Editorial | Hair today

A seismic shift occurred in the US state of California this week and it had nothing to do with the 6.4 tremor that rattled residents. Rather, it had to do with hair.

We refer to the sweeping new law that passed both chambers of the California legislature with unanimous support, which bans discrimination against black people who choose to wear natural hairstyles such as braids, locks, Afros and twists. California is the first state in the Union to ban this type of workplace and school discrimination.

This is indeed a game-changer, for it acknowledges that there is no ‘right’ hairstyle and may ensure that people of African descent be more at ease with their natural hairstyles and resist attempts to get them to conform to Eurocentric standards of beauty.

Hair is one of the most defining features of a human being as it is closely tied to self-image. Accordingly, there has been a long-recognised obsession with hair. Some women become depressed when their hair gets grey and will fight Mother Nature using modern-day techniques. To many men, balding is a huge blow to their ego, and they will eagerly seek remedies for their condition. Women with short, kinky hair will spend thousands of dollars to acquire long tresses.

Local Rastafarians have long embraced dreadlocks in keeping with their celebration of all things natural as part of their religious beliefs. For a long time in our history, though, Rastas were discriminated against and locks were demonised. In workplace situations, women who wear braids or dreadlocks are often described as unprofessional. This helps to undermine the views they have of themselves and may explain why some individuals feel pressured to process their hair to accord what is required to fit a professional image.

It was the late reggae icon Bob Marley who influenced the wearing of locks at the height of his career in the 1970s. He is credited for bringing enlightenment around the issue, so much so that many people believe Jamaicans invented the hairstyle.

WORLDWIDE PRACTICE

This is not so, and, in fact, the earliest depictions of dreadlocks go back many thousands of years. For example, mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with dreadlocks were reportedly recovered from archaeological sites. Members of other African ethnic groups wear locks. Fact is, dreadlocks appear in many civilisations.

Today, dreadlocks have become a fashion statement and are worn by athletes, models and various celebrities, including some Caucasians. And even though it is becoming more acceptable to see people wear dreadlocks, it is something that can stir controversy and people are still reprimanded for wearing certain natural hairstyles.

This issue received global attention last year when a New Jersey teenager was ordered to shave his dreadlocks before a wrestling match. And from time to time, the issue has surfaced in Jamaica, particularly in schools where administrators have frowned on dreadlocks as a form of improper grooming. Several legal battles have been fought over a child’s right to maintain this hairstyle as a part of his religion.

It will be interesting to see whether California will start a trend in which others, including Jamaica, accept that how one chooses to wear one’s hair is a personal prerogative.