| African American women's search for
societal acceptance often encompasses struggle between natural and socially
constructed ideas of beauty. As an essential component in traditional African
societies, cosmetic modification is ritualized to emphasize natural features of
blackness. Defined by social occasion such as childhood development maturity,
indicators of marital status or the group to which you belong, beautification of
the hair and body play an essential role. In our racially conscious society,
presenting a physical image and being accepted is a complex negotiation between
two different worlds. Hair is an outward expression of culture and heritage. It also represents a sense of personal style. In the search for the African American identity, blacks have undergone many different changes in hairstyle. Hairstyles are cultural classifiers of what African Americans consider beautiful. Hairstyles are a representation of the African American soul, all of their confidence and dignity show in how they present themselves on Sundays and on a daily basis. "During the sixties, white American youth used their hair to make a variety of political and philosophical statements," young blacks joined thereafter. "The natural hairstyle not only was easier to care for, but also gave African Americans a closer tie to their heritage. Natural style serves as a visible imprimatur of blackness: a tribute to group unity; a statement of self-love and personal significance." By rejecting the white standards of beauty, black Americans halted the processes of using chemical strengtheners or hot irons. A woman talks about her struggle. "I remember battling with the idea of going natural for several years. I never had the courage because every time I pictured myself with my natural hair, I never saw beauty. Now my hair is natural, thick and healthy." African American women are finding confidence within themselves to wear their hair naturally and feel beautiful about it. Many contemporary African Americans are avoiding high maintenance and feeling confident in their natural beauty. It was a different story in the past. African Americans were pressed. Shame was the motivation behind blacks losing their roots and ethnic identity. By being brainwashed into believing black people are "inferior" and white people are "superior", African Americans have mutilated and adjusted their bodies to try to look "pretty" by white standards. Hair is as different as the people it belongs to. People are finally recognizing that beauty is what helps to create our individual identities. Ultimately, individual confidence shapes and strengthens the culture of tile African American community. |