Home / News / 12-Year-Old White Girl Gets Harshly Criticized for Showing Off Her Blonde Box Braids on Social Media [Photos]

12-Year-Old White Girl Gets Harshly Criticized for Showing Off Her Blonde Box Braids on Social Media [Photos]

January 18, 2015 176 Comments

12-Year-Old Mallory Merk decided to try something new with her hair.

Like most 12-year-old girls, she was excited to show off her new look to friends on social media. Things quickly escalated after pictures of Mallory in her new blonde box braids started to make rounds.

Many people found the braids to be ‘offensive’ and just another form of cultural appropriation.

@mallorymerk The point we are trying to make is that its offensive all we have is our culture nd whether u knew it or not u took what’s supp

— CaramelCreamQueen (@Gvddvss) January 18, 2015

RT @shugnice: Black men: “Why are black women up in arms about white girls wearing box braids and locs” pic.twitter.com/fX7BYiP3iK — Praline Queen (@blowticious) January 18, 2015

Black women saying white women can't get braids while they're running around with blonde hair. ????

— Keifer. (@HeyKeifer) January 18, 2015

EBONY.com senior editor Jamilah Lemieux summed up the majority of backlash and opposition:

Yes, something as “trivial” as a hairstyle can be triggering or upsetting. Let us have it. This goes to everyone, btw.

— jamilah (@JamilahLemieux) January 18, 2015

It’s feeling like psychological torture, esp against the backdrop of state-sanctioned murder and the #BlackLivesMatter movement… — jamilah (@JamilahLemieux) January 18, 2015

…our bodies, our music, our fashion, our lips, our hair…everything about us is ripe for the picking by people WHO DO NOT TREAT US WELL.

— jamilah (@JamilahLemieux) January 18, 2015

This is not happy cultural mixing where you bring the blonde and I bring the braids, because you hate me and tell me as much all the time. — jamilah (@JamilahLemieux) January 18, 2015

It wasn’t all bad though — a lot of people showed support for Mallory and her new choice of hairstyle.

@journeymah @aesthetiches @mallorymerk @xuicy my black ass thinks her hair looks fine. What’s the big deal?

— beavis. (@SadgirlBambi) January 18, 2015

Bringing race into Mallory’s hair is absolutely ridiculous and proves you are indeed a racist.

— ryan (@slootskies) January 18, 2015

Leave @mallorymerk alone Jesus fuck. You should be able to do whatever the fuck too want with your hair no matter what race you are fuck!!

— Bella (@bellaa_raee) January 18, 2015

@mallorymerk you look gorgeous in those braids! Your ethnicity doesn’t determine how you should wear your hair!! You’re werkin it!

— dede (@irlaltruist) January 18, 2015

Mallory later issued the following apology:

We’re not sure if 12-year-old Mallory crafted that apology herself or had help from her parents, but it’s refreshing to see someone make a sincere apology even if their intentions weren’t to offend.

So, we have to ask love muffins — what do you think of Mallory’s braids? Are they offensive? Or are they simply a little girl trying out a new style?

DannyScorp

A little girl trying out a hairstyle. Just like African American women use weaves and extensions aka braids for long hair that’s why she did it. White women wear weaves aka tracks also so what makes her having box braids different? These people Must have no life to attack a 12yr old over a hairstyle in which she looks super cute by the way.
Signed A Black woman.
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- Stephanie Bryson
  
  She looks super cute. And last I check black people didn’t own braids. I’m a black women and I must say only a black insecure female would be mad. Signed by another black women
  - Danielle
    
    I cosign both ^ People are absolutely ridiculous.
    Signed another black woman
    - shawn
      
      Ur right it was wrong to criticize but it’s so foolish of u if u r really a “black woman” to feed into the hype if something that n the end depicts and portrays African Americans in a negative way shame on u both
  - shawn
    
    Y do u have to denounce “black” people just cuz u don’t agree. ..A few people made comments about this shit so u write “insecure black women problem’s” don’t always feel the need to come to the aid of a white person…its not the end of the world we go through way more so i hope ur as expressive for real issues
BzeBeauty

Just ridiculous.. Its hair people…. We relax and put weaves and ppl who are born with straight hair don’t tell us to get back our natural curls and kinks… We waste our energy on futile things.. We are not our hair!!! She bought it and she shud wear it!!
T. green

And this is where America has talked the wrong turn. Really people! How does her new hairstyle aide in the destruction of our culture? Have we as African Americans become so racially consumed that we believe the bullying of a 12 year old child is appropriate because she chose to wear box braids? I believe it to be flattering and refreshing. Smh!!
Gerilyn

My goodness it is a hairstyle. Black women who get relaxers, are we trying to be white. Give me a break. So much is going on in this world that are much bigger than a simple hairstyle. Rock your braids baby!
- Bklynrow
  
  No sorry black women who get relaxers are trying to make their hair more managable so stop right there with that assumption.
  - http://nope.com Tata Dyniece
    
    She was making a point. Lol she was saying the exact thing that you are.
  - creative
    
    U can manage ur hair in its natural form of kinks and curls so ur assumption is off as well. In the beginning perms, relaxers or whateva u want to call it was to make black hair resemble euro hair. You can say it was to manage all u want but who are u to say that she is assuming when u are as well. Please note I am black so it’s not a racist issue here.
    - Jendayi Butler
      
      That is not true, I CANNOT manage my hair in its natural state. Been having a perm since I was a child. My hair has two or more hairs growing out of each follicle. So you might want to incorporate the word “some” when you are describing others.
      - Devin Funderburke
        
        Well im natural and can mange my hair. There are alot who cant manage natural hair and many who can
      - Ugly Ass Ming Ling
        
        Just them lazy ones
      - TokenMixedGirl
        
        ^THIS.
        
