Peace. Love. Positivity. pic.twitter.com/4nb0d45ZJe [1]
— PATRICKSTARRR (@patrickstarrr) August 7, 2017 [2]
Beauty influencer Patrick Starrr is under fire on Twitter for a photo he posted featuring him wearing an Afro wig. Patrick, who is Filipino, originally posted the photo on Aug. 6 and simply captioned it, "Peace. Love. Positivity," but some of his followers took issue with him wearing a hairstyle rooted in black culture.
"It's cultural appropriation since he himself doesn't face the sturggles having this texture. He can literally just take it off," user @uhjamila tweeted [3]. "Don't wear black afro hair for aesthetics, thanks," @writerLB said [4]. "Appropriation is using another culture or identity as a fashion statement. THIS IS CLEARLY appropriation stop playing w me rn," @melanin_drop reacted [5].
Why we look like Beyoncé and Solange tho... @jackieaina [7] 🤣 HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL! pic.twitter.com/6C5m8ogeMz [8]
— PATRICKSTARRR (@patrickstarrr) August 7, 2017 [9]
He later clarified that the wig was part of a costume inspired by Solange's wedding look. The hair, apparently, was part of his homage to the singer.
Lasts night look was inspired by Solange on her wedding day. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dIn6acjgNR [10]
— PATRICKSTARRR (@patrickstarrr) August 7, 2017 [11]
He then wrote a series of tweets in apology. "I want to apologize for offending anyone with my hairstyle last night. I wanted to celebrate a beautiful hairstyle inspired by Solange," Patrick wrote. "I am not in any way claiming to be black. I am Filipino and accepting and I hope we can all celebrate beauty/diversity all together."
Hopefully this can be a reminder to be extra careful about understanding the origins of different beauty looks and trends. Even with good intentions, people get it wrong all [12] the time.
(1/2)I want to apologize for offending anyone with my hairstyle last night. I wanted to celebrate a beautiful hairstyle inspired by Solange.
— PATRICKSTARRR (@patrickstarrr) August 7, 2017 [13]
(2/2) I am not in any way claiming to be black. I am Filipino and accepting and I hope we can all celebrate beauty/diversity all together❤️
— PATRICKSTARRR (@patrickstarrr) August 7, 2017 [14]