Disturbing hair story

You do make an excellent point. Black people don't view hair the same way that white people do. Never have, probably never will. I think what you said here was completely accurate and don't find anything racist in it. You have your facts straight. Because our hair grows "up and out" instead of down it doesn't get the same reaction as long straight hair. A lot of times the responses to afro textured hair are extremely negative.

Many black women wear wigs, chemically straighten their hair and use weaves in order to achieve a look that will be acceptable to mainstream America. Some women choose relaxers because it makes their super thick hair easier to manage. In most cases its not just a matter of preference. It's a matter of survival. Most jobs won't hire you if your hair looks "unprofessional". That includes but is not limited to: unnatural colors, radical hair cuts and anything deemed as ethnic. Translation for Black women: Get a relaxer. Something is wrong with you. The way God made you isn't good enough. That is where the racism comes in. No one has any control over their DNA or what grows out of their scalp.

People loving long flowing hair is nothing new. I believe that what is in your head is more far important that what is on your head.

I think long hair vs. short hair looking masculine or feminine depends on where you are standing on the globe. Many Samoan men grow their hair down their backs. Trust me. You have NO problem telling that they are men. Many women in Africa wear short natural hair styles. Again you have NO problem telling that they are women. It would be difficult to get that mixed up.

I do see your point. When the attributes of one group are designated as the hallmark of a standard then what are people of other groups supposed to do? They feel alienated. I think that is the reason most black churches don't even go there with the uncut hair. It rings too familiar of the rejection regarding hair issues we deal with in society.

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

You speak as a white man about the hair of white women. Black men don't speak this way, even in the UPC. Know why? Because God didn't see fit to give black women the ability to grow 'long' hair, in most cases! Black women's hair doesn't look much different than the men, unless the men shave theirs. Their hair isn't an attraction. It doesn't get the stares that long hair on a white women would get.

This is only one of several problems that the 'long hair looks more feminine and gives more of a distinction between genders' arguments have. Black women just can't compete.