Shut Your Sh%# And Clap Your Hands
[***This will be another Panama-length post. Stop working and take a 30 minute break. ***]
So India.Arie is not her hair.
She’s also not that great a singer or a talent, but let’s not let my personal biases against mediocre, over-hyped music get in the way of objective analysis.
See also: Alicia Keys.
India.Arie has a new song getting rotation on vh1 Soul entitled “I’m Not My Hair”. Though I more often than not change channels when I see it and have yet to really listen to the lyrics, I’m pretty sure I have a good idea where she’s going with it.
[***Sidenote: Have you noticed how much time India.Arie puts into telling us what she's not? She's not the average chick in the video (no shit Sherlock), she's not her hair, she's not caught up into the materialism of it all ("Little Things" which I hated with the passion of Mel Gibson. Construction through deconstruction, eh? I still don't think her music is that great or moving. In fact, I just created this sidenote so I could reinforce the fact that neither India or Alicia Keys is particularly overwhelmingly talented, they're just "positive" so the accolades come. Sad sad times we live in. And oh yes, kiss my ass if you think I'm just hating. ***]
It’s an ever-present reminder to not judge books by their cover. Many women with myriad hairdoes across the nation, especially of the darker persuasion, wish to not be judged by their hair or boxed into whatever stereotype their hair represents. Oh how cruel society can be for looking at a part of your chosen appearance and making some sort of (un)informed opinion about you.
Let me just cut the shit here, you can see through my obvious sarcasm that I like to call bullshit on this notion. But I’m not calling bullshit on the notion in its entirety, but just from the ONLY group of women who run this brouhaha into the ground: the alleged/assumed/stereotped “deep” crowd of women with the natural hair or locs that refuses to succumb to society’s (read white folks) requirement to have relaxed hair that conforms to the white aesthetic.
Women’s liberation lives on.
It is my understanding that relaxed hair is easier to manage. I could be wrong on that, but I’ve been told that from nearly all the women in my life with relaxed hair. If that is the case, then growing ones hair out in its natural African splendor or locking one’s hair is not only a societal rebellion but a conscious decision to retain God’s given goods. It is in fact…
…a statement of sorts.
And I’m all for statements. If you have something to say, then by all means say it. The more controversial the better. Now the funny shit here is that most of the controversy involved here comes from the stereotype that in some ways, women with the “hair” (as it will be called from here on out) run themselves right into, but don’t want to be a party to in the first place.
Common sense be damned.
And that’s where I get to calling bullshit. You see, not a SINGLE woman I know with the “hair” isn’t or hasn’t been on some sort of “enlightened” kick at some point in their lives. Lovers of all things natural from natural soaps and organic shit and lovers of the beauty of the outside and the grass and how we are all connected to the Earth and must take advantage of all that. And I’m not judging at all, I actually think thats great. More people should probably be into the natural order of things and want to preserve and enjoy the world’s resources and the like. And I’m all for enlightenment.
Further, it seems that when most black women go through some sort of major life change, often times, their hair becomes the subject of debate; whether or not to cut it, to lock it, to just let it grow into its natural state. In many ways, a woman’s hair does represent a lot about her. Not to say that it is the only facet of her, but it is a major part. The thing is, the only group that runs around wishing to not be judged by their hair is the women with the “hair”. And its because the rest of us aren’t nuts and have been exposed to so many women with the “hair” that some sort of opinion can be created.
Women with relaxers don’t run into this problem and it could very well be a societal, white-induced thing. If you see a woman with a perm, well, that just seems normal. Permed hair doesn’t really stand out. If you see a woman with the helicopter hair do, well, her ass is just ghetto. You are what you eat and you reap what you sow. But for those of us who can read, which would be everybody reading this right now, when you see a woman with big hair or locs (the “hair) we do tend to assume certain things about them.
That they rock earthtones and headwraps, read Sonia Sanchez, like ankh’s, wear jewelry with amber and are all about some sort of enlightenment or something. All of those things can, sometimes for right sometimes for wrong, be assumed from seeing a woman out with the “hair”. And yes it is wrong to make such assumptions…but umm…
…how often are you wrong?
