African-American women have been going blonde for decades. Etta James, Beyonce, Mary J. Blidge, NeNe Leakes, Doroetha Towels are just a few of the sista's that have taken the blonde look and transformed it into their trademark. It's sassy, it definitely turns heads and not to mention it's fun. But not everyone is a fan. In particular black people. Who can get a little too deep and resentful when it comes to a black woman deciding to dye her hair blonde. What is the big deal? I'm glad you asked...
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| Dorothea Towels (model) |
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| Dinah Washington(blues singer) |
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| Etta James (blues singer) |
Black women have been going blonde since the late 1950's. When Lady Clairol created the "Miss Clairol" home coloring kit in 1956, it made it easy and very accessible to go blonde. Black actresses, singers and models such as, Dorothea Towels, Dinah Washington and Etta James formed a trend with their bright platinum hues. If they weren't dyeing it, they were wearing blonde wigs. It was all simply for a different look.
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| NeNe Leakes sporting the blonde |
Why are some black people against blonde hair? Now I can understand people having reservations about blond hair on African Americans, especially when it comes to the health of your hair. It's bleaching your hair and yes it is very damaging. Maybe some don't care for African American blondes. Maybe they think it looks tacky. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And that is okay.But it's the assumption that when a black woman dyes her hair a lighter color, specifically blonde, that she has some type of "self hatred" towards herself and her people. That in her mind she's planning and wanting to look European.
I myself, have always
experimented with hair dye probably since about 11th grade. The majority of the
time my shade of choice was blonde or either in the "blonde"
family. I had highlights put in or my entire head was dyed professionally. I
enjoyed it and for a while it was my trademark. I've heard tons of positive and
negative opinions. I have received inquisitive stares from different races as if they were trying to figure out what race I was. I've gotten mistaken for being Caucasian a few times from
distance. It never bothered me. I knew who I was. I am proud, black and blonde. It was
my "Ode to Etta" look.
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| Me in 2008 |
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| Me in 2013 (straighten hair) |
I speak for my fellow
sista's that some of us like the blonde look because it compliments our
complexion or to spice up our look. Sometimes it's just for FASHION. It's
rather liberating might I add. I've read and seen many articles and photos with
African American women sporting the blonde look. As I scroll down to the comment
section, low and behold the bashing begins...
"She's trying to be something she
is not....she's trying to be white."
"She's insecure or trying to hide
something."
Black men stating they want a "real'"black woman; as
if being a blonde black woman discredits her blackness.....her
authenticity. These views and opinions come from straight ignorance.
In the infamous words of singer India Arie "I am not my hair."
What about the blacks who
are naturally blonde? The Albinos, Aboriginals, Melanesians or the many from the South Pacific? Which sadly, many
blacks do not know about this part of our culture.We are a multi-faceted
people. A beautiful people! I could go deeper into this topic...........
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| A child from the South Pacific |
I know there are situations where there is self-esteem issues, identity crisis, or going lighter to be more accepted, or trying to keep up with mainstream media etc but that is a whole other blog post.
Deciding to change your hair color blonde does not require a deep soul searching moment...it's simply a change. It does not mean she's lacking confidence or she's not sure of herself.Hair color does not define who we are black as women. It's an accessory. It accentuates our beauty.Being naturally blonde or dying it blonde doesn't make you more or less black.Why should we be limited to one shade? Just like the various complexions of our skin..can't that apply to hair color as well? Even blonde?
Want to go blonde?
Find the right shade that suits your complexion. Find the right hair stylist. Be confident. Be fearless of opinions.
What are your thoughts on black women going blonde?
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| Me in 2013 (curly hair) |
I would like to dedicate this blog post to my late Aunt Polly who rocked the blonde for years to match her vivacious personality. Love you and miss you!
God Bless!
Thank you for this. My hair is longer and ombre right now, but I am about to cut it short and dye it blonde, just for a change, my stylist suggested it and he knows what he's doing. I was looking for some style ideas and came across many derogatory comments. What's with all the judgement? And who cares what someone else does with their hair. People dye their hair green, purple, pink, etc and no one says they want to be anything other than who they are.
ReplyDeleteI do apologize for the extremely late response. First, thank you so much fo reading and commenting! I honestly think when it comes to black women dying their hair blonde...some people look at it as though she is trying to be the typical caucasian blonde and that she lacks self love or just being fake. But rather we are being free to self express and have fun with our hair. So enjoy your blonde! Be you!
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