No one knows what it is like to be a Black woman in today's eurocentric, euro-influenced world, except a Black woman. Period. Let's state that up front.
That being said, as a Black man, having been raised by a black woman, and having spent my life around black women, my perspective is still considered that of an outsider, albeit with the benefit of an insider's insight. So instead of stating my opinion and position on the state of affairs, I begin with questions.
In an ideal world, where all races were treated and considered equally from the beginning, and the traits and features considered desirable were not skewed in favor of any particular group, how wide of a spectrum of hairstyles would we see?
In that ideal world, how would the identity of young black girls form, absent the influence to alter a characteristic at the essence of her appearance and cultural identity? What would be the frequency at which Black mothers straightened(hot comb, press, relaxer, perm, etc) their daughter's hair?
Of course there would always be women who would straighten their hair at some point in their life, over the course of trying different styles. But would it be the overwhelming majority? Would Black women and girls ridicule each other according to an culturally implied straightened hair mandate?
Would Madam C.J. Walker have become the first American female self-made millionaire(note I didn't say Black female self-made millionaire), by developing a line of hair straightening and conditioning products for Black women?
Well, now that we've returned from our imaginary excursion to "ideal world", back to the real world where white women are the set up as the standard by which beauty is recognized and rated, and the images supporting and perpetuating that standard are positioned at every turn...
Consider for a moment, what your identity and self-perception might be like if you were indoctrinated from a young age to accept and operate from the premise that someone diametrically opposed to you from a characteristic feature standpoint, is the goal that you must strive to achieve.
How might you be effected by pressures both outside and inside of your culture, family, peer groups, that constantly guide you towards visual and cultural assimilation?
Now, I am NOT a fan of the weave or extensions, but considering the foregoing, it is not much of a surprise that the age of Black women and girls rocking them runs the absolute gamut. This is not an endorsement, just a fact.
It is also in consideration of the foregoing, that I tip my hat to those women, who not only resist the ongoing siege on their individual and cultural identity, but have the fortitude to turn back against the current.
For those Black women, carrying the flag, and holding the line for natural hair, and celebrating characteristic African features in a Eurocentric world. I salute you. You are the embodiment of true strength, that which comes from deep within.
Black beauty is a glowing, powerful, natural, regal beauty. When all other beauty has faded, Black beauty still remains. There is none other like it, and never has been, so why should you strive to become anything less than the best?
Be you. Be beautiful. Be beautiful, Black, natural, powerful you.
