black hair. It was reported by Black Voices online that in the case of Richardson, his school had told him that in order to attend Homecoming festivi- ties he would have to cut his dreadlocks. Meanwhile Bello and Sherrill were refused employment be- cause their dreadlocks did not meet their company’s grooming policy. If the way black people choose to wear their hair is still a determining factor in how they are treated in social and work circles, is this a valid reason to do as society demands? “The main issue arises because we are taking


control of our hair and this goes against the status quo and in some sections of society, like schools and most institutions, there is a sense of confronting and fitting in rather than being an individual and being unique,” says Moore, adding: “Unfortunately, wearing natural hair is still a real


issue for lots of black women, particularly those who may be the only black woman in their corporate work environment and I imagine it is the same for men with locks. We live in a westernised society that is extremely visual and places emphasis on how we look. You might think London and its multicultural society would provide the opportunity and platform for every look, but the media is dominant and still gives more authority and credibility to European features and Africa-Caribbean people who are the closest to that look.” When Moore is asked to comment on the oft-


“No one should feel under pressure to wear their hair a particular way to be accepted, just like no one should feel the need to lighten their skin”


quoted reason that chemically-straightened black women’s hair is “easier to manage”, Moore says: “It’s difficult. I have in the past relaxed and permed my hair, and continued to do so. There was a pressure to keep going to hairdressers to achieve the ‘look’ but this continuous hair regime puts our hair under a lot of stress and can cause long-term damage. It’s a vicious circle and takes some conscious soul- searching to stop and consider other alternatives.” She adds: “But who am I to judge how black


women should wear their hair? People should make their own decisions. It is not enough to blame what society expects as the reason black women bleach their skin or process their hair and wear weaves. The issue of responsibility goes both ways.” Margaret Auguste, one of the book’s contributors


writes: “Our physical relationship to our skin colour is not only external but both personal and intimate.” Moore adds further: “The hierarchy of skin


change the colour of my skin, what I had to change was how I felt about my skin.” Moore adds that she was glad to have the likes of


Angela Davis (pictured left), who became an iconic figure for sporting an afro during the civil rights struggle, as role models. In April and September 2010, the stories of Janet


Bellow, Jackie Sherrill and Patrick Richardson raised eyebrows in the US once again about the issue of


complexion is a dominant issue within westernised beauty standards, as the beauty and fashion indus- tries still maintain a closed shop when it comes to the selection and promotion of models. In women’s magazines, on catwalks, even shop dummies, dark skin is rarely seen. In this context, light skin and straight hair affirm superior human status. “It must be acknowledged that black women


must search and question themselves as to why they feel the need to invest in creams which do them more harm than good. The argument that fair skin is perceived to be more beautiful and desirable will no longer cut it because there is information out


WINTER 2011 | NEW AFRICAN WOMAN | 97


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