British model issues lengthy, sincere apology for cultural appropriation
British model Emily Bador has some sincere regret for her cultural appropriation.
In a lengthy post on her Instagram, the white model issued a thoughtful apology for her appearance on the cover of Blackhair Magazine's December issue.
She explained that the photo was taken at a time when she was, "uneducated...ignorant and immature."
"I had no idea the struggles black women face and how often they were persecuted for their hair," she explained, "I didn't understand how black women are constantly told their natural hair is inappropriate/unprofessional for the work place, or how young girls are told they can't go to school with natural hair."
"I didn't understand that shoots like this support the very Eurocentric beauty standard that the mainstream media focus on," the model continued, "I didn't understand that as a white passing woman I'd be praised for this hair, but if I was a black woman I'd be persecuted. I didn't understand cultural appropriation."
Bador claims the picture is "3/4 years old," and, at the time of the shoot, was unaware it would be used by Blackhair.
"I would deeply and sincerely like to apologize to every one for this, and black women especially...I believe this shoot is from when I was around 15 and didn’t understand cultural appropriation or the impact it has on POC… I do regret doing this," she explained.
Blackhair Magazine, a bi-monthly publication based in London, has not yet issued a statement on the issue.
