African American Women Hairstyles - Petition fights Army's 'racial biased' hairstyle ban | WTVR.com - Blog Black Hair Styles

Petition fights Army's 'racial biased' hairstyle ban | WTVR.com
Hairstyles For Long Hair African American - Hair Care
CBC women push to end military regulations on Black hairstyles
3 Signs a Natural Hair Style is Not For You | Black Girl with Long Hair

Petition fights Army's 'racial biased' hairstyle ban | WTVR.com

Posted: 11 Apr 2014 06:39 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. Army's new ban on many types of ethnic hairstyles has African-American women who wear their coifs in dreadlocks, braids and cornrows in a twist.

The Army's regulations stipulate such guidance as hair "must be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approximately ¼ inch), show no more than 1/8 (inch) of the scalp between the braids."

Dreadlocks "against the scalp or free-hanging" are banned. "Unkempt" or "matted" braids and cornrows are also considered dreadlocks and "are not authorized," according to the regulations that were updated this month.

It's that type of language, words like "unkempt" and "matted," that read to some African Americans, as code for racial bias.

U.S. Army Hairstyle Ban

"These new changes are racially biased and the lack of regard for ethnic hair is apparent," Sgt. Jasmine Jacobs of the Georgia National Guard wrote in a White House petition she started in late March asking the Obama administration to reconsider the policy.

Currently, the petition has more than 13,000 signatures.

"We feel let down," Jacobs told the Army Times. "I think, at the end of the day, a lot of people don't understand the complexities of natural hair. A lot of people, instead of educating themselves, they think dreadlocks and they think Bob Marley, or they see women with really big Afros and they think that's the only thing we can do with our hair."

U.S. Army Hairstyle Ban

The updates in appearance standards were crafted, in part, with the help of African-American female soldiers and are intended to clarify the professional look of soldiers, said Troy Rolan, an Army spokesman.

Previous regulations did not specifically address things such as braid widths or numbers, or the definition of twist styles.

"Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative," Rolan said, noting the Army has banned dreadlocks since 2005.

If soldiers aren't happy, they can go through a formal process to request changes to the hairstyle regulations, the Army said.

"We encourage soldiers to make use of this process by sending recommendations and examples of hairstyles which could present professional appearances and conform to the regulation," Rolan said.

The rules' conciseness isn't the problem, say some African-American women and black studies scholars.

U.S. Army Hairstyle Ban

The problem, they say, is a perception that ethnic hair that is "natural" or not straightened with heat or chemicals is somehow unruly, unkempt and must be carefully regulated to fit within white cultural norms.

"In a broad sense, it's just another example of U.S. institutions policing black style," said Mark Anthony Neal, an African-American studies professor at Duke University. "And it's not that there aren't other examples of such policing among other racial and ethnic groups. But, given the fraught relationship between black identity and culture and what some Americans might perceive as 'normal,' it strikes a particularly dissonant chord among some blacks."

Mandating what should be done with black hair is a particularly sensitive matter.

During slavery and for generations after, hair texture, along with skin complexion, was used to classify which slaves were more valuable, given jobs in the master's house rather than the field, and — by default — deemed beautiful.

Straighter hair, lighter skin and features that looked white were considered preferred traits, African-American scholars noted.

Those values were internalized and perpetuated within the black community for years in a way that was particularly damaging to the self-esteem of black women, African American scholars said.

"The gender dynamic here is also important; hair is so tied to the idea of black womanhood and self-esteem," Neal said. "There have been many stories, for example, of the extra scrutiny black women with locs or dreads face going through airport security. The Army's ban is just another knock from the dominant society that somehow black women are out of step with the so-called status quo."

Black pride and natural hair movements have emphasized that all hair types and the rainbow of skin hues are all beautiful.

However, the Army's regulations, some natural hair advocates and African American scholars fear, might suggest to black soldiers that their tresses must be straightened or closely cropped in order to fit in and be valued.

That type of pressure is "both unfair and racially biased," said Imani Perry, an African-American studies professor at Princeton University.

"While it is reasonable for the military to expect some degree of conformity and neatness in hairstyles, those expectations ought to take into account the variety of natural hair textures people have," Perry said. "For many African-American women who have tightly curled, coily or kinky hair, cornrows braids and locs are styles that allow for ease of close to the head grooming. Hence, banning those hairstyles puts black female soldiers in a difficult bind with respect to the requirement."

That type of pressure is "both unfair and racially biased," Perry said adding that the Army conformity isn't absolute because female soldiers are allowed to wear their hair long.

