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I'm sure quite a few of you have at some point encountered resistance to your natural hair or have been on the receiving end of snarky comments (My mom asks me every week when I'm going to get a relaxer. Love you mom, but it's not happening!). But ladies in the spotlight who go natural have much more to deal with on a daily basis than you or I. They are constantly under a microscope and face massive amounts of public scrutiny.
What immediately comes to mind is when Halle Berry was sporting big, curly hair a few months back, possibly for a movie role.
Folks were vicious! I found a few comments left on a post on her hairstyle on bellasugar.com (http://www.bellasugar.com/2427257). Here's a sampling of two that made my blood boil:
"Just when I thought it might be in to wear my hair natural...never mind. Bring on the relaxer."
"Whoa Halle... my daughter and I have hair that curly but we don't wear it curly, we relax the curls with a curling iron or flat iron or pull it back in a ponytail. It's kinda funny though. That's just too much volume I think. Love ya Halle but *snickers* no sweetie."
What's really good?!?! I thought Halle looked beautiful. But according to those comments, I might be in the minority. *sad face*
Back in the late 1960s into the 70s, the Harlem Renaissance of hair, was perfectly summed up in James Brown's 1968 self-love anthem "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud". Afros were all the rage. We were finally accepting ourselves and and our hair and nobody could tell us NOTHIN'. Our biggest entertainers, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Cicely Tyson, etc., all wore their hair out or braided and proud.
But it wouldn't last long. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were assassinated in '68 & '65, respectively. We were left with no leadership, our black pride and unity was on the wane. And James Brown got his perm back.
The 80s became a time of assimilation for us. Martin Luther King's posthumous dream of a world where whites and blacks could live side by side in harmony began to look possible. Michael Jackson, sans fro, now with a Jheri curl took MTV by storm, we were getting more exposure than ever, while losing a part of ourselves. We wanted to be accepted, by any means necessary. In the early days of hip hop, we reached another stage of racial consciousness and pride. Public Enemy & KRS-1, once again told us black was beautiful. But along the way, we left something behind - our hair. For many, relaxers and hot irons became not just options but necessities. Into the 90s and 2000s, once again natural hair seems to be making it's way back into the mainstream. Or is it really?
Often the celebrity women whose naturals seem to be accepted in the mainstream these days seem to have very defined curls, while nappier, kinkier, less defined textures are left behind.
Why is this embraced...
But this is not?
Is it a matter of the media not accepting our hair? Are most women in the biz simply not wanting to wear their hair natural?
There also is the notion that going natural at all in the entertainment industry is some sort of kiss of death for your career. I came upon this quote while perusing topix.com:
"...I can't knock Beyonce for being fake knowing how shallow the industry is, if she did go natural, she probably wouldn't be as successful as she is. Blacks themselves will be saying her hair is nappy and all this negative stuff so I can't be mad at her for trying to live up to the standards of beauty in this society which are not usually natural for african americans that are not mixed with white, spanish or whatever"
There are a number of reasons I don't agree with the above comment (so I won't get into that)...but it does bring up a few valid points. It made me wonder if...Is it that the more famous and known you are, the harder it is to go natural...since you are expected to have a certain type of hair? And also, is it the ridicule of the black community that makes it harder for black women to go natural?
Shari is a graphic designer who lives and works in Chicago.
27 comments:
it saddens me that our own people are the ones that can bring us down most. I get more compliments on my hair from Whites and Asians than I do from my sistas.
Wow. This is a powerful article . . . geez. It really made me think.
I don't know if it's expected to have a certain type of hair or if it's people are just USED to you having a certain STYLE of hair. If Beyonce started rocking a pixie, straight or natural, you'd probably think the world was ending based on the amount of coverage her hair cut would get (Rihanna's long light brown locks in favor of her now signature black bob anyone?). Her face would be all over with huge headings like WHAT HAS SHE DONE TO HER HAIR!!? or IT'S THE NEXT BIG THING!!
Ironically, I DO think you have to enter the industry with straighter hair in order for businesses folk in it to take you more seriously since you have "the look" which has already proved itself successful.
