Justin Bieber defends Kylie Jenner after she is accused of 'cultural appropriation'

The singer says the controversy around the model's cornrows is ridiculous

Justin Bieber (Getty)

Justin Bieber has defended Kylie Jenner after she was called out for ‘cultural appropriation’ by Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg.

Stenberg pointed out that Jenner’s new cornrows were an appropriation of black features and culture, and criticised Jenner for failing to use her position to help promote diversity or open up a dialogue on issues affecting black Americans.

She responded with ‘Mad if I don’t, Mad if I do… Go hang w Jaden or something’.

But Bieber has now stepped in to defend her after Jenner was condemned on social media for her lack of understanding.

Justin Bieber defends Kylie Jenner on Instagram (Instagram/justinbieber)

He said: “Guys leave her alone, were [sic] all trying to figure it out and she happens to be under a microscope! I’m the first to know this. But saying she’s being racist because she wants her hair in braids is ridiculous. Let’s focus on the bigger picture and instead of fighting over something stupid lets [sic] do something about equality, but it doesn’t start here blasting a 17 year old kid for wearing braids smh.”

While it’s nice to see Bieber show an emotional side, given he’s spent the last two years being an insufferable brat, it’s worth pointing out that criticising someone for appropriating isn’t the same as calling them racist.

Stenberg has previously spoken out against cultural appropriation. In a video entitled “Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows,” she discussed her views on the misappropriation of black culture, from music to hairstyles.

“Appropriation occurs when a style leads to racist generalisations or stereotypes where it originated but is deemed as high fashion, cool or funny when the privileged take it for themselves,” she says in the video,

“Hip hop stems from a black struggle, it stems from jazz and blues, styles of music African-Americans created to retain humanity in the face of adversity.

“On a smaller scale but in a similar vein, braids and cornrows are not merely stylistic. They’re necessary to keep black hair neat.”