When was the last time you met a woman with the “hair” that had the best of Ying Yang Twins bumping in their ride? They get lumped into the “concious” crowd by men and women alike because for the most part, they don’t exactly do anything to counter that title. You go to their homes they have books about women’s liberation, feminism, and spirituality, amidst the music of the the “deep” crowd who has an appreciation for “quality” music. The homes are filled with incense and the like.
Yes, I’m stereotyping, but how how often am I completely offbase? I’m not saying all women with the “hair” are like that, but I’m guessing that I’m not as wrong as India.Arie might have me believe. And I think that’s where the problem with the “hair” comes in and why so many of women rocking the “hair” always clamor at that statement.
They don’t want to be boxed in or labeled into something that makes being ignant or ghetto contrary to the image that is being portrayed. Granted, I come down hard on many of “deep” brothers and sisters, but its usually at the inauthenticity of some of it. I just think its funny that people go so far out of their way to put out an image that is reflective of a certain persona. Mostly because there isn’t much variance. It’s an all or nothing thing. I’m deep, so I must wear all things deep or do all things deep people do. I suppose its largely a phase thing that many people grow out of, but oh well, it’s still funny.
Being characterized by your hair means that when you get to shakin’ that ass to Nelly or the Ying Yang Twins, people might look at you funny. And that’s not fair. Just because she loves Che Guevara and Assata Shakur doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy the music of Ying Yang while shunning the lyrics. It’s party music right? And she likes to party. Why come she can’t get her “Salt Shaker” on in peace without folks being like, “dang girl, i didn’t think you’d get down like that?”
You know what’s really funny about this, it’s that women with the “hair” often get stereotyped up. As in, we tend to expect something from them for whatever reason. You expect to go into their homes and be transported into a sea of understanding and knowledge. Sad to say, if you go into the home of a chick with a perm, and you see the home of a “deep” chick, you’re often surprised in some sort. I know I am. It may be wrong, but fuck you.
Not to say that I don’t expect permed out chicas to read, but when you get the Mother Africa treatment, it just kind of takes you aback, then you realize you can’t judge a book by its cover. She may be the flyest chick on the planet, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. And that is why this whole phenomena is so funny to me. Women with the “hair” want to be regarded as normal people…hell, they just want to get the freedom to be a multi-faceted fuck-up with ignorant tastes like everybody else, whereas other women get the “wow, you READ???” face when you enter their homes.
And, to reiterate, I understand that your hair alone does not make you who you are, but it does say something about you, when you decide to (this is going to be the dumbest shit I’ve ever said…so bear with me), shun the status quo and wear your hair the way God intended.
Yes I felt dumber for saying that.
And see that’s the problem: you are your hair. It makes a statement about you. It’s just not the whole you, and I understand wanting to be recognized as a whole person and not boxed in to some perception that YOU are giving off. But its funny the labels we reject, isn’t it? Nobody wants to reject being labeled smart, well read, or thinking, yet often times those are the very assumptions we make from checking out a woman’s hair and her persona (which often fits the stereotype we adorn due to their hair). Women with the “hair” want the opportunity to be just as ignant as the rest of us with out raising an eyebrow. Thing is, its not even usually the “hair” alone that does it. It’s the whole package, from afar.
Apparently the biggest problem that comes with the “hair” is the assumptions that go along with it. The women who have to scream that they aren’t their hair just don’t want folks to assume anything about them, be it true or not. But when you make certain statements, assumptions arise. Your hair is your statement when you chose to go the “hair” route.
But to counter that, I suggest wearing a Ying Yang Twins shirt. That will throw people off and make sure that nobody judges you by your cover.
Then drop it likes its hot…
…on the bus…
Stereotype. Dissolved.
May 19th, 2006 11:00
I also agree that India(dot)Arie and Alicia are tres overrated…
And I’ve also noticed that she is constantly defining herself by what she’s not. That’s is like anti-defining…
As a woman with “the hair”, I’m not bothered at all when people ask me questions, make assumptions or want to touch my hair. Just as if somebody likes my makeup, or my shoes or whatever…it is a characteristic that is a part of me.
