The Daily Black Blog

It seems like a memo has been put out in Hollywood that braids are out and a clean taper or fade is back in. From r and b singers Omarion and Trey Songz who said braids were childish to Black rappers, actors, and even t.v show host who all of a sudden cut either their locks or braids. Now I’ve had both and I know that the upkeep can be a difficult task, sitting there for hours on in with someone messing with your hair. Then, being careful not to mess up your fresh braids or re-twist and carrying du-rags and scarves everywhere you go, so I can understand the convenience. What I don’t understand is when did it become childish? I wondered why did it seem to happen overnight? I have always believed that Black hair in it’s defining texture and strength quietly defies the traditional White ideal of beauty just by existing. I say this because of the good hair/bad hair debate that has plagued the Black community for many years proves that many people still look toward the media and movie’s ideal of beauty. Think about what makes a haircut look neat, compared to braids or other natural hair styles.

Why is nappy looked at as a bad thing when it just means tight-curled hair in a natural state? So does that mean something is wrong with the natural texture of Black hair? We need to love our naps and stop cutting them off and straightening them to be accepted even if it’s just so we can accept ourselves.

they say you need a relaxer

because your hair is tense 

or do they mean your spirit is?

Ever since they came into the picture

and told you to ditch your view of

beauty told you, you were ugly a nothing

a big lipped ape like monkey how could

anybody love something so nappy? how can you

be happy in skin black like tar, worn like a

scar from the masters whip, a daily burden 

thats why we burning our scalp, get rid of them naps

thats right make your life easy trade locs for a weave

hair dye for self esteem living a blonde dream an 

addict to the American dream not realizing your true beauty

if you looked to history,it would be seen that natural hair

was worn by kings and queens but everyone seems to think

that you are below them, dirty or stink if your not like

the majority, somehow unworthy because our hair is curly

but ignore them and absorb the way we are universal because our hair

twist like galaxies in the solar sytem’s orbit

This is my second time having twist, I’m working on growing locs but if you’ve ever tried then you know that it is a painstaking process. From the inital growing of your hair, you have to break social norms of getting a haircut every two weeks. Then, you have an afro that is “nappy” and maybe uneven, this alone for some reason bothers alot of people.  Some people reason it with saying that your hair should be “presentable” but that is subjective to the individual. I have seen afros or dreads and envied them, while others despise and I wonder why do we hate our own hair sometimes. Some people say that they do it because it is more managable, but that isn’t true; to maintain a relaxer you must do a “touch-up” to the new growth about once a month. To keep a “nice” haircut you must go almost once a week and by some standards shave everyday. Not to mention the wave caps, wrap caps, durags, and scarves used to protect your hair. You use these same things in natural hair, just without as many chemicals, money, and trips to the salon(well if you’re starting locs, you may need help). 

Why do many women feel that they are unattractive without weave or straight hair? Why do guys have to have a perfect haircut or they not as handsome? I don’t have a problem with their choice, I wonder is it just socialization. I just heard recently people referring to guys with braids as childish, how? why? Don’t children also have haircuts? Is this a reflection of our American obession with perfection or rejection of Afrocentric ideas of beauty or perhaps both? Maybe the problem isn’t in the dread head, but inside of the person judging.