The ridicule from the black community DOES make it harder to go natural. It's hard to stay true to yourself when your mama, dad, auntie, sisters, brothers, friends, cousins and random dudes on the street are all making fun of you. I think that's a reason people tend to wait until college, university, secure job, not living at home to start transitioning. You're away from the negativity that might drag you back to a relaxer.
amazing peice! hopefully this makes its way to other people with tiny mindsets!
to me, i think natural hair is power. the way this is proved is through the many comments people get about their hair. nobody would say anything if it wasn't powerful.
i guess the best thing we all can do is just embrace our curls. who cares what anyone has to say. by caring, you show them that they are more powerful than you are.
with black people, it's like we all want to be accepted by white people or all of the other people who really could care less. they keep putting us down for the way we are--our natural selves--because they know for a fact that they can bring us down. if you tell a white person "i don't like your hair" i don't think they would give a damn. they'd be like "well i like it." so let's do the same. surprise their axxes with the same response they give us. [i really dont mean to offend anyone with this next comment, i'm just trying to make a point lol, but] it's almost like they still have a master-slave relationship with people of color. :O how do we break that "relationship?" by embracing ourselves. it usually takes one, but all of us need to put them in their places.
i say, we should do exactly what we all did as kids when our mothers and fathers would tell us something we didn't want to hear: let it go through one ear and out the other.
if you know in your heart you are beautiful, let it be. the others will come around sooner or later.
I remember when Beyonce was rocking the afro look (about the year 2001 or so), and she said in Vibe magazine that people would ask her "what's wrong with you?" and make distasteful comments about her hair. And I'm talking strangers here!
Really thought provoking post!
It's sad and yeah, in a way I do think our own people would get on a Beyonce most if she went natural. B/c so many of us assign being natural as being "a certain type of person".
Like D Alexandra said, (while I get a lot of compliments from my sistas,) I get most of my compliments from non black people. White people mainly.
Been lurking for a while and have to say I like this post because it really gets people to think.
First, it really, I mean really, bothers me that people still cannot accept natural hair at its fullist. Meaning, some people can accept the curls but not the coily kinky hair. WTF? I'm really hating the idea that amongst the naural hair that there might be another hair hiearchy. Please, we cannot let this happen.
I really love seeing black men and women with all kinds of hair textures that are natural. If someone has gone natural and is jumping up and down because they did not have the coily kinky hair, its honestly just pathetic. Mainly because all that person is doing is subscribing to a different idea of "good hair" and "bad hair," which we desperately need to get rid of.
Second, I just don't know how we can get other black people to see the beauty in natural hair. I think those black people are just going to have to figure it out for themselves.
I think its sad that many black people just can't stop and think: "Why is the hair that grows out of my scalp not good enough for me to accept?"
Nice article. I think though that curly hair full stop is an issue in the entertainment industry (think Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, Justin Timberlake).
I don't really place any value in opinions about this industry because we all know that it is very fickle.
I think the important part about natural hair and those of us who choose to wear it is that it is very much a personal choice. It would be nice if people were not rude or saw its beauty but the truth is if we (As the individual) see its value and beauty, then we treasure it.
Every comment has as much value as you give it.
great contribution - when I read the comments made about Halle's natural hair I was like 'woah, can you say ignorant'. Sin of sins, she's wearing her hair AS IT GROWS OUT OF HER HEAD, my Lord. I remember reading somewhere recently that in no other race but ours will you find hair defining social status or political leanings. Seriously, for folks who looked at Halle's or Beyonce's head when it was looking 'too frizzy or kinky' and said 'what's wrong with her?', they should REALLY be asking 'what's wrong with ME'.
Love this site, first time commenting. I have noticed a weird trend of naturally kinky/curly actresses straigtening their tresses once they blow up. I've noted that this trend tends to afflict Caucasian actresses w/ naturally curly hair as well (Sarah Jessica Parker anyone?). I read the horrible comments on gossip blogs when Halle went natural for a minute. I thought she looked lovely, but I noted comments such as "She looks like she stuck her hand in a socket" to "She needs a relaxer. She looks weird with her hair like this!"
I think Hollywood hairstylists have a huge influence on molding how celebrity women wear their hair, especially once they reach their peak in the entertainment industry.
Many of these stylists put a huge emphasis on "sleek" hair, or they're constantly trying to school the masses on the entertainment news/makeover shows on how to "tame unruly, curly or kinky hair," rather than offering tips on how to style or enhance one's curly or natural hair.
One actress of note that has stayed true to her natural hair game is Aunjunue Ellis. I appreciate her immensely for not conforming. ;-)
I think it's easier to compliment another race b/c they're not your "competition."
Plus, I also think that some women with relaxed hair automatically assume that all of us naturals think that they're "being white" and maybe that's why they're less likely to talk about hair with us.
