"Why We Love & Hate Our Hair"

For so many years African-Americans have had a yin & yang relationship with their natural tresses. There are so many generations of cultural and environmental influences since slavery that have passed negative connotations of derogatory terms in regards to black hair. There is forgiveness but still no resolve to the constant self- acceptance of a European ideology of beauty.

Ironically we now have a new culture that accepts their natural curly texture but almost in a rebellious outward expression, there is a movement of dread wearing, fro rocking, and textured low coifs. However, some of these individuals will overcompensate that hairstyle with a more Afrocentric style of fashion or sometimes a t-shirt that expresses their need to be, "nappy but happy". It's as if they need to explain their culture for others to accept their hair.

Some may argue with this opinion but that's their right. while others may express that they're completely comfortable with their natural textured hair as an African American and there is nothing to prove to anyone for their decision of choosing a hairstyle. But, then I would like to ask those individuals that are militant about their choice to be natural, whether there natural hairstyle decision are dreads, fros, or either braids. I would address those individuals that have a : I don't have to prove anything to anyone",kind of attitude. Did they really attend their interviews with the complete certainty that the interviewer will judge them only according to their natural hairstyles or be accepting to know that hair is just that, hair. After you left out of that office thinking the interviewer felt they're qualified to perform the job?

This is why we hate and love our hair, because we know that our hair is so beautiful, less maintenance, and versatile. But, other cultures are sometimes ignorant to that fact. As if our locs and braids are going to Afrotize the image of the work place. African American natural hair expression can at times give us an unfair first impression and can sometimes make others blush. Their facial gestures can read like there thinking "why would you want to wear your hair like that"?

I mean let's be honest it's a hidden joke in the African American culture that, you just don't go to a job interview with braids. Rather, you wait until you have received the job and after a few months you start to express your choice of braids to your co-workers and employer so that your ethnic look does not overwhelm non-Blacks in a sense. Dread wearers will sometimes tie down their locs down a little tighter to seem "more professional looking".

It's a sad thought but its' true, this all goes back to the generational influence since slavery to blend in to be accepted and look to look befitting in the sight of a European influenced environment. I know that there are other races and cultures that face this issue in other forms and they to probably make similar judgments to blend in with society. know that many Americans of other nationalities and even Whites face discrimination about their choice of hairstyle but, unlike African Americans we're discriminated on our hair texture and not our hair hue.

How do we progress? We begin to love our hair. We love our hair and we love the way hair is such a Av ant Gard in the Black community we hold our heads up high with our dreads, braids, low cut coifs, like peacocks competing in the wild. If African Americans are going to buy one thing that is going to be one thing that has to do with our hair. Not in a narcissistic investment but a love investment that embraces beauty of our hair to make ourselves feel good. Whether your relaxed, locs, braids, lo fro, or whatever. Start to tell our sons and daughters that the African American hair is unique and versatile. Start to take back the market of Black haircare by inventing your own hair products and marketing those products. Support those already established companies that advertise the beauty and importance of Black hair, like Namaste, Avlon, Mizani, Black Earth, Mango n' Lime and so many others. Find yourselves a good Barber or Hairstylist to groom and maintain your hair so that Black hair won't be unhealthy hair, whatever style you choose will look it's best.


Stacy Jenkins
Cosmetologist and Chief Editor of 'Black Hair in Macon Georgia'


Read a weekly article of 'Black Hair in Macon Georgia' weekly @ http://blackhairinmacongeorgia.blogspot.com/
or call 478-477-5133