In the words of Sir Welk -There are good days and there are bad days, and this is one of them!- After a vigorous study session followed by a thorough stalking on Snapchat, I decided to spend the rest of my peaceful study break scrolling through Instagram. After commenting on a user’s picture, “What products do you use on your edges and hair” you replied “it just depends on your grade of hair. She only has to use XYandZ because she has a good grade of hair.”
To which I then responded “and what is exactly is a good grade of hair.” Of course I knew already what the answer would be, and I suspect that you knew, that I knew. A looser curl pattern of course, edges that naturally laid down, hair of high luster or any hair type that didn’t resemble the Natural Afro texture. You went on to clarify your thoughts with the following explanation :
In the words of Sir Welk -There are good days and there are bad days, and this is one of them!- After a vigorous study session followed by a thorough stalking on Snapchat, I decided to spend the rest of my peaceful study break scrolling through Instagram. After commenting on a user’s picture, “What products do you use on your edges and hair” you replied “it just depends on your grade of hair. She only has to use XYandZ because she has a good grade of hair.”
To which I then responded “and what is exactly is a good grade of hair.” Of course I knew already what the answer would be, and I suspect that you knew, that I knew. A looser curl pattern of course, edges that naturally laid down, hair of high luster or any hair type that didn’t resemble the Natural Afro texture. You went on to clarify your thoughts with the following explanation :
You’re 19 years old, more or less an adult. And judging from the fact you were able to become a part of the National Honor Society (NHS), you’re a clever girl. We need young African American women like yourself, to set an example for the youngsters around them. You’ve clearly participated actively with regards to giving back to your school and community, and it such a shame that you haven't had someone to clear up these misconceptions throughout your childhood. Judging from your hair texture, it's easy to see why their wouldn't be a need for you to read such words in another woman's perspective. You were probably told you have Good hair by your aunts and uncles on regular basis, so I can understand where these delusions may have stemmed from.
This isn’t an over sensitive Black women writing to bash you. I write this to make you and the African-American men and women who still deem it appropriate to use the phrase ‘Good hair’ in such manors mindful. The western term Good hair meaning healthy hair, hair that is full of life and body and the African American Good hair (anything that doesn’t resemble Afro textured hair), are completely different. The issue with the term Good hair is that instead of it being used as a compliment, it stands as a derogatory term to those with tighter hair textures. The fact that those with only looser curl patterns such as 3a or 2C can be told they have ‘Good hair’ is a problem. With the natural hair community shedding light on this issue so readily, I would have thought this colloquial was way passed its sell by date.
This isn’t an over sensitive Black women writing to bash you. I write this to make you and the African-American men and women who still deem it appropriate to use the phrase ‘Good hair’ in such manors mindful. The western term Good hair meaning healthy hair, hair that is full of life and body and the African American Good hair (anything that doesn’t resemble Afro textured hair), are completely different. The issue with the term Good hair is that instead of it being used as a compliment, it stands as a derogatory term to those with tighter hair textures. The fact that those with only looser curl patterns such as 3a or 2C can be told they have ‘Good hair’ is a problem. With the natural hair community shedding light on this issue so readily, I would have thought this colloquial was way passed its sell by date.
So, for the young black girls who go to school thinking their hair isn’t loose enough or straight enough to be deemed pretty or ‘good’ in your words, it’s not alright. Cousins and relatives that look up to you as the graduate of the family, don’t need you on social media websites implying that their hair isn’t good enough. What of the children who use such words in the playground to separate kids from playing with one another. Such terms have a snow ball effect, they eventually effect everyone. Hair type does not determine how it will lay or its flexibility. I myself have natural hair and thankfully am not easily offended by those, like you, who make such ill-informed comments. Yes my hair is naturally course without manipulation, and yes I naturally have type 4 hair . It’s still healthy, it still grows and with a silk press it gets pin straight.
There is no such thing as a Good grade of hair and it does more damage than good stating such a thing. Healthy hair yes, but Good hair no. It is not possible to associate particular hair types with one term. I’m sure you’re didn’t mean to hurt anyone as you appear to be someone who likes to enjoy spending time with friends and making people happy. But let’s cut to the chase, you wouldn’t catch me saying ‘she only likes him because he has a good skin tone’ in reference to someone being fair skinned. That would imply that those with darker complexions have bad skin. It sounds a little silly doesn’t it?
There is no such thing as a Good grade of hair and it does more damage than good stating such a thing. Healthy hair yes, but Good hair no. It is not possible to associate particular hair types with one term. I’m sure you’re didn’t mean to hurt anyone as you appear to be someone who likes to enjoy spending time with friends and making people happy. But let’s cut to the chase, you wouldn’t catch me saying ‘she only likes him because he has a good skin tone’ in reference to someone being fair skinned. That would imply that those with darker complexions have bad skin. It sounds a little silly doesn’t it?
For Chris Rock’s daughter, a child with a celebrity as a father, to have such insecurities to say "Daddy, how come I don't have Good hair?” shows how deeply rooted this issue in the black community, no matter the status. It’s affecting all generations, particularly the children who are susceptible to bullying because of their environment. This ongoing issue should have been nipped in the bud a long time ago.
Popular blog writer Madamenoire shares one experience of witnessing the ‘mixed race kid fetish’ in real life. Whilst on the topic of marriage her friend said “You’re probably going to be mad at me for saying this, but you know her baby is going to be so cute, with that Good hair.” Naturally she was mortified, I would be too. Because of the baby’s hair texture, the baby is deemed cute. What if the child wasn’t mixed, what if they were fully African American and had tightly coiled hair, would the child be labelled as hideous?
Popular blog writer Madamenoire shares one experience of witnessing the ‘mixed race kid fetish’ in real life. Whilst on the topic of marriage her friend said “You’re probably going to be mad at me for saying this, but you know her baby is going to be so cute, with that Good hair.” Naturally she was mortified, I would be too. Because of the baby’s hair texture, the baby is deemed cute. What if the child wasn’t mixed, what if they were fully African American and had tightly coiled hair, would the child be labelled as hideous?
The term Good hair/ good grade of hair is wrong and it needs to stop being used. We are no longer in the times of slavery, such terminologies are derogatory not only to strangers but also to relatives. I’d like to remain in a community that thrives and is full of culture, not one that discriminates within its self. Set an example by creating awareness within the Black community. I know it seems like it’s not your responsibility, but sometimes it takes someone of authority and high reputation like yourself to make a small change. This small change will hopefully go on to affect everyone in the community. As the NHS would say ‘Noblesse Obige’; which you know involves acting according to your position. For a person of such noble rank and reputation, It would be a shame to taint the positive image that you’ve worked so hard to build.
With sincere hopes,
Sam
With sincere hopes,
Sam