What the Hair
Comedian Chris Rock outs black women regarding their hair secrets in his documentary, Good Hair, now in theaters. And Nia Long, actress and one of the women he features, sits down with six other well known women in the November issue of Essence to discuss the topic further. They’re not the only ones entertaining the subject, either. The movie has women all over the country hair talking as well.
Of course, this sometimes touchy subject has been on-going in the black community, and is even one of the poem stories in my book. The uniqueness of our hair alone can generate interesting conversation. But the real discussion is and always has been about the stigma attached to it, as well as our lamentations over what we can’t control.
What seems to be different now is that today’s black woman has stopped listening to the negativity, and I find this new “it is what it is” attitude refreshing. How empowering to be able to embrace our hair and regard it as no more than the accessory it is to unapologetically straight or unashamedly natural tell the world who we want to be. You go, my sistahs. You go.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:21 am
You know, these are things women such as myself, simply take for granted???
More power to ANY female, who embraces WHO SHE IS!!!!
Very good issue Karen, and one I’m certain,will attract more discussion! Oh and btw—-got here just fine, using ‘firefox’….no-go with IE!
hugs xxx
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 am
Excellent article. I can’t wait to see the movie.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
You have an interesting perspective on this Karen. I happen to think just the opposite. I think too many black women are still trying to “fool” others about what they have or don’t have. Good hair is definitely one of those attributes. How many beautiful sistahs do you see sporting their natural hair? Would you ever see Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox or Gabrielle Union with an Angela Davis fro? NO–unless they were asked to wear one for a movie role. The natural look is equated with slavery and only one time–in the 60s–was it a positive image–due to James Brown’s song: “Say It Loud, I’m Black & I’m Proud.”
I’ve worn my hair natural and permed and as they say..”You can draw more flies with good hair than you can with naps!”
November 7th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Being a white woman, I cannot begin to pretend to know what issues black women may feel about their hair. However, I am also an older white woman and I remember the late sixties and the black power movement. I always thought that Afros were a very attractive and natural look. I thought they looked especially stylish highlighted with large, hoop earrings or something dramatic like that.
I haven’t seen the movie but I know it’s caused a lot of discussion and controversy. Hooray for you, Karen, for bringing the topic to light.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Bev
I do agree with you that we have so far to go with this issue. Long straight hair continues to be the preferred look and probably will be; and, for the most part, iconic black women will continue to support it, although I question if the reason is always stigma related. However, I have also noticed a lot more naturals and locks where I live than I have seen (men included) since the 60’s. At a Sistah Summit I attended this summer as a vendor it seemed like more than half the women wore some type of natural style. I felt like the minority. And one woman at my church is growing her perm out and going natural as I write. I happen to think that’s major.
I currently prefer a straight look. But I also believe in doing what works for me. I wore an afro from the sixth grade until sometime in college because I was an athlete and didn’t know what else to do with my hair without looking crazy. I was proud of it, too. Got best afro senior year. When I grew tired of it, I changed it, and have never felt the need to apologize or justify my change in preference. I also happen to like the convenience of wigs and hair pieces. But I always wear my own hair because I could never find the right color or texture in my price range to match my real hair. After all, just because I like store bought hair doesn’t mean I want to look like I’m wearing it. LOL!
Now, some women are still struggling with the good hair/bad hair, slave mentality issue. (I refer to those women who try to convince the world and themselves that the wigs and pieces they wear are their real hair, and/or who think they can’t be beautiful without them.) But many more of us are not, which is my point. That matter has been put to bed. We’re just trying to make ourselves happy, and I believe the more others see us being proud of what we have, or proudly wearing what we wish we had, the less of an issue it will be.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Eileen
The time period you refer to was during and just after the Civil Rights Movement. As Beverly mentioned, James Brown had put out a song that kicked black pride into high gear. Since then, however, we (black women) have been less inclined to embrace the natural look. And when my book first came out there was still an uneasiness about even addressing the black hair subject. But lately (this year, in fact) I’m noticing more natural looks. And the sistahs wearing them are looking good too. It feels good to see the penjaleum changing.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I don’t feel like there is anything wrong with having a variety of hairstyles. That’s what makes us unique–whether we go straight/natural/long or short–Black is beautiful. We are not all the same and don’t all think alike. A lot of times people make generalizations on why a person does a certain thing. I get my hair relaxed because it’s easier for me to manage–period and wearing wigs is even easier (see my post from Friday at Princess Dominique’s Fashion blog: http://www.princessdominique.com/fashionblog/2009/11/hair-wigs-are-a-great-fashion-accessory/ )
It’s your hair so I say do what you want to with it–society shouldn’t dictate how you want to wear your hair. If you feel good going natural–then go natural; if you feel good with your hair relaxed–then get it relaxed. It does not make a person a sell out just because they want their hair straight; nor does it make a person more Black because they go natural.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Preach, Sistah Sheila, preach!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:24 am
As a child of the 60’s and 70’s I can remember being the first one in my fifth grade class to wear an afro! I LOVED it! After many years of perms, burns, hot combs and unnatural hair pieces I went ALL natural in 1984. From an extreme close cut to almost six years of locs to wild and free I love my nappy roots! LOL I have NOTHING against Sistahs who wear perms or weaves or pieces. I have three adult daughters who would NEVER wear their hair natural. Wearing your hair straight, natural or store bought is a matter of personal preference. What makes us ALL such beautiful Black women is not the hair on our heads but the beauty of our minds, hearts and spirits. Black is beautiful.
Karen, thank you Sister Friend.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Kim
You were natural when I met you, and I can’t imagine your hair any other way. Thanks for sharing your story.
November 15th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
And here I was thinking having frizzy hair was a pain at times! Entering this from IE, all resolved now. Hoping you can email me direct.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
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November 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 am
Beverly Mahone, I’m with you to some degree. Very touchy subject, especially when some women will feel defensive about certain deep psychological aspects of it. But I believe if we support our sisters, as well as individually truthfully look in the mirror and assess ourselves and our history, we might see a few things too scary to look at.
I learned a long time ago that no matter what brought us to where we are, sometimes we are so far removed, that we will defend what we are…because it is easier. And some of us will feel good. But placebos make folks feel good too.
I’m all about digging deep. And it ain’t about judging my sisters. It’s not even about them at all, nor their hair. It is about what brought the discussion of our hair. If we have that discussion, we might realize that our hair isn’t the only thing that suffers because of our rocky past. Our hair is just one of the many things that stems from why we are even discussing our hair.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Pittershawn, you hit the nail on the head. The fact that we even have to have a discussion like this is the problem. I appreciate your comment.