CONFORMITY that is all it is about, wanting to blend in, to not attract negative attention, to be pretty in the right way, that is all it is about. Honestly when I was growing up, going through puberty, I just wanted to blend into the wall, I was just trying to make it out of school without being made fun of. I asked my mother for a relaxer. She never told me anything was wrong with my hair, even now she has never been negative.
But kids notice which girls get the attention. I have a cousin, she was high yellow with long wavy hair. Guys who had never spoken to me before would trip over themselves to ask about me about her.
The first time I thought about going natural was a year after college. I read about of books on natural hair but I couldn't bear the thought of having short hair. Later on I had a short relaxed hair style, and I learned short hair looks nice on. A lot of guys I know commented negatively on me having cut my hair off but I was ok with it. But short relaxed hair was a lot of work. I realized short natural hair would be less work and I just went for it, I'm an adult now and I don't care what people think.
I think people are just used to a certain type of hair being the norm. If Black people considered their hair who they are and not just a trend we would be much better for it. Also I took notice of the negative comments made by white/non-black people on that website. I also realize how people will have the balls to say something online that they would never say to someone in person.
I think people link 'beauty' to straight hair. Its almost as if their saying her curly hairstyle diminishes her beauty; which is not the case, because Halle still looks better than half the Hollywood population. This reminds of the two sisters who appeared on Tyra's good hair show. The one who had low self-esteem because her hair wasn't a curly texture like her sister's was actually much prettier in the face and body, but couldn't see her beauty because her hair was deemed unacceptable.
I was so disgusted also by the cocky attitude of her sister. So much more goes into beauty than skin color and hair texture. Don't bother with white people; we have to put down that torch.
I love NATURAL hair. If your hair is naturally straight I think it should be straight. If your hair is naturally curly or kinky it should be curly or kinky. I don't understand why people are always trying to go against their natural hair.
I am sick of all the straightening tool commercials that make naturally curly or kinky hair out to be this ugly thing that needs to be erradicated. Remember the 70's and 80's when permed hair was "in". I love curly hair!
I love people having natural hair. I think God gives us what we have for a reason. Why fight it. Celebrate it.
As far as geing natural in the entertainment industry. I don't think much is natural in the entertainment industry. Everything is fake. Fake straight or curly hair, fake breasts and liposucked parts, fake white and veneered teeth, fake botoxed and nose job faces, fake tans, etc. It seems that being yourself in that industry is not very lucrative or more people would be natural. So sad that these are the people our children look up to and imitate.
It is sad to see that people will never change. This make me even more proud to rock my natural styles.. My daughter and I would not be known for having a tighter curl but a more loose curl and many people that think that there sending a comment would say ( girl you got good hair if I had hair like that I would not perm my hair..) The fact that I am natural went over there head and they chose to focus on good and bad hair...When will just the fact I am natural and loving it be a focus. I am proud to say this month I am perm free for 2 yrs.
Okay, Halle's hair doesn't look good. It's not because it is natural, it is because she could have done better. Six months ago before I started reading this blog I would have thought it was tolorable but after seeing all the styles feature on this site alone...I guess I would say that I hold her to a higher standard now. If that makes any sense.
Great article girl! I'm so torn on this issue because on one hand I feel as though people like Beyonce and Tyra who generally wear weaves and/or straight hair are not being their true authentic selves but then again based on the media (and black folk!)...how can they? I will admit that when I was a permie I would make fun of Beyonce and Tisha Campbell when they chose to rock the natural hairstyles so who am I to judge. It's just going to take time for people to embrace and love themselves authentically and not feel the need to cover up their roots with weave and other chemical altering treatments. Until then we will have to keep embracing ourselves and putting the word out...black hair is beautiful..kinkiness and all!
I think hair is very complex in the black community just like skin tone, body shape, and facial features. When someone of our community is put in the spotlight, our "dirt under the rug" is put out there for everyone to see...making people want to change whatever is the "problem" via chemical straightners, weaves, cosmetic surgeries, and skin lightening methods.
"Blacks themselves will be saying her hair is nappy and all this negative stuff so I can't be mad at her for trying to live up to the standards of beauty in this society" - That's the problem in a nutshell. WE have issues with natural hair. WE make negative comments about natural hair. WE are the reason a lot of women are afraid to go natural.
I came across a picture of Tkeyah Crystal Kehmah recently (http://www.whatwouldthembido.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/tkeyahkehmah.jpg) and I felt such a sense of pride. This is an actress who has been sporting natural hair for a while now and her hair looks fabulous. I wondered though if her natural hair was costing her jobs. I think she's an amazingly talented actress. Why hasn't she received more mainstream roles?
