" as an adjective for anything "black."

Du-rag' are not a fashion accessory—they're for the promotion of soft and tender ripples in your hair. Please don't get that fact twisted. Look at Justin Timberlake, who tried to incorporate a du-rag into his look, and failed majorly. Fact: After he removed his Tommy Gear du-rag, there was a little dribble of entitlement swishing around the reservoir tip.

Conical Hats

What you think it says: I keep the sun out of my eyes in an exotic way.

What it really says: "I love Asian girls, they're all so submissive."

You are a walking stereotype machine and everything wrong with Miss Saigon. You maybe spent a week in Vietnam eating pho or studied abroad in China and think it gave you a pass to enjoy all things Asian. It did not.

Dashiki

What you think it says: I'm cultured!

What it really says: I'm your corny white "African Studies" Professor.

Dashikis are not to be worn by anyone who is not West African, or else it's kind of disrespectful. The garment has a lot of history and culture surrounding it and it shouldn't be taken lightly. It also makes you look mad ignorant of black culture at large. In the same way not all Asians wear conical hats or kimonos, assuming Dashikis apply to all black people is also racist. The last person you want to be is the white dude who actively wants to look ethnic and celebrates Kwanzaa as a way to assuage your white guilt. The real world is not the "It's a Small World After All" ride where you can get on and off at your leisure.

Hijab/Burqa

What you think it says: #BurqaSwag.

What it really says: You are a Racist Little Monster.

There are plenty of things the burqa stands for—and none of them is "swag." Having the freedom to wear what you want does not mean it's perfectly copasetic to take your style cues from people whose fashion choices are dictated by religion, especially one with such zealous followers who will literally riot if you try to take away their right to wear religious garms. Unless you're willing to convert and take on the philosophies, customs, and practices that wearing a burqa represents, you have zero right to wear one because you think it's cool.

Anything with a slur on it

What you think it says: I'm down for the cause, so this is cool.

What it really says: I'm down for the cause, and that cause is "ignorance."

No, you have not earned your "hood pass." And no, just because your one black friend lets you call him by the n-word does not give you the right to throw it around as you please—regardless of your socioeconomic background or how "real" you keep it. The same goes for shirts emblazoned with Asian pejoratives like "Gooks of Hazzard," having mad Korean friends who introduced you to Kimchi Jigae and Bonchon Chicken does not make that shit appropriate. Clothes like this shouldn't even exist, and are better off ignored by everyone.

Blackface

What you think it says: This really sells my Lil Wayne costume

What it really says: HI, I'M A RACIST

Nothing says "I'm ignorant, IDGAF, so come kick my ass," like putting on blackface, or worse chocolate body? like this dude. First off, it's never looked realistic on anyone, and if you want to insult someone because of their race—think of something less obvious. Come on, white people! We voted for a black president! Twice. We have passed laws declaring gay marriage is equal. We have an out gay NBA player and popular rappers are denouncing homophobia. We have an adult film that was made on a computer you wear on your face. This is the FUTURE! Why the hell is this still happening?! THIS IS NEVER OKAY.