Justin Bieber Receives Backlash For His New Dreadlocks

KEY POINTS

Justin Bieber flaunted his new dreadlocks on social media
A number of people, including celebrities, praised his new look
Some netizens accused him of being racially insensitive

Justin Bieber has shared a bunch of photos showing his dreadlocks and some netizens don't seem to be happy about his hair.

The 27-year-old singer flaunted his new look on Sunday via Instagram and posted more photos in the next couple of days.

Bieber first shared a picture of himself and his wife Hailey Baldwin Bieber, 24, relaxing together. The picture caught the attention of many celebrities including Justin Timberlake, who commented, "Aaaaye!"

Musical artist Chandler Moore, Entertainment journalist Jason Kennedy and many more praised Bieber's new look in the comments.

A post shared by instagram

However, some netizens bashed the singer for being racially insensitive. While actors like Jaden Smith looked happy with the new hairstyle as he commented, "Swags crazy," many people of color noted that their natural hair is generally not perceived as trendy. In fact, it is often discriminated against.

It can be recalled that last year, Actress Gabrielle Union invited a Texas teen to the Oscars' red carpet after he was stopped to attend graduation day because he refused to his dreadlocks.

Since Deandre Arnold’s school didnt want to let him walk at his graduation because of his hair we figured that he should walk with us on the red carpet at the #Oscars as our special guest. Thank you @itsgabrielleu @DwyaneWade & @Dove for their help. pic.twitter.com/RD8cv0iL8G
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 31, 2020

Even actress Zendaya received a harsh comment because of her dreadlocks. In 2015, she was called out by Italian-American reporter Giuliana Rancic who said the actress' dreadlocks "smells like patchouli oil ... or weed."

So when Bieber showed off his dreadlocks and received praises for them, some netizens, particularly people of color, were offended.

"Listen @justinbieber I don't care how long I’ve liked you, this is cultural appropriation and I don’t like it," a netizen began her Twitter thread discussing Bieber's dreadlocks.

Listen @justinbieber I don’t care how long I’ve liked you, this is cultural appropriation and I don’t like it. As a black woman, this is totally offensive and disrespectful. Cut your hair or fix it, the fact that it is 2021 and people are still appropriating black people is gross
— Dom | tomwon | 1/3 of Dèni (@jadorehyungwon) April 26, 2021

"As a black woman, this is totally offensive and disrespectful," the user continued. "Cut your hair or fix it, the fact that it is 2021 and people are still appropriating black people is gross."

"He literally takes 1 step forward and then 1,000 backwards and that sh*t is just so wack to me. Justin how are you gonna preach that you’re an advocate for black people and then keep appropriating them? Make it make sense buddy," the netizen concluded.

"It's really disappointing to see you with dreads, I thought you educated yourself," another netizen commented on his Instagram post.

The singer released his latest music album, "Justice" on March 19.