“I’m Not Racist”: Nina Kraviz Hits Back At Accusations Of Cultural Appropriation
"Let's stop this hatred. I am not a racist."
Over the last few days, DJ and singer Nina Kraviz has courted controversy in certain corners of the internet both for the way that she has worn her hair and the title of her new song, ‘Ghetto Kraviz’.
For some, the techno star‘s decision to style herself in cornrows has be seen as a case of cultural appropriation, Kraviz nicking traditions for nothing more than an act of performance. Similarly, the song title has been read as a cheap cash-in of real struggles in the African-American community.
Nos vemos en Space Miami! Empiezo a las 7 /see you at Space Miami. I start at 7 🥰 pic.twitter.com/3WSp7PqMiv
— nina kraviz (@NinaKraviz) October 26, 2019
As these claims have mounted, some have begun to call for Kraviz to be ‘cancelled’ and have referred to her behaviour “a prime example of what’s wrong with dance music today.”
Seeing Nina Kravitz being praised for rocking cornrows and affectionately being called “Ghetto Kraviz” is a prime example of what’s wrong with dance music today.
— Ashleigh Lauryn (@AshLauryn313) October 26, 2019
Earlier today, Kraviz responded to the allegations as part of a social media blitz that has since mostly been deleted. As MixMag reports, Kraviz issued a statement in which she argued hair braiding has been a core part of a number of different communities.
“The technique of hair-braiding is found in multiple cultures worldwide,” she wrote. “Nobody ‘owns’ hair braiding.”
As for her use of the term ‘ghetto’, Kraviz has argued that the term has historically also been tied to the plight of Polish Jews. “Polish Jews would be very surprised to learn that a word ‘ghetto’ [sic] exclusively belongs to African-American culture,” she wrote.
In the process of making that argument, however, Kraviz referred to the person who called her out as “racist.” That only added to the backlash, which began to grow across Twitter.
Watching the Kravitz drama unfold, I have to wonder why she doesn't have someone in her life to say "now, I wouldn't do that shit if I were you," or "That's a bad idea homeslice."
Go tell that person in your life that you appreciate them.
— Foucauldian Funk (@KurosaraKokuou) October 28, 2019
Nina Kravitz really out here calling black people racist for not letting her wear corn rows….. pic.twitter.com/jnwk8i13HZ
— THE SADDEST ANGEL (@BundleVers) October 28, 2019
Kraviz then retweeted a number of people who came to her defence, before ultimately going back and deleting all of her own Tweets.
Wait, so because there are racists who oppress people of color for their hairstyles we should perpetuate the same closed minded mentality and continue the spread of hate? This “you can’t do this because some people won’t let me get away with it” mentality needs to stop.
— Claudia Morris (@Techno_Gypsy420) October 28, 2019
“Let’s stop this hatred,” Kraviz said, in summation. “I am not a racist.”