“Hairstyles such as dreadlocks, afros, mohawks and other faddish styles
are unacceptable.” These were the words
in the student handbook at Deborah Brown Community School located in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. On September 11, 2013,
seven-year-old Tiana Parker, a student of this school, was sent home because her hair was deemed “unacceptable.” Her story illustrates that in America, there
remains a prevailing perception that black hair is not beautiful in its natural
state.
Tiana Parker, Age 7
Moreover, this issue affects not only black
women and girls, but black boys and men, also.
In fact, Hampton University, since 2001, has banned dreadlocks and cornrows for students (male and female)
enrolled in their MBA program. Sid
Credle, the Dean of the Business School, asserts that the ban exists so that
students can secure employment in the corporate arena. But
what makes black hair unacceptable or unprofessional? I have been asking this question for years,
and I have never received a satisfactory answer.
Although naysayers criticize our hairstyles, it
seems that we are regarded as unpresentable, unprofessional, and therefore,
unacceptable, by virtue of our hair texture. But by
what standards is the beauty of black hair being measured? In most cases, it is the white standard of beauty. Although the DNA of our hair is structurally
different, somehow we are pressured to imitate white standards of beauty, wear
our hair as straight as possible, to mirror the hair texture of the dominant
culture. And if we do not comply, as
with the case of Tiana Parker, there are repercussions. Even, India.Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair” seems
to be in defense of her natural, kinky hair texture.
I want to share this poem I wrote, inspired by my
own hair issues and those of some of my former students. I hope that it will inspire you, or a woman
you know. I hope that it will move you
to love your Creator, love Yourself and to love your Hair—texture and all.
Me, DARING to be NATURAL!
hair peace
for Nancy, Janae and kinky-haired girls everywhere
as you
toil through
tears, comb
courageously
through tangled
standards
of beauty,
may you
realize your
hair's texture
needs no
apology.
as you
brush bravely,
through knotted
insecurity,
battle the
definition
of beautiful,
may you
realize your
hair's heavenly
and
needs no
Miracle*.
*Line of hair products for black women called "Dr. Miracle."
2/2011
for Nancy, Janae and kinky-haired girls everywhere
as you
toil through
tears, comb
courageously
through tangled
standards
of beauty,
may you
realize your
hair's texture
needs no
apology.
as you
brush bravely,
through knotted
insecurity,
battle the
definition
of beautiful,
may you
realize your
hair's heavenly
and
needs no
Miracle*.
*Line of hair products for black women called "Dr. Miracle."
2/2011
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