        It took me until I was in my early 20’s to figure out what to do with my bushy curls, besides putting a blow-dryer or a straightening iron to it.
      - Lily Jones
        
        actually you CHOOSE to not be able to manage it. its your hair and you will figure out how to work with it. if putting toxic chemicals on your hair( and into your lungs) is right for you so be it. same with this little girl. Black people can be so damn ignorant.
      - Samantha
        
        I agree you choose not to manage your hair since you have been chemically straightening and relaxing it since a child .. You haven’t learned and chose not to. You think back when this chemical stuff was invented people said they can’t manage their OWN head … No. If you watch good hair by Chris rock it teaches you about this and where relaxing and perming came from and history wise it does have to do with looking more euro.. Maybe not what it is today but it’s where it was derived from
      - Ugly Ass Ming Ling
        
        Stop making a damn excuse. If black women stop being lazy and take care their hair it would be easy. It become hard once you start putting all those chemicals in it. Be real
      - Rosh
        
        Wait a damn minute!! Black women are not lazy!!
    - Ugly Ass Ming Ling
      
      Boom.
    - Pat
      
      You comment is so true.
  - SeriouslyCommonSenseisNeeded
    
    ok well what about these women dying their hair blonde and red? Seriously? Either way it can be interpreted that black women are trying to make their hair more Caucasian.
    
    Peace, Love, and Curls
    - Rosh
      
      Black people are born with blonde and red hair. All of us are not born with black hair.
  - seriously
    
    Sorry but if you learn about what relaxers were used for you would understand that it was to get the euro look. I used to get them to get that straight silky look and stopped because I have dermatitis and it was hurting my scalp more than anything. I now have natural hair and its manageable. You can tell yourself whatever you want but that is not the reason black women get it. They might tell themselves that but be real.
jasmin

I agree with the 2 below. How are you going to say she cannot wear braids but black woman can chemically alter their hair to male it straight dye it blonde but that is ok…but her putting in extensions in box braid form is not…..people pick your damn battles….this little girls choice of hair style is not any type of racism in my eyes nor does iy make her to be what you poisoned minded people say it is….she is expressing herself….if we want racism to end you do not attack the innocent…she was admiring a womans hair style and chose it for herself…..cut the shit she is 12…..i am biracial and think that this is one fight that is not a fight you people are just trying to start one to make a point that cannot even be made….she lools cute its a hair style let it go!!!! And if thats how you really feel then go natural and stop alteting your hair to lool like a white woman!!!!!! Because we all know that weave that relaxer or those braids arent your real hair or ethnically correct either!!!!
- Ugly Ass Ming Ling
  
  Damn this is the best comment I heard. Well said. I mean the more that we scream racism about small stuff then the more we seem racist. Like you said, what if white people get offended about black women wearing blonde weave with straight hair.
shannon Henson

I’m going to a bollywood party next weekend. I am encouraged to try saree and other styles. I thought I would offend someone. Wouldn’t it be nice if people were not so quick to get offended when people try new things….especially seeing that black women try straight and blond styles. Try what you want and be happy with your self. As long as someone is not trying to take on a style with an offensive nature just go with it. Let people be.
- Samantha
  
  I find Indian cultures and Muslim cultures ( sorry if I didn’t write that correctly) are very inviting of others interest in their cultures and learning then
  - MissRae
    
    I think you meant Middle Eastern culture, but I get what you were saying.
shamekqua

Looking Nice its your hair and if you want to try new things go ahead I do it all the time
concernedforfuture

Ok first off claiming something as stupid as hair which by the way isn’t your real hair to claim to begin with is trivial and stupid. That’s all you have as your claim to culture is synthetic hair??? Get a life. The double standard is stupid. You don’t want people to judge u based on your appearance then don’t judge a 12 year old child. Get a life!!! Everyone should be able to live their life as they want… Long hair short hair I don’t Care honestly. Just let others be who they wish! Mallory just be you! Instead of sticking with her and saying hey u look great! U tear her down? Ur a bully and should be ashamed!
Shantwon Brown

Sooo blacks r mad because a white girl wanted box braids and she has blonde hair???? Okay sooo when black women put ratchet ass colors in there hair like green red.. Purple.. Oh yea and BLONDE!!! can I call them racist.. She’s a 12year old girl… Y’all are grown asf getting mad at a 12year old because she wanted t try box braids… Baby girl… U dnt havrto apologize to no damnbody wear ur hair how u want to.. If they got a probleproblem with it tell them to mind there own fukin business
- Aquilah Lawrence
  
  ?? Excuse you but not every woman who wears a color weave is ratchet. I will change my hair color every month and will never be ratchet. Thank you very much
  - http://cork13.wordpress.com ????Mark Bryan?
    
