Good Hair

It's strange for me to hear someone say, "Oh, she has good hair." Partly because of the movie "Crooklyn" when the little black girl whose ponytail sticks straight up in the air says it to a Puerto Rican girl whose long hair falls down to her butt. But partly because it's really sad to have the self-hatred so many black people have for themselves and their own culture shoved in my face.

For anyone who may not know, "good hair" in the African-American community is considered to be a more manageable, typically straighter, longer grade of hair. For lack of a better description, the closer a black persons hair is to a European's hair the better. So tight, "nappy", "kinky", even "Kunta" textured hair is considered bad hair. And yes, I've heard hair described in each of these ways. But why does it have to be any better to have less curl at the root of the hair? Because it's easier to care for or style? I can see that, but who ever said we had to do anything to our hair besides wash and moisturize it? Why use a hot comb to straighten it? For versatility maybe, but if that's the case we all have to use some degree of heat or chemical to obtain that versatility. "Good hair" or not.

See, since the big chop, I've enjoyed washing my hair more often, going to the gym and not worrying about my "new growth" sprouting up because my head sweats, and I sure love storing my heating elements in the bottom drawer in my bathroom. My hair doesn't have to be bone straight for me to be okay. It did take some time for me to get to this place, mentally, so I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but natural hair is far more versatile than anything you will get from a relaxer. As mine grows out I could straighten it for an occassion, twist it, or just wash and wear...show me a relaxed head of hair with options like those.

What women choose to do with their hair is solely up to them, I just hope the reasoning for their choices doesn't degrade who they are, who their parents are, or who their ancestors are. You don't have to be "Happy and Nappy" but if suddenly we couldn't get our hands on a relaxer, weave hair or any heating/straightening elements, what would you do and how would it affect how you feel about the woman in the mirror?