Just Not Gonna Cut It!

I’ve been meaning to do a blog about hair discriminatory practices and so today is a good day to have this discussion. Honestly, y’all, I’m exhausted! It’s always something!! You’ve seen the news recently about a young black man expressing himself (definitely not hurting anybody) wasn’t able to graduate because of his hair. The school board decided to keep the policy further pushing this discriminatory practice. And we definitely remember the young man whose coach cut his dreads during a wrestling match. The list goes on and on…..California finally passed a law to ban hair discrimination practice and a few states followed suit. But really?!?! We really have to pass a law?!?! Yes! Exhausting! BUT as always it’s so beneficial to know your history and do some research because when you do, you will find that this is nothing new AND hopefully we as people of color will further appreciate our hair and the versatility it brings! Check out this snippet from Wikipedia…

“Black hair has manifested over centuries, from Africa through the Middle Passage and to the Americas. Black hair has transformed over time, but its origins are rooted in purpose and livelihood. Before there were boundaries dividing Africa into states and countries through colonization, the continent was divided into kingdoms.^[3] Ancient African custom was for those who inhabited the kingdoms were a part of complex system of tribe and clan affiliations that were unique to their identity and personhood. During the 15th century, the way in which clan members wore their hair has a multitude of means. It was used as messaging system to communicate within and outside of their clan to convey their associations.^[4] Hair was biography tell a person’s age, martial status, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, surname, health status and geographic origin.^[5] One example is dreadlocks.

Dreadlocks from the Himba tribe of Northwestern Namibia indicates one’s age, life stage, and marital status. The tribe lives in the northwestern region of Namibia. A combination of ground ochre, goat hair, and butter are used as well as hair extensions when weaving to styling their dreadlocks.^[4] This hairstyle has several meanings that communicate information women of the tribe specifically. Dreadlocks worn down in their front of the face represent girls going through puberty while dreadlocks tied back are worn by women looking to marry, in order to show their face. Erembe headdresses are a symbol of status worn my new mother and married women.^[4]

Once their hair began to grow back, plaits, braids, and cornrows were the most convenient hairstyle for slaves to do that would have their hair neat and maintained for a week. On Sundays, some masters allowed their slaves to have some time to themselves to prepare for the week of labor coming.^[7] They would braid each other’s hair using grease or oil they had available, like kerosene. Cornrows were given its name by slaves who thought the style resembled rows of corn in the field.^[7] Other slaves, in Central and Southern America and the Caribbean call them cane rows because they resembled sugarcane fields.^[8] This hairstyle was useful for the livelihood of slaves. Braid patterned became symbols for freedom. Different styles and patterns were used as guide to plantations, resembling roads and paths to travel or avoid.^[8]“-Wikipedia

Everyday it seems like I’m learning something new and it also seems that every time I do a blog and do some research I end up doing some soul searching as well. I do believe we underestimate how much the Diaspora has affected us and is still affecting us. And yes, hair discrimination is real. I know because I remember being told how to “groom” myself for an interview. I went out of my way to flat iron my “unruly” hair to make it as straight and “tamed” as possible. I even gelled down my baby hairs. I also remember being in college and some of my classmates had to cut their hair and also shave as to not look so militant. I remember a lady I knew was looked over for a principal position because of her hair (she had all of the qualifications and they needed more representation. There was no excuse other than her hair). Village Mamas, we owe it to our ancestors to keep on fighting! Keep on pushing the limit! There is nothing wrong with braids, dreads, an afro, long hair, short hair, it’s your hair!

Check out this book if you want to learn more about the history of African Americans and hair! Click on the image to purchase. Until next time, Village Mamas! Oh and make sure you’re registered to vote and you’ve researched all options when it comes to voting!!!!!!