    That was her point. You can wear color weave without being ratchet, this white girl can wear box braids without being a stupid racist girl.
  - Ugly Ass Ming Ling
    
    Bitch you is ratchet
- Annoyed
  
  Wow so it’s ratchet when an African American woman puts color in her hair, so would you describe Katy Perry and Pink as rachet also? Why such harsh words? I don’t get people!
  - Samantha
    
    The point was NOT every person who wears colored weave is ratchet just like this young Caucasian girl is not racist just because she is wearing braids .. The girl was just makin a point calm down
dede

Me being a black women look at as a complement to our race……So, many blacks have tried to imitate white women and now they are imitating us…It’s a reversal going on …. That’s just shows the time’s have changed
Tati

I think her hair is cute and it looks nice on her…
GinaP

This little girl is responding to popular culture, it just happens to be Black folks culture. The wonderful thing about our society is that we share culture, cultural experience and cultural style.
Denise

So dumb. That’s like telling non-hispanics not to eat tacos cause its not “their culture”. The beauty of this country is that we all can express our cultures and adopt ones of others and not be criticized for it. Well, that’s how I was raised.
Musette Roberts

Are you kidding me? With as many “Black Women” including myself that weave, braid, relax, press, flat iron and even wear wigs should never pass judgment on any female for her hairstyle. I know personally when I add tracks to my hair I’m not trying to be white. And my brown skin sister wears blonde weaves and she is more into her “Blackness” then myself, she’s not trying to be white either. It’s about style and looming and feeling cute. That’s it and that’s all. No disrespect to any other race. This little girls looks super cute with her braids. And I think it’s sad that hypocritical people judged her, instead of applauding her bravery for stepping out of the box.
NoLove FaNone

Bs… My “white” daughter wears braids, sock buns, pin curls, ponies, twisties, ect. She has grown up in the black culture and doesn’t see a difference in any color or disability a person may be or have. I see small minded people when you judge a child over a hair style and to not realize dispite the things going on in the media… A lot of the world have plenty of happy mixes of every kind. Im proud to say im from a place like that and my child doesn’t have to feel bad for embracing the cultural things of those around her that she loves dearly… Lord help those that cannot see a untied world.. Even in the smallest way.
end the word

We have bigger problems in society than getting all riled up about this baby’s hairstyle. How about get this outraged about black on black crime. Get outraged about our babies getting killed. Get outraged about police brutality and funds being cut to schools. Those are some things to be outraged about instead of a hairstyle.
D- MesMorEyes

Why should Mallory apologize?!!! Ridiculous!! Black women pay thousands of dollars for fake, real and fabricated hair that often doesnt match their skin color and especially hair texture and none of them are going to apologize. No matter how bad the weave or wig looks they will tell you its their right to do whatever they want with their hair and money. So to attack a 12 year old child for wearing an age appropriate and may i say well done hair style is just mean, hateful, jealous and immature.
Kim Castillo

Some people can be so childish, she can’t have box braids, since when is box braids black culture, and if it all about th culture how about you rock your bald head instead of buying hair that is clearly no coming from black people but people from all cultures , this racist thing is soo annoying and it has to stop
Aniyah Sydney Renne Tifari

If she wants braids so what! Kids are off limits
TrinaSweet JuiceePeach Scott

What’s so offensive about her wanting box braids How many black women sporting damn blonde weave or dying their hair blonde Leave this child alone if she want micros, box braids or dreads it’s her hair and her damn right I have seen plenty of white people rocking dreads that look good Yes it’s our culture but that don’t mean we can stop another race from copying our culture You should be proud to know another race is so fascinated to actually copy our styles Remember our issues are for more serious than this child hair Our issues in this country go back decades Let’s focus on having equal rights as other races Mallory sweetheart you didn’t need to apologize your hair is beautiful Keep your braids and ignore IGNORANT PEOPLE LOVE YOURSELF AND LOVE YOUR FELLOW HUMAN THIS WHY WE WERE CREATED TO HELP AND LOVE LOVE
Jazzmin

I love it on her and I’m upset ppl actually made her feel that way and their racist for calling her a stupid little white girl. I’m black and Puerto rican by the way and those ppl who are offended by her hair are VERY ignorant! And insecure and just straight up hating. Ppl needa stop throwing out the race card
Lorraine Berry

I see a lot of comments starting with this weave stuff was ours and they took it noooooo sorry to disappoint but Europeans have worn wigs and weaves for centuries giving it to the slaves and bonded works when they became unusable. With that being said she is 12 get over yourself
Yolani Dinorah Abreau

As hard as it is. She shouldn’t even have responded to any of these people. She doesn’t have to apologize for a decision she made for a hairstyle. Celebs get judged 24/7 and they don’t reply to the stupid comments they get constantly they just keep on shining and let the haters hate.
Anonymous

GAWDAMN. Leave this baby alone.
nikki

For them to attacm a 12 year old because of a hairstyle is appalling. People need to grow up and stop the petty shit.
sapphire_29

This is y as minorities we don’t progress because people make a big deal out of stuff like this. Let the girl live!
Anonymous

It’s not offensive to me. I don’t see the problem and the idiots who were commenting with with the negative crap should be ashamed. Why on earth would you comment on on a little child’s picture because because of a hat style.
Chanel

No such thing as a black or white hair style , that’s so petty and she shouldn’t have to apologize for doing her hair how she wanted it . People in Brazil and India should be upset then
Bklynrow

This is too ridiculous, smh allow that child, since when do we attack a child for expression?
JMay

That was a little girl being a little girl. Who is to say that her black best friend didn’t do those braids for her? We always fight those who could possibly help us fight our daily battles with social acceptance. Maybe this could catch on and braids can somehow become accepted in the corporate workplace. Someone else made the great point that Black women seem to not have these same opinions when wearing blonde weave…
http://nope.com Tata Dyniece

I think its cute. The comment above where it said something about black women talking down on this little girl while we wear blonde hair is true. Hair is hair. People try to make everything a race issue when it’s not. This style actually looks nice on her! I commend her for publicizing her new hairstyle as well as those that support the look on her. She’s gorgeous..

