A Hairy Situation
“I see no changes, all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under, I wonder what it takes to make this
One better place, let’s erase the wasted”
–Changes by Tupac (A rapper in the 90s for any of you Old Timers)
Why did I begin a post about hair with lyrics by a man who was bald? Well even though Tupac is no longer with us, his lyrics remain true 22 years later. Yet, we are oblivious to our actions.
For instance, while eavesdropping, I heard a young white woman describe her Saturday afternoon. It consisted of dousing herself in coconut oil and baking… her skin. (You thought I was going to say sourdough, didn’t you?) She acknowledged that it may not have been the best decision due to her fair skin, but and I quote, “we do what we need to for a tan.”
This intrusion had me thinking.
I enjoy tanned skin. I slather myself in oil and tanning lotions, pay for overly priced, overly sticky spray tans and lay out in the sun until I am in a puddle of my own sweat. (That is the closest I can get to the salty ocean).
We as white people, rub chemicals into our skin and travel across the world (not currently) to lay out in the sun for the sole purpose of having dark skin.
Isn’t that ironic? We put effort, money and time into having a darker skin tone, yet have a tendency to judge those who have naturally dark skin. (I think this is ironic. Alanis Morissette has me all confused).
Moreover, we appreciate black music, art, fashion, hair and dance moves, but what about the individuals?
At protests we need to raise Black Lives Matter signs higher than hair cuts matter even if we all have split ends (and I know you do)…
In Legitimately, Effortlessly, Dumb, I didn’t know who I was talking to. Today, I knew who I was talking to, but instantly regretted it.
Historically, I have had a toxic relationship with my hair. I’ve caused my hair physical and emotional harm with unnecessary hair dye, flat irons heated at the temperature one cooks a chicken, actual toxins and excessive hair play.
Having said that, I have made up for it. In the past year I have given my curls healthy ingredients from products intended for black women’s hair I would like to mention such as: Miss Jessie’s Multicultural Curls and Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen/Growth. But apparently that hasn’t been enough.
One afternoon I approached a co-worker who styles hair because Summer is approaching; I’m feeling a little hairy and am ready for a lighter me (in more ways than one). I had hoped he could provide some advice.
His response was mediocre and just to make matters worse he added, “I thought you were going to ask me about those awful split ends you have.”
You mean to tell me that soaking my hair in Argan Oil isn’t a replacement for a hair cut?!
And why did he say ‘awful’ split ends? Aren’t all split ends awful?
Needless to say, I did not take his advice and I still have split ends.
This may have been a hairy situation, but our world is far passed hairy. It’s time we repair those split ends to create a fresh, strong and shining world.