@LuvDeluxe - what exactly didn't look good about her hair? She was wearing her hair in, most likely, it's purest, naturally curly state. What magic should she have performed to make it more palatable to the masses (black folk)?
I liked Halle's hair. I just don't agree with LuvDeluxe. Halle shouldn't have to do up her hair each time she goes out. Why not wear a wash and go? Most people would with little criticism.
I usually like India's hair, but I don't think that was a good look on her. It just didn't bring out her beauty. the hair didn't look thick and, frankly, a bit unhealthy.
Now, the black woman on "Kings" (on NBC) is natural, but her hair is pulled back (I think to add to a more professional appearance). I love it! I think it's great that a black women with tight curls is able to break into a popular show and be successful.
Personally I think it is a weave or wig, but that is not the point. I love the natural look on her and that curly fro is the bomb. People will hate, let them. Why should we be put down for rocking our natural hair the way it grows out of our heads?? Ridiculous.
@ livinggoldon...I know we rarely comment after the first day but I wanted to be respectful and answer your heart felt questions. What i didn't like about Halle's hair is that(studying the picture) 1. It hides her face, along with the glasses almost like she is trying to be less like herself (or the she we have come to beleive we know) hoping no one would recognize her. Halle is not obligated to appeal to the masses but she must appeal to herself.
@Caline...I am glad you do not agree the difference in opinion is what brings colorful interest to the world. "Why not wear a wash-n-go?" By all means do. But are all wash-n-gos made equal? some syles, even in the purest fashion, are appealing to & on some and not to & on others. As livingolden inquired about "hair magic" These blogs have shown us with tremendous example that natural hair can be made more interesting with little effort.
Great questions! I think confidence and a strong sense of self will speak louder than the afro on the head. But, if, and especially as an actress or singer, you are working to impress and please producers and audience alike, the confidence in your style may wane. My example for pure confidence despite the kinks is the woman with the ultimate naps from the 1980s until... Ms. Whoopi Goldberg, Oscar nominee/winner and host of the Oscars 4 times! She uses wigs for comedic refief. Now she's a co-host on The View - daily on TV in the AM. If she can do it, Beyonce and Hallie can to, no?
great job on this shari! this issue is difficult for me bc i don't believe in conforming to anyone's standards.
wow, you guys brought up great points! i am so with you: thelady, queenbuv3 and broadbandette!
i have the perfect example of someone who did it her own way and kicked ass: lauryn hill. she did not follow the prototype for a star with her smooth dark skin and dreadlocs. and she did rock he5r hair free form for a while too. lauryn was recognized for her stunning beauty and immense talent. beauty is beauty and in her case it was universally recognized. she crossed over into pop world so all i have to say to the rest of them is that it is fear: False Evidence Appearing Real.
I liked halles hair too... I don't really understand the point about it 'hiding her true self' just cuz she had shades on... Maybe it was sunny that day? Lol and I think it has a very nice shape and volume to it. I do get luvdeluxes other point about this site introducing her to so many options that she feels like Halle could have done better; I just don't agree that this is Halle doing bad.
I also agree with the statements regarding the superficialty of the entertainment industry, and the pressure many mainstream stars feel to look a certain way. Rihanna's short do did go over much better than her long hair, but it's still permed to death, and she's known for wearing pieces in it as well. Imagine if she showed up to an awards show rocking a fade- all hell would break loose. People would be talking about the size of her forehead for days.
We are our own harshest critics. And until we can learn to love and accept ourselves and our black celebs the way God made us, how can we expect anyone else to do the same?
For Serenissima...(In amusement) I really don't know her true self, (I really don't)though I guess the best way I could put it is that she usually exudes more of a vibrant presence even when she is not possing, but doing her daily tasks. If the pic is all I have to go by I would say it is a strong possibility that the sun was on high that day (smiling at the thought) But the pic is all I have so when I study it I don't see it saying "hey I tried this Hello Hydration and look at my curls man they are killin' it! It looks more like hey, Im headed to the market my hair is neat which is good enough for what I am doing righ now. Just keep your cameras 10 feet away and I will be as gracious as I can muster today because somes times is is d@$mn hard being in the spot light. But I love what I do and I don't want to dissappoint my fans. LOL (Did I really get all of this from a still?) Only Halle knows. Great comment Thanks!
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