Jan 16, 2009

A Lesson on Hair

Did you know that singer Beyonce’s hair isn’t really hers at all? Apparently she had it infused. I don’t remember how I learned that. Media I’m sure. Yesterday, I was talking to my friend K at work, and she’d just gotten her hair done. It’s super cute by the way, but I digress. I forget what I asked – oh yes – about the color… but one thing lead to another and soon we were talking about whose hair was real and whose wasn’t of everyone at work. I had the brains enough to know a couple people had extensions or “fake hair” (despite the fact that it is really real hair, just not alive in the sense that we typically think…wait, isn’t hair dead? Hmm…) but some of people she listed… oh, the shock!

Last year I learned that there were grades of hair. People either have “good” hair or “bad” hair. I’m not really sure what the “grade” means. Is it A, B, C, D, F like in school? Or is it a numerical thing like grade 1 or grade 8 or 10? All I hear people say is good or bad. I do know it has something to do with the softness. Maybe when K sees this she’ll comment so we’ll know.

I should also mention that I’m talking about black people hair. I don’t really like to say African American. No one says that unless they’re white and oversensitive or afraid because they think they’re going to get beat up, robbed, or mugged and called racist if they say “black.” To be honest, if I was in Moyewood passing out condoms (I don’t think I’ve ever posted about my job…that’s another day…but you should know Moyewood has always been the “rougher” neighborhood in town) and I said something to someone referencing “African American” I probably would get my butt kicked. Just say black, people. Do I like being called Caucasian? Not really. Call me white. Ooh this just reminded me of a story with my friend I who is from Rwanda. When she got her US citizenship I asked how she’d list her race because technically she wasn’t “African America” as most people. She said, “just call me black.”

Anyway…back to the hair. I was watching 10 Years Younger on TLC not too long ago and a black lady was featured. She was really pretty, middle aged, and I started watching about the time they were doing her hair. It was really short so I was curious to see what they’d do. One guy came in and braided it all in a spiral circle really tight on her head then another guy used a needle and thread and sewed some hair to the braids. I felt like I’d just seen how the magic trick was done. THIS is how it’s done? Who knew?

So back to yesterday… K came in and when I commented on the new ‘do I immediately asked if it was sewn to her hair. No. It wasn’t. Huh? Then how does it stay on? “It’s glued.” “How?” She then proceeded to show me. I saw it and acted like I understood but I still sorta don’t get it. I kinda do but not really.

Sorry if you thought Beyonce had good hair.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone... I am new to this blogging stuff but Gin put me on to it! So... as for the grades of hair... its basically "good" or "bad" like she said... "good" hair is anything that doesnt knot up on you like a ball of yarn...it has to be silky... or gets curly when you wet it... doesnt need chemicals to be able to comb thru it... thats "good" hair... and bad hair is anything else! (brillo like...kinda like they described the way Jesus hair is....wool!) So does that mean that jesus is BLACK? Guess we will see when we get thru the gate....As for hair being glued on... there is a substance that you can buy at the hair store thats called "hair glue" you glue it onto the "track" (the piece of hair) and put it where you want it to go on your head... hair glue will last for a while without water or excessive oil exposure. In fact thats what you use to get it out... spray oil sheen and it will slide right off. However, hair glue is not for people with damaged or weak hair because it will damage it more with excessive use or taking it out without using the right products. So thats my story on hair... I have worn false hair a large portion of my life and it suits me just fine but its not for everybody. So Beyonce you're secret it OUT!

Oh yeah and by the way... I like to consider myself "BLACK" not african american or afro american... I have never been to africa or know any of my relatives that may live there. So to me I wouldnt want to be label by a country that I have never been eventhough my far ancestors maybe from there. I have nothing against Africa and I think its a wonderful country but I was born in America and thats where I would like to be referrred as! Just think about it its just another way of cateorizing or labeling people that are different from each other... but we all live and were born in the same place! The only thing that maybe different is our skin color and thats really not that important cause on the inside we are all the same. We bleed red blood and the the vital organs that keep us alive look just alike in all of us! (heart, liver, lungs, etc) So why does it matter... call me a "purple people eater" for all I care... I will laugh and say "Huh"! Take care Ginger and I will be back to check on you later today for our daily office chat!

Toodles!

GinSpaghetti said...

See, I knew she'd help me out with that! Thanks Purple! ;)

Anonymous said...

Well, it still looks good, don't ya think? Outside of the totally unnatural color.

Nancy said...

I remember reading once that American women's hair can't be used for wigs because our diet is generally so poor that we have bad or weak hair. Supposedly Asian women's hair was best because they eat more vegetables and are healthier. I always found this hard to believe. A lot of us eat too much, but since when are we THAT unhealthy??

GinSpaghetti said...

Oh yes, I think I should get mine infused, lol

K also told me that a lot of hair comes from India because they have great hair. Something about Asia... :)

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it, but I'm afraid God would ask me the same question."
-Anonymous
You don't change the world by trying to change the world; you change the world by changing yourself.
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