“Hair brings one’s self-image into focus; it is vanity’s proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices.” Shana Alexander
Taking the above quote into consideration, read the three articles below and briefly respond to at least one. In your response, consider how hair is a marker for ethnic and cultural identity, sexuality, femininity, as well as violence (in the case of at least one of the articles/posts). How does hair function in the article? If you have a hair story that you would like to share with us, we would love to read it!
1. Guest Blogger Meowser: The Hair Piece (Posted on April 23, 2008 by Kate Harding)
2. Preschool Student Faces Expulsion Over His Hairstyle-- Three-year-old Jayce Brown is being threatened with expulsion from Southern Maryland Christian Academy if he doesn’t change his hairstyle.
Hi! I am commenting on the second article: Preschool Student Faces Expulsion Over His Hairstyle. I think that in this case his hair is a symbol of his ethnic and cultural identity, rather than a fashion statement. What I find interesting is that as only a three year old, Jayce is already aware of his hair and how it is styled and according to his parents, would not be happy if they forced him to change it. Children at the age of 3 are still learning that they have an individual identity, and I guess Jayce's hair is a big part of his.
ReplyDeleteThis story reminds me of a similar situation. When my father was growing up he went to a private school called Cathedral in Bombay (Mumbai), India. When he was 8 years old, he had still never cut his hair because he wanted to be like his older sister. So he had long shoulder length hair and most people thought he was a girl. The school told him that he had to cut his hair because boys were not allowed to have long hair unless it was worn in a turban. For one month they sent him home every morning because he had not cut his hair until finally my grandmother forced him to cut it. He has hated haircuts ever since!
Heya everyone, I'm commenting on how it seems that there seems to be a societal notion that "black hair" is bad hair. I'm probably the most fashion backward person out there, but even I have seen how the curly haired/afro all-natural look is repressed. The View ladies at the end laughed about what would happen if Michelle Obama decided to go the 'fro rout, but even then there was a serious undertone to the discussion. The all-natural look is seen as a challenge to the conventional long-flowing hair beauty myth that is propagated by all forms of media. And thinking about the little 3-year old preschool kid who is on the borderline of being expelled for wearing his hair in a traditionally African way causes one to go into hysterics. How is it that wearing your hear naturally or in a traditional way, so damn threatening? I certainly dont have the answer, but I'd love to try and figure that one out. Is it because it is an affront to societal norms or is it a race issue or something completely different?
ReplyDeleteI am commenting both on the first and third articles, which easily relate to each other. Although I completely agree with Ta Ankh about the judgmental reality that African American women face, it is safe to say that white women face these same standards as well. The first article, written by a Jewish woman with male-pattern baldness, describes the struggles that she went through even while she had a full head of hair. The lush, blond hair that is so beyond the reach of black women is also unattainable by some white women. Meowser describes the things that she did in attempts to change her hair, like "glopping on tons of hot oil treatments and deep conditioners and embracing blowdryers and avoiding blowdryers or whatever some dumbass girl magazine told me I was “supposed” to be doing to make the stuff behave."
ReplyDeleteMy white best friend, despite her naturally smooth hair, obsesses over the tiny bit of curl that it holds, constantly blow drying and straightening it. She hates how thin it is, worrying about the bits of scalp that may be exposed from lack of hair coverage on her head. She also used to tell me how jealous she was of my ridiculously long hair because it took hers months to grow a mere inch. I am sure the slow growth of her hair is strongly influenced by the large amount of heat styling that it is being treated to. Ironic, is it not? She straightens her hair because straight hair is considered beautiful by society, but that process of straightening is also what keeps her hair from growing into the length that she also desires. Essentially, what I am trying to say is that black women are not the only women who are held up to the standards of appearance that society perpetuates; although it may be hardest/most impossible for black women to attain lush blond hair, it does not necessarily come naturally to everyone else, either.
I am responding to article 2, " Preschool Student Faces Expulsion Over His Hairstyle" with regard to the quote from Shana Alexander. As Shana says, hair represents one's personal self-image. However, self-image is related to many different things and isn't necessarily tied to vanity. The preschool student doesn't use his hair as a means of vanity. To him (and his parents), his hair represents culture and identity, which is manifested through self-image. On the other hand, the private school's administration views hair as "vanity's proving ground." To them, their students' appearances is a direct projection of the school's image. A school with students who have conservative hairstyles sets off a vibe that is different from a school with students who have "faddish styles."
