I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a white man wear a bonnet.. and apparently the internet isn’t too fond of the idea either way.
White rapper Jack Harlow is being accused of appropriating Black culture once again—this time for wearing a hair bonnet in public. On Sunday, Harlow was spotted at an event for the Louisville City Football League wearing a coordinated outfit, including a black T-shirt, sunglasses, and bonnet.
Jack Harlow spotted at the Louisville City FC game. pic.twitter.com/xqdcIk6wyx
— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 12, 2023
“He wanna be black so bad,” one Twitter user wrote. “Gotta have 3-5 pages on cultural appropriation,” another commented.
black ppl can’t have nothing 🤦🏽♂️
— ᴡɪʟʟ ★ (@beyXwill) June 12, 2023
Black women have notoriously come under fire for wearing bonnets—which protect the texture of their hair—in public. Hair bonnets, scarves, and wraps have existed for centuries, viewed as beauty accessories but also as tactics to diminish pride Black women have in their hair. During American enslavement, Black women were ordered to cover their hair as a sign of inferiority.
Many social media users appeared upset that a white man was given a pass for wearing a bonnet in public while Black women are ridiculed for the same practice. “Entering the bonnets in public discourse I see,” music blogger Ladidaix tweeted.
“It’s crazy how Jack Harlow can go out in a bonnet and most people don’t care but when black women do it y’all bash us,” another Twitter user wrote.
My own damn mom was about to give me hell when we were traveling early in the morning and I was going into a chick fil a with mines on bringing up "white folks" but when I responded with I don't give a damn I was doing too much. Sometimes blk folks be they own worst enemy.
— ₭illing-₭indness❥ (@JaDeBay18) June 13, 2023
“They will say how cool, edgy, bold, or fashion forward,” a social media user tweeted. “But he certainly won’t get the burn like Black women have for the same effort in appearance. Not in the slightest. Must be nice… Love that for him.”
Oh so I guess when white people wear bonnets in public it’s not considered “ghetto.” Where the bonnet brigade at now? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/gmIvRnhrAW
— LEX (@alexisoatman) June 12, 2023
Others claimed the rapper was making a fashion statement and moving the bonnet-in-public trend forward.
“I lowkey appreciate him doing this tho… I will use these pics in further arguments about respectability politics,” a Twitter user wrote. “He is rocking that bonnet! Lol looks good,” another social media user tweeted.
Harlow has previously drawn fire from critics who say he has attempted to co-opt Black culture in his climb through the ranks in hip-hop music, despite Harlow being adamant about his respect for Black artists who influenced him. This time, some skipped the bonnet and respectability politics conversation and just couldn’t get over how silly Harlow looked. Take a look at the debate for yourself and let us know your thoughts. Are people doing too much or is this a justified side eye?
Can someone please explain to why Jack Harlow is 1. Out in public with a bonnet and 2. Wearing a bonnet?? Please pic.twitter.com/lhRi2NNAL0
— BB ELLE WOODS (@ALYSSIA2777) June 11, 2023
Jack Harlow wearing a bonnet meanwhile yall take photos of strangers in Walmart and CVS and call them bad moms, ghetto, etc etc miss me with all that and for someone who “loves black women” he should know better ?????
— Swolku (@JerbearFreeman) June 12, 2023
leaves Twitter for the day comes back to Jack Harlow in a bonnet 🫣😳 pic.twitter.com/BiRTTaMgjf
— Hanna ❤️🔥 (@hannafromatl) June 11, 2023
if i see a bunch of white kids walking around with bonnets on jack harlow will have to answer for his crimes https://t.co/HaCsYPOOef
— mr crown royal (@ogbilliam) June 12, 2023
Jack Harlow is a experiment to see how easily it would be to for white people to infiltrate, manipulate, and even be praised by the black community. We let them slide with Justin Timberlake and Eminem and now we are being punished for our ignorance… https://t.co/pQRCE0Tc9t
— beginner Dark Arts user🔮 (@OAccount96) June 12, 2023
We do not OWN bonnets its not that serious yall be so worried about everyone else but yourself and idc about Jack Harlow the bonnet thing is just mad annoying its not that deep. https://t.co/ocHtp1eeze
— Nae💙 (@NasharraBaee) June 12, 2023
Y'all ain't never seen a non black person wearing a bonnet. Let's stop being willfully obtuse. Yall too quick to defend cultural appropriation while shaming your own people for the same shit. Fuck Jack Harlow and everyone defending him.
— IHateYou (@ImMeFU29) June 13, 2023
Jack Harlow was not wearing no damn bonnet 10 years ago in his rich suburb before being a rapper, like what changed? pic.twitter.com/Ehh6A4H19m
— Zacky (@LustForCarey) June 12, 2023