I think that, in general, whites simply don't have the same historical/emotional hair baggage that many black women have, so it's less of a big deal to many whites.
I remember the first time I cut off my relaxed hair and had short natural hair. A black lady I had recently met asked me in horror, "Why would you do that to yourself?!!" I was soooooo taken aback I didn't even know what to say.
I read an article a while back that captures, in many ways, the acute differences between what hair means to black women and white women. I'll post the link here, Mocha Mom, if that's ok. If not, please feel free to remove it: http://www.nappturality.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=905:white-women-dyeing-black-women-relaxing-why-its-not-the-same-thing&catid=34:careinfo&Itemid=30
@ Janet One thing to look at is "400 years without a comb"--it's the written work the videos you'll find for free on YouTube is based on. Right now I'm reading Landmarks in African American History. Very interesting.
@Dr. I've read that article on Nappturality--I thought it was a really good analogy--though I don't think there is a perfect analogy. it came pretty close and the author is particularly articulate.
I think that, in general, whites simply don't have the same historical/emotional hair baggage that many black women have, so it's less of a big deal to many whites.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I cut off my relaxed hair and had short natural hair. A black lady I had recently met asked me in horror, "Why would you do that to yourself?!!" I was soooooo taken aback I didn't even know what to say.
I read an article a while back that captures, in many ways, the acute differences between what hair means to black women and white women. I'll post the link here, Mocha Mom, if that's ok. If not, please feel free to remove it:
http://www.nappturality.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=905:white-women-dyeing-black-women-relaxing-why-its-not-the-same-thing&catid=34:careinfo&Itemid=30
I don't know what to say about this one. Other than you're right....I am blissfully ignorant. I have some reading to do.
ReplyDelete@ Janet
ReplyDeleteOne thing to look at is "400 years without a comb"--it's the written work the videos you'll find for free on YouTube is based on. Right now I'm reading Landmarks in African American History. Very interesting.
@Dr. I've read that article on Nappturality--I thought it was a really good analogy--though I don't think there is a perfect analogy. it came pretty close and the author is particularly articulate.
ReplyDelete