Sincerely at blonde hair black girl.
James Holiday

She can do whatever she want with (Her Hair) it’s none of you damn business…!
beckalec

Her hair is cute and everyone who’s going in is just bored apparently this is why I don’t like ppl ….. Well some ppl …. Why the f**k nd who the f**k cares about bn black or white it’s just hair everybody does different stuff with there hair all the time leave this baby alone
Mieque Roberson

@ Mallory…. wear your hair however you want to. You look adorable doll! I am a black woman and I would wear blonde hair if I wanted to. What’s the difference? My great grandmother is white and I love her to pieces! People acting being racist … We are all a part of the human race! People need to leave you alone. Keep your head up and your hairstyle is your choice.
Mj

I think black women or black people in general are so double standard you can steal the blue eyes and the blonde hair, but she can’t have box braids. That is completely ridiculous everyone wants to result to the African American culture but I highly doubt half of the “African-American” women who are being so judgmental do not honor their culture enough to speak ill on a twelve year old. Everyone needs to be concerned about themselves cause that’s the big issue in or society today everyone is worried about the next person when no one can just live their life these days.
brittany

I’m African American & I thought the braids were cute on her. She’s a pretty girl. She should be able to do whatever she chooses with her hair and not be criticized for it. Everything isn’t about race. That’s mental slavery. White women wear extensions and black women wear blonde hair. Just do what makes you happy.
Moving on…

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Cultural appropriation is a HUGE part of being American. We ALL do it!
Asia Badgett

Im sorry that ignorant people made u feel bad about getting braids. Im a black hairstylist and ive braided plenty of white girls hair, in box braids and cornrows with colored hair. I wish people would focus on more important issues. I hope u didnt take ur hair down. Rock those braids baby.
Th3Archit3ch

Great now I feel guilty all those times I put neon shoelaces in my hair.
Melissa Van Vorst

I love my braids <3
Bo william

Bro leave the kid alone, its a hair due. It works on her and she likes it, that should be end of this story . Sheeesh.
Michelle

I loved her braids and she looks beautiful in them! We as black people need to cut the crap. We want to be equal to white people, wear our hair like theirs, make equal pay, and anything else we think we deserve because they deserve it; however, the minute they infringe on something that we consider “ours” it’s a problem. You either want equality for all or NOT!
brebk24

That is
E. Bianca

Love love love her hair! You rock it well girl!
Klaudia F.

African ladies, afro-american ladies, straightening their hair, is not really of their culture, or like it was mentioned before, blond hair.
Concerning braided hair, it is absolut nonsense to claim braided hair to be black peoples culture. They ought to read up on some historical back ground of braided hair.
brebk24

That is stupid I’ve seen a white girl with braids before just like we see black women with blonde hair all the damn time get over it and yes I’m black
Mysterious Lady

Black people need to get over themselves. This little girl just wanted s new look. Ya go blonde all the time snd wear hair that isn’t yours has anybody complained?!!# I’m so sick of this racist bullshit!!!
Allahs MostPrecious Jewel

This is absolutely ridiculous! Black women wear blonde hair, weaves, relax the natural curl from their hair to have bone straight hair like white women, bleach their skin and wear contacts to have eyes like white women but you don’t see white women complaining about US trying to be white. Some people need to get a life! To attack a 12 year old girl for a hairstyle is stupid. White women have been wearing braids since the late 70s. Christina Aguilera did it, Kim and Chloe Kardasian both did it along with millions of other white women…get over it!
Stacia LeAnn

I’m not offended by this, but I can see why people are. In this culture black women and girls who wear their natural hair, different colors, and braids have been looked down upon, as unkept, ghetto, and uneducated by whites, blacks, and other races. When a white person or someone who can almost pass for white do the same thing ( in Hollywood especially) they get praise. A black woman relaxing her hair isn’t the same as a white girl getting braids. Western European physical attributes is considered the epitome of beauty, and the standard everyone else have to strive for. History and today shows the negative views on kinky hair, too dark skin, big butts on black women. So, in the past blacks tried to look more white to be accepted and it carried on today as beauty norms. Now a new wave of loving your natural beauty has started and is slowly being accepted. This little girl is only 12, and may have done that because she saw it on a black woman and thought, wow, beautiful I want that. The attacks on this child is mean and shouldn’t have happened she’s a child.
Hampshire O. Collins

By far the dumbest shit i have ever read
Natosha Richardson

Last time I checked box braids didn’t define the ENTIRE black community. I’m sure most of us at some point have bought or participated in some white products or activities. Offensive? No. No one says anything to the straight brazillian and remy hair wearers about them being racist. She’s 12 people There arE far to many other things to in this sad, pathetic world to worry about.
Toya

I think she looks super cute with her braids !!
Blaqgod

I know doggone well the Indian, blond hair weave wearing, Revlon eyelash blinking, green contact wearing, MAC applying black woman ain’t talking about being “offended”…How about nurturing and promoting your OWN NATURAL before engaging those who you’re buying from to emulate..RIDICULOUS
Mara

