Crowning Black Girl Hair

Flower Abstract – Henry Zhang

Nydia Davis

My hair is not any different from yours. Nowadays, we are fixated on looking our best and comparing ourselves to other people. We frequently find ourselves comparing our qualities to others, whether it’s people in our personal lives or people we see on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, novels, or the hottest form of media at the moment. This comes with many different perspectives of how we should look, what we should wear, and what we should do with our lives. Somewhere in the world, there is the topic of black girls’ hair constantly floating around. Some cases are negative, some positive, but both types are developed around observing black girls’ hair. I often encounter many interactions where I am questioned about my hair or told something that provokes thoughts of what people believe my hair is. However, it is just like everyone else’s, but simply a different texture, curl pattern, density, and thickness. Yet, these attributes even reflect differences in hair between all races. There should be no more “Why is your hair…?” statements because my hair is different and doesn’t fit into stereotypical black girl hair. 

When my hair is out, in its natural state, it is not unprofessional; just because there are kinks and curls doesn’t mean it’s nappy. At previous professional events, I have been told by mature adults that putting my hair up looked more presentable because people perceived my tight curls as nappiness, and given that, it looked as though I had just rolled out of bed. My superiors questioned my professionalism because it looked as if I didn’t consider my appearance. It gets washed, conditioned, and uniquely positioned so my curls can “pop”. It has gone through roughly the same process the average person does in the upkeep of their head, so why is mine seen as unprofessional? In reality, it’s not. Its distinct appearance is an outcast in the sophisticated idea of being professional. Black girls should not conform to a mold relating to the standards of our hair in a professional environment. Whether it’s visible or not, this often deters many black women from “professional” jobs in fear of not being accepted by the majority. Or worse – they are pressured into relaxing or constantly straightening their hair, further avoiding the humiliation of being singled out. 

I cherish the moments when I get my hair done in braids, twists, or cornrows (although I’m severely tender-headed). I get extensions. Not because I devalue my hair, but because it adds elegance to the style. Often, with the added hair, I can experiment with different colors, types, and styles of hair, which is an outlet of expression for many girls. Nevertheless, although an enjoyable addition, extensions aren’t tied to me; they don’t represent my most internally natural state of being. When I decide to get rid of the style, I am not cutting my hair; I’m cutting the extra, temporary attachment of personality, which is unnecessary for self-improvement. In connection with cutting my hair, I don’t cut it every time I wash it; it shrinks. Shrinkage shows the accelerated healthiness of the hair due to the fact that when hair gets wet, especially thicker hair with tighter curls, it shrinks back to its natural pattern, which is often more intimate than the state it is in before you wash it, showing there is no damage. 

When my hair is in styles inspired by well-known black celebrities such as Tupac, ASAP Rocky, or Chris Brown, it does not make me a “thug”. Many of these replicated styles are seen in black-affiliated gangs and a portion of black criminals, but that does not make me one. These styles attract multitudes of people because they are trendy and they simply look nice. The hairstyles have no actual symbol nor do they purposely have a meaning. When wearing these styles, I get targeted and observed more because of the type of people often seen with the braids. In stores notoriously known for being robbed, like Walmart or beauty supply stores, I feel sets of lasered eyes on my back with every move I make with fear of the recurring pattern. It places a weighted target on my back. Although I have good intentions, the target makes me question my every move. I despise the feeling as if I did something horribly wrong when all I have ever done is everything a million times more right for compensation of those who have brought this discerned negative meaning to the hairstyles. My hair does not affect my morality, speech, intellect, or style. I am still the same person with or without these styles. 

It is common for black girls not to wash our hair every other day. We may not even wash it for months if we have it styled a “protective style.” A protective style is a style you keep in for a prolonged period and is “protective” because it is not being manipulated as much, stimulating growth. Rarely are there times when protective styles are washed. It doesn’t make us dirty and primitive. If anything, we’re improving our health by not constantly stripping essential oils and moisture out of our hair. Yes, it may begin looking not-so-nice after a while due to the extreme growth. That should not be a reason why we are looked down upon. Let’s be honest; everyone has a bad hair day every now and then. 

Vividly understanding black girl hair would significantly aid in breaking social norms worldwide. Black females would feel more comfortable in a multitude of environments. Questions such as “Why does your hair look that way?” would not be asked, making them feel more comfortable within their bodies and not alienated. This new sense of confidence could empower more black women to represent big companies and have successful corporate jobs or entrepreneurial ventures. Representation gives the black girl community a massive voice and hopefully eliminates the world’s many negative opinions about us in that department. It is crucial to have continuous vocalization and media representation of black women for maintaining and promoting the understanding of black girl hair, given that media constantly impacts our everyday lives. We desperately need more black women to accept their hair as is so they can step up and take those roles confidently. With the immense and ever-growing forms of communication we have now, there is no doubt that the world will become knowledgeable about black girl hair and the relations of many different types of hair within various cultures. Until then, there will be a continuation of current trends in the black community, growing the acknowledgment of our hair and our culture as a whole.