I think a huge problem in this country is the fact that people are too sensitive. I have grown up in a household where I was taught to not let things get under my skin, to have a hard shell and a strong character and I could not be more thankful for that.
Constantly on social media, I see petty arguments over the smallest little things and I am actually saddened by this. I am saddened that we have become a nation that is offended by jokes that should not cause offense, a nation that is offended by comments from TV show hosts or celebrities. I am ashamed that we yell “racists” at the smallest sight of a disagreement. It’s sickening.
In April of this year, Demi Lovato posted a picture to her social media accounts with sneak previews of her new music video for “No Promises” and her fans and her non-fans had lots of responses. In the music video, Demi sported what seems to resemble a dreadlock style. She was heavily criticized and accused multiple times of cultural appropriation.
I personally think she did nothing wrong. Demi Lovato is a well-known and respected pop star. She is not in any way making fun of this primarily African American hairstyle. The hair style began around the 1930's and has been associated with the African American race ever since.
She loved the hair style, so she wore it. End of story. It is not racist. It is not anything other than love and respect. That is Demi Lovato. Of course with anything, those who dislike the celebrity will have something negative to say, but with this action, even her fans were feeling uneasy about it and voicing their feelings over this. But why was there a feeling of uneasy and hatred toward her? There is absolutely no reason to think or feel uneasy about it. If you do, you are the problem and you are creating a problem for yourself and those around you.
Here’s something actually funny about the entire situation. She does not have dreadlocks. She has twists, similar to the look Christina Aguilera wore in the “Dirrty” music video in the early 2000’s, and that Kylie Jenner recreated within the last two years as a Halloween costume. So why didn’t Xtina take fire for her hairstyle? Or Kylie for recreating it? Because this nation keeps increasing their sensitivity to everything as we continue in time. In 2016 when Kylie Jenner did this there was no problem, but fast forward a few months and Demi takes major criticism over it. That is not okay.
Demi Lovato has a picture on her Instagram from the day with her twists à la Xtina with the similar hairstyle.
If you didn’t hate Xtina for wearing, do not criticize Demi for doing the same.
