A young white model from a white town had a photo taken a few years back, she had her hair curled up in an ‘afro’ style, culturally appropriating.

Black Hair, A UK magazine, featured the image of this model on their front cover and unbeknown to them the girl in the photo they purchased was not black! Very very far from it!

Want to see what she looks like (sans faux afro).

throw back for @weareivypark ?

A photo posted by e m i l y bador (@darth_bador) on Nov 14, 2016 at 3:36am PST

The magazine say they had no idea as they ask the agencies that supply the black and mixed race models. The model has totally owned the mistake, she didn’t know they was using the image at all.

Here is what she posted to Instagram:

I would deeply and sincerely like to apologise to every one for this, and black women especially. I would like to clarify, I believe this shoot is from when I was around 15 and didn't understand cultural appropriation or the impact it has on POC. I was uneducated, which obviously is no excuse, ignorant and immature. Growing up in a very very white city, I had no idea the struggles black women face and how often they were persecuted for their hair. I didn't understand how black women are constantly told their natural hair is inappropriate/unprofessional for the work place, or how young girls are told they can't go to school with natural hair. I didn't understand that shoots like this support the very Eurocentric beauty standard that the mainstream media focus on which reinforce the idea that black features are only ok on white women. I didn't understand that as a white passing woman I'd be praised for this hair, but if I was a black woman I'd be persecuted. I didn't understand cultural appropriation. ✨ I do regret doing this. I hold up my hands, I'm so so so sorry and I'm very sorry this cover was taken away from a black woman. This image is (I think, although I'm not 100% sure) about 3/4 years old, it was never intended to be on the cover of this magazine. If I had known it was going to be published, I would never have condoned it. I'm upset and angry I was never asked by the photographer/hair salon/anyone if this image could be used for the cover Black Hair. ✨ I'm so glad I've educated myself and surrounded my self with people to teach me what is right and wrong. I constantly am learning and becoming more and more informed. It's important to come forward and be honest with ourselves about our past mistakes, otherwise we will never learn. Again, I'm truly, deeply sorry to anyone I've offended and I hope if nothing else this post can educated others so they don't make similar mistakes. (also please let me know if I've said anything wrong or offensive in this post!!! or anything i can add!!!! i love u all sm and the last thing i want to do is offend or hurt any one, i really hope you don't all think im a massive twat ?)

A photo posted by e m i l y bador (@darth_bador) on Nov 20, 2016 at 7:42pm PST

Kudos for her for owning up to the appropriation!

Blackhair’s editor, Keysha Davis, who wrote on the magazine’s Facebook page, saying:

“This morning it was brought to our attention that the model gracing our December/January issue is not of black or mixed-race heritage,” Davis wrote. “We were obviously not aware of this prior to selecting the image. We often ask PR companies/salons to submit images for the magazine, specifically stating that models must be Black or mixed race. We can only take their word for it, and of course, try to use our own judgment.”

What do you think of this mess?