In many cultures, ethnic groups, and nations around the world, hair is considered a source of power and prestige. African people brought these traditions and beliefs to the Americas and passed them down through the generations.
In my mother’s family (Black Americans from rural South Carolina) the women don’t cut their hair off unless absolutely necessary (i.e damage or routine trimming). Long hair is considered a symbol of beauty and power; my mother often told me that our hair holds our strength and power. Though my mother’s family has been American born for several generations, it is fascinating to see the beliefs and traditions of our African ancestors passed down. We are emotionally and spiritually attached to our hair, cutting it only with the knowledge that we are starting completely clean and removing stagnant energy.
Couple this with the forced removal and covering of our hair from the times of slavery and onward, and you can see why so many Black women and men alike take such pride and care in their natural hair and love to adorn our heads with wigs, weaves, braids, twists, accessories, and sharp designs.
Hair is not just hair in African diaspora cultures, and this is why the appropriation and stigma surrounding our hair is so harmful.
My little sister is a nurse in a hospital that specifically caters to heart/lung things. I talked with her today a bit about the covid vaccine and how I felt guilty signing up for it when I’m absurdly low risk and she didn’t even hesitate when telling me to GET IT.
Apparently they’re seeing a lot of high risk people not getting the vaccine because of microchips or what the fuck ever the conspiracy theory of the week is. By getting the vaccine, even if you’re low risk, you’re protecting those who are gullible enough to reject it because FacebookDotEagleDotTrump said it’s BAD (and those who might have a legitimate medical reason not to.)
Anyways. Get the vaccine. Protect dumb boomers & MAGAs whether they like it or not. My little sister is tired of watching grandmas die because Quanon said the gubernment was gonna track their casseroles.
i hate when girls feel dumb for trying to see the best in people and then end up hurt or disappointed like no!! it’s those people that were dumb for misleading you. they took advantage of your kindness and generosity, and they’ll rot for it