"Likewise, consideration ought to be made for different textures of hair," Perry said. "Otherwise, a burden is placed disproportionately upon some soldiers due to an immutable characteristic, natural hair texture that is tied to race."

Hairstyles For Long Hair African American - Hair Care

Posted: 15 Apr 2014 04:51 AM PDT

Easy and simple African American long hairstyles look really good on women of color who really style it to compliment their face and figures.

It is important to keep the hair in good condition with a good style. This would create a favorable impression.Have enough long hairstyle that usually can help us determine the option of impressive performances. Actually, many women who are attempting to have hair such as this. This is done because they believe that many hairstyles which can be adapted to long hair. African American long hair styles look really good on women of color who really style it to compliment their face and figures. Highlights as well as other colors in the hair can truly draw out more beauty when applied correctly. African American long hairstylesare essentially as varied as any other long hairstyle. While a good curled mass of hair framing a face – either with or without a parting – provides a cheerful, almost playful appearance, it does make layering somewhat difficult as this can lead to too much volume, unless, of course, the concept is to create just as much volume as possible.

Wedding Hairstyles For Long Hair African American

The primary motive the reasons girls wear Wedding Hairstyles For Long Hair African American is to look more beautiful. Gorgeous african american wedding hairstyles for very long hair help make your wedding be perfect thus making you look unbelievable. Wedding updos for African american women remain a favorite style option for many brides. African American brides can make an updo on any hair texture, whether their hair is natural (without any chemical straighteners in it), texturized or relaxed. Black women can even style updos with braided hair for black women. Unfortunately, not all ladies are capable of achieve their desired look. As when a woman desires to get a natural look, she can not execute it well. Consequently, her beauty turns into excessive and she or he seems to be like sporting a mask. This often occurs because a woman doesn't know learn how to apply beauty appropriately or how to pick the correct beauty items. With the intention to have a natural look, a lady must know the right strategies. With this objective, she will be able to go browsing and discover a website that gives Wedding Hairstyles For Long Hair African American tutorials. Nowadays, discovering info on internet is preferable since it allows individuals to get the wanted information easily and conveniently. On this case, ladies should only consider popular websites or beauty because such websites provide accurate information.

Long Hairstyle For African American Boys

African- American Long Hairstyles

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Popular African American hairstyles for long hair

Long waves

Long waves also look excellent when coupled with bangs and pulling your hair back into a relatively tight ponytail with a blunt bang touching the top of your eyes is particularly gorgeous, while providing a touch of elegance. Another option are braids, which could again be helped together with extensions if required.

Long Afro Puffs

Afro Puffs is an easy hairstyle for African American girls as it will not require you to use heat appliances can be done quickly. To create afro puffs, you will need moisturizing hair oil, coated elastic band, a wide tooth comb, and a natural bristle brush. To produce this style, it will help to start with freshly washed or at least dampened hair. Using the wide toothed comb, part your hair down the center and add oil to every section. Comb your hair out quickly using the wide toothed comb, and put a band on each section.

Long Straight

Straight African American long hairstyles are particularly attractive and have a tendency to look extremely sophisticated and elegant. This kind of style is usually worn most attractively with one side being swept back from your face, as the other side is allowed to fall forward and into the face.

Two Strand Twists

Two Strand Twists work effectively for African American Hair because this is a hairstyle that can be done once and look good all week. After washing and conditioning your hair, section off a 1 inch square of hair, make use of your finger to make two sections and after that twist the two sections together while also twirling your hair slightly between your fingers. This works on long and short hair. Short hair will curl up and long hair will frame the facial area nicely.

African American Curly Hairstyles

The same young woman sporting a tightly curled style for work or general free time may, for example, choose to straighten her hair and have a very elegant and sophisticated hairstyle for a special occasion. The options are essentially unlimited, as well as for those struggling to grow their hair for enough time for certain styles, extensions will certainly be a great help.

Long Kinky Curls

Kinky Curls is a great special event style for African American girls because it is a natural extension of these two strand twist hairstyle. Follow the steps mentioned previously for two strand twists. To make kinky curls, just use your fingers to pull the twists apart and create curls.

Dark layered waves of hair

Another very attractive look is achieved with layered waves of hair cascading down, framing the face, a glance which is just as beautiful with straight hair. It can be difficult to grow hair long enough to create African American long hairstyles, but extensions may add just the right length to get the desired looks. Wavy hair can again be piled on the top of the head to create probably the most stunning looks.

Corn rolls

Corn rolls, when done properly don't have to hurt. By keeping the hairstyle simple with just 4 to 6 braids, you can corn roll her hair quickly so that she is going to be less likely to obtain squirmy and agitated. You must also make sure to braid loosely. Sure tight corn rolls last longer and look cute, but for a girl under 10, a simple style that does not hurt her head or damage your young scalp should be the goal.

