Women of Color and Natural Hair
Self Liberation and Societal Rebellion
Women as a whole can relate on the topic of hair; no matter the color, creed, or religious belief. We spend thousands of hours in our life time agonizing over it. We stress on how to style it , its color, or how to remedy an issue. Hair is not just a noun, its more than threads of protein protruding from folicles. It has become the proclamation of ones individuality. Among women of color our hair is seen as an object that should be changed rather than accepted and praised.
The age old question that constantly pops up “is wearing a weave a platform of self-hatred, or the simple desire for diversity with your appearance? ” On a daily basis one can sit in a black owned salon and watch women sew in bundles of European or Asian hair in clients head If that doesn't suffice women and some men will result to burning their scalps in order to achieve the European standard of beauty. I have ventured into the unknown way before Chris Rocks movie “Good Hair” exploded on the scene asking women of color what are your views on YOUR natural hair. Some of the responses are unnerving. I’ve had some say it’s a hassle, their hair is ugly, its nappy, cottony and/or wished they had “good hair”. Now the next question is, “What is good hair” ?
Growing up in an urban neighborhood straight hair is heavily associated with the assimilation into White America. From the 1800s African Americans have been following the practices of hot Combing (praises to Madame CJ Walker) pin curling, and using Lye as a chemical relaxer for the hair. During this period there were Jim Crow laws, and soon after the movie Birth of a Nation was released. Since slavery we weren’t taught to love and appreciate ourselves; we were separated, turned against one another seeing only light dark, house and field nigger, “good” and “bad” hair as per the Willie Lynch Letter.
Hair has become personified and seen as the optimal point of beauty, especially in the African American community. When it comes to maintenance and understanding our own texture unlike all other races we fall short. The majority of what people see on television is not reality. Companies showcase women using these products with healthy vibrant hair, making the public think thats is how I need to look. Shortly after the self-degradation begins. It seems that these new innovative ways of hair care have given our women an obscured sense of what true beauty is. It comes to this question, are you really yourself when you’re wearing someone else’s hair or texture?
With weaves, wigs, extensions, clip ons, relaxers (creamy crack), texturizers, and heating tools how can one really know thy true self? Young girls are wearing full heads of weaves, unable to identify with themselves at a young age. They’re as early as three years old receiving relaxers in order to make the hair more manageable. Although the hair may be kink-less, it’s also breaking down the essential proteins in the hair shaft making it harder for the hair to flourish and retain moisture. These practices are null and void in the Caucasian, Latin, and Asian communities because their hair is already of a straight pattern and longer length.
It seems that more women of color are waking up and smelling the coffee by ditching the chemicals. Over the past couple of years communities geared towards natural haired women have arisen. These women have become aware of the harshness and the psychological damage that comes along with this lifestyle. When chemically treating your hair you become a “slave to the chair”. Some of these women were not aware that natural hair and lifestyle was an option. The idea was far removed and chemically treating and hair additions were a social norm.
All of the psychological damage has seemed to be imbedded so far in the psyche of women of color when the few decide to stray from the flock of relaxers and what not they are often criticized. Taking a casual stroll down the street and you see a women with a kinky afro onlookers may say “she needs to do something with that hair, has she ever heard of a perm or a hot comb?” There is constant criticizing and worst case scenario, ostracizing from family and friends due to her natural choice because she doesn’t fit “the social norm” anymore. So many women and men have been brainwashed to think that natural hair is something that needs to be changed.
When walking down the street seeing different colored weaves, braids and bondings. There are an array of ostentatious styles and of course the ensemble you cannot be anything but amazed. There are some afro american celebrities’ that are “au natural”. The example “ I am not my hair” a statement that was loudly professed by India Arie resonates with me. I look up to women like Ledisi, Angie Stone, and Teyonah Parris. Watching proud black women consciously wearing afros, twist outs and their kinks, and loving their fuller curvaceous frames. We are embracing our cultures which allows other cultures to see how it should be done. Our beauty should be showcased instead of covering it up with another’s standard.
Women of color have banned together and started forums and support groups in order to educate one another on natural hair care products and regimens. Some are bolder than others and have done a big chop (myself included) or opted to slowly transition and cut off their chemically treated hair. All of these acts of liberation contributes to the rebirth of the black woman.
It seems that history is repeating itself in the aspect of black awareness. During the 1970 the afro and natural beauty was extremely popular amongst black people. Also the well-known mantra was “I’m black and I’m proud” best sung by James Brown which gave blacks and people of color a sense of self-righteousness that was lacked for centuries.
Looking forward one can only assume that natural hair is not something that can be seen as just a hair style, but a choice of empowerment and enlightment. When a person can look into a mirror and see only the attributes that they were born with a sense of clarity might envelope them , as well as self-appreciation. A person cannot truly love and understand who they are if they are looking at themselves through someone else’s image of beauty. Even though the road towards hair nirvana is a daunting one. The journey is one that should never be taken with any reservations. One should cultivate their own image of beauty instead of allowing society to shape their perception on how you should portray yourself to the outside world.
