The documentary by Chris Rock “Good Hair” is timely. It is about time that somebody expose the truth about the dangers of the chemicals in the perms that we put in our hair. The idea that Black women of all socio-economic statuses spend a lot of money to purchase hair from Indian people they don’t even know (and attaching psychic energy emanating from their bodies to their own) who think they are sacrificing their hair to God, was eye opening.
There are two things that the documentary missed, however. First, is the fact that African American women (and women of other ethnic groups) have internalized a white standard of beauty that is imposed on the world. Second, is that some of the pressure for Black women to conform to the White standard of beauty stems from Black men who have also internalized the White women. So the discussion that there is pressure for African American men to pay for hair weaves might have included that there is pressure for African American women to be physically appealing to African American men.
For Black women (and Black men) in America, our dislike for our own hair started during the slave experience with white peoples’ dislike for it. As Paul Mooney stated in the film, “if your hair is relaxed, white people feel relaxed. If your hair is nappy, they’re not happy.” The oppressive conditions of slavery made it difficult for Black women to care for their hair in ways that they were accustomed to in Africa. Madame C. J. Walker, seeing how African American women were suffering from hair loss and other ailments due to lack of proper hair care was moved to do something about it, thus becoming the first African American woman to become a millionaire in the U.S. for creating products for Black hair care. Even the extravagant head dresses that African women were known for in Africa was reduced to a handkerchief, during the slave experience, in effort to cover up our hair. The wig is also an effort to cover our hair and was the primary cover for African American women before the advent of the weave.
In the entertainment industry in the 60s and 70s it was the wig. Now for African American women in entertainment it is the weave. Interestingly, the hair that women in entertainment are compelled to wear has become even more whitenized; it is blond. So, for women to achieve superstar status, they have to conform to the standard like Beyonce, Janet Jackson and many others do. The reality is because of the globalization of the white standard of beauty, people the world over, even Black people, think Black hair is inferior. A fact that Chris Rock brilliantly brings to light in the film.
I wondered when someone would to delve into the touchy topic of Michelle Obama’s hair and they did. One day I turned on my computer to find a video history of her hair on internet. Not only does the scrutiny that Michelle Obama undergoes about her physical appearance, in spite of that she is highly educated, intelligent, and possess a number characteristics; grace, integrity, etc., that all Black women might aspire to, speak to how shallow those who do it are, but to the politics of a women’s value being placed on her looks. Interestingly, one wonders if Barak Obama would have won the bid for presidency if Michelle Obama had of worn her hair in a natural style.
White women, Asian women and women all over the world hair in it’s natural state is considered beautiful. It is only in a discussion about Black hair does the word “natural” even enter into the conversation. Because the white standard of beauty has been imposed globally, women of all ethnicities feel compelled to adhere to it; even Asian women get surgery done on their eyes to take the slant out so that they look more like European women (see the film a Question of Color). It is not just White women’s hair that African American women and those of other ethnicities are affected by, it is also, skin complexion, facial features and body type and size. The question is what would Black women think and how would they feel about their hair had they not encountered white people who told them that there is something wrong with it? If one visits some countries in Africa, they’d see no one with a perm.
Unfortunately, women inhabit a world where their value is based on a materialistic value; physical appearance. Most unfortunate is when they value themselves based on physical appearance. For some women, no matter what they achieve, if they do not feel beautiful, they do not feel good about themselves. For Black women trying to achieve an idea that is virtually impossible is tragic. So much so that they not only burn out their own hair, but the hair of the daughters with the Kiddie perm. The 8th leading cause of death for Black women is Septicemia, blood poisoning. It makes one wonder whether there is a relationship between the two.
Many African American women may suffer from what the narrator in the film “Souls of Black Girls” (a highly recommended film) calls “self image disorder”. The film “Good Hair” helped to increase our awareness of the dangers of the perm and provided information on the exploitation of those whose hair we are weaving into our own. A book that all Black women in America (and men) might read is Patrica Hill-Collins, Black Feminist Thought. It provides the framework for understanding the politics of being a woman of African descent in America.
Although those wishing to be politically correct, and those who could care less, speak to the diversity of Black hair, and the right to choose, it is still important to examine what we are choosing and be informed about what may be motivating our choices– consciously and unconsciously. Especially when the choices are damaging.
Finally, Black people might get rid of the notions of “good” hair and “bad” hair, and other carryovers stemming from brutal experiences of slavery.
All hair is good, because all hair comes from God.
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