Time for a Change

So Pink Family, I want you to know that changes are coming. Changes to my hair. I have had just about every hairstyle a black woman can have except for one. Ok, I never had a Jheri curl, but there were other processes in that vein. I had the Wave Nouveau in college -- basically you straighten the hair and then perm it. It was sort of cute: full, wavy and fluffy.

The last remaining style are locs. When I say this to white people, they are like huh? You may know them as dreadlocks, but that is one variation. There are dreadlocks which are given to you by um, Jah and also cultivated locs which are more popular today. More on locs, locks, dreadlocks, etc here.

Cultivated locs are the hair of the ancient Egyptians. Contemporary historians in contrast to those of the ancient world have chosen to ignore or deny the African-based culture of Egypt, yet those who are actually familiar with the history can tell you that the African influences and heritage of the ancient Egyptians is not only well-documented in historical sources but obvious on the face of it. Full disclosure: my father was a historian specializing in Africa.

But I digress. When I have told people I am going to change my hair, there are usually 2 reactions. One is "NO! I LOVE your hair. You CAN'T change!" along with some sulking and pouting. The other is "That's cool. Can't wait to see it." Or "Wow, that's interesting. You will find that different people will be attracted to you." Or the beautiful pep talk a dear friend gave me when I told her I was a little apprehensive in the face of so much resistance: "Your beauty will shine through no matter what your hair looks like." Aww shucks...

It's true that my current blond braids have met with almost universal approval -- a novel experience. Black women's hair is such a statement of your personal philosophy -- there's a lot of economics and politics in each style. I think this is probably not su much the case for other ethnicities. For example, if you straighten your hair old-school, you are saying to the world, I am a traditionalist. A "good girl" with "correct", risk-averse hair. If you have a weave, you are saying, I am a modern woman who wants the look of tradition with the convenient secret of a non-chemicalized natural cornrow underneath.

Fros, braids and locs all say very different things to the world with subtle variations and sub-statements within each genre. And don't even get me started on the significance of different colors.

In the past, there was always someone who didn't like my hair. In recent years, this has usually been my grandmother. But even she totally dug the blond pixie braids.

However, they are a bit high maintenance as you might imagine. So the locs will be small and the same colors as my current hair and fun/funky. I hope. Yet still professional.

If you don't like it or like the old blond braids better, let me know. Locs are more fashionable than braids right now though, fyi, especially among artists, scientists, professionals and intellectuals. Braids are not so "cutting edge" anymore. Yet, there is also supposedly something sort of mystical about the coiled hair of locs. Many people are often very reluctant to cut them and also tend to be careful who touches them because the hair can hold negative energy. Or something like that.

I will let you know if anything magical is happening all up in my hair. Yes, I know-- for some of you, my hair is probably already pretty magical and mysterious for you already. Ha. I am about to take the red pill of black hair though since once your hair locks, you have to cut it all off and start over if you want a different style. That takes a couple of months though usually. My hair grows crazy fast and thick though so I've decided not to worry too much about that.

Due to our mixed heritage, both my brother and I have 3 different types of hair growing on our head. The curl in your hair is determined by the shape of the follicles --  round = straight and the more oval, the more wavy/nappy. My hair is pretty nappy except in what black people call the "kitchen" -- the nape of my neck. For most black people, this is the nappiest hair on their heads. For me it is the softest and waviest. So overall, I am expecting fast locking except for the kitchen.

One last thing: Just to dispel a common misconception -- people with locs do wash their hair!  I really like Tonya Pinkens' hair. She's the actress from All My Children and Broadway. Take a look.

Comments

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true sistah, locs are for the Goddesses. welcome home to true beauty.