It’s modern day colonization. An invasion of our follicles. A new Black Code.
I say bleep that bleep and do not support anyone or anything that doesn’t accept our hair in its natural glory. And yes, that includes schools and workplaces. I know it’s often easier said than done because we need jobs, right? Maybe. Some source of income. Sure. But why would I subject myself to mistreatment for wearing my hair how it’s been historically worn? You know, straight from my scalp.
Why does it matter what my hair looks like if I’m qualified with a great work ethic?
If it’s not a safety or hygienic concern, then why have these conversations?
Maaaaybe because it can only apply to us with our natural hair that grows up like a flower kissing the sky or can mimic the roots, branches and trunk of a mighty Baobab. Maybe it’s that deep seated, murder-what-I-can’t-control hateration, a culturally exclusive rule for the only people that can rock big kinky fros, cornrows, Bantu knots, and locs. Effortlessly. Without appropriating or looking dirty or foolish.
Shrugs.
Maybe.
“do we really want justice scalia weighing in on black hair?” my white law school classmate thought his statement was funny, but it made me feel invisible. i was sitting in my american racism and the… View Post
via From Cornrows to Dreadlocks: Why It’s Time the Court Respected Black Hair — politics & fashion
black|burgundy 
It doesn’t hurt me as a black man that corporate America (Hell white America period) does not love our hair. What hurts me is when our own people don’t love our hair. I worked at a place where they didn’t mind you having dreads or a fro but it had to be neat. Meaning combed out and kemped. They didn’t want you looking like Elfried Peyton of the Orlando Magic. (Google Him) but they loved the Larry Fitzgerald type of dreads. Crazy huh
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It is crazy. Sure, be you, but be you like THIS. Our way.
And I agree. I’ve have countless Black women compliment me on my hair but said they could never go that short or wear a fro. Just silly really. And sad.
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I get that be proud and nappy. I just remember having a fro, I loved it when it was combed out and fluffy. I guess it’s a preference but I was still proud of my natural. I think more black women should go natural. I’ve been In countless arguments about Weaves and things. It freaks me out rubbing my fingers through someone else’s hair. It’s an intimate thing with me. Short hair is bold and women should try it. It’s only hair, right?
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It is just hair, but how you wear it says a lot about you, imo. I try not to judge but then I make snap judgments on everything-hair, clothes, odors. I think it’s human nature.
I love natural hair and yes, the thought of wearing someone else’s hair on my head is creepy! And it’s too damn hot even with the little hair I have, so I can only imagine what an added layer might do.
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Reblogged this on BLACK PEOPLE UNITE and commented:
Great post Kelley.
Leslie
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“Maybe it’s that deep seated, murder-what-I-can’t-control hateration,” That is exactly what it is. We’re sun-kissed by God. When the sun kisses them = cancer!
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Aw shat! Tell’em!
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Great piece Kelley! You put it wonderfully in the first line about modern colonization and a new Black code.
The anti-black world is always trying to train and discipline us – in our actions and our appearances. I love seeing black folks with afros, braids, dreads, or a low cut. Why should we conform to European standards of beauty that we can NEVER fully assimilate into? I can sympathize with the need for money so folks fold and get a weave – but some of them look ridiculous! And when some women be perming their hair it smells like burnt hot dogs. We shouldn’t have to mutilate ourselves like this! Whites can just BE – we shouldn’t have to constantly alter our appearance to be acceptable. We need a new criterion of beauty where we are the benchmark.
You make a great point: if its not a hygiene issue and you have a good work ethic, this is a solution in search of a problem.
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Thanks so much, Darryl! We’re too loud, too proud, too Black, too wide-nosed, too thick-lipped. And we’re in such a sad state where the anti-Black world INCLUDES Black people. Ugh!
I don’t mind a nice-looking weave, especially if it mimics a believable texture. But even here, what seems to be weave capital USA [Atlanta], they are hard to come by. And I know the foul smells you speak of when the pheromones mingle with the synthetics. I really don’t know how these ladies do it in the south with the humidity; I’d be dead and/or ready to kill. Plus I’ll admit that I’m a bit lazy when it comes to hairstyling so natural is kind of a no-brainer since it saves so much money and time. Folks need to get on my level! It’s just so disheartening that a bad weave is more acceptable than rocking a fro or locs.
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Lol @ living in the weave capital USA! I agree – I can mess with a nice weave as long as it is believable. Fool me! You can’t be super dark skinned with a Jon Benet Ramsey blonde weave lol.
Yes, people absolutely need to get on your level!
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Or slick straight like you’re Korean?! With kinky edges out tho? Come. On! I’m not buying it! It is a jungle out here. I’m convinced some women don’t even try when not too long ago it was taboo to be able to tell it’s fake.
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