Is NBA's Jeremy Lin culturally appropriating black culture? | The Tylt

Lin can say whatever he wants on Player's Tribune, but as long as he is rocking those dreads, it is cultural appropriation. Dreadlocks have a rich history with spiritual significance to many who practice the Rastafari religion. Lin might think it's cool to wear these dreads because they look good, but it is insulting to those who actually hold the symbolic significance close to their hearts. No matter intention, Lin wearing dreads is cultural appropriation.

Being Asian-American, Lin knows how it feels when your culture is stolen and misrepresented. Lin took years to work up to getting dreads because he feared he would be appropriating black culture, learning from teammates along the way. He respects the culture enough to educate himself before moving forward with the dreads. Here's an excerpt from Jeremy Lin's Player's Tribune essay:

A recent conversation I had with Savannah Hart, a Nets staff member who’s African-American, really resonated with me. I told her about my thought process — how I was really unsure about getting dreads because I was worried I’d be appropriating black culture. She said that if it wasn’t my intention to be dismissive of another culture, then maybe it could be an opportunity to learn about that culture.