Hair is something that most of us overlook. However, to the black community, it is something that has divided us for many years. Black women have been humiliated for not having “good hair”. Many of us have put chemicals in hair for the sake of fitting and having “Manageable” hair.  For as long as I’ve known natural hair has been something that has been used as a weapon to tear down black women. The most interesting thing about this is that the criticism black women face about their hair also comes from within the community. It is insane to think about the amount of brainwashing and internalized self-hatred it takes for people within the community to be the ones negatively speaking about natural hair. However, it does happen, we see it all the time on social media, films, shows, etc. This research essay will talk about the psychological effects caused by discrimination against natural hair, the weaponization of natural hair, and the connections between natural hair and self-love. Although people claim that “it’s just hair”, the experiences that come with it make it so much more than just hair. 

We all know the history of natural hair runs deep. The first wave of the natural hair movement started around the 1960s. It started as a way to remind black women and men that their skin, facial features, and especially hair were all admirable. African American activist, Marcus Garvey, encouraged black women to embrace their natural hair, insisting that copying white Eurocentric standards of beauty took away from the beauty of black women. His famous quote, “Don’t remove the kinks from your hair! Remove them from your brain!” Was popularized during the beginning of the natural hair movement. Afros have always been worn as a sign if black power and rebellion against white American beauty standards. It also became a weapon in the fight for racial equality and a public declaration of self-love (which we still see today). However, the rise of pressed and permed hair during the 1980s and 1990s can be blamed for the alternation of the natural hair movement. “With the growing popularity of these straightened styles, definitions for what was deemed “good Black hair” and “bad Black hair” emerged. “Within the African American community, good hair is perceived as straighter and softer, while kinky and coarse is regarded as bad hair,” Riley explains. With “good hair” came more access to jobs and advancements that would influence social and economic status” (Bess 2022 ). It was clear the kind of hair that allowed Black women to have more opportunities back then. However, the introduction of braided hairstyles, like the one Janet Jackson had in Poetic Justice, caused the second wave of the natural hair movement which is what it is today. All in all, the natural hair community was created as a way for black women to reclaim their self-images in a society that was far from accepting. 

What is the natural hair experience? It is often viewed negatively. It’s time-consuming, hard to manage, physically demanding, and more. While these things can all be true, I think that the black community has always put a negative emphasis on having natural hair. Little girls are taught from a young age that their hair is something that needs to be heavily manipulated for it to be beautiful. From relaxers to tight hairstyles black women are forced to present themselves in a way that fits Eurocentric beauty standards to have peace of mind. Not only is it a tiring act but also an expensive one because natural hair products are usually way more expensive than products targeted for straighter hair.  In her Ted talk, Johanna Lukate talks about the impressions and stereotypes that come with wearing natural hair out. She gives an example of how dreadlocks are portrayed in media, and the images that come to mind when we see black women with them (Johanna Lukate 6:32-7:00 ). When it comes down to it the stereotypes placed on natural hair it often manifests into a internalized sense of self. What I mean by that is that black women can sometimes be seen hating other black women for wearing their natural hair out instead of “getting it done”. It takes time to recognize this toxic behavior since it’s something that is instilled into us from a young age. 

The black community is quote-on-quote “obsessed” with the idea of natural hair. However, I think to a certain extent that “obsession” is completely valid. This is because, in the United States, we are still the only race that has to fight to be able to wear our hair out loud and proud. If we were to take a look at the media, it is only recently that we’ve started to see positive representation. The media we consume about natural hair has a lot of impact on how we view it in real life. As asserted by Electra S. Gilchrist (2015), “Findings revealed that the images African American women consume from Black hair magazine advertisements do impact what they to be beautiful and, subsequently, influence their day-to-day styling and hair care mechanisms, leading further support to the idea that the media serve as powerful sources of knowledge. This study culminates by theorizing about the constitutive meanings and importance of Black hair as conveyed through magazine advertisements and considers how Black women use social comparisons to make everyday hair decisions to achieve what they identify as good hair”. Electra goes into detail about the implications of natural hair in the media. Not only does it affect our day-to-day lives but also our self-image and self-confidence.

You may ask the question, “Why is this all important?”. Well, the short answer is that it just is. The longer answer is that natural hair has always been used as a weapon against Black Women. A weapon that harms us more mentally and not physically. In Cheryl Thompson’s paper, “Black Women and Identity: What’s hair got to do with it?”, she states, “Further, when you consider that for the past 100 years manufacturers have almost exclusively only promoted the idea that natural black hair needs to be altered, it all begins to make sense. When was the last time short, curly, kinky black hair was celebrated or promoted as equally as beautiful? As sociologist Ann DuCille notes, “We have yet to see Miss America or Black Miss Universe with an Afro or cornrows or dreadlocks” (cited in Byrd & Tharps, 2001, p. 125). To no surprise, there have been several instances over the past few years where natural black hair has been under attack” (Cheryl Thompson 2008). All the things she says hear are true. I never saw kinks and curls being celebrated instead it was mocked. It’s very easy for us to sweep all of this under the rug and say that. society, especially the black community, has grown. However, the side effects are still present in the day-to-day life of a Black woman. 

