My Curly Hair Was Holding Me Back at Work

When I first went natural I was terrified of going out into the world with my new hair. It was my own hair but there was no straightening, wig, or weave to cover my curly texture. It was just me. I was received with welcome arms from most, but I did notice the silent stares by others. Despite that, I can honestly say I was treated no differently. Then, I switched jobs and it was like going from day to night. My immediate supervisor (who did not hire me, by the way) made it known that she … [Read more...]


Reclaiming the Word “Nappy”

[by Sabrina] Nappy was never a word you wanted to hear or be associated with when I was growing up. I’m a part of Generation X, the latch-key kids, Atari players, the generation after the baby boomers. If you were born between 1965 and 1980, you are a part of Generation X. It’s safe to say that as a black child in this generation, your hair was either pressed or relaxed. Having natural hair (or what we called nappy hair) was unacceptable and made you an easy prey for ridicule. There was no … [Read more...]


The Politics of Black Hair

Today we look at personal stories of hair politics, an anthropological exhibit dedicated to the afro pick (raise fist everybody), and the role of our hair in pop culture. The 6,000-year history of the Afro Comb, its extraordinary impact on cultures worldwide, and community stories relating to hair today are being explored in a new exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology in Cambridge. The display at the Fitzwilliam Museum includes hundreds … [Read more...]


Police Cuts Detained Woman’s Hair

I’m still disturbed by the incident that occurred on Nov. 13, 2013. Charda Gregory, a black hairdresser in Detroit had her sew-in weave cut and ripped from her scalp during a police arrest by policewoman Warren Police Officer Bernadette Najor while the other officers strapped her to a chair and watched. The video of the incident went viral and Najor has since been terminated and arrested while the other officers are currently under investigation for their actions (or lack thereof) during the … [Read more...]


10 Ways to Respond to Negative Hair Comments

Although the natural hair movement is receiving widespread attention, it is not being accepted by all. Some have averse feelings and claim it to be unprofessional and unaesthetic. Descriptions like “nappy” are still being referenced, and while some are reclaiming it, others still associate the word with its original negative connotation, which tends to be further reinforced by the nuance of the speakers. It meant our hair wasn’t up to par with beauty standard and therefore unacceptable. It … [Read more...]


Do The New Army Regulations Unfairly Target Women with Natural Hair?

I was onling clicking through interesting articles and this caught my attention — not because of the title, but because of the picture associated used to promote the article: I saw a Black woman and the phrase “twists are not authorized”, and I was hooked. I  jumped in full steam ahead, reading up on the newly approved Army Regulation 670-1 and pouring over each slide of the leaked Army Regulation 670-1 Leader Training Powerpoint. Amid the regulations about tattoos, uniforms, and facial … [Read more...]