No thats just crazy….its just a hairstyle a freedom of speech…I am black and I feel like in today’s society we have the right to choose how we want to look with out it always going in to a racial remark. THIS IS INNOCENT FUN for her I remember being in middle school braiding my friend hair who was white in cornrolls because she always admired my braids and wanted to try that style in her hair but she was afraid. ITS just hair if we tend to worry about the small things then the big things will never get fix because we are ALWAYS worrying about things that aren’t irrelevant. LET THAT YOUNG LADY EXPRESS HER INDIVIDUALITY RATHER Then knocking HER CREATIVITY DOWN.
MzAlisia

This is ridiculous! Seriously she’s a baby. Grown people attacked somebody’s baby over some hair. These same people we would be upset if someone came at their baby like that. They need to be ashamed of themselves. People have the right to rock their hair however they want. Some of my people are quick to take offense to the smallest things without really thinking about if the situation warrants it or not. She is a baby having fun with her hair. Leave her alone. From a Proud Black Women happily rocking box braids.
Tiffaney

Why is everyone mad at a 12 year old, because she braided her hair. This has gone too far.. Let little Ms. Mallory live. Yall are attacking a child and there was absolutely no need for her to apologize for her hair.. yall need to stop this… for real.
ajackson

A pointless attack since we do not get people to pay to witness and taste our in our culture.

Black women with weave and perm is nothing even compared to this. A whole different psychological and historical difference.
saria

lol sick world, next time make them purple, you look beautiful.
lola

She is 12 guys. If we don’t stop this color war with our children when will it stop? If you are wanting this girl not to have braids then stop straightening your hair.
Tribeca

Who cares….they look cute on her just like they looked cute on my lil caramel baby girl when she was 12 they looked cute on me back I’m 1997 who cares she’s 12 and anyone who attacked her is crazy most 13 year Olds are still babyish…..she wanted longer hair after seeing a woman in the street who I’m sure was black and she liked them…and I’m pretty sure whoever did her braids was black and seeing it any done to perfection near the root probably a friend…..instead of getting mad about this how about being in an uproar over what happened in Nigeria!!!!
tatyana

You can do whatever you want with your own hair… Ignore all h8terz! The style looks great on her.
Shelby Hindle

It’s a fucking hairstyle, entitled to everyone, not a culture! People are getting upset for no reason. Black women and men can do whatever they want to their hair, why can’t white women? It’s not taking away from your culture.. you guys must be extremely bored to attack a 12 year old girl over her CHOICE of hairstyle..
- Shelby Hindle
  
  If anything its sharing it..
monica

It’s offensive to ignorant people who have yet to evolve… live and love. Do you and enjoy life.
melissa

This is stupis when I was her age I did the same thing and no one was going off on me! Its a multi country now….
nicey

Nothing to Rant over at all. People are just always looking for something to be upset about. Theres more important things in the world to be worried about. Get over it!!! This is a child!! If She wants to where box braids let her. Smh nobody is telling us black women not to where weave
Jenna Potts

There are grown black women who bleach their skins to be lighter and got weave all shades of blonde. Leave this little girl alone.
kitten

All I have to say is wow. Why do people have to be so ignorant. First off it doesn’t matter what race you are people have braids anyways. It doesn’t involve race whatsoever and hearing it a culture or black thing is ridiculous. I think she looks really cute with braids. People are just jealous and igorant cause she is thinking outside of the box and trying something new.

We are getting older and being a mixed race I love trying new things regardless of race preference. I’m glad that this little Girl I s showing people to not be afraid and try new things out.
But yet you critize her and call her a racist. Jeeze grow and let her enjoy the new style.

12 year old girl you should not ashame for what you did what you did was mature you tried something new. And it is good you did cause it’s showing shy women out there that they can accomplish and try new things out. I’m proud of you for doing that. You are different and I like that no one is exactly the same and think differently. I’m glad that you had the courage to try something out of the box.

And before anyone says anything no I don’t mean do drugs or any of that sort. But kids these days lack trying new things out and stay glued to screen
Sydney Molare

People, this is just as ridiculous as telling ANY woman how they can or cannot wear their hair. It’s HER hair and as I tell everyone. DO YOU.
CakeLifeLLC

It’s sickening that anyone would attack a child on her style of hair. She looks super cute and her parents paid for it thereby approving it. That should have been the end of it. All of the young ladies are wearing them these days.
Love not hate

All this negativity over a little girl that admired and saw the beauty in a hairstyle…. We are suppose to be teaching our youth to blur the racism lines and fine beauty and commonality in one another. To love and respect one another. I grew up around many races and cultures and my friends would braid my hair at school and it was never seen as a racist thing in fact we grew to learn from one another and became more like family. So many people hanging on to the bs of the past we are trying to move forward. I don’t mean that it doesn’t matter I just mean we as a people have to open our eyes and start to spread love if we as a people are ever going to get anywhere.
Freija Vanir

So, I gather, all black women with straight hair and all black men wearing pants are racists, because they appropriated something that belongs to white people?
Charm Dior

I dont see a big deal
A Human Being

I think it’s adorable. You go Mallory! Werk!
april

At the end of the day, she is a 12 year old kid and if the people commenting have nothing better in their life but to tear down the self esteem of a child then their comments are not worth paying any attention to. Society today spends so much time praising children for the wrong thing and not enough time directing them to the right thing. I bet if she had of made a comment that she thought that box braids were too black for her to wear, they still would have had something to say, she would have still been considered stupid and racist. People need to worry about their own lives, period.
kemronpa

