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Appropriation, rebranding, & reclamation: reading Bo Derek, Kim Kardashian, & Beyoncé through Stuart Hall & Kobena Mercer
(These essays are meant as my own preparation and supplemental synopsis for my students. Last essay in this series: )
The politics of race, representation, and cultural appropriation play out most visibly in the realm of popular culture. Hairstyles, in particular, have long served as a key battleground. In 1979, actress Bo Derek appeared in the Blake Edwards romantic comedy 10 wearing tightly beaded cornrows. The film, which was a box-office success and made Derek an overnight sex symbol, cemented the hairstyle as an “exotic” fashion trend in Hollywood and the fashion press. Decades later, Kim Kardashian reignited debate when she posted selfies of herself in cornrows, labeling them “boxer braids” and receiving mainstream praise, while many critics pointed out the erasure of the style’s African origins. In contrast, Beyoncé’s Lemonade (2016) presented braids and cornrows not as fleeting fashion statements but as powerful affirmations of Black identity, heritage, and resilience.
