There’s a really great post over at Anti-Racist parent about the experience of having naturally curly hair, especially with those of West African roots. Although I don’t agree with using the term nappy or kinky to describe my hair (as they derive from tragic historical roots), Tami makes some good points about how we are raised to not love our hair.
They learned that having black hair cared for naturally hurts. And they learned that the tools used to care for straighter, finer hair should also be used on hair with West African roots. They learned to trust companies whose minimal knowlege of us doesn’t stop them from wanting to make a buck with beautifying (and damaging) miracle lotions and potions. They learned and they passed that “knowledge” on to us–their daughters. And we continue the cycle of pain and struggle against our hair.
When some of us do try to turn things around and go natural, we don’t even know how to take care of it and end up following hair rituals that are not designed for curly hair (loose or tight) and ziggy hair (z-pattern).
My own experience of going natural has shown me that loving your natural hair is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a lot to continually deconstruct society’s messages and my own internalized negative understanding of my hair. For me, once I begun to see that there is nothing wrong with my hair and that treating it differently doesn’t devalue the beauty of it, I was able to feel good about my new look.
It will take a long time before the magazines begin to reflect the way I look. It will take a while for society to begin to accept and appreciate all kinds of hair and beauty. I am by no means a pioneer, but I am happy to be able to reflect my natural beauty and acceptance for myself every day.
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