People need to grow up. To harass any 12 yo girl is just awful. She did not need to apologize. Black women have some nerve with the sheer number walking around with perms, Brazilian and indian hair in their heads. Black people need to get up in arms over things that really matter to our community like education, poverty, drugs. Im upset that girl even issued an apology.
Kevin White

No reason in the world for this 12 year old to be attacked or for her to apologize. She did nothing wrong.
jasminesmom

I am a black woman who does hair and I personally didnt find it offensive. I think she looks cute and she should not have to apologize to anyone for it . Its so stupid how people can be .I didnt know there was a black or white way to wear your hair or cloths that you wear or the way you talk . I will say not to get them done to often because of her grade of hair is different and those braids can damage her hair but other than that werk it girl!!!!!!!!!
anonymous

she’s not 12 SHES 14???
Sista

Here’s the point. There’s nothing wrong with her liking the hairstyle and wanting to wear it. That is the nature of a teenage girl. What is being expressed passionately by some is based on this: Black people of all ages are still, to this day, being kicked out of schools and refused jobs based off of us wearing braids, locks, afros, or just because our hair is not being styled in a Eurocentric manner i.e. permed and straightened. Now, in the next instance, a white woman comes along and begins to wear braids, afros, locks, and twists and is called an innovator, a revolutionary, etc., etc., etc…… . This has been the case since time began. I will not go into more examples. The only thing I don’t agree with is people giving this little girl grief over liking and wearing this hairstyle. I would not have addressed her like this. I would have given her a few tidbits of historical information of the origin of these braids and thanked her for the complement of liking this traditional African style. Simple.
nogoodnews

Black women get BLONDE weaves & wigs all the time!! But the white girl can’t have braids???? I don’t get it!
Clifford Cj Tate

Y’all goin all in on this girl for her braids, but won’t make your son’s pull their pants up!!
- Neutral1
  
  Right tho!
- Red
  
  Hell yea. Dude that is SOO true. Don’t nobody want to see their nasty underwear.
Red

I think her hair is adorable. Not everybody can pull those box braids off. Some just can’t wear em’ cause it looks rediculous. That goes for all races. I have also seen black women with blonde hair and I never once took it as a racist. Damn look at nicki minaj. She had the bright blonde hair. I think the black people that have a problem with her hair are tha racist ones and haters. Don’t get mad cause you can’t pull it off! Wish I could.
MJenae Fortson

I honestly don’t think she felt she would get so much backlash about the braids. She just saw a new style she likes and wanted to rock it. Personally I think the braids look nice and she should keep them of she likes them. She’s only 12. We have got to stop thinking just because we created or started something in “our” culture no other cultures can get involved. We indulge in practices starred from other cultures and races. She has the right to wear whatever she likes as long as her parents approve.
Lovelace

As a black woman I don’t see how the little girl was racist at all I liked her hair it may have been a bit grown for my taste but sure as hell not racist how dare black women criticize a child and they out there buying bleachers and blonde weave come on now grow up and stop being so insecure and racist she is expressing her self get a life and take your weave out
Deborah Russell

Personally I don’t see anything wrong with her wearing braids.
Kelli Harden

OMG! She’s just a child for Christ sakes! A beautiful little ????.Kids are off limits PERIOD! I think She looks Cute.
shogun

If it upsets you copyright the hairstyle. merica!
Briget

We are in 2015 I understand there is racist people and jesters people may have upon other people sounds like the peolp that feel as if the white girl got box braids and she is the in the wrong for doing them are the ones that are the racists ones we are free HUMAN BEINGs we can do as we want I mean thats like saying other races shouldn’t date a different race come on are that a black lady can’t get blonde hair or a Mexican girl shouldn’t dye her hair at all ..
mandie

Pretty sure if she was doing it to be racist, she eouldnt want to rock braids. Black people are always mad no matter what, they think theyre being mistreated and have to make everything about them. To the commenters saying blacks relax their hair t make it more manageable, have no reason to make it blonde then. Rofl stick with your hair you were born with if you dont want to look like a hypocritical sob
- Lovelace
  
  Some black people not all make sure u note that
- IAMBlackQueen
  
  There are black people born with blonde hair…blue eyes….Google it…educate yourself before you look like a… “hypocritical snob”
nogoodnews

Black women get BLONDE weaves & wigs all the time!! But the white girl can’t have braids???? I don’t get it!
IAMBlackQueen

This is the Truth about the Situation:

Its not about the “Hair” or “Hairstyle” she innocently chose. Shes 12 she doesn’t know the History about our people (except maybe we were once slaves to her people) and why we are losing in this Race or how through out the years her people constantly steal and take from us and try to be like us. (example: Tanning…why do white people tan? To get darker? Why? When we’ve been told having a darker skin tone is wrong…) and to Those to try to say that black people try to be white by using relaxer and etc… Remember this fact: Black people are the ONLY race that can create multiple race (dark to light skin. black to blonde hair. Brown to blue eyes), it begun with us (first there was dark than came light) So therefore how can we possibly be “racist” or “hate on” another race when in short everyone stemmed from us, especially when we are still losing this race war because we have nothing to claim as our Own Black culture because it keeps getting taken from us….but i guess that’s our own fault right? Our Ignorance, our lack of community.

and also Racism is simply a ” race against races, to the top” not hate or dislike because of ones skin tone,ignorance. Economics is the root.

