As a child I grew up around the beauty industry, which is probably the reason why I ended up acquiring a love for the cosmetology field. One of the reasons why I love this industry is because we can express ourselves and create images freely. In most artistic fields, we are fortunate to be able to do that. However, with expressing ourselves, there comes criticism due to others expectations of us. These expectations can come from gender, race, and societal “norms.” Yet, as an artist in the beauty industry, I’m all about giving people the unexpected. What you can expect of me may not be expected!
With that being said I didn’t know that certain races could wear certain hairstyles or that a hairstyle determines your identity. I know that I wear certain hairstyles because of my personal preferences and because I simply love wearing different styles, but many would disagree. Last month there was a 12-year-old girl by the name of Mallory who was scrutinized for posting a selfie of her new hair style, which consisted of box braids. According, to some of the comments made this hairstyle should only be worn by black people. One person tweeted “ Yes something as “trivial” as a hairstyle can be triggering or upsetting. Let us have it. This goes to everyone, btw.” Have what? A hairstyle? Oh please! Go to bed and try again!
Thankfully, maturity still exists in the world and Mallory decided to apologize for coming off as a racist, although that wasn’t her intention. Mallory stated, “I just wanted a hairstyle, my sincere apologies to anyone I have personally offended, and my intent was most definitely not to hurt or offend anyone or their culture.” She saw a hairstyle that she liked and decided to get the same done to her hair like most of us have done at some time in our lives. Well I am sorry, but I would have to agree with this tweet “ Your ethnicity doesn’t determine how you should wear your hair!”
Zendaya appeared on the Academy Awards Red Carpet rocking her beautiful faux locks. On the Fashion Police it was said that Zendaya “looked as if she smells like patchouli oil… or maybe weed.” I’m not sure of the intention of the commenter, but it definitely came off as disrespectful. I think she looked beautiful and I always appreciate a natural and or protective style for a special occasion. Not everyone can pull this off, but Zendaya did, and she replied, as a woman should. I love how she ended her statement with “To me locs are a symbol of strength and beauty, almost like a lion’s mane. I suggest some people listen to India Arie’s “I am not My Hair” and think before opening their mouths to judge.
I truly appreciate these two young woman Mallory and Zendaya who responded as mature and classy adults. It is not always easy to respond so respectfully to disrespect. Unfortunately, we live in a world where people have a little too much time on their hands and usually suffer from hatred in their hearts and boredom.
There are people who will not agree with our decisions concerning how we wear our hair or how we deal with other matters in life, even if our decisions do not concern or affect them. However, as long as we are not hurting others, we have the right to live our lives freely. We have the right to be free from others’ expectations and stereotypes. As individuals we should be able to express ourselves through the things we desire!
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