By SeMya H.

Today’s trends are reused, repurposed—and most importantly, appropriated. Whether it’s “slay,” “tea,” or “period,” current slang is almost always credited to chronically online Gen Zers. The origin of these terms is lost in the assumption that they’re generational rather than cultural—but that simply isn’t true.

Black people have a dialect that directly reflects our background. These words and phrases are being stolen daily. So what happens when our language gets colonized?

The language formed in Black communities has had a significant impact on the way the world speaks. Phrases we grew up with and used within our circles are now seen as mainstream.

Black identity has been turned into a marketplace—something for everyone to shop from freely. But when the African-American community leans into our culture, it’s perceived differently than when others dip into it. The way we present ourselves has long been associated with derogatory terms like “thuggish”—until non-Black people conveniently discover the style.

Appropriation isn’t the only problem. The sting of blatant theft is only made worse by poor imitation. When African-American culture is repackaged, the result is a watered-down version: edges rebranded as “sticky bangs,” bonnets renamed “sleeping caps.”

One group particularly affected is Black women. Their contributions have always been overlooked and underappreciated. From long acrylic nails to statement hoop earrings, Black women have influenced fashion and style for generations. The constant disregard for these women—and the fact that they are responsible for the popularization of styles still worn today—has created a stigma around self-expression in our community.

Nareasha Willis, founder of the former brand Black Vogue, said it best:
“Ghetto until proven fashionable.”

This quote captures both the criticism inflicted on the Black community and the shift that happens once our style is misappropriated.

While we may not be able to reclaim every “jacked” style, we can give credit to the originators.

There are Black creators and businesses across the globe who represent and celebrate Black culture with integrity. There are also influencers whose unique creations deserve the same support their white counterparts receive.

The biggest trend today?
Still not recognizing Black contributions.