‘Allure’ Magazine Under Fire For “Afro” Tutorial Story Featuring A White Woman

Once again cultural misappropriation is a hot topic. This time around, Allure magazine got caught up in the mess. In the publications’ August issue, an article was published titled “You (Yes, You) Can Have An Afro,” which informs white women on how to achieve an “Afro.”

Sure enough, because of the recent backlash the fashion mag has received for its controversial story, Allure released a statement in an attempt to justify their decision in penning the piece. However, it’s also worth noting that they featured a white women instead of a black one as their model for the story.

READ: Amandla Sternberg On Beauty: “White Women Are Praised For Altering Their Bodies, Black Women Are Shamed.” 

Allure told Buzzfeed: “The Afro has a rich cultural and aesthetic history. In this story, we show women using different hairstyles as an individual expressions [sic] of style. Using beauty and hair as a form of self-expression is a mirror of what’s happening in our country today. The creativity is limitless—and pretty wonderful.”

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Style or otherwise, the perceived misuse of cultural ethnic trends by white people has plagued the black community lately. Remember when ‘Hunger Games’ star Amandla Sternberg criticized Kylie Jenner’s cornrows, and who could forget Rachel Dolezal? Take a look below at some of the public’s reaction to Allure’s story:

Shout out to @Allure for their tutorial on #CulturalAppropriation (i.e. teaching white girls how they too can make their hair into an afro). Here’s to the authentic Afro To quote the incomparable @amandlastenberg, “Don’t Cash Crop on My Cornrows” #TeamNatural #Afro #RockRoughAndStuff #NappturallyBeautiful #Beautiful #Natural. #Wellesley #AmandlaStenberg #Allure #AllureMagazine

A photo posted by Tayo (pronounced Ty-yo) (@tytaytai) on Aug 2, 2015 at 9:55pm PDT

Everybody want their hair styled…but don’t nobody wanna be profiled @Allure_magazine pic.twitter.com/4P22d4UIn6

This is an Afro. Not….this. @Allure_magazine pic.twitter.com/hkdsMdNG1t

— Brandy with a Y (@BtSquared2) August 2, 2015

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. We are #people, not #costumes. Not #fashion statements. Not #trends. Not #jokes. Not #pets. I thought #Afros were #dirty NSFW #ugly smelled bad #controversial #inappropriate a #distraction #attentionseeking TOO BLACK. Man, I’m so sick of this mess- I promise. Either #love us [not what we create] or you leave us alone P.S. THAT’S A #TWISTOUT, GIRL. #BLACKGIRLMAGIC #Repost @lovelythemis with @repostapp. ??? I knew this would happen but I’m surprised at how fast it happened. We are really the trendsetters. They admire us but we never get credit. #afro #kinkycurly #naturalhair #naturalbeaty #kinky #allure

A photo posted by Rebrand Chicago (@rebrandchicago) on Aug 2, 2015 at 8:10pm PDT

Do you think the fashion magazine was wrong for penning a self-help “Afro” inspired tutorial for white women? Sound off.