What is good hair? This is a question that is often asked amongst the Black
community.
Black men and women have been miseducated about the concept of hair for generations; stemming as far back as when our ancestors arrived, against their will, to this country.
Colorism,” a practice of discrimination by which those with lighter skin is treated more favorably than those with darker skin,” is a constant factor in bashing
hair types within the Black culture.
To those that are being bashed and to those doing the bashing, education of
self is more than needed. It is time for acceptance, adaptation, and self-love.
Colorism instilled the idea that “coarse” hair and dark skin are inferior to its thinner and lighter counterpart. It was utilized by slave masters to not only decide which slaves were assigned the more arduous tasks, but was invented to prohibit the slaves from joining together and overcoming their circumstances.
Many fail to acknowledge that colorism is still infused within their culture. It determines what is thought to be attractive and what is not desirable.
The community has yet to have banned together due separation that was set generations ago.
There is no such thing as good or bad hair. However, there is such a thing
called the “curl pattern spectrum.” The curl pattern spectrum ranges from 1a, a
straight and thin texture, to 4c, a thick, tight curl pattern.
The African-American community has learned to covet the more loose textures rather than their own because these hair textures belong to white counterparts.
To conform to society’s ideal of beauty; there has been a development of
hair products and tools that will straighten the hair.
Annie Malone invented the first hot comb in the early 1900’s and Garrett Augustus Morgan invented the first relaxer in 1877. That is an extensive history of Black people altering themselves to be what they aren’t.
As of lately, there has been a breakthrough in Black people accepting who they truly are in natural form. Recently, relaxer sales have been steadily
decreasing. Atlanta Black Star posts, “Market research firm, Mintel, estimated that
the Black hair business is worth $774 million and relaxer sales are aimed to decrease 45 percent before 2019. “ Although there’s been a breakthrough, Black
people still have not broken the chain in order to accept and educate their people about proper hair care and how to be patient with it.
Readaptation to one’s self will take time but with help and support from the community, it can be done.
Find a system of support if you haven’t already, there is various pages on social media that cater to your newfound hair struggles along with clubs on campus.
The Southern University Natural Hair Club welcomes new members, and has great hair tips to assist you with your hair goals.
So, what is good hair anyways? Good hair is strong and healthy hair. It is filled with shine, and elasticity.
Categories:
What is Good Hair?
October 11, 2016
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