Hey guys I want to invite you to participate in one of my favorite segments of my blog, Ask Me Anything, or Ask Professor Locs.

Years of counseling students and their families, not to mention the quality time spent listening to some wise older folks, has given me a unique perspective on life.
So here we go. This question was submitted by a reader.

Question: What do you think of white people co-opting traditionally black hairstyles?

Answer:
I recently had a meeting with a white woman executive at my company, and in the course of the meeting she referred to me as “man” and “brother”. Now that is part of my personal and professional vernacular, but I had to wonder: Was she morphing her dialogue because there was a black man with locks in her office or would she use the same language if I were a white male employee?

The nature of the mainstream is to co-opt culture from marginalized communities.

Couture fashion is driven by what is hot and trendy in the streets. Hair styles are no different. We have seen a history of this from musicians covering black music and styles. Many of the current hot artists of all colors studied at the Michael Jackson school of pop art.

Stay tuned for the independent feature -- Michael Jackson: Black and White, starring Usher and Justin Timberlake…laugh!

Some say the highest form of flattery or praise is imitation. Let's face it, black culture is cool, exciting, original and hip, who would not want to have some of that...smile. I talk about the obsession of black hair in my post "I Brake for White Women".

I have locks and often see a white brother or sister with locks. They always look at me a little strange, as if I am going to berate them for wearing their hair like mine. I have no problem if that is how you want to rep yourself.

Chris Rock recently did a very funny film, “Good Hair,” where regular folks along, with celebrities, discussed the unique and complicated world of black hair.

The only problem I have is when people confuse cultural signifiers with cultural authenticity. Wearing a "black" hairstyle does not make you black, just like perming your hair or wearing weaves does not make you European. Let’s face it, there are far more black women sporting weaves than white folks with locks…smile.

But beware, you folks who want to wear black hair and "urban" style; you have to take it all -- the bad credit, racial profiling, diabetes, high blood pressure, student loans, lower wages and being followed in the store...lol.

If you guys have any burning questions or observations please share on the Ask Me Anything portion of my blog.

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Professor Locs describes himself as an African American, gay, Southern male who has had an extensive career in higher education. His column appears each Wednesday. Click here to read his blog.

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