People often get caught up in making statements and assuming others understand. I’m all about educating folks about my culture, period. I am my damn hair, hence the reason I stopped perming it.
India(dot)Arie needs to get over herself and be open to telling people about who she is…
May 19th, 2006 11:36
The women with the hair! The ones you describe make me chuckle all the time. So many have that holier than thou attitude. For me, they make immediate assuptions. It’s fun! I don’t even have a perm, have alopecia (or however it’s spelled) but they immediately cast me in the role of stank-b*tch! Good times. Yet, just like you said, they fight so hard against people making certain assumptions about them.
And here’s an assumption I have been guilty of making: Women who go the HAIR route do so because they know they can’t compete with the video chicks. They choose the path/box they feel they can be most successfull in. This would be the dreaded, dark lipstick wearing box. Huge assumption, I know. Especially since I saw my mom and one of my close friends go from being fried, dyed, and layed to the side, to having dreds. Didn’t make either of them more ‘conscious’ though.
OK, I’m rambling. But I felt like a Panama length post should get a Panama length comment.
May 19th, 2006 11:42
Okay - I liked this post… all 16 pages of it. But I liked it because personally, as shallow as it may seem, like you said, I’ve ALWAYS felt like I was partially my hair.
Anyone that KNOWS me, or has met me, knows that my hair is almost a part of my personality. As I’m talking to you I will flip it, fluff it, smooth it, run my fingers through it… and it’s definitely a FACET of who I am… at least to me. I can walk in the salon feeling crappy, but on the way out, when it’s all brand new looking… I swear I feel like life is just a little better!!! LOL But that’s just me.
But I think women LIE to themselves if they say they don’t feel that way to a certain extent!!! I mean how many times, when you see a woman going through something in her life, does she then do something DRASTICALLY different to her hair??? Or when she’s bored, or wants a change, what’s the easiest thing for her to do? Change her hair. Natural or chemically processed, I believe MOST women identify themselves with their hair. ALL THE TIME. And there’s nothing wrong with that!!!
And yeah, I will admit that when I see CERTAIN types of hair, I can make sweeping generalizations.
Like when I see women with looooong locs, I expect ALL the things you said, and that they will smell like patchouli and the oils you can buy on the street and that all they wear are long peasant skirts with flat sandals with big silver rings. ROFLMAO and you’re right, I would never expect to see a woman with locs wearing some hoochie-mama outfit and sometimes it will shock me when a woman that looks like the stereotypical chick with “the hair” will pull out a cigarette. *gasp* LOL
The prejudices go on, with all types of “hair situations” like when I see dirty, greasy, flaky hair on some girls (blecch), or the chicks who are just holding on to looooooong hair for the sake of length, regardless of how scraggly, thin, dead and horribly damaged it may be. Or the chicks with the FIERCE, SHARP, SASSY SEXY cuts that are ALWAYS maintained and on point, they just seem to have an air of having it all together. *shrug* And maybe it’s projection, but in reading (and writing) this I realize that not only am I MY hair to a degree, but I think other people are too… even though India.Arie says she’s the sole exception to my rule. LOL
Okay I will stop now… and SHUT UP, the length of this comment is directly proportionate to your damn post!!! LMAO
Oh and I hate Alicia Keys - and her hair. *shaking head* She’s so damn overrated.
May 19th, 2006 11:53
I don’t know if I necessarily agree with what you said. To say that everyone with “the hair” has been or is trying to be “enlightened” is not necessarily true. Just look at Khia, the woman who did the “My Neck, My Back” song…she had locs. Did you really assume that she was “enlightened”???
