Black Hair
Black Hair
The black women I see on T.V. movies and in everyday life usually have a hair weave or their hair has been permed. I find it very unintelligent that we are purposefully destroying a part of ourselves just to look like white people, something that we will never be, and something we shouldn’t try and be.
I remember when I wanted to get my hair permed, it was because I wanted to look more white because thats what i thought was beautiful. I feel that is what happened when we integrated into white America. Although I have seen the error in my ways, black people in general have not. The fact that we perpetuate our hair as nappy and unwanted as Mr. Hugely did on some late night show only provide more ammo for racists like Don Imus. In my opinion, I think we should all go natural, but when you are in situations where conservative industries such as banking and law still may turn you down if you don’t look like what they perceive as executive material, it puts you in a troubling decision.
Large company offices require that their associates wear polished shoes, tailored business suits and a simple hairstyle, unfortunately, any natural black hairstyle doesn’t fit as simple. The 1964 Civil Rights Act only prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin, making it illegal to discriminate in any aspect of employment, including hiring and firing. So even if I get fired for wearing dreadlocks, discrimination on the basis of grooming is not discrimination on the basis of race.
So how did having an afro become just a hair style? Since the 1500’s, whites have been dehumanizing blacks by making males shave there head, erasing all signs of cultural ID. In the 1700’s, many whites insisted on calling black hair “wool,” furthering the dehumanization of slaves. During the 1800’s, slaves now had time for personal grooming and spent hours tidying up for church. Without the combs and herbal treatments they used in Africa, slaves relied on items like bacon grease, butter and kerosene as hair conditioners and cleaners. In the slave trade, lighter-skinned, straight-haired slaves could be sold for more than their darker, more kinky-haired brothers and sisters. Blacks internalized color consciousness and promoted notions that blacks with dark skin and kinky hair were “less attractive, less intelligent and worth less.” In 1850, black women who styled their hair like white women were considered well adjusted by white society. “Good” hair became a prerequisite for entering certain schools, churches, social groups and business networks.
This is how we got to where we are now, its kind of like a chain reaction. Make the parents feel that white hair is good and they’ll teach that to their children, then their children will teach it to their own children and so on. It will never stop until a mass majority of people see the error in their thinking like I have. Until then, I’ll just keep writing.
Well, perhaps…or maybe it could do with the fact that the hairstyling demands of black women in the spotlight makes it more sensible to just wear a weave. Y’know?
I see the pic of Beyonce. Now–she does have length. A very full head of hair. She just covers it up and I don’t blame her. Look at her schedule! A weave is simply easier. More maintenance (depending on the style) but less potential damage and wear and tear on the hair, by far.
Although…I read an article where Beyonce spoke of going ‘natural’ and how most everyone in the industry verbalized their dislike of her hair.
She said one woman told her that her hair was simply ‘ugly’ and she ‘hated it’.
Amazing, I know.
…and if you remember she was wearing her hair out for a minute. Then it was back in the weaves.
I thought it was a little sad that she didn’t posses a strong enough sense of Self to not be influenced by this. I doubt her record sales would drop if she wears her hair out.
..and on that note, everyone doesn’t wear a weave/braids/extensions out of shame for their natural hair. Most sistas I know see braids and the like as ‘protective style’. They wear extensions to PROTECT their hair against styling, heat, damage and the elements…as I’m doing now to acheive six inches of growth. My goal is mid-back (bra-strap)
I really think that the majority of black women are wearing hair weaves, braids etc. because they do want to change the texture, length etc. of their hair. If they were natural they wouldn’t have to deal with heat, damage, styling etc. That would be accounted for by doing natural things with your hair. I think that Beyonce and the like are setting bad examples for our young people by giving them the impression that there is something wrong with their hair by portraying themselves in these Caucasian type hair styles.
..and on that note, everyone doesn’t wear a weave/braids/extensions out of shame for their natural hair. Most sistas I know see braids and the like as ‘protective style’. They wear extensions to PROTECT their hair against styling, heat, damage and the elements…as I’m doing now to achieve six inches of growth. My goal is mid-back (bra-strap)
-I don’t need a hair weave to protect my hair, why should you. But this doesn’t make sense anyways, why don’t white people or Asian people or Mexicans need to protect their hair with weaves. Our hair was made for extreme heat seeing as we came from Africa and all. I’m almost sure that you are using this as an excuse to hide your deep reasoning for perming your hair, I did the same thing. You should do a serious self evaluation and think deeply and don’t try to deny anything.
Black women have to stop imitating the white girl-it all boils down to this. We have to start loving our Black wooly hair and highlighting it any way we can to set off our natural unique Beauty! In the 6o’s I was one of the first to wear my hair natural and I did it at work and started wearing African clothes too to work full time. If we are BLACK and Proud we will find a way to be naturally BLACK in everyway we can in white amerikkka!
Your SISTER who has gone back to Africa,Nigeria these 27 years so that my BLACK children can be proud of being BLACK,
Yeye Akilimali Funua Olade
yeyeolade.wordpress.com
I love my afro hair I do not see anything wrong with my hair so why change it. Perms are so unhealthy for us. The burns, the breakage and so on. Our hair is unique not ugly but beautiful.