ReplyDeleteThe article also shows how classification of "self" and identity can occur at a young age when children are most impressionable. The meaning of hair to the African-American family versus the meaning of hair to the school administration may be different because of the different ways people are brought up. Personally, I had a similar issue. I went to a private elementary school with a strict dress code, so my mom always kept my hair neatly trimmed and tied back into a ponytail. I never felt comfortable with my hair. So as soon as I hit high school, I went through a phase of hair alterations. At one point, I had platinum blonde, hot pink, purple, and light pink highlights in my hair. All at once. My mom wasn't exactly happy with my purple/pink sink. Although I was probably the only person in the school with brightly colored hair, I felt comfortable with myself and my identity.
Hair reveals so much about us—our fashion sense, our ancestry, our cultural ties, and even our health. I was shocked reading the article about the young African-American child who was threatened with expulsion from his preschool for his hairstyle. The school claimed that his dread locks were a “faddish” hairstyle not permitted by the school’s dress code. However, when other boys at the school were found to be violating dress code, it is clear that this is a case of racism. Since the beginning of colonialism, white people have viewed “black” characteristics as inferior and a threat to white society. Slaves were taught English and forced to wear certain clothes and hairstyles. Even today, prominent black members of our society, from Michele Obama to Beyoncé to Oprah Winfrey, don “white” hairstyles that require extensive heat and/or chemical use. I think the child should be allowed to wear his hair how he wishes and be proud of his ethnic background rather than conforming to white society.
ReplyDeleteI have also struggled with my hair and cultural identity. Growing up in a white neighborhood where most girls had soft, straight blonde hair, my thick, black, frizzy, curly Persian hair definitely stood out. My hair was always tangled and going in every direction. Finally, when I got to college, I discovered flat irons, thinning shears, bleach, anti-frizz creams, my stylist Miguel, and a world of smooth, straight-to-wavy, manageable hair. As much as I would love to wake up and go straight to class, I spend about an hour after each wash blow-drying and straightening my waist-length hair. I know it is superficial and I’m probably the only one who notices my hair, it makes me feel better and more confident about how I look.
In The View video, I feel as though Whoopie Goldberg is tackling the tough topic of black womens' hair as a source of grief from an uneven ground. She herself is a successful black woman who is widely known for wearing her hair naturally so I feel like it is very easy for her to encourage other black women to publically celebrate their natural hair. The younger black woman (I don't know her name) seems to represent the greater majority of the ethnic minority when she says that she prefers her wig over her natural hair.
ReplyDeleteWhile hair is seen as an ethnic marker for black women, not enough of them are being honored for wearing their hair naturally. Instead, what is promoted is the weave or the wig to cover up the natural hair underneath. And this majority is seen as what is beautiful and normal to younger black women, leading to a perpetuation of their reluctance to wear their hair naturally.
In the article about preschooler, Jayce Brown, hair functions as grounds for expulsion. The school that is requiring him to change his hair are not considering that his hair is a part of his culture. His Mother claims that his “Locks are not a current faddish hairstyle” and that the policy is “blatantly racially motivated.” His hair is a symbol of his ethnicity and to have him cut his hair is absurd, and most likely very confusing to a three-year-old who just wants to have the same hair as his dad. The school sees his hair style as a threat, although it is not a rebellious action but is a symbol of his ethnicity.
ReplyDeleteIn the YouTube video of The View, Whoopi Goldberg says that it is rare to see a black woman with her natural hair. They argue that women try to be like the magazines, or that Caucasian women start hair trends. They claim that Television and Film industries will not hire those with curly hair and that certain channels have a “look.” From these comments it is obvious that hair is thought to reflect the beliefs of a person. If for example, the blond woman went onto the O’Reilly Factor with long hair like she has on The View, they would style it to seem short and more professional.
In response to the case of Jayce Brown, I feel that the school is overstepping its boundaries. Jayce's locks are far from "extremely faddish" and more of a physical embodiment of his heritage and pride. Moreover, the parents never agreed to any dress code, so the school is fighting a losing battle that is attracting negative publicity on their behalf. I feel this is more of a case of racial targeting more than anything else. Whereas the school views Jayce's hairstyle as an act of defiance, his family holds that it is a symbol of culture.
ReplyDeleteWhile Jayce and his family remain prideful of their hair and heritage, the clip from the view illustrates that many women find it difficult to maintain their natural hair. Though I am absolutely unqualified to make a judgement call, but I feel that girls and women alike are ever conscious of the "ideal" image of a women perpetuated by the media. The women praise Tyra Banks for appearing on her show without her weave, but her hair is not naturally straight and thin as it appears. She has treated her hair extensively weave or no, and as such she supports the image of women "on magazines" as the hosts put it.
