Destiny

I miss being ignorant

 Posted by on Mon, 11/28 at 3:47pm  ideas  No Responses »
Nov 282016
 

So after years of refusing any heat to my hair, I have begun to straighten my hair again. I don’t want to admit it, but I was not expecting to feel so pretty. Why is it that with straight hair, I walk a little taller. I get hit on more and get more compliments from people in my circle of friends and family. I also take more selfies. But with curly hair, I feel smarter, I feel like I am above trivial things like my looks. With curly hair I feel like I look friendlier and overall nicer. This change in my feelings based on my hair is something that I thought I should look into. Are my feelings a genuine reflection on what is going on around me or is it me that is making assumptions.

Obviously I can see that I feel prettier with straight hair because I more closely resemble traditional beauty standards and as much as I try to be above them, they are there. That is why I get more compliments because those ideals are implanted in our head. As far as looking friendlier, I think this is a reflection on my idea that I am prettier with straight hair and therefore not a threat to other women, making me think that I am nicer with curly hair. How do I even begin to change this. I missed the days before this course when I was happy and ignorant.

Black hair magazine, JK JK

 Posted by on Mon, 11/21 at 11:18pm  reading  No Responses »
Nov 212016
 

A black hair magazine has just issued an apology for using non black models with fake afros as their cover girl. What makes this so bad is that the magazine is actually called “black hair.”  This magazine is dedicated to black beauty and promoting black hair products, so the readers were undeniably confused about the misrepresentation of the issues cover girl with their mission statement. After much backlash the magazine then issued an apology. Cultural appropriation has been in the news a lot lately. From the Kardashians braids to Vanessa Hudgenson poetic justice inspired look, magazines should do their due diligence to ensure that things like this do not happen.  The magazine has now been slammed for cultural appropriation. The term cultural appropriation is difficult to define in specific terms but can be seen as the copying of another’s social, ethnic, or national traditions and are often delicate matters to a minority.  The magazine says they did not know the model was not black. They received the picture from a third party source and they used their discretion to determine that the model was black. I don’t buy it.

Naturalista Stereotypes

 Posted by on Thu, 11/17 at 11:21pm  proposal  No Responses »
Nov 172016
 

Stereotypes are inevitable and constant. Deciding to wear your hair natural comes with a list of stereotypes, and as I read every article, and watched every YouTube video and blog on natural hair, I have realized that my ignorance for this movement ran thick. I was unknowingly making assumptions about women based on how they wear their hair. I decided to look into these stereotypes, along with other stereotypes that are circulating around the natural hair communities.

Stereotypes:

  • Non naturalists are victims of self hate.
  • Having Natural Hair means you are smart
  • Non Naturalists are more concerned with their looks.
  • Naturals are political or fighting the power.
  • Naturals are “urban”
  • Naturals are “Free Spirits”
  • Naturals fit the “Angry black girl narrative”

In Progress…..

Witch stole my look

 Posted by on Wed, 11/9 at 11:59am  ideas  No Responses »
Nov 092016
 

Braids are not a new, black women have been donning these hairstyles for years. The newest trend for women in hair is to braid hair back.  They are calling these boxer braids, saying that they were inspired by UFC fighters, however women fighters did not create this look. Braids have a history dating back to ancient Egypt. In the early 90’s braids came back into popularity but has since lost its trendiness in Hollywood. This, until the Kardashians wore them. Now braids are the coolest hair style to wear. But this phenomena brings into question why now are they gaining popularity. Black women continued to wear braids but it wasn’t until a non-black person began wearing them that it became “cool” again.  It’s not only the Kardashians, although some would like to blame them for everything wrong with the world, Katy perry, Jennifer Lopez, even Iggy Azelia. The problem is that even when style is inspired, derived or duplicated from black culture, blacks don’t get the credit. Look at the “boxer braids” for example instead of giving credit to ancient black culture it is given to white UFC fighters.  I am not condoning the banning of non blacks to wearing braids or other styles of black culture but I think that the people need to be aware of cultural appropriation. This cultural appropriation is the theft of iconic style from black culture. Theft because credit is not given.

Deva curl

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 4:03pm  reading  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

Deva curl is not just a product to put in your hair its a lifestyle. The book came out 10 years ago and has revolutionized the way that we care for curly hair. It is a set of rules that teaches you how to care and embrace for your curly hair.

