Dreadlocks student: She said, 'Sorry, we don't want people with your hair here'

The white San Francisco State student who was confronted by a black student over his hairstyle has come forward to defend his right to wear his hair in dreadlocks.

In a video interview with the Golden Gate Xpress that was more than four times longer than the viral video of Monday's confrontation, Cory Goldstein explained that he doesn't believe that putting knots in his hair amounts to appropriation of black culture because people of African origin are not the only cultural group to wear dreadlocks. He says that, in the past, Egyptians, Vikings, the Irish — and "even Victorians" — have worn their hair in that style.

The 22-year-old environmental studies major said he was accosted by the student in the Cesar Chavez Student Center.

"I looked at her and she said, 'Sorry, we don't want people with your hair here,' and I was like, wow, that's really rude," Goldstein said.

Goldstein said he left, but she followed him "down two flights of stairs" to discuss his hairstyle. He said he tried to get away from her, but she wouldn't let him.

San Francisco State student Cory Goldstein is accused by an unidentified black student of cultural appropriation for wearing his hair in dreadlocks. The confrontation occurred Monday on the campus. San Francisco State student Cory Goldstein is accused by an unidentified black student of cultural appropriation for wearing his hair in dreadlocks. The confrontation occurred Monday on the campus. Photo: YouTube/Nicolas Silvera Photo: YouTube/Nicolas Silvera Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Dreadlocks student: She said, 'Sorry, we don't want people with your hair here' 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

"She kept grabbing me, pushing me back, trying to make her point or something." Goldstein said. "I didn't feel I had to explain myself — my hair, my rules, my body."

While explaining himself in the interview, Goldstein did agree that cultural appropriation does exist. He gave the example of a non-Native American wearing an American Indian headdress. But decorating one's head in dreads is not cultural appropriation, he contends.

So far the black student involved in the confrontation has not come forward to give her version of the incident. She has not been identified.

San Francisco State University said Tuesday that the incident remains under investigation.

In a statement, the university said:

"San Francisco State University promotes the rights of the campus community to engage in free speech, but does not condone behavior that impedes the safety or well-being of others. We are taking the matter seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate this incident through applicable University channels, including our campus student conduct procedures."