In the quote by Alexander, the notion that hair is personal and concerned with self-image is in a sense very true. Seen from the clip of The View, a diverse number of women are concerned with their hair from color to texture. Even Whoopi raises the issue of how very rarely are black women seen with their natural hair.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as we briefly touched upon in class, hair is also very public. In this way, I think the prejudices that Alexander speaks of also comes into play. In the case with Jayce Brown his hair, representative of his culture, was immediately noticed by the school board and was reprimanded. The personal (representing one's culture through hairstyle) was now suddenly public (experiencing prejudice from the school).
I think this dichotomy of the public versus private is very apparent in all articles whether it concerns cultural identity or femininity. In my own life, I have also struggled with this dichotomy. During most of my youth, my hair was very short. I remember one of our fellow classmates noted how she literally had a bowl cut. I, too, experienced the same thing and at times, the fact that I was actually female was not immediately apparent to some. Perhaps that is why I keep my hair so long today. Maybe one day I can cut it off via guillotine! For now, at least these articles are shedding light on how concerned I am with keeping my hair long.
On a final note, Meowser's article reminded me of something. Although much of it did not center on her having a hair piece, it did remind me of Baby Bangs:
http://baby-bangs.com/index2.php
I do not agree with Baby Bangs, but I figure it may make for an interesting discussion.
I want to discuss the first article, because I feel that the blogger touches on a lot of issues concerning hair: ethnicity, sexuality, color, thickness/baldness, wigs and hairpieces, and length. All these things are important but I think in the end the most important thing is the control, or lack thereof, associated with each aspect. Women (I don’t want to speak for men because I have no idea what they think) seem to be the most uncomfortable about their hair when they have no control over it. Meowser’s friend K. loved the liberating feeling that came with being bald because she chose it; in contrast, Meowser herself felt closed in and ashamed of her baldness because it was something that was happening to her that she couldn’t control.
ReplyDeleteHair is often overlooked by those who have it naturally in its most flowing and relaxed form. The perfect head of hair is envied by all. It is espoused by social expectations and promoted universally in the media to the extent that many times that perfect hairstyle is artificial and contrived. In the first article, "Guest Blogger Meowser: The Hair Piece," Meowser tells firsthand how social pressure has affected her feelings toward her hair as she has gradually lost it over time due to genetic baldness. She becomes very conscious of how segregated she is without a full head of hair because she is of the few unlucky women suffering from baldness. She feels alienated and wants to find some way out of it in order to restore her self-esteem. In a way, going against the norm and being different in this case is still not acceptable. Having imperfect hair automatically signals to both the individual and the rest of society that they are special but with negative connotations.
ReplyDeleteThere is clearly a sense of pride in having acceptable hair. Meowser misses it, and I wouldn't blame her. If I was on the verge of going bald, I too would have an identity crisis. Accepting it and negotiating those hair problems with society is something that is difficult to do. In the clip from the View, Whoopi Goldberg is an example of someone who has instead embraced her natural hair for what it is. She has enjoyed success in Hollywood despite what popular media will say about her hair as being non-ideal. However, how likely would Whoopi grace the covers of beauty magazines for her braided dreads when long, beautiful flowing hair could be shown instead? It seems that although she is proud of her breakthrough with her natural hair intact, it remains to be seen in society and in media to have natural hairstyles be accepted as the ideal norm.
I want to comment on the second article about the preschooler, Jayce Brown. I just don’t understand why a three year old’s hair style is so important to the school that they are willing to expel him because of it. They’re already teaching him that it’s wrong to express himself freely or to associate himself with certain cultures and traditions. His hair is just another way for him to relate to his family and culture. I also really liked what his mother said at the end, that if they are a Christian school, they should accept everyone from different races and cultures. I totally agree with her. Why is it that a certain hairstyle more common between African-Americans can get you expelled but hairstyles more common between whites are ok with the school? Like they point out on The View, this is just another example of whites setting the trend for what is considered acceptable and attractive. Everyone should be able to style their hair however they want and not have people judge them because of it.
