Since 2008
Black Hair Neocolonialist Agenda
Black hair has continued the survival of the colonial system into neocolonialism by promoting the terms good hair and kinky hair.
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| Kids plats hairstyle. |
The hair that divides us, Africa’s cravings for weave and wigs are just as strong as it is in the USA.
Neocolonialism is control through indirect means of a perceived powerless homogeneous group of people by a larger or stronger one. To date practically, every aspect of the ex-colonized society still harbors colonial influences. Hair on the surface may seem unrelated but has indeed continued survival of the colonial system by continuing to promote the terms good hair and kinky hair.
Moms, daughters, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, cousins, and friends, all may have a different opinion on the accepted way to style hair. The decision to wear natural hair whether it is Afros, dreadlocks, Nubian twists, braids means that you are outside of the norm.
Never before, it seems, has the styling of black women's hair been such a topic of national conversation. However, some feel the elitist feeling that is growing with the natural hair movement is just another way to divide women of color.
The decision to wear natural hair whether it is dreadlocks, Nubian twists, braids means that you are outside of the norm. Natural hair supporters go one step further to say natural hair is a nod to being a real African.
Because of the historic devaluation of kinky hair and the association of hairstyles such as Afros and dreadlocks with revolutionary thinking and militancy, Black hair has strong negative political implications.
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| Nubian twists hairstyle. |
For centuries, black African women are discriminated against because of skin color and nappy hair. Therefore, white characteristics such as bone straight hair are seen as superior. When a black woman in mainstream media is shown in movies or on TV she is usually wearing either a weave or has bone-straight, relaxed hair. Happily hair acceptance is changing, slowly.
On the continent of itself, Africa is a prime market for Indian hair. It’s the market for weaves, wigs, and extensions are currently estimated to be worth $6 billion a year and growing fast.
The hair market is so big that global giants such as Unilever and L’Oreal are investing heavily in African hair care products. Many African Americans believe wearing natural hair means getting in touch with African roots, however, due to the influence of China, Africa’s cravings for weave and wigs are just as strong as it is in the USA.
The natural hair movement is a celebration of Black women’s beauty. There are those who choose to focus on individual expression and argue that whether a Black woman’s hair is worn kinky, curly or straight, or with wigs or weaves, the hairstyle does not automatically determine if the wearer is self-loving or self-loathing.
However, people such as Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says, "Relaxing your hair is like being in prison," she wrote. "You're caged in. Your hair rules you." "You're always battling to make your hair do what it wasn't meant to do."
Clutch magazine writer, Shahida Muhammad, asserts, “Instead of debating on what’s better, let’s applaud the fact that we now have options in hair care that will inspire the next generations of Black girls to embrace their hair in ways that suit their preferences, and not imposed social ideals.” Playing into the neocolonial agenda by dividing women culturally hurts us all.
Weave hair or natural hairstyle helps you achieve a beautiful inner and outer style. Or is it both weave hair and natural hair protective styles. It is true that hair weave is a style for women who want to lengthen their hair or add volume to their natural hair or is weave a way to erase being black.
Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.
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