Looking out: Setting the record 'straight'
By Brandon Astor Jones
"The bombardment of negative imagery is not only having a devastating effect on blacks', especially black youths', view of themselves, but also on how others see them." — Camille O. Cosby
It is that time of year again in the USA when people like to present their knowledge of black history in print. I personally think this new-found interest in black history is good for all to know and appreciate. In fact, I think there is too little real history of African-Americans in particular, and other people of colour in general, being published these days.
Having said that, I would like to share my view on what has in effect become a somewhat misleading and well publicised aspect of black history that needs to be straightened out.
Black history is replete with praise for one Madame C.J. Walker for having introduced the "hot straightening comb" treatment to African-American women, thus giving them "straight hair" much like European women. By doing that, she amassed millions — no small feat in 19th century North America for anyone.
I gladly salute her business acumen for making her first million in a period of our history when many blacks were still considered to be little more than slaves on ante-bellum-like plantations. She deserves praise, but not for inspiring black women to straighten their hair.
No matter how you look at it, when African-Americans began straightening their hair, it was an action — unconsciously or consciously — born of a longing to be someone other than themselves. I should note here too, lest I become one of the biggest hypocrites around, that many black men (myself among them) have been guilty of straightening our hair as well. It was but 37 years ago that my own hair was straightened and "fried, dyed and laid to the side" as it was said, with the best of them. But that was way back when I did not know my "head" from a hole in the ground.
Mind you now, I am not spouting self-righteous condemnations here, if you happen to be one of those people of colour who are inclined to straighten your hair for whatever reason(s) you choose. That is your right, and I respect your choice.
I just thought I would go on record as one of those who does not see "bad" or "nappy hair" on the heads of African-Americans. I like my hair untreated and unheated, just as it is. I am happy to report that I no longer — unconsciously or consciously — accept the projected "negative imagery" about being black that Mrs Cosby referred to at the head of this column. Being who I really am is fine with me.
Few people on this earth are more beautiful than those magnificent black women, very much like Mrs Cosby, who are so proud of who and what they are that they refuse to straighten their hair. I love and respect them even more when it is clear that they see those tight little curls in their so-called "kitchens" as cultural assets instead of social liabilities.
With all due respect for Madame Walker's accomplishments and black history, I must also honour all those truly wonderful African-American women who (with pride) are not afraid to be themselves, curly kitchens and all. They are the real black history, constantly evolving, in its finest making. I just wanted to set the record "straight".
[The writer is a prisoner on death row in the United States. He is happy to receive letters commenting on his columns. He can be written to at: Brandon Astor Jones, EF-122216, G2-51, GD&CC, PO Box 3877, Jackson, GA 30233, USA.]