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Thursday, April 12, 2007
Getting to the root of the “nappy-headed” issue
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It seems as if everybody’s talking again about racism and sexism.
Thank Don Imus.
I won’t repeat what the shock jock said about the women’s basketball team at Rutgers University. Surely, you know.
But today’s column will touch on a term he used in an errant attempt at humor.
“Nappy-headed,” is how Imus described the athletes. I don’t know how much Imus knows about black hair, its history. I’ll assume very little. His intent wasn’t to uplift.
To get to the root of the hair issue, the Badie Tour stopped by the Heavenly Touch Beauty Hut in Lawrenceville. It’s a boutique that caters to black women, but can style all types of hair.
Behind the receptionist’s station hangs a framed print of four black women modeling different hairstyles. Cornrows. Braids. A short, crimp cut with highlights; and a curly texturized style.
Not a “nappy” head in the bunch.
“Our hair isn’t ‘nappy,’ ” said Marcelle Johnson, a hair stylist with years of experience. “It’s tight, natural curls. When we get the curls out we can go straight, long, spiky, colored or wear it pinned up.
“We wear our hair as art.”
It’s taken generations to get to this point, though. And some still fight the hair battle, beat themselves up, weigh what’s deemed a good, bad or medium grade of hair.
Blacks and hair have endured a love-hate relationship, one steeped with history, identity and race. It’s damaged self-esteem and led to drastic measures to acquire a more “mainstream” European look. Back in the day, a harsh lye was used to unkink the curls, straighten out the locks.
Hair is such a defining issue among blacks that numerous books and articles are devoted to it. Some focus on proper care and treatment. Others turn what’s mostly thought of as a negative term into something culturally positive.
For example, there are several books that teach black kids to love their various hair types, to understand where beauty comes from. Within.
For the record, I shave my head. I like the look, the way it feels.
Hair, in many ways, defines women.
Halle Berry, the black actress, is set to play a role in a romantic comedy tentatively set to come out next year. Her character shaves her hair because it’s falling out. Berry plans to shave her real hair in the film. In an interview with Reuters, she admitted that she still struggles with the hair issue.
“I’m going to get the lesson on film, and hopefully other women will get it, too.”
Today’s black women, notes Johnson, are beginning to. While they have a variety of hairstyles to choose from, more wear their tresses naturally.
Black hair care products is a billion-dollar industry. The quality of the products has drastically improved over the years.
“There is a greater variety of products on the market that carry the ingredients our hair needs, like shea butter,” Johnson said. “Our hair has a tendency to be dry, so we need to add moisturizers and oils.”
Joyce Mtabo of Lawrenceville has been a customer of Johnson’s for four years, back when the Grenada native had her shop off Satellite Boulevard.
She’s good,” Mtabo told me Wednesday. “It’s money well spent.”
When Mtabo leaves, I notice a sign on Johnson’s door.
“Have a blessed day.”
And to all, a good hair day.
Imus too.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
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