This African/tribal print trend got me thinking.  Trends and fads go in and out as quickly as one changes their underwear. Looking at fashion magazines and blogs, I’ve noticed that the Afrocentricity trend is making a comeback.  In the early 90s, when hip hop music rang loudly with ethos of black power, responsibility, accountability, speaking words of knowledge and truth about black culture instead of denigration, it was cool and hip to rock the red, the black, and the green. Eventually the tide changed and other trends became popular, but for a moment in time Afrocentrism was “hip” and “cool.”

I love fashion, I love hip hop, and I love black culture. I love how these things inspire one another. I just hate to see a movement that has such an impact on our people cheapened and mass produced to be popularized and forgotten once the trends change like the wind. Not only do I hate it when this is done to my culture, I hate to see it done to other cultures as well. Maybe my sisters and brothers of other minority groups get annoyed as well when their cultural wares are cheapened for popular consumption.

I think it’s fine for others to have an appreciation for Afrocentricity and black culture. I also think its fine for it to receive mainstream acceptance. I think the dress I used for the image for this post  is colorful and amazing (check out the post at Sicka Than Average if you want to see more African inspired fashion). However, it’s disheartening to think that there are people who probably rock this trend understanding its origin and importance. I’m aware that many fashion conscious people are intelligent and aware of world issues, but I know that there are many who aren’t. And those are the ones who I feel should  understand the history and the “why” behind certain trends and styles.

The next time you’re in Forever 21 and you think about grabbing that African print maxi dress, take a moment to consider where the inspiration comes from.

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