Why Is Black Hair Important

[Landers Piechotka]

Asiansand Indians profit more off the black hair industry more than any other race including blacks. Weave and Euro textured hair degrades your image as a black women. Wear what God gave you and focus less on vanity and the beauty of others.

As a discipline, psychology has not explicitly addressed the psychological impact of respectability politics. The closest attempt might be internalized racism, which is when marginalized and oppressed communities internalize racist stereotypes, images, aesthetics, and ideologies by the White dominant society about their racial group. The Africentric psychologist Kobi Kambon labeled it cultural misorientation, characterized by Black people internalizing a Eurocentric cultural orientation (e.g., preferring White features and aesthetics over Black features and aesthetics).

By whatever name it is called, the devaluation and denigration of Black hair by Black people is psychologically damaging. It is the result of years of socialization that places White aesthetics and the approximation of Whiteness as the cultural standard by which all racial and ethnic groups are compared. While skin color is understandably the physical characteristic often focused on around discussions of approximation to Whiteness, it is Black hair that is a particularly important source of cultural pride and counter to Whiteness as the standard. In their study of beauty and body image concerns among African American women, Awad and colleagues found that there needed to be a reconceptualization of body image for African American women because hair was given more priority over traditional body image concerns that are typically associated with White women.

Noted psychologist and Black mental health and hair expert Afiya Mbilishaka has researched hair discrimination within Black communities. In one study Mbilishaka and her colleagues found that Black women and men experienced hair discrimination at home within their family and in public settings (e.g., at school with teachers and classmates).

Most studies of Black hair focus on the experiences of African American women. This is understandable because of the connection of hair to beauty that intersects along race and gender and places an extra burden on Black women. In fact, in reviewing the psychological literature I only found one study, also by Mbilishaka and her colleagues, that focused on understanding the psychological meaningfulness of hair for Black men.

A dress code that focuses on hair length and disregards the adaptability of Black hair styles disproportionately negatively impacts Black students, especially Black males. How can Black people, especially Black youth, unequivocally embrace and have pride in their culture when they have to contend with hair discrimination from within and outside their culture?

In the final analysis, laws, while needed, are not the most important deterrent against race-based hair discrimination. Regardless of race, people need to be educated about the importance and cultural significance of Black hair.

Kevin Cokley, Ph.D., holds the University Diversity and Social Transformation Professorship at the University of Michigan, where he serves as Associate Chair of Diversity Initiatives and Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology.

Black hair is a very important part of Black culture. Black hair is beautiful, Black hair is elegant and Black hair is proud. Black hair is not easy to define as Black hair comes in different shapes, styles and sizes. Different Black hair styles tell a story within itself, a story that speaks volumes about the Black experience and identity.

Type 3 and 4 are the usual hair texture types for Black people. Black people who have Type 3 hair has S shaped bouncy curls that are well defined, dry and slightly rough. As Black hair is very complex, Type 3 and Type 4 hair have their own subtypes ; 3a, 3b and 3c. 3a curls are springy and have a definite S shape. This hair type can be straightened easily and is normally shiny and not too dry. 3b hair ranges from springy ringlets to tightly wounded and convoluted corkscrews. It has a lot of frizz that can be reduced by regular oiling using olive or coconut oil. Lastly, 3c hair is best described by wiry, coarse and frizzy corkscrews that are quite hard to untangle and sometimes difficult to straighten. However, by using excellent quality hair products containing organic ingredients like coconut milk, soy protein and Shea butter, you can maintain the health of type 3c hair.

Type 4 hair is generally known as kinky hair which again can be categorised into three subtypes: 4a, 4b and 4c. 4a hair is extremely coiled and shows an S-shaped pattern. This hair type can range from being wiry and frizzy to smooth and fine-textured. The 4b hair type displays a Z-shaped pattern. This hair type has tightly wounded corkscrews that are short, springy, and quite coarse too. They have lesser moisture compared to type 4a. Type 4 hair is also referred to as kinky, or coarse hair and is characterised by its tight, dense texture and natural lift. The volume that comes with type 4 hair is caused by its unique curl pattern. Every Black person has a unique hair texture!

