tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686457960161577171.post8265313808773995646..comments2013-04-12T17:25:53.658+01:00Comments on Literary Delights: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and the Issue of Black Women's HairBooksnobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12017298904919014352noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686457960161577171.post-54651485109748825022013-04-12T17:25:53.658+01:002013-04-12T17:25:53.658+01:00Thank you for your comment. It is great to hear o...Thank you for your comment. It is great to hear other viewpoints. <br /><br />My interpretation of what she was saying was perhaps that there are places in the world whereby your choice of hairstyle does have an impact on the way in which someone is treated. She was not saying that there was anything wrong with straightening hair, just that you shouldn't have to do so to be able to succeed in life which I think is a valid point. Women have a tougher time achieving as it is and I for one think it is ludicrous that the way someone chooses to wear their hair adds to this. I don't think she was implying that it matters to everyone or that everyone's choices were influenced in that way but for some it is a consideration which should not be present.<br /><br />I am honestly sorry if you've found my post in anyway condescending to black women; that was far from my intention. In fact, Adichie herself points out that when anyone discusses race it often becomes filled with anger and closes the conversation that needs to be had. She is right in what she says about there being no such thing as "colour blindedness" and as a white woman, it can be a topic that is almost impossible for me to discuss without ensuing anger or in someway sounding condescending. However, I feel it is something that should be discussed, however difficult it may be. <br /><br />I do want to point out thought, that I have not remotely suggested that black women aren't capable of making their own decisions about beauty or that they have to apologise for it; to be honest I am dismayed that I'm having to even make that statement, the idea is simply ridiculous. In fact, I believe I admitted to having been stupid enough myself to being persuaded as to what should be defined as beautiful! But it does relate to the point that was being made: everyone should be able to choose to wear their hair, how they like, when they like and sadly that is not the case for everyone.<br /><br />Adichie has now responded to the inaccurate quote. I shall try and link it to here so you can see her personal response.Booksnobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12017298904919014352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686457960161577171.post-10661584685053098002013-04-12T15:51:26.578+01:002013-04-12T15:51:26.578+01:00But really, all this insertion of racial politics ...But really, all this insertion of racial politics into a black woman's choice of hair is tiring and condescending to black women. I am a regular African woman and wear dreadlocks. Before that I used to chemically treat my hair to make it straight but most importantly manage-able. None of this any was motivated by any political considerations or pressures. My cousins in the village who are unexposed to western publications that reportedly glorify straight hair have been straightening their hair with home made hot combs as far as my earliest childhood memories go. Whether the world believes it or not, we are actually capable of making our own opinion on what is beautiful or not. That it may coincide with another population's definition of beauty is not something we should have to apologise for. Why is she glossing over the fact that while choosing straight hair, we also might choose purple nails, blue eye shadow or even colour the straight hair green? What racial brainwashing do we have to blame for the rest of the adornments? NamLydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00303411148892958745noreply@blogger.com