In conclusion, I would like all of us to begin to think more about things that seem irrelevant on the surface but are relevant on a deeper level. I don’t think you have to be a black woman to understand the implications caused by the promotion of Eurocentric features. You just have to be willing to look through different lenses. If you have to remember one thing from this essay, remember that the natural hair movement was something created out of necessity by people who felt misrepresented by society. It started as something beautiful and I think that it will continue to inspire the community to feel much more comfortable with the hair that we were born with. 

                            Works Cited 

  Eletra S. Gilchrist  Media Effects and Black Hair Politics 

  Johanna Lukata (2018) The Psychology of Black Hair

 Kamryn Z. Bess (2020) It’s More Than “Just” Hair: Revitalization of Black Identity. 

Black women and Identity: What’s hair got to do with. it? (n.d.). https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/textidx?cc=mfsfront;c=mfs;c=mfsfront;idno=ark5583.0022.105;g=mfsg;rgn=main;view=text;xc=1

                            Cover Letter

The reason I choose to write about this topic is because it’s something that I relate to very heavily. Throughout my whole life, I’ve always wondered why having my hair felt so different from other people’s hair. It was something I had to learn how to take care of on my hair because my mother wasn’t taught to even take care of her own let alone mine.  For the longest time, I thought that my struggles were something I faced alone, however after entering the natural hair community and being friends with other black girls who faced similar challenges. I realized that the issue had nothing to do with me, instead, the popularization of Eurocentric beauty standards was to blame. My purpose for writing this essay is pretty clear. I just wanted to bring more awareness to what it’s like growing up with natural hair in a world that believes it needs to be constantly manipulated. Although this paper caters to the black community, I think that everyone should learn about the history of natural hair. This paper will help me further understand language politics because like language it is something that has its stereotypes and assumptions. While writing this paper I thought about my niece a lot and how it pained me to see her mother perm her hair. This was mainly because I didn’t want her to face any of the struggles written in this essay. At the end of the day, I wish that I had someone to tell me that there was nothing wrong with my hair back when I was little. I hope I can be that someone for all the people that feel the same way I did. 

Self-Assessment Essay: Language and its Many Forms 

I started this semester wondering two main things. What will I be learning? and how strict will my professor be? I had no clue what to expect especially since I took an AP English composition class my last year of high school. After the first class both of my questions were answered. One I would be learning about much more than just how to write a good essay. I’ve learned about the importance of being able to write in a way that expresses who you are and where you come from clearly. Second my professor was far from strict and he made it clear that “Standard” English wasn’t something we had to force ourselves to adhere to. Throughout the years I’ve always struggled with writing because I was always stressed about making sure I was using the correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in my writing. So, it was quite a relief when he told us that. I think I can say I’ve become more confident in my writing as the semester has gone by. There’s definitely been times where I struggled or felt lost but all in all I think that I’ve become more comfortable with writing.  

One of the pieces that really pushed me to further understand the importance of breaking the stereotypes of what “good” English is James Baldwin piece, “If Black English isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, what is it?”. It was one of the few pieces I hadn’t read yet and the way Baldwin wrote it perfect encapsulated why standard English isn’t the form of English that should be respected by society. Black English is something millions of people use every day. It has history, culture, and character. While writing my essay I was happy that I had the freedom to use my English. The English I use with my friends and family. The English that is just says acceptable and understandable as standard English.  

The hardest phase of this class was the third phase. At first I was like “ok I need to write a research paper my least favorite kind of paper to write”. However, when it came time for us to choose a topic, I was completely stuck. I didn’t want to write about language again since we had been doing that in Phase 1 and Phase 2. So, at first, I decided to write about homelessness since it wasn’t something I kept on seeing since starting to frequently use the train for school and work, however when it came time for me to start writing the passion, I had for the topic began to phase out. Once this started happening, I found I had to go to class because I felt like I was very behind. Everyone else had started writing their drafts while I was still stuck changing my topic every time I started writing. Inevitably though I realized that I was just holding myself back by not going to class. So, I picked a topic I could relate to on a more personal level. Natural hair. A topic that can be irrelevant to some and life-altering for others. Once I settled on its topic I began my research, and the rest was history. I think that out of all the phases, the third one pushed my limits. I had to start from scratch and work my way up.  