I can somewhat understand India Arie for making the song. Everything that we associate with “the hair” is not always positive. People assume that you smoke weed like you are trying to cure cancer. People assume that you a person whose opinions are usually based in belief and not logic. People assume that you try to find the beauty in everything, regardless to what it is (i.e. bad poetry, novice artwork, etc.). So while there are some stereotypes that are associated with “the hair” that may be positive, there are also negative stereotypes that go along with it as well…
“The hair” is not always about being “enlightened”…or else Lil’ Wayne and the girls from Crime Mob might be some deep mofos. People have different reasons for getting “the hair” and we should definitely stop assuming that it is for the sake of seeking enlightenment. Defying the norm is not always being “enlightened”…and that may be what she is trying to say with the song (though I have not heard it, so don’t take my word for that)…
May 19th, 2006 12:37
@Maverick: Who’s to say Khia wasn’t enlightened? It’s quite possible that her song “my neck, my back” was her way of claiming ownership of her sexual independence.
May 19th, 2006 13:35
LOL. Um, so this was freaking hilarious… And as someone who just converted back to the man (ie my Mizani, no-lye relaxer) I see both sides of this and definitely your points. But when I was natural (up until two weeks ago), I was not wearing any nose rings, funky street oils (Lacoste was the fragrance of choice, thank you. Lol), nor any big rings and flat sandals. Yes, it’s an assumption, but wasn’t true in my case. I do agree that natural hair can be a statement — for me it was the statement that I didn’t feel like I had to straighten my hair. Didn’t have to conform to a mainstream-enforced, robot-sense of beauty standards. Now that I am… cough… straightened by the “man’s poison” again, I can honestly say that I don’t feel any different. My style is pretty much the same, but I don’t feel like I have to have a perm. I have it because it’s easier for me to maintain.
I DO feel a liberation that black folks haven’t seen since 1865 though… because paying $125 for a boogie Brooklyn salon to twist my hair did not make me want to sign up with Huey P for the revolution!! Lol. Anyways, I’ve lent my babbling verbosity once more. Nice post, Panama!
May 19th, 2006 14:14
“Now question is every nigga wit dreads for the cause?
Is every nigga with golds for the fall?..nah
So dont get caught in appearence
Its OutKast Aquemini another black experience”
I do not think you can have a discussion on hair without this verse.
May 19th, 2006 14:19
Hummm…
I have the “hair”. I would not describe myself as any of those stereotypes. I really hope people don’t assume that when they see me. And I do not want to have to wear a Ying-Yang t-shirt. I love my hair! I also did not choose to flee from creamy crack claiming to now be enlightened! LOL! I cut it all off because it was going to be the most convenient thing for me to do at the time. I sometimes wish I had a perm, but when I think about it, it is not worth it. My hair is more versatile now that I don’t have one. I can be curly or straight (look like I have a perm) whenever I want. But if those are the things that you think when you see me, I am definitely not my hair! LOL!
May 19th, 2006 14:31
@crazyone: It’s interesting that you brought up that verse because that was on my mind the whole time I was writing this and then WHAM! I forgot to add it in. Thanks for throwing it in.
May 19th, 2006 14:42
Making such assumptions about people with “the hair” completely discounts the New Orleans dread factor. Now THOSE are some ghetto-azz dredlock loving people. But the only oil them cats are smelling like is Wesson and Crisco.
FYI, I rocked “the hair” for over 2 years, and while I can be accused of being neither feminist nor particularly deep, I can definitely say that there was a major life decisions that went along with the cut. I have always loved oils and big silver jewelry, though. Maybe you’ve got something there, Watson.
May 19th, 2006 14:54
I think the deal is less about politics and ideology (aka “are you down for the struggle?”) and more about which people will associate with you. It is troublesome that my friend had difficulty breaking into the black legal scene in her city because of her dreadlocks. Law school was very lonely for her, even though she and her colleagues probably had much to talk about. I think the issue of being judged by hairstyles comes down to an argument of cliques. You don’t fit or vice versa. When I had a relaxer I had an awful time trying to befriend “conscious” folk. Despite my formal and informal knowledge.
But I think it might be a good thing. In the words of FP: If they were laughing you don’t need them cuz they’re not good friends!
I mean when a guy calls me sista because of my natural (and starts on about queens and strong black families blah blah blah), but when I wear my china doll wig the next day he’s on some playa stuff (doing “big things”), I have a way of knowing who’s fake and who’s real. So in a way I see India’s beef, but I think she doesn’t see it’s worth.
