This blog has been in the back of my mind for months as the topic of hair comes up about 5 times a day in my office... my coworkers are about 50/50 on the natural/straightened debate and due to the separation, talk about hair a lot. I have been known to protest that I too, have "natural hair" although this seems to fall on deaf ears as it usually comes after some comment about my not so great hair doing skills and/or tendency to wash my hair daily and/or use of dry shampoo (you fine hair blondies know this is KEY to looking good after a long day!)
Hair in the Dominican Republic is important, like really really important. In general, looking nice, clean, and put together daily is the norm. Hair and clothes (and big gold jewelry) are the main two outlets of style and fashion... and as such outlets also give hints to class. Most Dominican women hit the salon 2 or 3 times a week to get their hair washed, dried, and straightened using chemicals and/or heat. It is a long process but compared to US prices is fairly inexpensive, a wash/dry/style costs about 300 pesos in Boca Chica or around $8. In addition, a trip to the salon probably includes: shaving ones eyebrows and getting your nails done. I have been dragged to the salon under the pretenses of, "we are girls, this is what we do on Saturday" exactly 2 times... and they were the longest 5+ hours of my life. This cultural norm is not limited to women, men too hit the barber at least 2 times a week if not many more for a shave (beard, mustache, eyes, forehead and neck) and once a week to keep their hair short, a requirement for school and many work places.
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Natural Hair gals
July (in the front) recently took the final step of the "big cut" |
But, the point of this post is not the long salon process nor the frequency of salon visits... it is the debate between natural or "afrodominicana" and chemically/high heat straightened hair. The number of women and teen girls who have gone for the "big cut" or are planning to do so has grown exponentially even in the years time I have been in the DR. This "big cut" is when women cut out all of their chemically straightened hair, this typically happens after a period of growing out your hair... a difficult time because you have half straight-half curly hair! Two friends recently just had the "big cut" and their reactions have been very interesting... while both are totally rocking their new short afros, one is much more comfortable in hers. My other friend, is constantly in need of reassurance that her hair is cute and can't wait for it to grow out. Unfortunately men/boys seem to make a huge difference here... I have been told on numerous occasions (once even my a 7 year old) that cutting your hair is like giving up on all chances of finding a man. Really guys? In the US, we love a long hair doo, but we also think short pixis and bobs are mature, elegant, and sexy. Many young girls will tell you that straight, long hair is most desirable and that they can not achieve the look they would like... to me this is heart breaking, to have accepted that you are not and will never be beautiful! When ever anyone, especially a young girl, tell me my skin or hair are beautiful, I quickly say thank you and tell them I like their hair and skin color too and how I wish I could have a FRACTION of their volume and curl, let alone the vast number of style options for kinky-curly hair: twists, little/big braids, afro, curls, and the list goes on!
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| July looking professional and beautiful after the "big cut"! |
But the hair debate has gone way, way further than pretty or not pretty. The racism toward darker skin and dislike of natural kinky-curly hair has entered into the public schools and "professional" community. I have heard numerous stories, including from one of Caminante's board member. Her daughter has been sent home from school on numerous occasions for wearing her hair curly to school. The principle argues that having "wet" hair is not allowed in the dress code, but her hair is not wet, just covered in conditioners to give her a curly but not frizzy look. In the Dominican it is typical for young girls to wear several braids with beads off the top of their head until they are 13 or 14 years old. When they reach an appropriate age they can begin to wear their hair out of braids...and most begin using chemical straighteners at this time. We know using chemical straighteners and colors quickly damages and kills hair particles slowing growth. For this reason, many young women in their 20s and 30s are making the cut and encouraging others to do the same. Many of my coworkers are part of communities of women who meet to share styling and healthy hair tips.
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| Many pro-women and pro-afrodominicana groups are advocating for young girls' rights to go to school with natural hair. A popular campaign has popularized the phrase, "a la escuela voy como yo soy: por que MI escuela valora MI identidad" (I go to school how I am: because MY school values MY identity). The organization called El Árbol Maravilloso visits schools to present a show "María Palito y Otras Divertidas Princesas" to build selfesteem and teach children and teachers/administrators alike about the importance of embracing diversity and eliminating racist practices in school's rules and regulations. (find out more from the AP here) |
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| Caminante staff showing off their "afrodominicanas" |
Caminante also works to help girls and teens become comfortable in their own skin with "Chicas Brillantes" an educational program to increase young girls awareness of powerful women in their culture, embrace racial, cultural, and religious differences, teach about the importance of self-love, education, and sexual health. In addition, the several staff members of Caminante proudly wearing "afrodominicana" walk daily into public schools, meet with government officials, and families slowly creating a greater acceptance of natural hair! Everyone, straight, curly, long, and short can learn from the lessons of El Arbol Maravilloso and Chicas Brillantes... we are who we are and we SHOULD be comfortable wearing our own skin and hair the way it came to us. Everyone has good hair days and bad, but we should always feel safe to rock our own look no matter where or how old we are!