CBC women push to end military regulations on Black hairstyles

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 08:34 AM PDT

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) (Courtesy photo)

by James Wright

Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer

The female members of the Congressional Black Caucus wrote a strongly worded letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, railing against "offensive and biased" regulations that would discipline black women in the military for wearing differing, cultural hairstyles.

"We write to you regarding the United States Army's update regulation, AR 670-1, that specifies hairstyles often worn by many African-American women and other minority women, as unauthorized," Caucus chairwoman Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) wrote Thursday on behalf of the other black women representatives and delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Though we understand the intent of the updates regulation is to ensure uniformity in our military, it is seen as discriminatory rules targeting soldiers who are women of color with little regard to what is needed to maintain their natural hair."

Fudge said that black women's hairstyles are often referred to in derogatory terms by some U.S. Army officials.

"Army officials have responded to criticism of the regulation by saying it applies to all soldiers regardless of race and that they are meant to protect their safety," the congresswoman said. "However, the use of words such as 'unkempt' and 'matted' when referring to traditional hairstyles worn by women of color are offensive and biased. The assumption that individuals wearing these hairstyles cannot maintain them in a way that meets the professionalism of Army standards indicates a lack of cultural sensitivity conducive to creating a tolerant environment for minorities."

Fudge encouraged Hagel to "reconsider the updated regulation as it relates to grooming standards and how it allows individuals from every community to feel proud and welcome to serve in our nation's Armed Forces."

"Many African American women put forth great effort in ensuring their hair is maintained in a way that allows them to be acknowledged for their ability and commitment to the tasks and challenges before them, rather than their appearance," she said.

3 Signs a Natural Hair Style is Not For You | Black Girl with Long Hair

Posted: 20 Apr 2014 08:33 AM PDT

Attractive-African-American-woman-looking-at-herself-in-mirror-pulling-her-curly-hair

1. Styling Takes an Unnecessarily Long Time

There are some styles that always take a long time to complete. For example, it takes up to 8 hours to put my hair into mini twists. That's not excessively long, as 150 small twists on long natural hair will take a while. But there may be styles that take you 3 or 4 times longer to complete than other naturals. And when you complete the style you might find yourself thinking, "was it really worth all that?" A wash n' go that takes 3 hours or a simple updo that takes an hour may not be for you. If you enjoy putting in the time to achieve such styles, by all means do so. But those who feel they have to spend hours upon hours in order to achieve what they consider an "acceptable" hair style might need to reevaluate. I honestly believe that natural hair doesn't have to take a long time to style. My hair is very coily (4a/4b if you use hair typing) and hovering around waist length. I can spend hours on my hair but I don't HAVE to and neither do you!

2. Diminishing Returns

It's easy to figure out whether a style is excessively time consuming, but it's more difficult to determine when the benefits of a style are outweighed by its drawbacks. If you choose to wear a style that creates another set of problems for your hair, it probably isn't the best option for you. In my case, protective hairstyles that add stress to my hairline, which has always been prone to breakage, will ultimately result in healthy ends and receding edges. Be sure that you don't continue employing a method, despite clear indications that it's harmful to your hair, just because so-and-so said her hair was 6 inches longer in a few months. Even commonly recommended styles may have adverse effects on your hair. This doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the style, or even your hair. The style simply may not work for you.

3. You Can't "Work" It

I often focus on the relationship between technique, style and hair health in my articles, but I really believe it is important for you to feel good about the way your hair looks. There are a variety of styling options that are conducive for hair health. Don't feel that you need to wear styles that you feel are unbecoming on you. You wouldn't wear a dress that you think takes away from your best assets, so don't feel obligated to wear 'smart' hairstyles that you don't feel confident in. Earlier in my healthy hair journey, I admittedly didn't wear the cutest styles, but I felt like that was price I had to pay in order to achieve healthier hair. Fortunately, I know better now. Feeling fly and wearing healthy hair styles are not mutually exclusive. If you're wearing a style that makes you want to duck and hide when you see that certain someone coming in the other direction, then it probably isn't the style for you. Being natural isn't some form of hair martyrdom, in which you are required to sacrifice your sense of style. I sometimes sense that some women feel that way, but it simply isn't the case. Whether or not the style is considered a staple in the cannon of go-to hair styles is irrelevant. Balance wisdom with your sense of style to achieve the hair you find most desirable.

What was a sign that made you realize that a popular natural hair style didn't work for you?

Black Hair Styles

Monday, 21 April 2014