Friday, August 28, 2009

Good Hair

I saw the link to this New York Times article about natural hair on Black Girl with Long Hair (BGLH).

Like her, I am also a bit sceptical when I see mainstream media try to write about natural hair, mostly because they either never get it right or because it doesn't say anything that I don't already know. But then again, these articles aren't targeted at people like me, who are die-hard nappies.

What this article does is to explore the debates for and against wearing hair naturally.

For includes (according to people interviewed): Means you have a higher degree of self-acceptance and self-love

Against: You're more likely to fit in or be accepted by the conservative establishment



Comedian Chris Rock has a documentary coming out called Good Hair exploring the whole 'good' and 'bad' hair debate, which looks good. See the trailer.

4 comments:

Blogoratti said...

Haha,comedian Paul Mooney is hilarious.Nice trailer!

Lani said...

The trailer is hilarious!

Oh well, I suppose I can't understand why it remains such a divisive issue but that's just me. I'll probably be called a traitor by the two sides because I can go either way. Sometimes, I go nappy for a year and when I feel like, I get a perm. I hate weaves, but that's just me. I am not sitting on the fence. I am making choices and I am happy that I have the luxury to do that.

What I will not accept, though, is when people somehow equate having natural hair with being more in tune with their African heritage. I hear that being thrown around a lot and I think it's a bit shallow (and I do know a thing or two about being African seeing that I teach that course). I respect nappies but I don't accord them any elevation on an imaginary pyramid of "Who is a better African?".

uknaija said...

I was shocked recently to discover an English friend thought black women had straight hair naturally :-)

Ore said...

Seriously? LOL!