We get killed, judged, imprisoned over representing what little culture we have, and yet we still show the up most Respect and Love to those who want to see us fail.

“Our Souls are crying out for something, we sense something missing, not right, and we are slowly dying in front of the media, and don’t know how to save ourselves. “
Nell L

I think she looks cute!!!!!
Noree

Nell L..I feel the same..nothing wrong with it at all. She does look cute.
Guest123

I think people are getting upset over something so simple…I mean black women walk around with blonde, blue, pink, green, etc hair. So what is the big damn deal? I like it Mallory.
Denise1125

What’s next…white women taking offense that African American women straighten their nappy hair?! Geez. Who gives a shit.
key

I’m a black woman that done everything humanly possible to my hair. Mallory go girl. I’m so sick to death of this race shit. It every where and mostly about nothing. Hair? For real? If people took the time to research their ancestry then they wouldn’t have time to ponder this lil girls hair because we all are the same just different skin colors……ignorant ass people need to stfu
Reza Ray Pishgou

It is hair, no hair style should be racially locked. This world has fought so hard and long to be equal and yet, look at all of these people being so savage towards one another, OVER HAIR. It is like saying a black woman should not dye their hair blonde because that is “appropriating” white culture. Its 2015. Let the girl do what she wants with her hair, we are all equal.
LaToiaM

So because she is white she can wear braids.
What about the black women putting chemicals in their heads so that it can be straight, hair weave to the ass and contacts green an Hell.
Man y’all need to get the hell on and leave this child alone
stacy

Funny how people try and tell people how to manage.their own hair not.your.hair so not your place I.have mixed hair.and it is a for if I don’t perm not.the look.I like.for myself everyone has there own preferences.
Jade

The only thing I’m mad about is the fact that she has an iPhone… She’s 12….
de carr

It’s definitely appropriation, which can be insulting at times.
However, in this particular instance, I do believe that this is just a little girl who simply wanted to do something different with her hair.
pookie

We can go on and on about culture, race and what ever else.Whats the difference between her having box braids and a black female having bleach blonde hair. And to be honest the African culture did not start the trend of braiding. The native culture did. As well as braiding was used for making baskets and what ever else. Get a fucking life. Stop saying white people are doing this or that. Every body tans or every body wants to be lighter. Some want small boobs, some want big butts. Its not a fucking culture thing. Its the way social media promotes females and men these days.
KMorgan

I am a black woman and I love what she did with her hair. I noticed that 95% of the comments below agree with me. I think this article took a couple comments of the minority opinion and tried to appropriate it to the idea the Majority of black women dont support it. Wrong! #BlackWomenSupportMallory and thank her for doing it right!
ty

If she want to look like a lil ratchet let her do her… I personally hate these braids on anyone but they just don’t look normal on her because that blonde is ugly not because she’s white
bahiyyah

Ppl are ridiculous black white chinese wateva how cares bbybgirl your hair is cute it fits yu
Kay

SMH! pure ignorance. Damn fools. I really do not see how it’s offensive. I like them on her and she looked really nice.
Sap

It is a free country and ppl should be able to wear THEIR hair the way they want. I am a black woman and don’t see an issue with it!!! This id just SILLY
Evelyn Tucker

Seriously?? She’s a child wearing braids. When does the racial divide stop! Never knew there was a racial patent on a hair style!
McClinton CexiFace

She looks BEAUTIFUL! People can be so stupid, she don’t have to explain herself. I love her hair!
Ugly Ass Ming Ling

Leave it to insecure black women to get upset about petty shit. Really?? As much blonde weave yall throw in yall hair. Sure white women wear weave too but black women cant live without it. Why do you get upset when whites show interest in black culture and style while at the same time you imitating theirs? Every fucking thing aint meant to be called racist. The more you do that it just water down the whole term.
Ms Budda

She looks adorable. People are real idiots.
Tasha Tree

I like it on her it’s cute what’s the big deal ? Errbody always have sumn to say about sumn this is a new year a lot of things have change . Let’s stop wit all the negativity
Ree Rodgers

A hair style doesn’t make a person no matter your color when will we people truly become one when will the world finally stop looking at skin and look at the person so because black women add blonde long hair to there head that don’t make them white it makes theme become a person of exspression and it’s not a problem people get over the color of your skin and let people be ignorance
dolly

In the words of “The Great Paul Mooney”. On us it’s “ugly”, on them “a Ten”…I’m done
Lissa

Her braids are beautiful I’m black and it didn’t offend me she’s a child and even if she was an adult what she did with her hair is her business and her style. I commend her for trying something different!
mykal

So why can’t she have braids in her hair?? Since when were black people the only ones allowed to have braids?? When you make something as small as braids become a racial issue then you need to stop screaming “equal treatment, and fair upstandings for all people” then go and tell a 12 year old child that what would be acceptable for your daughter isn’t acceptable for her!!! In that case half you women of color need to stop dying your hair, getting extensions, tanning and any other thing that can be seen as only “appropriate for white women”. Shit just sad, go on baby girl rock your braids!!!!
- mykal
  
  And for the record yes I am a black woman and I see nothing offensive and Dont see why she should have apologized for anything.
Arnituris Garland

