Comments on: What Is Good Hair

By: Urban Thought

Urban Thought — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:19:14 +0000

Gregg: I think that is called bed-head. I keep my hair too short to worry about how it looks. My thing with shampoo is as long as it soaps up and keeps it smelling clean, its all good.

capcity: You’re right all hair is good hair (as long as you have hair).

Mark Stoneman: Great to see your educating the youth and letting them know the history. It is a shame that we’ve returned to wanting to have straight hair rather than enjoying the natural state of our hair, kink and all. (Being white is relevant but that is another discussion for another day)

Ricardo: Yes, she has to be real. Imagine her leaving her stray hair on your pillow. That is always the worst.

By: Ricardo

Ricardo — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:31:05 +0000

This is a very good point. Good hair does not need to be only “one way.” It can be many things. We’ve tricked ourselves into thinking it has to be Barbie like. I’m sure most of these women have hair that looks just fine without all the extra stuff added in. And how much would it suck to land a beautiful woman and in the midst of making out, you wind up holding a chunk of her fake hair? Not my idea of fun Urban Thought. She’s gotta be real!

By: Mark Stoneman

Mark Stoneman — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:06:25 +0000

Wow! I had never heard this usage, but I ran into the mindset behind this term in a little book from early nineteenth-century France, Claire de Duras, _Ourika_. To help students understand the main character’s self-loathing of her skin, I made some comparisons to the changes in consciousness that led to the afro, when people moved away from the tastes of their oppressors. I’m glad to see I wasn’t totally off base. (I don’t know if it’s relevant, but I’m white and so are most of my students right now.)

By: capcity

capcity — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:15:38 +0000

My moma taught me to respond: “All hair is GOOD hair - there are some who are not blessed with any.”
it is sad that we have not evolved past this…

By: Gregg Hawkins

Gregg Hawkins — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:05:56 +0000

I haven’t really paid a lot of attention to my hair! It’s kind of short, but can still get messy…I usually wake up in the morning and do nothing with it… lol

I just realized the other day that I have the wrong shampoo for my hair. I have the Fructis big green bottles of shampoo and conditioner. It says for “Color Treated” or “Permed” Hair..Oh well!

-Gregg

By: Urban Thought

Urban Thought — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:01:31 +0000

Hair is a bid deal and a big industry.

It’s funny you bring up drugstore’s. If you go into a Duane Reade in Mid-town Manhattan you won’t see an entire section of black hair care products. But leave it to Duane Reade to do it different Downtown Brooklyn. They call the section “Ethnic Products.”

I’m glad I keep my hair low. Men seem to have a lot more choices in hair products these days. I need not get involved. All I need is a set of clippers and some soap and water.

By: Ms. Q

Ms. Q — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:12:49 +0000

We sure are fixated about our hair! Asians have straight generally dark brown or black hair. I noticed that the Korean or Japanese women want to lighten and streak it. I’ve had a few permanents myself! No more, that is for sure.

In the drugstore there’s an entire section in the haircare aisle just for Black hair! I see all these straighteners and relaxers and stuff with photos of Blacks with straight hair and I think wow, that is just too bad this message that the hair you were born with is just not beautiful, that kinky hair is NOT ON THE GOOD HAIR list. Blaggggh.

For some, having hair is good! Think of all the balding men. To change the subject, I’m glad that shaved heads are in. For men with the receding hairlines, shaving the head can look so much better!

Then we have all the hair-removal products. I am SO THANKFUL I’m Chinese and don’t have to worry about leg stubble. I’m too high maintenance as it is.