“When did we lose pride in representing ourselves,” she laments.
“When did we step away from ‘let me check that I’m presentable?'”
Black women are often criticized if our hair isn’t “done.”
Courtesy Crystal Anderson/Jihan Forbes
Why then, when we “do” our hair, are we being criticized for its practical maintenance?
It’s a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation if you let it be that.
Black women shouldn’t have to be “allowed” to do anything.
Courtesy Crystal Anderson
At this juncture, we should be beyond reproach for the choices that we make in our lives.
Hearing people pontificate on bonnets and policing Black women is actual insanity.
Our hair is complex and beautiful.
Kwamina Biney at Prolific Studios in Brooklyn
It takes love and attention there are some days that all we have the capacity for is a bonnet!
Black women should and must have the autonomy to show up in this world in whatever way they choose.
I wonder if people care about women who work and serve the public in their bonnets?
Courtesy Jihan Forbes
Or are people only interested in condemning Black women when we’re occupying spaces of comfort and luxury?
Or when we’re in the public minding our beautiful, Black, bonnet-wearing business?
Yet, we’re expected to walk in everyone else’s idea of excellence.
Courtesy Brionna Jimerson
To negate that because these people don’t like our hair protector?
Literally,get the fuck out of here.
I know colorism and misogynoir when I see it.
There are times where we want to preserve that hard work.
It’s just a matter of a shift in mindset.
This is important to me because Black women are constantly scrutinized for every move we make.
Wearing a head covering shouldn’t be another thing judged so heavily.
I wish folks would give this bonnet debate a rest.
Frankly, I don’t even notice.
We’re not feminine enough.
We don’t value our appearance.That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Really, what is the big deal?
Bonnets are a part of Black hair care!
What will it take?Kylie Jennerwearing one in public?
It makes me feel like I’m taking up space.
Like a diva whose strands canonlytouch the smoothest of fabrics and must be delicately attended to.
I wish more people could relate to that feeling.
I grew up in a household where “sleeping pretty” was the ideal.
What’s the difference, truly?
What’s more, this discourse can extend into the most private and intimate of spaces.
Quite frankly, it’s upsetting to me and my homegirl because, damn.
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The notion that how you represent yourself can protect you from racial profiling is simply false.
Being a Black woman feels like an act of resistance.
Every single aspect of our identities is policed and it feels like we can never yo people.
To be completely honest, I don’t think we need to pleaseanyone.
The personal choice to wear a bonnet in public is exactly that a personal choice.
The way we look and the perception of our looks should not influence the way we are treated.
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