ReplyDeleteI want to comment on the first article: Guest Blogger Mewoser. Mewoser’s experience is a clear representation of the constraints society imposes on women, and the belief that there is only one a certain way in which a white woman can present herself. Even though baldness is a condition that is thought to be strictly for males, women make up about forty percent of American hair loss sufferers. Meowser shows how losing hair can be devastating for self image, self-esteem and well-being, often leading to suicide among some. Unfortunately, society has forced women to suffer in silence. It is considered far more acceptable for men to go through the same hair loss process. Women who are losing their hair are perceived as sick and weakened.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christine- I think the first article touches on a lot of different issues about hair, but the second one does too. On one hand, I understand the school's need to keep everyone looking and wearing similar things. The point of the uniform is to limit distractions and to make everybody feel like part of the same group and hair is the same. We see this in the way the military gives all men buzz cuts and make women tie their hair up into buns. On the other hand, I think it is unfair that "white" hair dominates our culture and the school probably didn't even consider the issues that African Americans face with their hair. It's a hard problem to balance but I personally believe they should let him do what he wants with it. He's 3 and it's interesting that he's already developing a sense of identity through his hair. His growing individuality as a person shouldn't be suppressed. It would be wrong to tell him that he must conform to everyone else at an age when he's so impressionable.
ReplyDeleteFor three-year-old Jayce Brown, his hair style is part of his cultural identity. However, his culture’s tradition is not being embraced and accepted, but rather it is ousted and seen as unacceptable. I can understand the school’s need to enforce its rules, although the rules against Jayce’s style of hair is much too strict. A Christian school should be accepting of all people and cultures. The school could potentially be exiling Jayce as an African American, although it is hard to say without further evidence. It depends on how many other children are of African American descent and if they too have somehow felt discriminated. But this tells us, that prejudices do exist with adults today. Three-year-old Jayce has no idea what the issue is because in an accepting society with a clean slate there should be no issue at hand. Isn’t it just hair? Yet society has embodied us with vanity and to judge. I am not accepting this, I am just pointing it out and how unfortunate it is that it exists.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Meowser’s blog, hair is clearly very important to one’s identity and how they feel about themselves. I never thought a person could have so many different emotions and thoughts about hair. When you have hair you take it for granted and you don’t realize how much it really is part of your identity and self-confidence. It is crazy to think that a simple thing like hair can determine a person’s happiness and without it, some people even consider committing suicide. Humans are vain and will continue to discriminate or judge people if they are different. I like how this class is opening our eyes and making us aware about the power of hair and how it has other implications attached to it, including political ones. Hopefully, it excludes us from those that do judge people according to the way their hair looks. This class has already encouraged me to embrace different kinds of hair and hairstyles, and to appreciate and love my own.
Another interesting thing about Meowser’s blog: When Meowser felt like she was different in the pool, I’m sure that also has to do with her own level of confidence that she has in herself because of her hair. The other people in the pool may have barely even noticed that she had a cap on and if they did, I am sure many of them didn’t think she was in any way different or ugly.
The second article about three-year-old Jayce Brown’s possible expulsion from his preschool really bothered me. I can’t believe Colleen M. Gaines, the founder and owner of Southern Maryland Christian Academy, would be ignorant enough to expel a child because of his hair. Although Gaines claims that Brown’s parents agreed to the policies when they enrolled their child, Mrs. Brown declares that the papers which she signed did not mention the dress code policies, which require boys to have short hair. However, for the Brown family, Jayce’s hair is not just hair. Dreadlocks are a part of the African American culture. To be expelled for embracing one’s race is really unjust. Moreover, through some investigation at the school, Brown’s lawyer discovered that a couple other students, who were not African America, had hair that did not conform to the policies either. Thus, this fact proves that the reason for expulsion is not because Jayce’s hair does not fit the requirements but simply because of racism. I really sympathize with Jayce, who only desires to go to school and learn, and his family, who has to fight against racism even in today’s dynamic society.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to discuss the first article from Guest Blogger Meowser titled "The Hair Piece". The blogger, in her own experiences in feeling alienated and outcast from society due to hair, acknowledges that society has impressed upon women the notion and ideal that hair is beautiful and that hair is an essential part of fitting into society. She delves into the extensive impact that hair has upon a woman's perception of herself and as a woman in society. By drawing attention to the powerful stain of negativity that female baldness leaves upon a woman, the blogger is able to highlight the flaws and cracks in society in submitting women to such harsh judgments by themselves and by society solely on hair. Noting that hair is merely hair, a tangible, unneccessary part of living that yet has such profound repurcussions if is in absence displays unfair societal constructs that delineate how a woman should appear, and how femininity and beauty are defined. Lastly, by mentioning the African-American women who experience this struggle on a daily basis, even without balding, touches on the issue of a the narrow-minded views on hair that society has developed. Her empowerment in embracing all types of hair, or no hair to subvert constrictions imposed on hair by society is an approach towards liberation from hair's constrictions. And yet, her final comment of "or not" reveals an uncertainty and the existent, underlying desire to fit into society's cookie cutter female template.