Despite the trouble I had during the third phase I think that this class was still relatively enjoyable. I had never been in a space where everyone could relate to me. Troubles caused by the English language. It was always nice to hear and read about all the different lives of my classmates. Phase 2 made that possible since I had to write a peer profile about someone I hadn’t yet spoken to in class. This person turned about to be a great person with amazing writing skills that I genuinely admired. I’m glad I was able to step out of my comfort zone and learn about another person on a deeper level. I also think that phase 2 was what allowed everyone in class to become more comfortable with talking to each other.  

Last but not least my favorite phase was the first one. Having to think about my relationship with language and how it has impacted my life was something I never stopped to consider. It was kind of boring at first because I thought it had to be something very dramatic and put together. However, when I started thinking about how it felt to come to a country without understanding a lick of English the story already felt naturally dramatic. I had the opportunity to realize where the mistakes were made during my childhood that made me lose the ability to speak my native language. Although those events were bittersweet I do think that they happened for a reason.  

In conclusion, I think that this semester tested me a lot. I had to learn how to do things that were beyond what you expect from an English class. I’m glad I was out in a class that pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. I also felt like to had a teacher who was very understanding and classmates who always had different perspectives to share. All in all, I’m glad I got to experience this class and learn to grow as a student and person.  

Cover letter 

The thing I was proud of while writing this profile was the fact that I got to learn about someone new. Doing so really did push me out of my comfort zone because I usually stick to my circle of friends, but it was nice to get to know someone new. Brandon was truly a fun person to write about, and I think he’s also an amazing writer. While writing my peer profile I used rhetorical devices like similes, metaphors, and pathos to convey Brandon in the most realistic light possible. Writing this paper allowed me to connect with the larger course themes of language politics by allowing me to see a different perspective of what it’s like to not know your native language. For Brandon this experience made him want to learn his native language even more. However, for me my similar experiences made me feel scared to connect with my culture and learn my native language. In this sense on a larger scale, the audience of this paper would be of course children of POC parents who never got the chance to learn their parents’ language. On a smaller scale, the audience would be Brandon. This is all his story, he gave the information, and I just wrote about it. I hope that my writing helps explain his experiences well. 

  After speaking to Brandon about his process of writing his written narrative I got to learn more about his inspiration behind writing about one feeling lost in his own identity. He and his family both come from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Compared to most of his family Brandon grew up in New York so his disconnect from his culture might’ve also felt geographical. The first time he visited Puerto Rico was when he was 16. To his surprise, he was the only one of his cousins that didn’t speak Spanish. He was embarrassed to admit that he fit into the stereotype that new-generation Puerto Rican kids couldn’t speak Spanish. During the interview, Brandon talks about how he took this situation more comically until realized how much it affected him to feel isolated. In his writing, he talks about how during quarantine he had started taking Spanish classes. Although he was excited at first, he eventually ended up paying no mind to the class until his trip to Puerto Rico. He spent his junior year trying to heavily immerse himself into the class so he could get around. It was endearing to hear that he had hope that when he came back from his trip, he would feel more connected to his other side.  

Brandon’s story is one that I and many others can heavily relate to, not only does it allow readers to sympathize but also reflect on their relations with their cultures. When asked about how content he feels about the issues he wrote about, he says that although the issues haven’t been completely resolved he is still taking the time to be more open-minded to the idea of learning his native language. You can see this open-mindedness in his writing when he speaks about no longer avoiding learning the language. During our interview, he said that the hardest part of writing his narrative was the end because he found it difficult to decide what to add in the end. Coincidentally a kind stranger gave him words of encouragement 2 days before finishing this essay. This part of the narrative felt like a full-circle moment. We could visualize it as a  lightbulb moment in his life.  

In his narrative, Brandon uses pictures as his form of media. The pictures involve him going on daily walks as a way to avoid having to speak to relatives in a language he didn’t comprehend. From a reader’s perspective, you can imagine Brandon on these walks and even the emotions he felt while taking them. After asking Brandon about whether he thinks people would’ve had the same reaction as him he states that ‘people would probably do the opposite of what I did.. I think they would try to make more of an effort especially if they didn’t know the language like I did.’ It was interesting to hear him say that because, from an outsider’s perspective, I would say that his reaction was completely valid. Especially if you feel like an outsider, you would want to distance yourself from the people making you feel that way. Incidents like this caused him to feel a disconnect from his culture. He felt as though he had nothing to rely on because he couldn’t express himself the way he wanted/needed to in Spanish. While looking back Brandon expressed his feelings of regret about not taking the time to learn the language. He talks about how it was difficult since language is such a big part of our lives.  

