Hair

Samson · 02-05-2005, 04:38 PM

As many of you may know, I'm white.

I work and go to school almost exclusively with African Americans, or Blacks (I'm really never comfortable with either term since half this minority community seems to take offense with one or the other).

Anyway, a most interesting cultural anamoly was revealed to me the other day while speaking with black colleagues: A much greater proportion of their lives are spent worrying about their hair than I'd ever have imagined.

As the descriptive details of how their anxiety regarding the subject manifested itself, I realised that most of the more mysterious behavior I'd witnessed was rooted in hair problems among this particular ethnic minority. I was encoraged to rent the movie "Barber Shop" to extend my research if I desired.

Ayla · 02-05-2005, 04:51 PM

Where I'm from, there are no or very few black people. No particular reason I don't suppose, other than they don't like the hollers of West Virginia...and after watching "Wrong Turn" I can see why...LOL...

Anyway...back to the subject at hand. I had never really know black people until I moved here to Albama. I worked with a couple of very nice black ladies at the bank I used to work at. One day, out of sheer curiousity I asked one of them how they got there hair done like that and how it stayed without frizzing out and things of that nature. She laughed at me and proceeded to tell me all about how much time goes into their hair and how they do this and that with it and how they keep it from frizzing up when in teeny tiny micro braids. Until that time I never had any idea how much different their hair characteristics were from people of other races.

Merika · 02-05-2005, 06:25 PM

When I started working at British Aiways.....it was the first time I had spent a lot of time around blacks. It was during the time when many of the ladies them were doing various shapes on their heads. To my fascination, it was explained to me that it was hair pulled over a cardboard shape and shellacked down. It was real hard...you could knock on it with your hand.

It was also when I found out that black people had a lot of 'dry scalp' issues.

I think all the weaves and such are quite interesting. It's probably the first time that there were so many different choices for how to style afro hair and it seems to be a matter of great pride.

Star · 02-05-2005, 11:09 PM

since erika is part black. i'm worried about the hair thing. as of yet, i don't see any sign of her having that kind of hair. her hair is fine and straight but she is only 3 months old. I'm so afraid that she'll end up with the wild looking afro type hair. I have no clue how to do that kind of hair.

Duke · 02-06-2005, 12:19 PM

I thought everyone worried about their hair to a certain extent.

darkangelism · 02-06-2005, 12:24 PM

All african americans are black, not all blacks are african american.

Anyway, they have different hair that is harder to work with.

Duke · 02-06-2005, 12:26 PM

Anyone here have lots of fine hair? I do and it sux to work with, add cowlicks for extra effect.

Stone · 02-06-2005, 12:29 PM

I have some black girlfriends, they spend hours and hours braiding, extending, straitining, relaxing it... your right samson it's a top priority for them.

When I went to the Bahamma's I got my hair all braided from the islanders man I had a headache for days. and an afro when I took it out.

Meanon · 02-06-2005, 07:20 PM

Yes Black hair is much more high maintenance. My parents unwittingly ended up fostering a child when we lived in Jamaica. It took us ages to learn how to do her hair. It needed plaiting at night and lots of oils. We never did master many of the best braiding styles. It's an art form!

Merika · 02-07-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by star_64

since erika is part black. i'm worried about the hair thing. as of yet, i don't see any sign of her having that kind of hair. her hair is fine and straight but she is only 3 months old. I'm so afraid that she'll end up with the wild looking afro type hair. I have no clue how to do that kind of hair.

I like when they braid all around the little girl's heads and put the little bows or beads on the end of each braid. That's just TOO CUTE!

Samson · 02-07-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

All african americans are black, not all blacks are african american. Anyway, they have different hair that is harder to work with.

Happy B'day, DA.....as usual your thoughtful analysis crystalizes the situation in a way no one else can.

Of course, what African American prefer to be called remains a mystery.

As most posts have concluded, even the few blacks that one knows spend an extraordinary amount of time with hair related issues. My contention is this: Does the economic, emotional, and time investment in hair problems and their solutions partially account for the sociological dispairities between this racial minority and other races? E.g. is so much time and energy being consumed that Math and English cannot be mastered, resulting in higher rates of unemployment and incarceration?

Merika · 02-07-2005, 10:42 AM

When I look at the success of blacks on TV, music, sports, the work place and politics....I've YET to see the great disparity.

darkangelism · 02-07-2005, 10:45 AM

great disparity of what?

Samson · 02-07-2005, 04:23 PM

Disparity between the number of blacks and other minorities in the population, and the number of blacks in prison and unemployed.

twinkle · 02-07-2005, 05:15 PM

My hair is a bit curly and it takes me a lot of time to take proper care of it. It's frustrating, because I have a lot of hair, so I totally understand them complaining about it.

And if I don't take care when drying it - for instance it must be completely dry when I go to bed, or else Bob MArley has a serious competition. I want my sleep time. I don't like my "hair time" in the morning

!