Monday, November 27, 2006



The Hair Raising Truth

The Hair Raising Truth blog is the reality about hair and how it plays an integral part in our media and society. During the course of three months, I visited different hair salons and I found my journey to be quite interesting. Most women of different ethnicities (primarly African American) use hair as a vehicle to be accepted into mainstream culture.

Hair is an important issue that is explored in depth in this blog. In my research and embarking on this project, I did not know the magnitude of this subject. I received positive feedback from the salons that I visited.

In order to fairly asses the subject of hair, I had to understand the history of hair and what it entails. At times, African American Beauty and hair is synomous with the socialization process into the fabric of our society.

The slogan "black is beautiful" became a famous catchphrase in mainstream society in the 1960's. However, there are stereotypical connotations that may prove otherwise. In fact, the hair texture and the color of the skin denoted anti-beauty.

We cannot mention black hair care products without paying homage to the person who revolutionized products for black hair care: Madame CJ Walker. She was the first self-made American woman millionaire that gave black women an alternative to "kinky" hair.

Beauty salons and Barber Shops have preserved their African American hair culture in the black communities. Despite a decline in the economy, black-owned hair salons continue to thrive!

For further informatiion, visit the website http://phenomenalsalons.com/articles/article3.html



Black is Beautiful?

This picture epitomizes the concept of "black is beautiful." Nichole Watson, wife of Christopher Watson looks like a nubian princess as she poses in her natural beauty. This picture encapsulates the misconception that European beauty is the beauty accepted into mainstream culture.




Sheila's Salon

Sheila (pictured on right with one of her customers) is one of the few African American hair salons that is a thriving business in Harlem. Her warm disposition towards her customers enables her to be quite a successful businessperson.

In fact, she was one of the few owners that agreed to do an in-depth interview with myself (interview pending). I am looking forward to get her views on the black hair industry today and has it declined considerably as a part of the economic problem.