  1. Never wash your hair with shampoos containing sulfate or parabens. Instead you should cleanse your hair with a “co-wash” this is much more gentle on your hair then the stripping that is caused from traditional shampoos.
  2. When you do co-wash your hair you must finish with cold water. The cold water allows your hair to lock in the moisture.
  3. Do not dry your hair with a terry cloth towel. You should instead use a microfiber towel or t-shirt. This cuts down on the frizz created with a terry cloth towel.
  4. Always sleep on a satin pillow case. When you sleep with a cotton pillowcase your hair is being pulled and is vulnerable to breakage.

The author of the book has also introduced the devacut. This specific haircut is designed for only curly hair. Instead of cutting your hair all the same length or wet, the devacut cuts each individual curl. this allows a more voluminous look. She now has many salons and stylist travel from all over the world to be trained in this hair cutting technique.

Some curly hair gals swear by the LOC method. This is a system that tells you what order to apply to your curly hair. LOC stands for Leave in, oil and cream. It is used to provide maximum hydration to your hair.

Hairisticks

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 11:39am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

1. My chosen artifact is the “fist pick.”

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

The fist comb features a clenched fist at the end symbolizing the fight for civil rights and identity. The fist comb is a cultural artifact that is now featured in Museums for its role in black history. Putting the comb in your hair was a political statement. Hair doe not naturally grow in an afro, you would need to have it cut in a certain way and constantly pick it with a comb to maintain its volume. However, practicality was not the main motivator for wearing the comb in your hair.

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

The fist comb when in comparison to other cultural artifacts that I chose is different because of the blatant in your face message to stand up and fight for your rights. It literally has a fist and some also have a peace sign. This contradiction of the comb is a sign of its time. They became popular in the 70s when the peace sign was a popular style icon. When in comparison to lets say braids or coconut oil these artifacts loose its meaning, because you would have to be in the community to really understand these artifacts. The fist comb is a in your face obvious symbol. Even if you have been living under a rock or stoned all through the 70’s the meaning of the fist comb can not be denied.

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

Expanding the hair with force, you will recognize my presence and  fight.

Tougher then Nigerian Hair.

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

The black fist pick was a style worn in the late 60s and early 70s. In movies the rebels are always shown with a black fist pick.  It is now in Museams for its role in black history, It is a style symbol, a political symbol and a identity symbol.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

Assata Shakur famously wrote about the power in hair. Since the 70s the hair fist hair pick has shown up in mainstream media a lot. Seeing some one else adorn a hair pick meant that you were united in the fight to end their oppression. Even now the symbol of the pick represents the fight for equality.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

When seeing someone with a hair pick in their head the assumption at the time was different depending who you asked. To some this represented a trouble maker to  others it represented unity. But wearing the pick was a statement.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

The fight for civil rights. It is definetly a political platform and a cultural one and even a symbolic one.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

The comb created unity

Pelo Malo

 Posted by on Sun, 10/23 at 7:44pm  ideas  No Responses »
Oct 232016
 

Having natural hair in the Dominican Republic is is a symbol of poverty. Curly hair is often referred to as “barrio hair” translated, this means “hood hair.” In America texture discrimination exist but most people politely hide it, while in the Dominican Republic it is not uncommon for your neighbor or an acquaintance to say “fix your hair” if it is left curly. How can straight hair be a cultural symbol for a country with prominently curly hair in their genes and where did this phenomenon come from?

Between 1930 – 1960’s The Dominican Republic was ruled by a dictator whose hate for anything “black” was deeply rooted in everything he did. He wanted the DR to appear more European than African. More importantly he wanted a definite difference in the way that Dominicans and Haitians looked. This mentality is still felt today but with the new generation of Millennials there is a glimmer of hope. A natural hair salon opened up in the capital. The owner decided to open when she was denied entry to a club because of her hair. She decided to open a salon who catered to women of all hair textures. The typical Dominican hair salon is famously known for leaving even the curliest hair straight. But the new natural hair salon is a huge step in the right direction. When I told my grandmother about it she first let out a humph and in Spanish said “Whats wrong with them they need to fix that mess of a hair on their head, that style is not classy.” This is symbolic of her age and generation. The struggle to love your natural hair is not independent of an American struggle but is felt world wide.

