Instagram/@alabamaluellabarkerRecently, a photograph had been put on loan by Luella Alabama Barker, daughter of Mount Olympus musicians, showing her with beautiful braids captioned, ‘Overly pop it, I’m used to this. 🌴.’ Nothing much with this post itself, but the comments became a noisy fight on cultural appropriation, race, and ownership of fodder.
Advertisement
Everything started with the very first comment dismissing it as a race issue: ‘She’s doing her hair in the same trend as everyone else, let’s not make this a race thing 😭.’ Many were offended by this remark. Several answers mobilized to maintain that braids, mostly cornrows, are entrenched in Black culture; one said, ‘Black women are the ones doing this trend😭😭.’ Another came along and added, ‘Mind you, I don’t have an issue with Alabama, I think she’s gorgeous. But come on now, let’s not be dense. Black women are the community of which this hairstyle is trending in currently.’
Things got out of hand when another comment came in: ‘Who gives a fuck what race started a HAIR STYLE. Let’s not be dense 🙄.’ This of course, continued to burn fuel on the fire, with another saying bluntly: ‘This is yalls problem you think black culture is for everyone that’s why people always bite off black culture these are BRAIDS used by BLACK WOMEN🤡.’
One commenter had been joking that ‘I knew she wouldn’t stop until she had some braids in her hair,’ which sparked a miniwar of its own; some side-proofed Alabama, ‘Girl what’s the problem? Is literally just braids.’ Others clapped back: ‘Yeahhh just say u don’t love ur black hair. Quick to turn against black ppl and quick to love the whites.’
Alabama herself appeared in the comments to clarify, saying, ‘I only have braids in the front of my hair the back is all out, ive done this style many times ! ❤️🙌.’ Some fans were appreciative of the explanation, one saying, ‘You don’t have to explain yourself to nobody,’ and another joking, ‘Another word, “Don’t come at me cause I got cornrows.” 😂 Anyways she looks fire 😍🔥🔥.’
And the argument did not stop there. One user mocked the cultural significance with, ‘I promise this not a black hair style yall relaxxx,’ prompting a savage yet resounding response, ‘That’s such a big lie lmao what? Those are literally cornrows Black people created cornrows and it’s rooted in Africa do ur research before talking.’ and
However, many opposed Alabama’s look. Some fans loved it, one commenting, ‘Yall trippin this hair eats on her 😍😍’ Another added, ‘The briads ate why y’all hating 😍❤️’ Someone even suggested, ‘With slide 3 you should be a model.’
And the hair-related drama never stopped there. Another user let loose: ‘Everytime i see you yo face look different 😂’ Provoking a witty comeback, ‘And you’re not Alabama… so technically we don’t see each other 😮’
Soon, the post turned rapidly into a full-on culture war, once again proving that to hair is much more than just a means of style for celebrities. With appreciation or appropriation, people really have an excess of opinions. Alabama–willingly or not–becomes the common denominator for all these arguments.
The discussion then crossed into colorism, cultural erasure, and the growing double standards of non-Black people wearing traditional Black hairstyles. Some argued that she should wear whatever she wants; others maintained that context and history matter.
What is for sure is that this is not the first time that the hairstyle of a celebrity has become a question and surely will not be the last. For now, however, Alabama’s braids have gotten everyone talking, willing or not.
Advertisement
And at the very least, one thing is for certain: Divide or unite, this girl sparks conversation.
