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afropunk 2013

Edgy Or Ghetto? Is Race A Factor In People's Perception?

Are most Black girls with colored hair considered "ghetto" (in a negative way) while their white counterparts are considered edgy and cute? While it is true a lot of "ghetto" black females do like to color their hair is it such a pronounced thing that any other black woman who dyes their hair is grouped in with them.
Even if they are ghetto why should they be brought down for having dyed hair when so many people of other races are deemed so many positive things when they dye their hair the same way. Why do we have to crush the creativity of someone just because of their race?


Words by Jasmine

I have been meaning to write about this for a while now. I came across this post:



The girls in the post look more indie to me. Though I would really need to meet them to confirm this guess. There is more to ghetto than just looks most of it comes from an accent and behavior. So thinking someone is ghetto, trashy or some other word that you mean to sound negative with only their looks to go by is ridiculous. I dye my dreads different unnatural colors all the time. But I do not think i have run into anyone who thought I was ghetto because of it. And if they did my clothing, accent, and mannerism probably changed their minds.

I've seen white girls with this hair style and they did not end up being called "ghetto"

I think there are obvious differences in aesthetics between an alternative black woman and a "ghetto" black woman. With Goths, punks, and Lolita the difference tends to be really obvious. Though a ghetto aesthetic would have bright colors in their makeup, clothes and big or unique hair Which is in common with those sub cultures, they would have different ways of wearing that. The jewelry would be different, The shoes would be different (though there are some similarities between ghetto boots and Gothic boots). Goths can be separated by their black lace or fishnet shirts. Punks can be separated by their extreme Mohawks and and DIY band t-shirts. And well Lolita is never going to get confused with ghetto for obvious reasons.

Jasmine's blog: http://www.colormegoth.com

Views: 4370

Tags: Color, Edgy, Ghetto, Goth, Hair, Look, Or, Race

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Comment by Black Caviar on October 3, 2012 at 1:13pm
Matta fact, that's where "The Hunger Games" nem get style ideas from, da Hood, da Black Ghetto, da Blocc, Sekshun 8 Jecks...
Comment by Black Caviar on October 3, 2012 at 1:07pm
I wish people could travel more. I have a photo from Dubai of two non-American women with outrageous hair "art", considering the air heat temps that day. I wonder whether people approve/disapprove of other's personal style because it truly differs from their own sense of style or if peer pressure is the bottom line. Color of hair is a non-issue to me. As for style, I need to be comfortable but I'd rock hairstyles like in "The Hunger Games".
Comment by Patrick Thunderbreath Chappelle on August 9, 2012 at 2:28pm

From what I'm seeing in that Tumblr discussion, the participants themselves are Black. In my opinion, it doesn't necessarily have to do with race, but with human nature. Many of us feel the need to deride or condemn others who do not conform to our particular sense of standards. 

Take these two incidents that happened in England, where two teens (one an Emo, the other a Metalhead) were brutally beaten because of the way they dressed, and the music they listen to. This is obviously beyond name-calling, which I personally don't have a problem with. I embrace the looks of disgust, and the ignorant comments (I've been in quite a few violent confrontations, but none of them had anything to do with my choice of dress or music). To be honest, I'm surprised the term "ghetto" and not "freak" was used to describe the women with colored hair in that discussion. The latter is what I usually hear, or "weirdo" or other synonymous term. 

Caucasians have less of a problem with these things than we do. The squares have a problem with alt (or non-mainstream) culture, the Hip Hop and R&B types have a problem with the headbangers and punks, and nobody likes Emos (lol). But as long as nobody is getting their face stomped in because of their style of dress or musical preference, I say bring it on. I've been through worse, I can take it.

Comment by Arissa Nirvana on April 13, 2012 at 3:27pm

everyone else gets to dye their hair all kind of colors but when we do its ghetto? kiss my ass and purple highlights bitches! hair color white or black just depends on how to works on the person

Comment by Intellect in Isolation on March 17, 2012 at 11:35pm

I never really thought about it like that, but I guess there's some truth to it. I've seen white girls (and some guys) at the school dye their whole head bright blue, green, or pink and no one ever really says anything about it. My friend (who is also white) dyed the front half of her hair hot pink and she's like a celebrity because of it (granted, it looks really hot on her). But if a black girl walks around with bright red hair, she'll get called out as ghetto real quick.

My other friend, who is half black, was so afraid to just streak her hair purple because of what people would say about her. It really made me sad too because I think she looks so good with it. My friends and I are all pierced and tatted (or have plans for tats), but this really makes me want to push the boundaries even more.

Comment by Fashionfreak on March 12, 2012 at 3:46pm

that 'Haute Mess' crap is an editorial from Vogue Italia ... they always have these weird editorials that so called pay homage to the urban community. Honestly it looks like a mockery...

Comment by Ralliebox on March 11, 2012 at 1:09pm

Jamaican Dancehall fashion trends has ALWAYS been in the urban community. Piercings, mohawks, colored hair, tattoo laden bodies are all indigenous to our people either way. In my eyes, its not punk/alternative etc etc.. its OUR culture, always has been. This is HOOD SHYT.. Even the music.  #justfortherecord   "we put big rims on cars, its called ghetto. They put big rims on trucks its called monster trucks. They even provide an arena to gather the enthusiasts."- Wise Intelligence   I love y'all , and every expression of OUR culture.

Comment by groovacious on March 11, 2012 at 12:10pm

It's that stigma in the black community...but I think it's slowly changing as the "punk/alternative" look is becoming more mainstream and hitting the urban community.

Comment by oilkanlarry on March 10, 2012 at 9:08pm

@∑∉∅∲ "so...um...what the fuck is this?" Looks like "trying to gadamn hard to be noticed I think".... That just my thoughts tho. They need to drop "HAUTE" from that.

Comment by oilkanlarry on March 10, 2012 at 9:03pm

@POLARVIBEZ (claps hands) Thats real right there.


 

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