Natural Hair Artifact

 Posted by on Sun, 10/23 at 6:46pm  artifact ideas  2 Responses »
Oct 232016
 

Image result for black afro combSpectrum Naturals: Organic Coconut Oil, 14 Fl OzImage result for cornrow braids cartoon

Wearing your hair in its natural state is a statement in itself, however in the 70’s wearing a big and proud afro was a political statement. The addition of the black fist afro comb or pick to your mane was a proclamation representing black pride and identity. The comb features a clenched fist at the end symbolizing the fight for civil rights and identity. Another cultural artifact is the holy grail of natural hair, coconut oil. The delicious scent of coconut oil has become the scent of naturalistas everywhere. The smell of coconut oil and its connection to natural hair has led to a series of memes and jokes about having natural hair. The last cultural artifact that I want to discuss are braids. This hairstyle has long been representative of black culture. In the natural hair community this is known as a protective style. They allow an array of different ways to style your hair. One thing for sure is that braids have long been a symbol representative of black hair.

 

Texture Discrimination: It’s a Thing

 Posted by on Sun, 10/16 at 6:34pm  ideas  No Responses »
Oct 162016
 

Before this project I was sure on my stance when it comes to natural hair.  I believed that anyone could become part of this movement.  Anyone who was embracing natural hair could become part of this movement and claim it.  There is controversy surrounding this.  Some believe you cannot become part of this movement unless you are black and have Afro texture hair.  I once opposed this but after studying I wonder if light skin girls and looser curl patterns are indeed hijacking the movement.  Upon searching the Internet for pictures of natural hair you will find light skinned girls with longer natural curly hair.  Afro textures are severely underrepresented.  A community where the once found acceptance is now casting them aside.  Youtube channels that show girls with looser curl patterns are much more popular and have more views then hair tutorials of girls with Afro textured hair.  One argument was that there are simply more women with loose Curls embracing the natural hair movement then there are afro-textured women embracing this movement.  I don’t think that is true.  Youtube seems to be divided all the women with the loose Curls believe there is no discrimination and women with kinky hair are vocal that there is a discrimination.  I do believe and colorism and texture discrimination after doing my research.  This movement created by black Afro haired women is now pushing them aside. This is not to say that natural hair women that do not have Afro textured hair should not claim this movement but how do we represent each other equally when there still seems to be bias and preferred hair types? This is called texture discrimination.  I believe that light skinned and curly hair more closely resembles the European standard of beauty and therefore discrimination within a community meant to support natural hair still holds some kind of discrimination.

In Other Hair News

 Posted by on Sun, 10/16 at 5:53pm  reading  No Responses »
Oct 162016
 

This week I focused on natural hair in the news. The first article I came across, involved a school in Louisville, Kentucky that banned certain natural hairstyles, including dreadlocks, twists, Afros longer than two inches and cornrows. Further proof of the ignorance was that they misspelled cornrows in the new policy as “Corn Rolls.” After the policy became a viral tweet, state legislators contacted the school and the policy was then removed. When asked for a response the school said the policy was simply about neat grooming not offending a culture. The policy has now been changed to “hair must be well-groomed, well-kept and at a reasonable length.”
The next article I read was again revolving a young girl this time 5 years old. Her mother takes care to keep her hair healthy. This includes styling hair with coconut oil. This is an organic hair solution that is known to many as the holy grail of natural hair. Well when this 5 year old girl went to her kindergarten class she came home with a note from the teacher. The note was asking the mother to withhold the application of coconut oil because it is a distraction to the students, but the teacher also said the reason for the note was so the other students would not make fun of her. The mother was angry with the note especially since her daughter is the only black girl in the class. The mother posted the note on social media and it went viral. Coconut oil has a faint smell but not one that is so pungent it is considered “distracting.” The teacher received backlash for blaming the victim and not the bullies. She should have addressed the students poking fun at the girl instead of writing a letter to the mother who is trying to instill a sense of self love in her child. After investigation of the incident it was revealed that none of the children complained about the smell and that the complaints actually came only from the teacher. The news article shows that natural hair is misunderstood.

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