Overall Brandon’s story is still ongoing. His determination to understand and perfect his Spanish speaking skills is something he prioritizes. It takes a lot for someone to put their stubbornness aside and commit to something like learning their native language, so I do commend him for taking that step.  

I didn’t really feel much for the writing that I did for phase two. I think its because compared to the first writing piece we did this one felt more rushed. I also feel like because I was writing about someone I didn’t really know it made it even harder. Even though I was against the idea of having to write about someone else, it actually turned out to be a good thing because I got to learn about another classmate I haven’t spoken to yet. If I could go back and write my paper again I would ask my partner more questions about himself rather than just asking him questions about his narrative. Overall this writing piece allowed me to step out my comfort zone while also getting to know someone new (and their life story) .

Many people are starting to wonder the purpose of writing now especially in a day and age where things like social media exist. Well the short answer is because writing allows us to express ourselves without using our voices. The long answer is that writing has allows been a way for us to keep track o history and important events that happen. In a way writing is like a extension of ourselves and perceptions. Everyone has a distinct way of writing and that’s one of the reasons why we should still write. We’re able to break down a story in its entirety through its authors perspective.

People do not talk about how much you give up learning the English language. I never took the time to recognize how much I had to lose to “perfect” my English speaking, writing, and reading skills. Although I was born in America, I spent the first five and a half years of my life in Senegal. A small little country in west Africa. When I was six, I was forced to move back to America because of medical issues. I will never forget how I cried on the airplane thinking that I was leaving my mom (she was my aunt). Everything about this country scared me. The elevator ride down to the terminal, the loud noises, the cars, and the people. What made it worse was the fact that I did not understand anything, not the language being spoken nor the writing in the airport. I was still seeing my mom for the first time; she was holding a bag of food and a balloon that I now know read “welcome home!”

After a couple of weeks, I was enrolled into elementary school. A new place where no one looked like me. On the first day everything felt so new to me. There would be times my teachers would try to call on me to answer simple questions but all I could do in return is look at them perplexed. Let us be honest here it is a bit ridiculous to try and get me to answer questions about a topic I know nothing about on the first day is it not? Who knows, they could have been asking me something simple like how to spell my name?  After the first day I went home and asked my mom how to spell my name.

She said, “Awa Lowe is your name. A -W – A – L-O-W- E very simple”

Although it did not take me long to learn how to speak in English, it took me a long time to learn how to read and write in English. I always had trouble reading big words, spelling, essay writing, and remembering definitions. In elementary school I was the student that never raised her hand to read aloud. By the end of third grade, I became even quieter due to my English teacher yelling at me for not completing one of the HW assignments. For her our conversation ended the moment she stopped yelling at me. However, for me that was a moment that tainted all my future relationships with teachers. I was able to survive without interacting with teachers much in elementary school but When I got to middle school, I noticed how far behind I was compared to everyone else. That’s when I started to force myself to build relationships with my teachers. I started asking them for feedback and of course most of them were more than happy to help me. Eventually, my language skills got better, I became an excellent reader and speaker. I gained the skills I wanted but I had to give up another part of myself. The part that understood her native language.

Giving up my native language came with more negatives than I could have ever imagined. For one growing up I could never speak to my mom the way my older brothers did. They did not have to adjust their words for her to understand them, she understood them completely. However, the main thing that frustrated me about not knowing my native languages was the fact that even strangers had something to say about it. At work some customers would read my name tag and proceed to ask me where I am from, and the conversation always went like this:

“Awa? Where are you from” – Customer

“My family is from Senegal and Gambia.” – Me

By this point they have already proceeded to talk to me in Wolof and I would have to interrupt and say “Sorry but I don’t speak Wolof, I can only understand what you are saying.”

Depending on who it is they will either end the conversation awkwardly or say a sly comment like “If you were my kid, I would send you back home to learn the language.” Comments like that were complete BS because I could see in the persons face what they really meant.  The more this happened the more I hated the idea of people knowing where I was from.  I was tired am the judgmental eyes, slick comments, and overall feeling incomplete.  I don’t remember the exact moment when I stopped caring about such comments, but I did.  Or maybe I just got used to the comments instead.

Now I often times think about my how different my life is because of the fact that I unintentionally gave up my native languages in order to learn English. I never blamed my mom for not speaking to us in Wolof, instead I used to blame the teachers who gave her the suggestion in the first place. Till now I still do not understand what makes someone, especially a teacher, suggest that to someone? Maybe they did not know the long-term consequences that came with the suggestion. It is interesting to think about how in another universe there is a me that knows how to speak all her native languages, Wolof, Mandinka, French, Fulani, and English. However, I also appreciate the me in this universe who no longer lets people’s perception of her language skills reflect on to who she really is.