Black men hairstyles are also a representation of self expression. Black men can have a range of different hairstyles from classic cut fade to coloured dreadlocks. Take a look at 4 popular Black men hairstyles-

A curly hightop is a haircut which is cut low on both sides of the hair and curly hair is left in the centre of the head. This hairstyle dates back to the 80s when Jheri Curls were popular in the black community. To achieve this look you can use your natural curls, a curly/jheri perm or a special sponge found in local hair shops.

Our son's hair has changed and transformed over time. With each new phase of his hair, we have reached out and asked other mamas what they recommend we do to properly care for him. I never want to think I know it all; especially when it comes to living the black experience.

I am so honored to share with you Helen and her expertise in skin and hair care. As a black woman, she has much to share with us and we have so much to learn from her. Especially us white moms raising kids of color.

For adoptive or foster parents, I highly recommend the Facebook group: Not just hair: the intersection of hair/skincare and transracial adoption. There's a wealth of resources and information. This is simply a launchpad.

Helen is African; she moved from Kenya to Los Angeles in March 2007 with an F-1 Visa. She pursued a Masters Degree in Business; after graduating in 2009 she married Mike. They moved from CA to Tennessee where she went back to school for her second Masters degree in Mental Health and counseling. She is currently a board certified behavior analyst practicing in Northwestern Suburbs of Chicago. Her and her beloved Mike are raising two of the most beautiful children.

In Helen's words, "I grew up in rural Kenya in a large family. We had very little but community always took care of each other. The concept of family was looser than it is in the United States. There were few families that I knew had adopted children from the community, although the process itself did not involve lawyers or courts.

I knew when I was little it was my desire to grow my family that way. I just did not know how or if it was possible until later down the road when I researched more about adopting in the United States. I am blessed my husband respected my decision, embraced the idea, and we started the process in 2012 with our first adoption.

Helen: Skin and hair and language are the heart of socialization in black culture. In black salons and barber shops, in churches and other places of social interactions in the black community, skin and hair conversations feature.

During hair day at our house, my daughter knows the process ends with a movie or some fun activity of her choice. I make sure she hears from me how beautiful her hair is, letting her know exactly what I am doing with her hair and why.

I make sure she hears from me that her curly hair is distinctively beautiful but it needs the care we are giving it to thrive. I make sure it is completely detangled before I wash it, I take time to massage it during wash and I make sure it is completely deep conditioned after the wash. It is important for your black child to feel validated by you as a parent.

The underlying reason for protective hair style is to preserve hair from damage, lock in moisture for longer scalp hydration, save you time from having to do the hair daily and protecting the ends from breaking.

Protective hair styles for boys can begin at toddler age too but I would say to think about what the overall goal is for your little boy as well as his hair texture. It is easier to keep shorter hair well moisturized. I don't have a lot of thoughts on this I think because I am not a big fan of protective hair styles for little boys.

As for protecting boy's hair: constantly washing your boy's hair is not a good idea. Wash only once a week. Condition it after wash and keep hair moisturized throughout the week. Every head of curls and texture is different. Different hair textures may call for different moisturizer so it is important not to settle on the "common" moisturizers but use one that bring out your child's curls.

To us, this is extremely important. Especially for white parents raising kids of color: we don't just adopt children, we adopt their culture, race, and heritage. Let's take care of them for the sake of our children and their identity.

For many black women, the struggle to accept and embrace our natural hair texture is all too real. Growing up, we are bombarded with images of straight, silky hair as the epitome of beauty. Society constantly tells us that our natural curls and kinks are not good enough, that they are unkempt or unprofessional. These Eurocentric beauty standards can have a damaging impact on our self-esteem and make it difficult to truly love and appreciate our natural hair.

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