"Keeping it real" is a popular phrase in the Black community. Yet, when it comes to the images that its women project to the world, people don't always see the real thing.
Black women have an ongoing love/hate relationship with their hair, whether they wear it natural (like India.Arie) or have it relaxed (as I do). We cut it, color it, lock it, and lengthen it -- all in the name of making ourselves beautiful. This phenomenon dates back to the heyday of Madam C.J. Walker ... and over the last 40 years, entertainers such as Diana Ross and Beyoncé Knowles have become equally known for their many talents as well as their changing hairdos. Unfortunately, the pervasiveness of Black women sporting wigs and weaves sends a troubling message to society about how we see ourselves.
The root cause -- no pun intended -- of this problem is self-hatred, and it's not just skin deep. Relaxing one's hair eventually thins it out (as I learned the hard way), and braiding extensions into one's hair can lead to breakage. Instead of accepting our hair texture for what it is, we mask our insecurities by trying to conform to someone else's definition of beauty. (At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I don't have a problem with Black women who straighten their hair so it's easier to comb or wear wigs because of chemotherapy ... but I do take issue with those who go from Yul Brenner to Crystal Gayle in less than 24 hours and try to act nonchalant about it.)
In 2007 and beyond, Black women need to heed India.Arie's advice and "redefine who we be," for "it's not what's on your head -- it's what's underneath" that will determine one's path in life.
3 comments:
I am an Black woman who wears her hair natural. No chemicals and no coloring. Black women have been brainwashed to believe that our hair is inferior to others when in fact it is THE most unique hair of all. Wouldn't it be great if we all appreciated that fact. My black sister grew her hair to the waist. Yes it is possible for Black women to grow their hair to the waist and beyond without having a white mamma. Thank you.
I too am a black woman, and let me just say, we are all beautiful. Those who buy fake tan and perm their hair too recognise our beauty, and try to mimic it - the most beautiful people are those who feel most comfortable in themselves, so as long as you know just how lucky you are to have wonderfully thick, strong and dark hair you will be the ultimate envy of those around you.
The reason people who relax their hair seem to change it so often is usually because after the initial satisfaction of changing a hairstyle they wore for a long time wears off, they realise just how difficult it is to style it. No matter what type of hair we have, we are going to struggle, ladies. Struggle to create multiple styles that appeal to the eyes of everyone around us.
So I say celebrate yourselves, ladies, whether you are black, white, mulatto, hispanic, asian and so forth. "As long as you got your smile, ain't nobody gonna give a damn 'bout your head, 'bout your shoes or 'bout the state of your clothes. Just smile, and the world smiles with you - you're beautiful"
I applaud you for this blog sister. This is very true, and we and other Black women need to have a continuing dialouge about this, so that we can begin to heal the self hatred that has been inflicted upon our community as a result of white supremacy, slavery, and ongoing racial discrimination and negative images of Black women--and men in the media.
Hotep
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