SugarCube: The Definition of Good Hair, Part 1

Many thanks to Naima O! She's back again with another great post for HBS (you may remember her from her first SugarCube post, Crowning Glory). I felt this story was very appropriate, especially with Chris Rock's "Good Hair" hitting theaters soon.

The Definition of Good Hair, Pt. 1

I recently got into a slightly confrontational conversation with a few friends, with their use of the term good hair. They defined good hair as hair that looked less kinky/tightly coily, and much straighter, smoother, and unlike hair textures that were their own.

The conversation left a bad taste in my mouth, and I searched for answers. What the hell is good hair? And if there is a good, there must be an opposite side on the spectrum - bad hair - what is that? Where did this come from?

Of course the answers I'd get would be subjective, but I needed to understand what others saw, I needed to understand what others felt about themselves and others.

So I searched. I asked my mother how she felt, and she was disgusted that a term which suggests such self-hate was still being thrown around so freely. She said it was sad and self-loathing, and about as ignorant as the old school Paper Bag Parties. I, then, asked two of my roommates; one of which wears her natural curls beautifully, and the other with a cute, conservative coiffed bob. They both agreed that good hair doesn't exist, and helped me with my search.

My roommates mother, a hair dresser, explained to me that good hair was natural, chemical free, and healthy hair. My other roommate sent out a mass text, and we received answers of varied responses, from natural queens, relaxed queens, pro-natural guys, and dudes that had a strict preference for a "long haired, thick red-bone." Here are some of the responses we received:

• "Good hair is healthy, well-managed hair, it doesn't matter about texture. As long as you take care of your hair, you have good hair"
• "Manageable, healthy hair"
• "Long, thick, with a natural sheen... Sometimes curls up with the first sign of moisture, but always falls straight with a little work"
• "Not nappy, and keeps it presentable"
• "HEALTHY hair! Has nothing to do with texture, color, nor length"
• "Hair that is shiny and wavy, and can pass through my fingers like silk"
• "Good hair is dependent on your relative circumstance. Or what society wants you to believe is good hair"
• "Good hair equals hair that is fine, can be washed everyday, and dyed with regular hair dye without falling out. It's the hair ou see flaunted on commercials"
• "An expression of self that stays true to natural beauty, with clean tendencies"
• "Thick, strong, and healthy; whether it is soft or coarse"
• "Curly or straight without adding any grease"
• "Soft and easy to manage"

Written by Naima Ozier, a 19 year old witty college student

Stay tuned for part 2 next Monday, 10/12!!