The United States is often dubbed a “melting pot” of cultures. While this leads to an incredibly diverse and rich culture, oftentimes the individual cultures that helped contribute to this collective do not get recognized. Specifically, black culture, which has been at the forefront of many popular trends, is critically underappreciated and under-acknowledged. So much of what Americans claim as their own is rooted in black history and it’s time we celebrate black culture back.
In more recent times, the monumental contribution black culture has made to music is being recognized. Most people today are aware that Jazz, Hip-Hop, R&B, and even more music genres would not be here if not for black individuals. The influence and pervasiveness of black culture did not stop there.
Black women popularized long, bejeweled nails in the 70s and 80s. Today acrylic nails, along with art that embellishes them, are recognized artistry and an aspect that is sure to elevate any look. These eye-catching nails have not always been so easily accepted, and even now are still sometimes deemed ‘gaudy’ or ‘unprofessional’. Black women paved the cultural path for their popularity and acceptance in every-day life.
Another accessory many people wear today is hoop earrings. These too come from black communities. The origin of hoop earrings can actually be traced back to 4th Century Africa. Many black musicians regularly wore hoops as accessories and in the 60s they became a popular everyday staple during the Black Power movement to celebrate Afrocentric dress. Today they are an established aspect of streetwear and individuals should be mindful of their history and cultural significance if they choose to incorporate hoops into their personal style.
Your favorite pair of sneakers also find their roots in black culture. Starting in the 70s, sneakers became more than an athletic shoe and became an aspect of cultural expression. This was most clearly seen in the hip-hop culture of the 80s and the popularity of basketball. Specifically, the birth of Air Jordans pushed sneakers into notoriety as people became Sneakerheads, collecting their favorite sneaker brands and designs.
Overall, most trends of the Y2K era, which are recirculating in modern culture, were pioneered by black artists. Missy Elliot, Destiny’s Child, and Micheal Jackson are just a few of the influential artists that created the late 90s/early 2000s fashion people having been replicating to this day. If not for visionary black individuals, America and the world would not have much of the culture or fashion it does today.
Black culture should be celebrated not just this month, but every time you enjoy a trendy that became popularized due to the efforts of Black Americans. Often time black individuals are persecuted for trends that later became popularized when non-poc individuals began to partake in them. It’s always fun to experience and participate in other cultures, but we can’t claim them as our own. American is and always will be rooted in black culture, so it is important to give credit where credit is due.