Does Hair Equal Culture? A Response to "Black Denial" in the Dominican Republic

On top of being one of the more "preferred" hairstyles of women, straight hair has also been tagged as an Eurocentric value that has been imposed on black women in and outside of the United States. It is true, many African American women have given up their coarse curls for smoother, straighter hair; however, claiming that the reason for the stylistic change is due solely on assimilation is a viewpoint that I cannot agree with. In an article from the Miami Herald entitled "Black Denial", the author Frances Robles suggesting that this practice of straightening hair was a form of denial of African heritage. In one instance, he states "And to many [...] to look pretty is to look less black". I refuse to believe that the denial of an entire culture could be denied single-handedly through the applying of relaxers, chemicals or weaves to one's hair, and I am actually astonished that someone would believe that this is the case. There were some truths in Robles article that pointed put the wounds that still continue linger in the hearts of those who suffered under colonial rule from both the Europeans and the Spaniards. It is an unfortunate fact that some people refuse to identify with being black, and instead choose other "dark-skinned" races such as Native Indians to relate to out of social anxiety and grief.

Works Cited:

Robles, Frances. "Dominican Republic." MiamiHerald.com. Web. 21 Apr. 2012. <http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/afrolatin/part2/index.html>.

A Cultural Rising: Back Power in Latin America

Currently, there has been a merging of a multitude of peoples who have gathered together for one purpose: to seek basic human rights in their homeland. Similar to the Black Civil Rights Movement that took place in the United States not too long ago, the black population in Latin American countries such as Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Cuba has begun to embrace sentiments shared by outstanding members of the race riots that were waged decades ago. In fact, one prominent non-political movement for racial equality among blacks is called the Martin Luther King Movement for Civil Rights. These movements have erupted from the continual years of hardship faced by blacks in Latin America as well as African American proponents from all corners of the world. In Nicaragua alone, it was found that "blacks in the region are more likely to be born into poverty, to die young, to read poorly and to live in substandard housing". ("Afro-Latin Americans: A rising voice") Fortunately there are those who are willing and waiting to assist there fellow brethren from the United States. In the summer of 2007, U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks had rallied supporters and proponents for this "black power" movement while hosting the Congressional Black Caucus. During this televised event, Meeks discussed the sordid living conditions of much of the black population with the Colombian president Alvaro Uribe. Since then, many other politicians have followed suit. I find it encouraging that Latin American has taken a great part of America's past and incorporated it into their own factions. Though I believe America still has a ways to go to reach true racial equality, knowing that one nation is not alone with keeping this ideal is truly comforting.

Works Cited:

http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/afrolatin/part1/index.html