However…I have hung out with her and she IS that conscious girl, that statement girl, so her song is irrelevant to her! lol!
May 19th, 2006 15:06
Okay, I couldn’t read all this, a little long it is, but I’m just gonna say…the whole “Don’t judge a book by its cover thing” is majorly flawed, not to mention unrealistic. ABSOLUTELY you are your hair, at least partly. One thing my mom did not play growing up was messy hair (She readily quoted the “a woman’s hair is her glory” thing from the Good Book still does, lol), so I’m glad that I understand the implications of hair. And you DO feel better when your hair is tight. I’ll admit to being a “permed” chick and I make no bones about it, I’m GLAD when times come to get out the kinks, lol, just being real *Shrug* But I don’t discount natural styles, some people wear them well, and more power to them…but let not them or anyone say your hair or your clothes or any part of your appearance shouldn’t matter–Bull, period.
BTW, this sentiment could easily be transferred to broader topics like your favorite music. Like many people say they don’t understand when folks get “embarrassed” when young rappers come with the gold teefes (lol) and the big medallions, etc. (Ala 36Mafia at the Oscars) “Whites shouldn’t juuddge them, boohoohoo.” Uum, whatever. Reality is what it is, period.
Have a great wknd!
T
P.S. If my comment didn’t follow your post, forgive me, it is Friday and I’m about to be out! lol
May 19th, 2006 15:31
Yeah, T…I don’t think that Panama is referring to the same thing that you are (but I could be mistaken). It seems that you are referring to the impressions that people get from you being well-kempt and hygenic…that people should be well-groomed at all times. He seems to be talking about the stereotypes about intelligence and understanding that people come to through the hairstyles that you choose. I think you are talking about two different things…
May 19th, 2006 15:33
I better be my hair; I’m the one paying to get it done!
May 19th, 2006 16:04
you know…i sat for a while trying to figure how i wanted to weigh in on this…i mean, dude, your post hits on a lot of different talking pts.
i agree w/ a lot of what people have said here and your prevailing pt. about being your hair.
while india might not be her hair, her skin or anybody’s expecta’shins’, it’s a reality that folks rely greatly on their assumptions for damn-near everything they do. who has the time to deconstruct every preconceived, unsubstantiated notion that you have about shit? you right…i might see a chick w/ locks, particularly the manicured kind, and think the chick is one of those incent burnin’, pre-tyrone erykah badu lovin’, late 90s spelmanite influencin’ chics. is that wrong? i guess so…only in a sense that i’m unfairly characterizing her. do i give a shit? not really, prolly b/c 1) she ain’t thinking about what i’m thinking about her and 2)i dont care enough to try to unpack my misperceptions everytime i encounter a situation and rely on my own thoughts rather than presuming my own ignorance.
but does it surprise me when one of the folks that, apperance-wise, is the antithesis of this “hair” image that you’re talking about…i mean the high fashion lovin, vvs recognizin’, devil wears prada worshippin’ kind…reads, writes well and can just as easily discuss her shoe game or her thoughs on hamas insurgents? not really…
matter of fact, there’s a banging chic that you’ve befriended on your blog that can do both adeptly and really isnt that surprising for being able to swing it.
May 19th, 2006 22:16
yo, i dont understand how easy it is for all of us to stereotype in those ways like that anymore…and maybe its just cause i’m from Cali (from the Bay, go to school in LA) and there are plenty of ignorant folks (male and female) all over the place with locs and naturals….as well as middle class folks, black professionals, and some bourgeios people with locs (more so than fros)…on the same hand i have met some “conscious” women with permed or straightened hair…and i feel like a lot of people out here recognize those possibilities…
@ Khia, that girl is prime example…she is not “enlightened,” what she was doing was nouthing new, lil kim, foxy brown etc been talkin about “sexual independence” for years now, Khia sure wasnt doing nothing new, revolutionary, or “enlightened”..
