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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 15:15:39
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I want to add a question to my last posting about hair products, which was placed in the Announcement Community forum.
I was wondering a little (a lot actually) why so many women of colour straighten their hair? Is it because of practical reasons or because of wanting caucasian hair? When you look at Beyonceīs extensions for example it is just like caucasian hair.
I have always supported my black girlfriends to keep their hair natural and I do not want to "relax" my childrens hair, as it is beautiful already as it is. For me curly or nappy hair is very beautiful and all the things you can do with it, plate it and so on. About my children, I say they can do what so ever they want with their hair when they are old enough to know what they want. But I was shocked the other day when one of my girls came to me and said she wants straight hair like me beacuse she thinks her curly hair is UGLY! Whatīs a mother to do in that situation? I want to make her feel proud of who she is and what she looks like, so do I do that by straigthening her hair?
That doesnīt make any sense to me. Since it isnīt a question of only trying to get what you donīt have but the whole idea of caucasian hair as the number one beauty ideal is sickening. We all look different and, atleast in my opinion, that diversity is what makes us beautiful. Beauty can be found everywhere, not only in the West.
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Formby
United Kingdom
246 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 15:22:54
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Well, it could be the same reason why white girls perm their hair or use curlers. Because they like the style, because it suits their face shape, because they fancy a change?
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 15:26:35
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| But I donīt think itīs just as simple as that. Can you name one black female artist from the USA for example with natural hair? Iīve only seen Angie Stone so far... |
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Formby
United Kingdom
246 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 15:38:57
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| er, Macy Gray? I don't know, I don't know much about American artists. Plenty are stylishly wearing afros in London at the moment. Fashion is fashion! |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 15:57:44
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| Well, as all fashion comes and goes letīs just hope the afros and natural locks are here to stay for a while longer, or forever. |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 16:27:17
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What I meant is that I believe it is not only a question of fashion here and what hairstyle suits your face. Of course, when you are in your teens or an adult, you are allowed to experiment with your hair how you like. You may even colour it green if you think that looks hot.
My point is, people should be allowed to feel PROUD of their own natural hair instead of thinking that their hair only looks good if itīs straight. There are moms out there who perm and put all kinds of chemicals in their childrens hair at an early age, making their children to grow up with the idea that their own natural hair is not very nice at all. Some moms are really hysterical when it comes to their daughters hair, not thinking of that they may cause a complex to their young daughters. It all starts with the parents, sociaty, media. And unfortunatly you donīt see alot of natural hair in the media, most black celebrities are totally living after the Wests beauty ideal that is why you can count those who arenīt with the fingers of one hand.
It may be trendy to wear an afro right now, but how many africans are really proud of their natural hair? Why does it have to be straight, extended to "look good", just because of living up to the Wests beauty standards? As it is today, you can thank God if you get a job when you show up at the office with braids, dreadlocks or a big afro. Why does it have to be that way? Why isnīt rasta accepted and so full of prejudice? You may think this is a superficial topic and should not be made as such a big deal or issue, but hair is really one of the most important things in our lives. The hair does say alot about us as individuals and who we are. And if you are proud of yourself and where youīre coming from, why not let it show in your hair? People should know that their natural hair is cute already and that you donīt have to make it straight because you think thatīs cuter.(Because the Western media and your mom, aunt, sister, cousin or friend told you so). Your hair rocks!
Happy weekend yīall!
(Oh and just to add some more celebs to the proud natural hair club: Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keyes, Whoopi Goldberg. So thatīs 5 with Angie and Macy. More role models like that are needed!) |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 22:08:49
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| A friend of mine who wanted to be accepted as a business man in Gambia has taken his rasta hair out,I think that is a shame...because he looked lovely and does it make him a better person just coz his hair is different???? But he really felt the need to change. |
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BornAfrican
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2006 : 19:41:04
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Babylon,
I have been wondering about this issue myself for a very long time. Take a look around and you see that all the black icons/celebrities never keep their natural hair. I am not being a racist, but i think its better for one to look like oneself rather than trying to be others. I don't think such individuals are free. I believe that freedom comes from within oneself. Its not only the choice of what to say, wear or where to go.
Its a shame that our sisters are ashame to show their natural hair/beauty. Every time i go out, i see sisters wearing wigs and all other funny stuff. Some look like chinese girls born in Africa.
Have you ever been to Africa Babylon? I travelled to Mali a few years ago and i was shocked to see almost 4 out of ten women in Bamako(the capital of Mali) bleaching their skins. Their skins look so funny i just can't put it in words. Its rampant in the Senegambia region as well. It all boils down to inferiority complex most of the times.
Thanx for the posting Babylon. Sisters be proud of what you have and try to be yourselves.
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BornAfrican
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2006 : 19:58:23
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Originally posted by gambiabev
A friend of mine who wanted to be accepted as a business man in Gambia has taken his rasta hair out,I think that is a shame...because he looked lovely and does it make him a better person just coz his hair is different???? But he really felt the need to change.
BornAfrrican
Bev, i am very glad you see that hypocricy that exists in our society. People are judged based on their looks. Shakespeare said that the job you do, the food you eat and clothes you wear don't say nothing about you. Its the deeds that come out of an individual that speaks most.
