So what is this site all about? Its name makes it obvious doesn’t it?- the politics of the black people and their hair. You might think that a whole site dedicated to the subject of black hair is pointless,when there are subjects such as poverty, gun crime, obeisity and all the other issues that have that element of ’seriousness’ attached to them, hopefully I will demonstrate how serious the politics of black hair can be. This site will serve to highlight the issues surrounding black people and the cosmetic industry, racism in the industry, whether Western ideals of beauty still prevail, and more.
There have always been issues attached to black people and the way they wear their hair; the most obvious example is the emergence of the afro during the late sixties and early seventies. This was the result of an era of black power; the Black Panther Party were campaigning potently, Malcolm X also. Black pride was in the air, no longer were black people conforming to western ideals of beauty by straightening their hair- for the first time they let their natural hair stand out, big and bushy in all its glory.
Today, we have an equally political hair trend in the weave. You see them everywhere, it is like every black girl out there (well apart from those who were blessed with good natural hair!) has one. What is this saying about the young black female of today? Is she hiding underneath her weave? Could it be suggested that black people have conformed to be accepted in the West?
Black hair has always been political, it is far more than just aesthetics. The only problem is that it is dismissed as insignificant, when it is far from it.
I don’t think it is pointless and neither does Hannah Pool
No black hair is political. I hate having to shrink up my afro when I go into work to tone-down the blackness. But people need to get back to being Black and Proud and loving every bit of themselves because the rest of the world does not treat like equals.
I’m am currently a history major at Mac University, Canada. This post on black hair being political really surprised me. Studying history, I sometimes feel an air of frustration on how limited a non western perspective is given on issues that have effected and continue to effect the whole world. focusing on black world history I would really love to get to a place where I can draw connections between changes in global society/politics/technology and the influence of the global black community (both in the community and out). This post really inspired me. I have thouhgt much about black hair (having been born with it), mostly the disadvantages or harshness. I recently started thinking about the pros, viewing it as natural and beautiful. The point made that black hair is closely tied to politics can be very legit. Hair has always been a significant part of aesthetics, and aesthetics have always been a significant part of every culture (global culture). mainstreem medieval and ranaisance art for example made a point of creating aestetically beautiful art, in order to create harmony. art that is still praised today for its harmony. beauty was an element used to create harmony. the socially historical belief of Black people as aesthetically inferior (that still lingures, perhaps mostly in the -global- Black community) would therefore create an unharmonious element within the black community and to those looking in from the outside…
I don’t mean to bring this information up as an attack to either the black or non black community, or to raise any harsh feelings by bringing up history. I am a history major after all. I did not give a clear conclusion, and I argued using a lot of big ideas. I did this because I just came across the post, and am still beggining to build my ideas. no full colusions have been made on my part, but this post has inspired me to continue my studies with a critical mind, searching for truth, and remaining open to views that may not come out of a text book.
Finaly, I would like to mention that my interests are in global history and the interactions of peoples, cultures, nations. I am especially dedicated to African (Black) history, but I am also a citizen of the world and by obligation dedicated to world history (the better interests of global community).
Hey, nice tips. I’ll buy a bottle of beer to the person from that chat who told me to visit your blog