Americanah is a story that holds a deeper meaning in every topic that is presented. The topic of hair is prevalent and important to the overall outcome of the story. This post looks at the importance hair holds throughout the novel Americanah:
The topic of hair is a major focal point in the novel Americanah written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The author emphasizes the point that hair is not just for styling but rather also holds cultural and social importance. When Imefelu lands an interview her advisor tells her, “My only advice? Lose the braids and straighten your hair. Nobody says this kind of stuff but it matters. We want you to get the job” (page 250). In American culture hair has become embedded with racial undertones. The kinky curly hair type is deemed as the “ugly ‘before picture” (page 367) and less sophisticated. It is used as a way to discriminate against African Americans and anyone with textured hair. This hair texture is deemed less than, wild, or unprofessional placing a label on the owner of said hair.
This seemingly simple comment also highlights the massive point that people of color are expected and forced to comply with the white world that is America. Hair holds history and in American history kinky hair holds oppression, discrimination, and racism. Hair can express the emotions of the time and people who style it. During the civil rights movement many African American women and men wore their hair in an afro style to show solidarity with the black power movement. The claim of cultural importance of hair is mentioned in Ifemelu’s blog as well.
When discussing Michelle Obama’s hair Ifemelu writes how if Michelle Obama had worn her natural hair, “...poor Obama would certainly lose the independent vote, even the undecided Democrat vote” (page 368). This comment is significant in the fact that it shows the true underbelly of what America's relationship with its African American population is like. The argument that racism, segregation, and persecution are over and a new ‘progressed’ America has risen is far from reality. When one focuses on the claim made in the novel, that America was not ‘ready’ for the first lady's natural hair, it is clear how America feels about natural hair. This alludes to the racial feelings and ideas in America. The United States is a country advertising liberty and justice for all, but only if you fit its white mold. Opportunity is just around the corner, only if you are willing to relax the characteristics that are not ‘white’. Throughout the book Americanah the theme of hair and race is explored and used to reveal a much deeper meaning.
There are two stories about hair going on in this novel. One of those stories is about America’s views on black natural hair. The advisor’s comment about Ifemelu’s braids and the suggestion to straighten her hair is indeed evidence of America’s abhorrence of blackness, as well as the images from the magazine Ifemelu describes in which natural black hair is the “ugly” before picture. These scenes from the novel are intended to display how discrimination in the job market and the beauty scene go hand in hand. It’s the anti-black deeming of kinks, coils, and curls as unattractive that enables natural hair to be labeled as unprofessional. It’s a two-step part problem. Natural black hair doesn’t fit into the American beauty standard (because it’s intended to uplift white women by advertently belittling black women, but that's another point) and this creates a platform by which American industries, companies, and businesses can outwardly discriminate against black people. Braids, afros, and locs are unprofessional because America thinks those styles are ugly. This is one story about hair that highlights America’s inherent anti-blackness.
ReplyDeleteThe other story is one of black pride. Although Adichie’s emphasis on hair is intended to show the audience just how racist America still is and just how hard it is for black people to find success and acceptance here, it’s also portrayed as a symbol of identity. Ifelemu’s changing relationship with her hair is a reflection of how she feels about her identity, about being a black woman, about being a Nigerian woman. At the beginning of the novel, Ifemelu loves her hair. She admires Obinze’s mother for proudly styling her hair in an afro, but as she spends more and more time in America, her attitude toward her hair changes. The influence of anti-blackness in America gets to her, and she loses her sense of self. She begins to try and make herself more American by changing her attitude and chemically straightening her hair. It’s not until the effects of the relaxors begin to damage her scalp that she goes natural again. After some time, she begins to love her again, and proudly style it in an afro, like Obinze’s mother.
These are the two stories of hair in the novel. One is a story of discrimination and anti-blackness. One is a story of opposition and black pride.