She’s smart, she’s sassy and she is married to one of the sexiest black men ever born (in my not so humble opinion *lol*). She’s Michelle Obama, and she’s our country’s first African-American First Lady. Understandably, because of her position she is pretty much considered the national representation of what it means to be a black woman in American, something that is both fortunate and unfortunate, depending on how you look at it. On the fortunate side, Michelle’s poise, intelligence and sense of integrity show the world at large that the black woman is capable of more than what certain detractors believe. On the unfortunate side, we are all individuals incapable of comparative assumption based on just one model. But be all that as it is, the way the world works, Michelle is the African-American woman of the moment, and from where I’m standing, she seems to be doing a damn good job of breaking certain stereotypes.
The other day as I was researching information on how hair changes during various stages of our lives, I happened upon an NPR podcast entitled “The ‘Obama Effect’ On Black Women’s Hair Issues.” Of course this piqued my interest considering all the stigmas surrounding hair, as well as how politically charged the topic is. So I figured there’d be some real exchanges between author and Newsweek correspondent Allison Samuels and celebrity stylist Marcia Hamilton (who has the worse Myspace page I have ever seen… just saying) concerning real issues concerning women of colour and their hair, and how The First Lady’s example can possibly set the record straight on the matter. I shared the link via Plurk and Twitter with fellow Nappies, hoping it would start serious dialogue or provide enlightenment on one level or another, then settled in to listen.
What followed once I pressed “listen” was approximately a two minute mention about Michelle’s hair, a three minute gloss over of the negative odiums attached to black hair, and twelve minutes worth of weave discussion! Yes, you read that right. An impromptu dissertation on which type of weave works best for which style, how to care for weave and what to expect from your weave stylist. I had to check the title a couple of times, as well as share it with a few more people, just to make sure I had not gotten the wrong impression of what the discussion was supposed to be about. Here is the page blurb, which further made me assume the discussion would contain some “meat” and real introspection:
Whether a press and curl, relaxer, Afro or weave, the relationship between African-American women and their hair has always been a complicated one.
As the first African-American First Lady, Michelle Obama has encountered her own share of scrutiny over the decisions she makes with her hair.
NPR’s Allison Samuels and celebrity stylist Marcia Hamilton explore the issues of African-American women, hair care, and Michelle Obama’s sartorial influence.
So naturally, my assumptions were justly based, right? And the comments were almost as idiotic as the segment itself. Some were outraged that Michelle was “used” as a hook for the segment, others complained that there were more important matters at hand than Michelle’s hair, and still others maintained offense at the preposterous weave advice. Understandably, the comments were closed after thirteen.
I swear, “we” have made some impressive strides in bringing black hair issues to the forefront and breaking down certain negative stigmas surrounding black hair, yet still carry around their implications. Instead of openly discussing them we end up discussing ways to skirt around them, such as what happened in this “interview.” Why is so much weight placed on black hair, particularly by black women? Why, even after coming to a point where we know we are not our hair, is it still the number one “character definer?” You see a woman with an Afro or locs, you immediately assume she’s a political activist or a poet. See a women with weave, you automatically assume she’s high maintenance. Permed hair, all depending on which side of the hair divide you’re on, she’s either “conforming” or “defying.” With the rise of more women sporting natural styles we’re coming somewhat close to a place where our hair is really just our hair, but for me… not fast enough, it seems.
It’s a damn shame that Michelle, who is a caring mother, a loyal wife and lawyer educated at Princeton and Harvard, is now carrying the proverbial weight of black hair and black hair care assumptions on her head — a long with Sasha and Malia — even before we have properly demystified what the hoopla is all about. Sure, hair plays a significant role in the lives of every woman, but when it comes to the black community, the question of why is never uncovered in clear enough terms. Some say it’s a spiritual thing, others a political thing, others purely personal or heritage based. There’s never one concrete reason why hair matters so much. This may be because while all our reasons for how we feel about our hair are similar, they are as different as the ways we choose to wear our hair. So to look at Mrs. Obama as the Black Hair Ambassador and draw blanket conclusions on black hair and grooming is not just unfair to her, but takes the individuality away from us all.
I hope having Michelle as the First Lady helps encourage real dialogue about black hair and beauty issues that have alluded us for so long. I think it will, as long as we don’t stick a push pin in her likeness declaring her the primary representative for how we should wear our hair. Because while she is black, and she does have many of the same issues most of us do, it needs to be recognized that Michelle Obama’s hair is not “black hair.” It’s Michelle Obama’s hair. Nothing more, nothing less.
Healthy Hair Wishes,