Unfortunately, its sad that such backwardness still exists out there. The root of it is the misinformation. The way Jamaicans and Black Americans are potrayed in our societies is nothing but as evil people. As a reslut, no mother wants her child(ren) to imitate them. They fail to understand that dreadlocks originated from Africa. Africans have been wearing dreadlocks from the beginning of time. I have dreadlocks myself but i know i will face a lot of discrimination when i get back home. Some people will want to commit suicide when when they see me with my locks. To them, i am finished, thats the end of me, i have gone bad for good. This is how rasta men are seen out there. But again, the most annoying part of it is that people won't talk about your dreadlocks if you have a healthy bank account. Only poor rastamen in the Gambia are being spat at. Its sick and shamefull. Gambians have to change their attitude.
All the people robbing our country today, subjecting us to poverty and starvation are not wearing dreadlocks. They dress in suits and ties with low cut hair. And yet still, this is the criteria for being a good person in the Gambia. The boys with dreadlocks are out there struggling in the streets doing no harm to the common man.
Your friend should have never remove his dreadlocks. Be what you want to be and you will find hapiness. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2006 : 20:56:06
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He felt the need to , to be taken seriously at the bank!
Most Rastas I have met in Gambia are the nicest, friendly people. They have their heads well sorted out and have the right priorities in life.
Prejudice is a terrible thing. Just because you have dreadlocks doesnt make you a bad muslim......... |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2006 : 22:43:49
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Hi Babylon, I would reccommend reinforcing your daughters with positive images of African and mixed raced children with natural hairstyles in children books.There is a good children's book called "When I look in the mirror." ( I'll post in the author later on )it has got some beautiful illustrations.
In fact I had purchased a copy for a five year old, as a present and when she opened her birthday present and showed it to her mum. The little girl's ten year sister kept hassling her mother about getting her hair permed. Her mum told her no. Then she replied "well mum, you've got your hair permed." Her mum told her I'm an adult and your a child."Then her little sister showed them both the book, her mum was relieved to see it and then was able to show her daughter all the beautiful things that she could do with her hair. The ten year old was astonished and felt proud about her hair.
There is a deep negative pyschological impact which has been imposed on African's because there hair is different from other races. Again during slavery times differences between Africans such as complexion, hair texture was used to pitt us against each other, and breed mistrust these prejudices are still within African communities today, and the European preception of what is beautiful is what is still promoted on TV adverts, magazines, billboards etc.
Many African women will say the reason for them having their hair straightened is to do with convenience and manageability. But how true is this especially when over a prolonged period processing African hair makes it weak and it drops out. I feel there is a deep psychological need for women who perm there hair to want to assimilate more fully into European culture on subconcious level for acceptability and respectability. More self love is diffinitely needed.
African hair needs to be embraced black is beautiful and so is woolly or nappy hair. So I am glad to see Babylon that you are encouraging your children to love themselves for who they are!
Peace
sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2006 : 16:11:56
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Thanks Sister Omega! Books are very important. I look forward to the book "When I look in the mirror". It is very difficult to find that kind of books here in Sweden, but thank God (and Bill Gates I guess  ) for webshops. I also want to order one book named " I love my hair" from the African bookcentre. I saw many good childrens books there which I probably wont find in my country. It is a pity, since there are so many multi racial children here. There have been times when Iīve wondered if I have to sit down and start creating books myself, since I cant find what Iīm looking for over here. But that is beyond my talents Iīm afraid... |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2006 : 22:29:53
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Hi Babylon as promised "When I Look In The Mirror." By Soepia Greywolf.
ISBN 1-881316-8-9. I hope your children will enjoy it and don't under estimate your talents.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 19:23:03
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quote:
Originally posted by BornAfrican
Babylon,
I have been wondering about this issue myself for a very long time. Take a look around and you see that all the black icons/celebrities never keep their natural hair. I am not being a racist, but i think its better for one to look like oneself rather than trying to be others. I don't think such individuals are free. I believe that freedom comes from within oneself. Its not only the choice of what to say, wear or where to go.
Its a shame that our sisters are ashame to show their natural hair/beauty. Every time i go out, i see sisters wearing wigs and all other funny stuff. Some look like chinese girls born in Africa.
Have you ever been to Africa Babylon? I travelled to Mali a few years ago and i was shocked to see almost 4 out of ten women in Bamako(the capital of Mali) bleaching their skins. Their skins look so funny i just can't put it in words. Its rampant in the Senegambia region as well. It all boils down to inferiority complex most of the times.
Thanx for the posting Babylon. Sisters be proud of what you have and try to be yourselves.
Yes I have been to Africa , I do not understand the point of skin bleaching either. Also Iīd like to say that only about 10-20 years ago it was difficult to find suitable make up for darker skin, but all that has changed now. There is make up for women of any colour on the market now, so there really is no reason to buy white powders anymore. Beauty comes in all shades and colours, and I agree with you: every woman should be proud of what God gave her and take care of that. Iīm always happy to hear a mans opinion on these things as well, so thank you BornAfrican for supporting your sisters. |
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