Unless you have literally been living under a legit rock lately, we’re sure you’ve come across one of the hundreds of memes from 13 year old (yes, 13) Danielle Bregoli’s interview on Dr. Phil. Those of us who have been groomed with sense and raised in classic momma of color households, where calling your mother anything other than “mommy, ma, or ma’am” would result in a quite unhappy ending, collectively understand that the behavior this young girl has become infamous for displaying, would not, be a go.
Young & unenlightened Danielle “Cash Me Ousside” Bregoli, has won America’s attention by verbally and physically disrespecting her mother, and being purposefully belligerent and disrespectful to just about everyone else who disagrees with her actions. Bregoli’s platform has grown so much, that she has her own song made from her famous catch phrase spoken in her seemingly forced vernacular, “Catch me outside, how ‘bout that”, in which she was referring to Dr. Phil’s audience who were appalled by her demeanor. Most dreadfully, Danielle is also now the main focus and feature in Kodak Black’s new single and video, “Everything 1k”, as well as profiting from merchandise supporting the image she perpetuates.
Now, although this persona Danielle has seemed to get way too deep into may look to be simply funny and irrelevant to major issues, there actually is a major double standard and high level of appropriation going on that should not be taken as a joke, or disregarded as something not worthy of attention. For generations, Caucasians have benefitted off of being super cool and tough, in a super “Black way.” We have seen artists, designers, producers and others alike, profit off of being able to conceptualize and perform as a Black person…in a white body.
These people have somehow studied and learned the mannerisms, language and gotten down pact the cultural embodiment of what the infamous they thinks it is, to be Black.Way too often do we find young white women and girls getting clapped up for playing ‘follow the leader’ with Black culture, and instantly finding fame and positive recognition for it. We all know too well what has become of women of color who have showcased themselves on media, and what has become of them now. Were they given the excuse of simply being products of their environment we should feel for, and let be? Were they given any benefit of the doubt? People have been hyping this girl up as if it makes sense for her to be on some sort of pedestal for falsely being ‘real’, or ‘uncesored’. Under her Instagram posts, many of her newly 4.7 million followers have made it a habit to assure that we all know Danielle is “fabulous”, a “baddie”, and most painfully, “goals”. We have to stop this culture. Immediately. From having the infamous “they” stealing our lingo and finding celebrity, to stealing our body parts and features and profiting from them, being deemed by unique and eccentric by those in society who refuse to acknowledge the magic of the original people. It is unacceptable, and we are tired. Let our culture be. Stop reblogging/retweeting/reposting images of Danielle Bregoli. Just like double standards aren’t it, neither is she.
Dear cultural appropriators reading this; stop using the trials and triumphs that have been prevalent in society for women of color throughout our history inflicted by our oppressors to mimic our strength, tenacity and bold exterior for your own personal image and platform. Please:
Sincerely,
A Black Girl who is beyond, over it.