Baltimore opera group ousts white director for donning cornrows at ‘Burning Man’ over ‘cultural appropriation’ concerns

The Baltimore Rock Opera Society (BROS) fired their director, Kelly Carnes, in late September after she was caught on video sporting the hairstyle, according to an email that was obtained by the Baltimore Banner. She was accused of cultural appropriation after a video went viral of her using the hairstyle usually worn by black people. The BROS announced that they would have a new leader after the firing of Carnes. Four of the six members of the group's board are also stepping down on December 31.

“For BROS to continue, There is an URGENT NEED for qualified people to step up and take these responsibilities from the current board immediately," the email stated in bold.

Carnes confirmed that she was canned and said, "I believe the circumstances surrounding my termination raise serious questions about discrimination, governance, and whether the values BROS presents publicly are actually extended to the people it employs."

“I am exploring those issues with counsel,” she added. The change took place after a meeting with the BROS on September 22. The organization addressed the incident and said, “regarding a video circulated on social media showing our new Executive Director, who is white, wearing cornrows."

Carnes said that she braided her hair that way as a "protective style" against the dusty elements of the desert at Burning Man. The video of the event with her wearing the cornrows was later taken off social media.

BROS had welcomed Carnes to the team on September 14 and said in an Instagram post, “BROS is excited for the new stories about to unfold under AWOL’s leadership as she supports us in our 7,000 year mission of incredible rock theater."