I like her hair….and the braids are cute on her so wats the big deal about her getting some box braids shes only 12 years old….get it together people not everyone is racist….
Whitney Crux

I love it
drea

its a little girl trying out a hairstyle and she should never have been reprimanded for it on social media or elsewhere….. HOWEVER, what people were saying was not UNTRUE…. we’ve always said that white people want to be us without wanting to experience what its like to truly be black and at the same time looking down on us because we are black…. its confusing as hell
April Bonilla

She’s B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L !!!!! F the haters Mallory!!!! Signed a PUERTO RICAN WOMAN SMDH !!!!!!
Shay

This is the most ignorant thing I have read in a while. This saddens me that people have to make everything about race. This is a CHILD. An impressionable child. She saw something “cool” and decided to try it out. Everything isn’t about race. How many people who attacked this child allow their children/family to wear hair extensions? Isn’t that appropriation of a culture other than our own? This pissed me off so badly. Get a damn life and let children be children. Race is only an issue with adults. Children initially do not see color. In school, they all play together until they are tainted by adults’ ideals and opinions towards race. We are quick to say we want change but impede where change will begin – within the youth. Stop robbing children of their innocence. Let them grow without resentment towards other races and allow them to live without color. – A SOMALI AMERICAN
Arlise Pitney

Everyone is entitled to self expression! She can do anything she wants.
boss

Black women perm burn and straighten their hair to look like white people…..why can’t this girl do her hair the way she wants……foh half of those hoes have a perm in their hair and their hair died blonde and red and brown smh….
Tiffany

I’m a black woman and I think anyone criticizing a little 12 year old girl about her hair should be ashamed of their self. How are people calling her racist for expressing herself through her hair? If that’s the case, every black person with blonde hair, blue eye contacts, and hair extensions is racist.
Demetrius Rapley

Fuckin Christ the girls twelve!! Why are grown ass men and women so ignorant as to have a harsh attitude towards a little girl for wearing a hair style because she liked it.. goes to show you that people are grown and still ignorant, childish, simple minded, closed minded, stupid, idiotic, maniacal, and just third world retarded.
Melody Wilkerson-Williams

Hey, to each it’s own. This seems petty to me.
Phenomenal 1

I am a woman of color … and I WILL NOT accept your apology … as it isnt needed sweety. You look simply precious and it is my great hopes that you didnt take your hair out.
I see tourist leave several countries with their hair braided showing the craft … and it looks stunning. The Senior Editor from Ebony should be ashamed of herself with that comment.
purplegirl25

I think it’s ignorant to show so much hated toward a girl doing something new to get hair my children are biracial but my oldest looks like me and my side of the family Caucasian I box braid and corn row her hair. This little girl isn’t who hates anyone that type of ignorance is taught by ppl like the ones making the ignorant comments above. It was nice that she apologized but I don’t feel it was required bc there was obviously no malice intended. I can’t stand such ignorance no matter what ethnicity bc there is only one race that’s human Caucasian, African American, Asian are all ethnicities educate yourselves please and get a life instead of bullying a 12 yr old.
Rachel Magee

SO OFFENSIVE
WOW
Rev Dana

She should never have had to apologize! I’m a little disgusted with the lady from Ebony joining in! This is a child experimenting on something she liked. You don’t go in on children. We didn’t like when the lady went in on the Obama girls, should they have apologized for offending her?! No! They didn’t do anything wrong any more than this child did.
Pat Thomas

Shame on those who made her ashamed for liking a hairstyle from another culture. As a black woman I am offended that we preach equal rights but criticize a young lady for a hairstyle because of her color.
KLush

They ought to be ashamed for dogging that girl out, she wanted some braids calm down!
Crystal Daniels

I don’t see the problem if we can wear straight tracks why can’t she wear box braids??????
winnie

This is very stupid. It’s a freaking hairstyle and she is child. People can wear whatever they want. This is a mean world we live in and for black people to always yell victim to everything they do the same shit to white people that they claim they do to us. Someone has to end the cycle.
JasperGirl

All cultures wear/have worn some sort of braided style. Girl, where your hair like you want to!!
Gina Earles

Although I can understand why people could take it offensively, I feel as though being intelligent enough should make you aware of what is racist and what isn’t racist… This is s 12 year old girl… Children are taught racism and doing this to this young child has probably perpetuated what black culture is in her fragile mind. She was targeted over something so insignificant and I think it was wrong. If the girl wants braids give her braids… When I was growing up I had bone straight hair and looked more Asian than black. I wanted a head full of barrettes and was upset when my Asian mother wouldn’t let me wear them to school bc she told me it was only for real black girls. My father is black which makes me also black. But why would a head full of accessories only be for one culture? It had nothing to do with what race I was but the fact that I thought it was pretty. The girl wanted to be pretty. That’s all
redb

Who cares what style in her hair is. Look beautiful. ..get the f..over it…grown ups..disguss of this race thing..
JasperGirl

wear not where damn it!!
Christine Fink

I think she looks good i wore them as a child and now my 3 beautiful white girls wear them.
toy

I think she looks very cute no matter your race you can wear what you wanna wear. And for some one to go in on a child they have some insecurities about themselves
Jane J. Jemison

Some things shouldn’t be taken so seriously. This is one of them. I loved her hair.

12-Year-Old White Girl Gets Harshly Criticized for Showing Off Her Blonde Box Braids on Social Media [Photos]

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