Stoned Dad

The best place for us to start when it comes to understanding why so many Black Folx are upset about seeing NON Black individuals rocking black hairstyles, is to first start with the history of black hair. 

We need to as a whole understand that black folx were brought here to a foreign land and forced to conform to European standards of beauty. Black hair has been a fundamental part of black history. 

In early African civilizations hair styles indicated tribes, family background and social status. In some tribes you would have men that went off to war wear their hair in braided styles and women in mourning would not do their hair. It was also thought that because your hair was close to the sky it worked as a channel for spiritual interaction with God. 

After slavery was abolished, many black folx felt the need to have to “camouflage” in with white society in order to have better lives, better opportunities and just fit in better.

Aaryn Lynch, an exhibition producer, even stated, “Black people felt compelled to smoothen their hair and texture in order to fit in easier and move in society better.”

Black folx would sit through applying hot chemical mixtures to their hair almost burning their scalps, just so they could comb it back and make it look more “European and silky”. 

In the 1700’s Tignon laws were introduced in Louisiana. This made it mandatory for all black and biracial women to cover their hair. The reason? They were attracting too much attention and white women were not happy. 

In the 1930’s the Rastafari theology began in Jamaica with Marcus Garvey, a political activist that wanted to improve things for his fellow blacks. With the practice came the idea that followers were not to cut their hair and instead twist them into locs.   

The 1960’s during the civil rights movement is when the afro made its appearance. It was a sign of rebellion, pride and empowerment and a way to assert black identity in contrast to white fashion.     

Now there are “debates” about whether or not [we] are trying to still fit in with Western beauty standards with hair extensions or weaves. The problem is that it is not a means to fit in anymore. It is used as a protective hairstyle without having to use dangerous chemicals to get the same desired look, or to help [our] hair to get stronger and healthier without having to constantly tend to it, as black hair tends to be a lot more fragile. There is no need to constantly be pulling at it or added more products to it, or having wash and dry it that can take up unnecessary time. It also helps when we want to do activities like swimming without having to redo our hair every single day. 

Before I talk about WHY Non black folx should not wear black hairstyles, lets talk about the fact that California is the first state to ban discrimination based on natural hair in 2019!

April 2019 marked the time that a bill was updated to be “inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles.” 

Prior to this bill getting updated, it was perfectly fine for employers and schools to fire, turn down, suspend, or remove individuals for their natural hair or protective hairstyles. 

Now, why is it wrong for non-black folx to wear black hairstyles? White people have never been denied basic rights because their hair looked the way it did naturally. White people have not had to sit back and hear that their hair is a “mess” or that it’s “nappy” or “unprofessional” just for being curly or different from the norm. White people are not forced to get chemical relaxers in order to keep their jobs. 

“For so many, many years we were told that only white people were beautiful. Only straight hair, light eyes, light skin was beautiful and so black women would try everything they could to straighten their hair and lighten their skin to look as much like white women.“ — Kathleen Cleaver 

What people fail to understand is that these are not just hairstyles to look cute and fashionable. A lot of times these hairstyles are out of necessity. When it comes to [our] hair; black peoples hair, it is sacred. When slaves were brought over they had their heads shaven as a way to strip them of their identities because in Africa your hair could identify a persons age, marital status, religion and so much more. 

My first art project:

At times you feel unreachable; intangible.

So far from my grasp,

that at times it feels impossible.

My darkest nights are brighter now; illuminated.

They are so much clearer,

that I never knew this is what awaited.

My moon, so small, loving, and caring; devoted

She calms the waves, and breaks the storms,

and it never goes unnoticed.

She has her own storms that need help to control; tame

And that is what I’m here for,

I will guide you through it, because you would do the same.

My moon, may not be here with me everyday, although she really is,

I will continue to prove to her that what I want is this.

Her warming smile, and soft embrace,

All her motivation,

My aunt told me yellows not my color, I told her to: