The first interview was with filmmaker, Kathe Sandler. In 1993, Sandler made a film entitled " A Question of Color". A video excerpt preceded the interview. The documentary dealt with hierarchy within the Black community based on skin color and hair texture. Sandler, also explored her upbringing as a biracial child. In the excerpt, two women were profiled holding opposing ideas about natural hair. This is not being biased to the woman with locs, but she said two things that really stuck out for me.
After cutting her hair and starting all over, Robin (the woman with locs) talked about her struggles with self-acceptance with the shroud of permed hair being taken away. Through this journey, she stated that as her locs grew and matured, she simultaneously experienced internal growth. As her locs became stronger, she too found the strength within. WoW! But then she went on to say..."But Black people love long hair" Double WoW!
So people, lets caucus!
Does natural hair truly mean that one has achieved self-acceptance nirvana?
My English Professor Dr. Daniel Black, brought this up in class one day. Are Black people obsessed with long hair? Does natural hair get a pass if its long?
Natural hair doesn't mean one truly accepts themselves. For a long time Black people spent too much time focusing on all things White & how to be right. So there was a misconception having long silky hair got you one step closer to being white & therefore right.
ReplyDeletePeople's decision to go natural are more influenced on society's current focus on health and being healthy. So natural unprocessed hair still allows many to fit in
I definitly don't think natural = self acceptance. It's really is just hair. I have met plenty of straight hairs that accepted themselves & vice versa. I wish it was that simple. I do however think that a lot of curly hairs "get it" though. I do agree that there are a lot of black people that really value long hair straight or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that some members in our community are obsessed with long hair. I had long hair in elementary until I begged for a perm and it just became more and more damaged over the years. After going natural and deciding to get locs it was a great relief to know that I could just get up and go with very little hair maintenance. My hair is longer than its ever been but I am contemplating cutting my locs off after three years because the length is starting to annoy me.
ReplyDeleteI think the Tyra Show that was recently done on this issue shows just how much our community is brainwashed about this issue. Some of us are willing to damage our hair beyond repair to have that "White Girl Flow" or go without paying rent in order to get that weave in or wash, perm, and set to please our Black Men whom have become so enamored with White Beauty that they hold us Black Woman up to impossible standards. This issue definitely needs to gain more prominence in our community because it directly correlates to our self hate that was perpetuated, encouraged by the White Slave Master.
Having taken the natural hair journey, and still riding the wave, I can honestly say that through my experience growth definitely caused a greater acceptance of my natural hair. This was true for both my 'fro and locks. However, I must add that I always tried to seek self acceptance during the times when people were cruel towards my appearance and unaccepting of my kinks. I also find it interesting that some of the same people who criticized me in the beginning of my journey have retracted their statements and approached to me for tips on how to effectively 'go natural' and which products to use.
ReplyDeleteI don't think natural hair is a sign of anything outside of a choice of style yet for some physical manifestation has often been a reflection of self acceptance, identity, and politics. I think people tend to overgeneralize when it comes to appearance though because I have seen a stripper with an afro lol
Black people do love long hair though...I hate that long hair on a black person is treated like an exception to the unspoke rule.