when I was younger and first got on to that concious tip in high school i mos definetly had certain expectations for folks, but now its definetly changed. Maybe my perspective is skewed tho cause I am a black women who wears her hair natural (which by the way is not messy or unkempt in reference to a previous comment)…but we’re all complicated people mayne…please believe I go to poetry readings and wear african jewelrey, have that concious look and lifestyle down, but dont be surprised if you see me getting down at the club…cause i do and i will…lets not be limited….sorry i’m rambling…
in short, i feel like myself, and a lot of others, dont stereotype as much as they used to with hair (especially with the popularity of locs ie The Bay, the South)…however i personally feel that hair is a statement, specifically for black women, whether you cite managability or connection to your culture as a reason
ps this is one of my favorite blogs…keep writing long posts, helps me procrastinate lol
May 20th, 2006 08:05
Yes, this topic is funny. Many people who have dreds are stereotyped as being “conscious.” The funny thing is to me nowadays wherever you may be from if you have dreds or natural hair, I initially assume one’s hair is in such styles for fashion reasons, not because they’re “conscious.” I don’t get into the whole “conscious” scene (that India Arie seems to be a part of or that she is assumed to be a part of) because a lot of that gets into so called cultural nationalism which is usually a facade that many self-hating negroes hide behind to persecute “uninformed” Blacks. Believe me, it’s been assumed by some so-called “conscious” cats that I was some intellectual slouch because I wasn’t into the whole “hair” thing or some other tangible qualifier that allegedly symbolizes Black nationalism until I had to break ‘em off something. I’m just on some other “hair” stuff, that “Don King/hair/get ya money ish.”
Me personally, I’m a Louisiana native and I have no problem with the popularity of dreds down here. Hell, I’m thinking about growing some for purely fashion reasons. Matter of fact, I think that Erykah Badu’s popularity has something to do with the fact that she is regarded as “conscious” and “hood” at the same time. Badu seems to embrace some aspects of cultural nationalism and at the same time Black ghetto culture.
It just seems that some of the people that have posted responses assume that southern and Bay area rappers are ignorant and they are the prime examples of why you can’t assume people with the “hair” are “conscious.” I’m not going to get into any debate, but what is the so called “conscious” or “hair” community doing for the masses of Black folks? Talking about them like dogs and offering no concrete solutions to problems. I’m just to the point where I could care less about “arm chair revolutionaries” (like Michael Dyson). I’m not saying that many of the popular southern or Bay area rappers are doing much to help the community, but they don’t pretend to either. I see no contradiction with listening to Lil’ Boosie and Fela Kuti.
May 22nd, 2006 15:43
LOL!!!
I have “the hair” and I confess, I will mess with an incense stick and a headwrap here and there. This was a funny entry to me for just that reason.
I will say that for me, doing my hair natural is easier then maintaining a perm, because I guess that I’m just one of those women whose hair just fought the chemicals. There was always a portion of my hair that refused to straighten, and having different textures is a pain in the butt…but I digress.
I will say that I do feel that my hair does represent me….my resentment stems not from people recognizing that, but moreso from people resenting that. I get more bs from black folk about my hair then I deserve. My thing is, can I not wear a relaxer in peace? Everywhere I go, it’s “how do you get jobs with your hair like that” or, the dreaded “goodness, if you relaxed your hair now it would be so long”. Ugh! It gives me a headache every time.
People actively resent my natural. Women with relaxed hair feel almost as if I am making a commentary about them, when honestly I could care less. I don’t know you chick! What do I care?
It’s like what Jill Scott said…complaining that because she had a natural, people thought she was this positive person when she was really just human. I am just human too, trying to live my life, and my choice is in no way a commentary on anyone else’s hair or lifestyle, I just chose to do what works for me.
May 22nd, 2006 15:46
BTW….I am the first one to drop it like it’s hot in the club! LOL
May 22nd, 2006 20:31
I’m glad that someone agrees with me…Alicia Keys is totally overrated.
I must say that I really like India.Arie’s music, including her “hair” song. I used to wear my hair natural, but it was no representation of my personality, I just got tired of getting relaxers. Relaxed hair is purposely damaged hair, and I wanted mine to be healthy.