In my quest to try and understand the world of “good” and “bad” hair I stumbled upon a young girl’s story that made me stop dead in my tracks before my journey even began. I’ve recently been preparing to interview various women of color from different socioeconomic levels to understand why they choose to use hair products as opposed to styling their hair naturally. But, upon hearing about my coworker’s daughter, Amanda, I was forced to change my thinking on the matter altogether.

The hair care industry generates billions of dollars per year as women seek the perfect combination of conditioners, shampoos and oils to achieve their optimal look. I admit that most women spend between hundreds and thousands of dollars a year on products to maintain and invigorate their hair. I have no issue with this, because if it makes you happy you should go for it. However, when I hear the use of terms such as “good hair” and “bad hair” to identify people, I cringe. My daughter is half Puerto Rican and half Jamaican. We are an interracial family and I never want her to be subjected to being accused of possessing hair that is either “good” or “bad”.

Anyway, back to Amanda. After speaking to her mother for nearly an hour about different products that she uses to maintain her daughter’s hair I discovered that Amanda hates her hair. She hates her hair so much that she often cries about not having her cousin’s straight hair. Amanda’s family is middle class and able to afford a Catholic school education. In turn, most of her classmates are young Caucasian girls with straight blonde hair. Not only does she feel left out at school at times, but, when she turns on the Disney channel most of the female protagonists that she looks up to are also Caucasian girls with straight blonde hair. So, while she’s at home watching television she also feels left out at times.

I understand that nothing in life is ever black and white. And I do not want to imply that hair care companies are evil capitalistic entities that use racism to drain your wallets. But…I do believe that the grey area here is comprised of a mixture of pop culture that subconsciously works on young girls’ minds and enforces THE “ideal female look” and hair care companies must know this. This is enforced so much that throughout their formative years women must subconsciously always be striving to achieve that “ideal look.” Maintenance is certainly important, but ladies, don’t be afraid to go natural. Do it with pride.

*The opinions and ideas expressed are solely those of the author, and may not reflect the opinions of The Bronx Brand*

What Herbert Norat loves most about the Bronx is the diverse group of people that call our beautiful borough home. You can drive from a pub on City Island to a Jamaican restaurant in Gun Hill and shoot over to Little Italy for gelato. It’s all here.

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