ReplyDeletesorry, i didn't realize we were supposed to post our responses. hopefully i can still contribute. here's my response to “Black Women and Their Hair”
ReplyDeleteThis article addresses the ethnic and cultural impacts of hair, revealing the psychology behind the seemingly unquestioned desire for straight hair and its far-reaching social implications. The author identifies the issue as the relinquishing of ethnic identity as embodied in African hair and acquiescing to the White-imposed image of beauty. Interestingly, feelings of guilt, shame, and unattractiveness in Black women accompany the decision to “go natural”, to break from the Barbie doll image of beautiful hair and embrace the nappy look. They are indicative of a cultural self-loathing, a collective inferiority complex to be blamed partly on the White-dominated society, but also on the new generation of Black women who refuse to acknowledge the now-veiled racism. In this article, hair is indeed a marker for ethnic identity, an identity that has been damaged and manipulated, destined to wallow in inferiority until it can summon the courage to realize its worth.
yea i thought we were supposed to turn this into class, but ill just post it now to the blog
ReplyDeleteIn the web article titled Guest Blogger Meowser: The Hair Piece, a mostly untouched topic of female hair loss is taken into subject. The blogger details certain key experiences and events in her life that has led to have a much greater grasp and understanding of what it is like to go through balding/ having to wear a wig to cover up undesirable hair. She begins by detailing how she found out that of her female African American workers wore a wig, and to her this seemed weird at the time for a person not to be comfortable in their own hair. However she later is able to conclude that hair is a marker for ethnic groups and race especially for black women whose hair it seems can set them back in the workplace or even unable to get a job. For her own case the "Meowser" shares information on what it was like in her own life to have to deal with partial balding and the numerous expensive products she used just to maintain the hair she had. Such determination to keep the norm of a woman having a full head of flowing long hair relays how society demands one to either fit in and be accepted or stand out and be scorned on by onlookers. Despite seeing for a long period of time in her life the effects of hair with society she turns to wearing a hairpiece instead of going natural and accepting criticism although she does jokingly mention that one day she might just rip it off in public. Thus hair to her is a marker for her own femininity and sexuality, something she cannot part with so she turns to the wig.
The 2nd article reminded me of a heated debate that occurred just yesterday on one of my Mexican American friends' Facebook wall. My friend, who has beautiful, long (reaches her waist), straight, brunette hair, was reprimanded on her first day at work by a white, female doctor for having "unprofessional hair." According to the doctor, long hair may be suitable for downtown, but it is not professional enough for the workplace. My friend was quite furious and posted on her Facebook, "Long hair is unprofessional…sounds quite racist to me considering it stems from a desire to remove the visibly ethnic aspect of you...It is racist in the sense that a part of your identity (in this case many Latinas have their hair long) is said to be unprofessional. My hair is part of my identity. I’ve had it long since I was a child….A 'cultural' value of seeing long hair beautiful. And suddenly I go into the workplace and I am reprimanded for a part of me that is very cultural/ethnic." (I have copied bits of her post here with her permission). In class and in the articles, the focus seems to be on how African American hair reflects cultural identity. However, as my Mexican American friend's post shows, other ethnic groups also have their identity represented by their hair. My friend's post turned into a debate, because a white male friend of hers did not think that the comment on hair was racist. I feel that in a way it was racist, because the doctor said that long hair belonged in downtown, where immigrants and minorities congregate. Unlike the 2nd article, my friend was not given the ultimatum to cut her hair or leave. However, the comment on hair did make her feel quite discriminated against as a Latina, just as the 3-year-old African American kid's parents did. I had never realized the important role that hair played on people's identity until now. The discussions and readings have helped me to finally acknowledge this piece of people's identity and to notice posts like the one by my friend.
ReplyDeleteI thought we were supposed to bring our response to class. But here's what I thought...
ReplyDeleteIn the first article, one comment she made really stood out to me. "So I ask myself: If I’m willing to reject social programming regarding what the volume of my pantaloons should be, why should it be so much harder to reject social programming about what the volume of hair on top of my head should be?" Unlike clothing, hair is something that is a part of you. Its characteristics were given to us by our parents, passed down from generation to generation. This makes it far more personal than anything else. It is also out in the open and always with you for everyone to see. You can change clothing styles from day to day, but the length and color of hair cannot be manipulated easily. Clothing can be changed depending on the occasion. During your alone time you can wear whatever you want, without worrying about anybody judging you. Then, if you need to attend something more formal or professional, you can easily change your outfit just for that day. Hair, on the other hand, cannot be easily changed day to day, or occasion to occasion, especially if you shave it off. Because of this it can be argued that hair is a more honest reflection of a person than clothing, so hair will always be used as a primary tool for defining a person, especially for first impressions.