Chains aren’t meant for white people
Graphic by Ayomi Wolff
February 1, 2020
Chains. On e-boys and e-girls, tiny little ones, and big ones in layers being re-popularized by this newer subculture. But this “trend” is something that many people, most predominantly black people (in America, at least) wear and have been wearing. So, I suggest if white people are considering pulling up to school adorning a Cuban link: don’t.
The history of why black people wear chains is unique, and not just a show of wealth or to be flashy. Distrust in banking systems due to centuries of mistreatment led us to wear our wealth. This was the alternative to placing it inside of institutions that once considered us property, and refused us so many services for so long. This, and Shaka Zulu, according to my dad. These aspects effectively make this something I am not okay with seeing on my day-to-day at Wilson. I don’t care how popular they’ve become, popularity doesn’t designate morality.
There is a popular jewelry culture in southern Italy and certain places in Europe, but even chains aren’t all that common. Regardless, do e-girls and e-boys wear chains because they’re all suddenly Italian, or do they wear them because of the prominent black culture in America? The same black culture that many people decide to take part in because it’s different, innovative, and has somewhat bled into popular culture. The same black culture that was bashed for wearing too much bling, and the same culture that white people, and people without the same history, shouldn’t adopt because it’s a trend or convenient.
Our school, especially the white population, is becoming more aware of the trends plastered all over the internet. It can be seen from the way they dress, the way they dye their hair, and (surprise!) the chains I’ve started to see.
I’m not worried about a thin gold or silver necklace. I am worried about the fact that there are items being worn specific to my culture, specific to the struggle of my people. Lasting from the beginning of my people in America through the redlining of the sixties. I am worried about a lack of thought when it comes to fashion at Wilson, as cultural appropriation is not something that this audience is unfamiliar with. This is because, once again, things considered “ghetto” by white people, historically, have been picked up and viewed as something new.
It’s not new. It’s just black. •
Brendan DuBois • Oct 11, 2021 at 10:44 pm
Jazz is culturally representative of African Americans, but everyone can appreciate or make jazz music without it being cultural appropriation. Likewise, chains have become a statement of fashion, wealth, status, and achievement not to worn in offense to any history or sentiment associated with them.
Samantha • Oct 1, 2021 at 3:25 am
I agree with Talia. I am Cuban on my Mom’s side, white af on my Dad’s side. My skin is light, but olive. I look white, but not enough to be a white girl. I was always called exotic by everyone, including other Hispanic people. I was put up for adoption, was adopted by a white family and grew up in a nice suburban area in CA. The area I grew up is seemingly 50/50 white and Mexican. I never felt like I fit in as I am mixed, and not Mexican. I got in contact with my bio family a few years ago and connected very well. I was raised to love my Cuban side, but growing up in a white family, I never got to experience any actual aspect of Cuban culture firsthand. Actually meeting the people I came from made me feel truly loved, accepted and sure of who I am. I choose to wear a Miami Cuban chain in celebration of the part of me I never got to thoroughly explore growing up. I would hate to be told that I cannot wear this chain just because I may not look Hispanic enough to some people.
Talia • Sep 5, 2021 at 2:20 pm
Hi! I think this is a really good and interesting article and I definitely agree with you except on one point. There are white or white looking cultures that have an equally important cultural association with gold chains, especially in Latin America, since it’s definitely a melting pot and you cant’t always tell if someone is Hispanic by looking at them.
I’m Cuban, and like every Cuban, I’ve been draped with gold chains, bracelets, and earrings from the moment I was born. In Cuban culture gold necklaces especially are a requirement for most children to ward off the “Mal de Ojo” or evil eye. I think most Cubans have grown up with a chain on their neck, for precious familial and cultural reasons, and it’s not completely fair to decide from an outsiders perspective that they no longer have a right to a significant piece of their culture.
I do 100% agree that people with no cultural connections to gold chains shouldn’t wear them to evoke a trend, but I just wanted to add on that there are other cultures that have a special tradition around gold chains, and it’s not fair to tell them that they can’t practice something that is important to their culture as much as yours.
MALCOLM X SMITH • Aug 30, 2021 at 11:33 am
This opinion is valid everyone’s is, but I’m 50% African American 50% caucasian greek 30 years old and i have worn a chain all diffrent lengths since i was 5 years old.I dont feel right without it on. I wear it as tribute to all my fellow brothers that were chained for years , but i also wear it as a status symbol i have slept months on the street and had nothing so now that i have completed college and have a It manager position i will never go a day without one on currently i wear a diamond cluster tennis chain and matching diamond tennis braclet but regardless anyone can wear jewlery any kind any time now what they are wearing it for can be up to them but i will forever have on multiple pieces its me and my style
Genisay • Feb 2, 2021 at 2:20 am
In regards to how whether or not a culture is allowed to express their distaste of another group or groups of people assimilating their culture without understanding its meaning, I think whether or not it is appropriation depends on how that culture feels about sharing that which was unique to them, and if their culture is being treated with respect or not is going to play a big role in that. Many ‘trends’ started around black culture are only that. It is the new cool, or hip, but there is no understanding of its importance to the people it began with.
I can only make observations from what I have learned and read, and that is ever changing as I try to understand.
Some cultures are eager to share what makes them unique, like Japan. They were isolated for a long time, and wanted to share the things they love about being Japanese with other people. They do not consider foreigners wearing kimono appropriation, but a sharing of the beauty of who they are.
But Japan has a solid, definable identity. They know who they are as a people.
Black culture in the US, however, seems to be something that its people are still defining, learning and trying to rediscover after that identity was taken from them. Its solidity and certainty are things its people are still trying to create. But others take from it without care or understanding of how important it is.
Maybe one day, probably not for a long, long time, its people will feel comfortable enough to want to share with others what makes them unique.
Again, this is only how things have appeared to me, from the outside, from the stories, histories and voices I have so far seen. I am no expert, no where close, this is simply what I see with the information I currently have, which I know to only be a fraction of the truth.
Apologies for such a long read. ^.^;
Squid • Nov 20, 2020 at 11:09 pm
Hi i recently bought a chain of romwe and i was wondering how big of a chain is considered to big and cultural appropriating because the last thing i want to do is steal from a minority.
Tori D. Johnson • Jun 14, 2020 at 2:40 am
I remember my uncle saying something similar to this to me when I was very young. Now that I’m older and getting into stacking silver bullion I’m hoping that same attitude will entice more blacks to want to buy silver bullion as a way to save and build wealth. Good read. Thanks!
Roman Antonio Gurule • Apr 6, 2020 at 5:29 pm
Hi there Sarah. I very much appreciate your article on the historical and cultural significance of chains. I personally am of European, Mexican, and Italian descent (I honestly just look mostly white) and was wanting to wear cuban link necklaces. Something didn’t feel right about it though, so I decided to do a little research and that is how I found this article. Since reading this and doing more reading I have definitely reconsidered doing so, as I am treading on very important and powerful meanings that I as a mostly white man will never fully be able to understand.