Ethnic Hair Luncheon Domino Foundation July 2011
I Am Not My Hair (remix): India Arie ft. Akon [Akon: Verse 1] Konvict Konvict Music uh huh See I can kinda recall a lil ways back Small tryin to ball always been black And my hair I tried it all I even went flat Had a gummy curled on top and all that crap (o oh) Just tryin to be appreciated Nappy headed brothers never had no ladies Never hit the barber shop real quick Had a mini lil twist and it drove her crazy (crazy) Then I couldnt get no job Cuz corporate wouldn't hire no dreadlocks Then I thought about my dogs on the block Kinda understand why they chose to steal and rob Was it the hair that got me this far? All these girls these cribs these cars? I hate to say it but it seem so flawed Success didnt come til I cut it all off [India.Arie: Verse 1] Little girl with the press and curl Age eight I got a Jheri curl Thirteen and I got a relaxer I was a source of so much laughter At fifteen when it all broke off Eighteen and I went all natural February two thousand and two I went on and did What I had to do Because it was time to change my life To become the women that I am inside Ninety-seven dreadlocks all gone I looked in the mirror For the first time and saw that HEY, [Chorus] I am not my hair I am not this skin I am not your expectations no no I am not my hair I am not this skin I am a soul that lives within [India.Arie: Verse 2] Good hair means curls and waves Bad hair means you look like a slave At the turn of the century It's time for us to redefine who we be You can shave it off Like a South African beauty Or get in on lock Like Bob Marley You can rock it straight Like Oprah Winfrey If it's not what's on your head It's what's underneath and say HEY, [Chorus] [Akon: Verse 2] Who cares if you don't like that With nothin to lose postin with the wave cap And the cops wanna harass cuz I got waves Ain't see nothin like that in all my days (oh oh) And you gotta change all this feelings They be judging one another by their appearance Yes India, i feel ya girl Now go 'head talk to the rest of the world cuz, [Bridge] Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person? Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oooh
Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity? I am expressing my creativity, [India.Arie: Verse 3] bosom Cancer and Chemotherapy Took away her crown and glory She promised God if she was to survive She would enjoy every day of her life ooh On national television Her diamond eyes are sparkling Bald headed like a full moon shining Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY, [Chorus til fade] Take time to write down your thoughts as you listen to the meaning of the lyrics of this song.
A Brief History on Black Hair Ask almost any black woman and she will probably tell you that her relationship with her hair is similar to a love affair. Whether it s the long hours spent waiting at the hair salon, the pain endured from pressing or braiding, or the amount of money spent hair is truly an obsession. While I realize other cultures value hair, in Black culture hair is extremely significant and often synonymous with identity. And many individuals, such as Don King, Bob Marley, and Angela Davis have used their hair to make a statement. As a member of the Black culture, I admit we often take the significance and maintenance of hair to another level. But this is not of our own will. In fact, the importance of hair in the Black community can be traced back to our African ancestors. And the history of the affair begins... The origin of this love affair can be traced back to Africa. It seems only natural that the affair would begin here, since most blacks were transported from the west coast of Africa. Although the textures of their hair varied greatly, the Africans expressed similar views on the cultural and social significance of their hair. Social significance In the early fifteenth century, hair served as a carrier of messages in most West African societies (Tharps and Byrd 2001) These Africans--citizens from the Mende, Wolof, Yoruba, and Mandingo were all transported to the New World on slave ships. Within these communities, hair often communicated age, marital status, ethnic identity, religion, wealth, and rank in the community. Hairstyles could also be used to identify a geographic region. For example, in the Wolof culture of Senegal, young girls partially shaved their hair as an outward symbol that they were not courting (1). And the Karamo people of Nigeria, for example, were recognized for their unique coiffure a shaved head with a single tuft of hair left on top. (1) Likewise, widowed women would stop attending to their hair during their period of mourning so they wouldn t look attractive to other men. And as far as community leaders were concerned, they donned elaborate hairstyles. And the royalty would often wear a hat or headpiece, as a symbol of their stature. Aesthetic significance Just as the social significance of hair was important, so was its aesthetic appeal. According to Sylvia Ardyn Boone, an anthropologist who specializes in the Mende culture of Sierre Leone, West African communities admire a fine head of long, thick hair on a woman. A woman with long thick hair demonstrates the life force, the multiplying power of profusion, prosperity, a green thumb for bountiful farms and many healthy children (Tharps and Byrd 2001) However, there was more to being beautiful than having long tresses. One s hair also had to be neat, clean, and arranged in a certain style. These styles included, but were not limited to, cornrows, and other braided styles. They also adorned the hair with ornaments such as beads and cowrie shells.
Spiritual Significance Just as hair was elevated for social and aesthetic reasons, its spiritual connection also served to heighten its significance. Many Africans believed the hair a way to communicate with the Divine Being. According to Mohamed Mbodj, an associate professor of history at Columbia University and a native of Dakar, Senegal, the hair is the most elevated point of your body, which means it is the closest to the divine. Consequently, many thought communication passed through the hair. Many believed a single strand of hair could be used to cast spells or inflict harm. This explains why hairdressers held and still hold prominent positions in the community. For those who do not know, styling and grooming black hair is often complicated and time consuming. This time spent at the hairdresser often results in close bonds between the stylist and the client. It is important to note that unstyled and unkempt hair was largely unseen, as were scarves and headwraps. Therefore, one can conclude that the hair was not meant to be covered. Damaging Effects of the Slave Trade As the study of American history has revealed, the slave trade not only inflicted physical damage, but it also left emotional and psychological scars. The most devastating scar, that is still reflected today, is that done to the slave s self-image. This is especially true as it relates to hair and skin color. As they both became the framework for determining race. Slave owners often described the Africans' hair as being "woolly", thus likening them to animals. These and other terms would later be used to justify the inhumane treatment of the slaves. After years of repression and constantly seeing those with "straight hair" and "light skin" afforded better opportunities, the slaves began to internalize these words. Ultimately, self-hatred began. In an effort to educate others about black hair and to celebrate its diversity, I created this website. While it is not a complete history of black hair, it should provide some basic knowledge. Bibliography Byrd,Ayana and Lori L.Tharps. Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. New York, New York: St. Martin's Press, 2001. Banks, Ingrid. Hair Matters: Beauty, Power, and Black Women's Consciousness. New York, New York: New York University Press, 2000.
Books Recommended by Natasha s website: This information is courtesy of Natasha Patterson 2002, and the content for the section entitled A Brief History on Black Hair originates from her website: A Beautiful Hair Affair, http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall02/patterson/history.html
Barbershop/Salon Notes
Additional Websites A Look Back at the Black Hair Story: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/kinky-hair-type-4a/a-look-back-at-theblack-hair-story The Special Needs of African-American Hair: http://www.hairfinder.com/tips/ethnichair.htm Essence Magazine: http://www.essence.com/hair/ Discussion Groups on Black Hair: http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/ Sophisticate s Black Hair Styles and Care Guide: http://www.sophisticatesblackhairstyles.com/