I recently got into using henna - I love the feel of the clay against my skin, and the cool designs it creates! I also love how it doesn't wash off super easily.
But I got worried about the fact that it might be cultural appropriation? Middle Eastern peeps, please respond.
Well I think you're okay! You're just using henna because it looks cool and you like it so it's not like you're stealing from the culture.
(But to anyone else that replies, could you like explain what cultural appropriation is? I know what it is and all but I feel like I need to understand it better to give a better reply.)
.jpg)
I’m white, so I can’t speak to this specific case, but the main things I’ve heard regarding cultural appropriation are:
I think you’re definitely doing the right thing by asking about it.
It really depends. If you are wearing it because you've seen other celebrities using it or setting trends and not just because you like it then it would be appropriation. If you're just using it like you said that you like how it feels and that the designs look nice then you are perfectly fine.
I’m white, and by white, I mean I’m extremely pale.
I haven’t used Henna before but I’m interested in it. From what you have said, it seems good to me. You enjoy it, and you like the designs of it, which is good.
I know I was reading this topic and many people, middle eastern or not have said they’re pretty happy when a person not familiar with using henna is interested in it. Or even familiar but also still interested in using it. I got some of my info from this link;
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-offensive-if-a-white-person-wears-henna
I’m not sure if it’ll help you at all but a lot of the people answering said it wasn’t offensive for any person of any colour to wear henna. Not just white people.