Justin Bieber’s new dreadlocks spark racial appropriation disputes

Justin Bieber is no stranger to shocking the public, and his most recent surprise has swept the media once again. The world-famous pop star showed up to the iHeartRadio Music Awards with his blond hair in an interesting new style: dreadlocks. The simple change in style caused an uproar all over social media about cultural appropriation and whether this hairstyle is appropriate for a certain race only.

Racial appropriation is no new debate, but Bieber has just added some ample fuel to the fire. As soon as pictures of Bieber’s dreads hit his Instagram for the first time on April 3, the popstar received a large amount of backlash. Some of his Instagram followers immediately took offense to the style, saying dreads are “African-American, and if you aren’t African-American than you shouldn’t be wearing them.” But of course, this is Justin Bieber, so his “Beliebers” were quick to defend the embattled pop star and his new hair choice.  Some media outlets, such as iHeartRadio’s Twitter page,  immediately showed a liking to Bieber’s hair and continued to call him a fashion icon. Either way, the new look has started discussion about whether or not it is appropriate for caucasian people to wear hairstyles typically worn by African Americans.

Justin Bieber has also been compared to African-American pop singer Zendaya, who recently tried out the dreadlocks look as well. Despite her heritage, Zendaya also received negative backlash for the hairstyle. This backlash, however, was not based on cultural appropriation, but rather on her looks. Unsurprisingly, many people’s comments were in a negative light. Even celebrity Guliana Rancic commented on her hair and called it “smelly”. Justin Bieber taking up this hair-do and receiving such positive feedback from major media outlets on social media as opposed to Zendaya fired up supporters of racial appropriation, who didn’t understand why the white Bieber was praised for the hairstyle, yet Zendaya was made fun of.

Other than the argument that dreads are only for African-Americans, many argue that Bieber is trying to turn this hairstyle (that has been significant to the black culture) trendy. Some are mad that this hairstyle which has been made fun of and overlooked for hundreds of years is now called ‘trendy’ simply because Bieber is wearing it now. Many African-American people have been discriminated by this hairstyle and now Bieber has been glorified by wearing it. 

However, there are counter-arguments saying that Justin Bieber is only trying out a new hairstyle and should not be associated with racial appropriation. Others, particularly in Bieber’s loyal teenage-girl fanbase, seem to like the hairstyle. Even Bieber himself showed he thinks the social appropriation argument is ridiculous when he said “[People say] you wanna be black and all that stuff, I’m like ‘it’s just my hair’.” Whatever the case may be, social appropriation arguments still carry on, and once again, Justin Bieber is the center of a brand new dispute.