Before reading this post--really, before watching this video--I would encourage you to read the description of this blog. If you don't find that you're part of the intended audience, you may not want to proceed. You've been advised. :-)
I have to give a shout-out The Sistah Chick, who shared this video on her blog. Thank you so much for spreading the word! As for me, I've been preaching about the need to encourage the beauty of black females' natural hair texture, especially for our little girls. This video illustrates that correlation. Didn't think it mattered that much? Think again...and spread the word.
YAY!!
ReplyDeleteI celebrate all women of color regardless of how they decide to rock their hair. But I will say, as a person who decided to go natural before it was a popular concept, my heart smiles when I see more of us embracing our natural beauty. A constant battle that continues to plague all generations of women of color is the idea of beauty, especially how it relates to our hair. So it is exciting to see how we are once again beginning to set our own agenda on beauty.
I do caution in the efforts to encourage the beauty of black females' natural hair texture, that we tread lightly. I have witness to much of the 'beating the bible over the head' tactics, in various interactions of the natural and the permed. Sadly, I fear that this issue is becoming another divisive tactic in our community instead of empowering. The last few hair conversations I have witnessed among women of color, reminds me of the scene from School Daze..however we have simply turned the tables.
I think from time to time we need a reminder, as India Arie sung.."I am not my hair." Thus, showing love regardless what choices we all make hair or otherwise.
Sunshine, thanks for posting! I absolutely agree with you! I'm not about labeling women who perm their hair as "self-hating" or "wannabes." I've seen that kind of rhetoric, and I agree that it's divisive. That's not what I'm about. However, what I'm about promoting is the idea that naturally textured hair is not inherently bad, which is a long-standing sentiment that is alive and well. When I see videos like this, then, I'm thankful that some women are able to overcome these historical ideas about nappy hair and pass that on to their daughters, as opposed to passing on an idea that their hair needs to be "fixed." I think this particular legacy has been very damaging for generations of girls.
ReplyDeleteNothing in this story was surprising to me, but it still made me say "Wow." Good find on the video.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. Such an important issue.
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