"I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations no, no… I am a soul that lives within."- India Arie
Hair has served as a symbol of beauty and stature in the black community for centuries. Writer Renee Minus White describes hair as a "matter of pride for African Americans." She insists that the culture surrounding black hair is stemmed from a deep-rooted history. Black women chose to wear their hair in various styles and colors. But a major debated topic is the texture.
In his 2009 documentary "Good Hair," Chris Rock raised the issue about the importance of hair in the black community. Rock said he decided to create the film when his daughter asked him why she did not have "good hair." From a scientist to a hair show, Rock set on a quest for the definition of "good hair."
He discovered the magnitude hair has on black women. Spike Lee dedicated a segment of his 1988 film, "School Daze," to the battle between "good" and "bad" hair in the song "Straight and Nappy."
Whether it is natural, weaved, or relaxed, black women have options to choose from. On the campus of Howard University, you can see each style in its own unique way. But, which texture is "good hair?" Which one represents black culture?
Being natural or going natural are terms used to describe someone whose hair has been left in its natural state. However, natural hair is defined many different ways depending on whom you ask.
Some say if you have no chemicals, including color, you are natural. Others say that hair color does not factor into how natural your hair is. Some people even believe that if you don't wear your hair in a natural style (afros, locs), you are not natural. Others would argue that getting your hair pressed or hot-combed, can be a part of being natural.
Megan Echols, a senior architecture major, believes staying true to texture is more important. After admiring her cousins' hair, Echols decided to go natural at 16 years old.
"My cousins that are older than me, they went to the Hampton's, the FAMU's, the Tuskegee's. They were all going natural and that's what I wanted to do. I looked up to them." Echols admits that she attempted to go natural when she was 12, but was unsuccessful. "Going natural is a lot of work," Echols added.
From a giant, blonde-streaked afro to locs, Echols has explored many of the natural hair options. She now sports a bald fade, which saves her a lot of time and maintenance. Although Echols enjoys being natural, she admits that there are some stereotypes that come along with the hairstyle.
"People think you love Lauryn Hill and India Arie. Like I hate rap, or something. Or that you like long skirts. I hate long skirts," Echols joked.
Many women got their first relaxer while they were still young. Echols, who wore a relaxed hair and weaves, believes that women that have relaxed hair are in their comfort zone. She understands that it can be scary for some to venture off into another texture.
"It's being safe. I think it's a habit. It's doing what [you've] always done. I think people often wonder what if [I went natural]. But there are some people who don't like it," Echols said.
In America, some black women have been deterred from thinking their natural hair is beautiful. It is often taught that women believe that some black women have been culturally adapting to social norms started in early America.
"It makes a kind of statement of who we are as a people. First, it's the hair. Then it's the skin. Then it's the plastic surgery. I think subconsciously some of us do it to fit in with the rest of the world, rather than the rest of the world see us for who we are. That's how I feel about perms and weaves, not about the people who wear them."
However, she insists that she doesn't feel "more black" than anyone with a perm or weave. She knows the importance of hair to women of color and how it is a staple of beauty.
"I don't think it makes me anymore Black than anybody. I think hair is a Black thing. Black people just like to do hair. We see it as a form of beauty. Unfortunately, as African Americans we just got caught up. We now got to do it their way," said Echols.
Recently, many women on campus have made the decision to go natural for numerous reasons. Nonetheless, the journey, as some call it, is not always easy. Echols advises people attempting to transition from a relaxer to natural to be strong and ignore what others have to say about your decision.
"Don't really worry about what people say. People may not like it at first. But they don't have to walk around with your hair. If they don't like it, they can do their own hair, however, they want to" she said. However, she warns that often "transitioners " are disappointed and discouraged because they are not getting the results they expected.
"I would just suggest that you get in your head that your hair is not going to look like anybody else's. If you think that, you are going to be disappointed. And if you like somebody's hair, just ask them [what they use]. They most likely will be willing to share. As far as products, Echols likes to use Miss Jessie's line of crèmes and pudding.
In addition, she uses essential oils such as olive and canola. She insists that using products for children are another alternative. "I liked ‘Just for Me' detangler when my hair was longer. A lot of kid products are good for natural hair because most kids still have natural hair."
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