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I Am Not My Hair...or Am I?

9/15/2019

 
Picture
Look at the image above. Before you react, respond or revolt, let it sizzle in your spirit as comedian, Kountry Wayne, reminds us often. Analyze it. Ponder it. Sit with it.

R&B and soul singer, india.arie, sang the hit, "I Am Not My Hair," to remind us that we're more than what we are on the outside. I love the song but I've always wondered if her words were entirely true. In my experiences, when you comb someone's hair, their confidence is boosted, their smile seems brighter, their walk appears straighter. After all, image is everything. Right?

Then, there are biblical references and cultural pacts that speak to the symbolic power in a person's hair. It's their crown. Their glory. Their strength, like Samson's in the book of Judges.  Samson was tricked into thinking that Delilah cared for him, so he let down his guard and was deceived, much like the players of a wrestling team who have been inveigled into thinking they will have better lives if they cut off their locs. If you look closely, though, you'll see that there's more to it than meets the eye. Isn't there?

Read the blog post above in its entirety. Consider it, then comment intelligently, academically and with fidelity. Post your honest thoughts about the image. 

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.


3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.


CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.
Due Friday, September 20, 2019 11:59 p.m. CST​​​

If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.
Ezekhial link
9/20/2019 10:32:43 am

Now I do agree with trying to have a new look for yourself. As it is a good way to get new opportunities for you in the future. We only look at the situation right now as if we dont have tomorrow to live. Most of the time it depends on our choices and decisions we’ve came across. As the days go on you’ll start to see that how you’ve changed with your new look.

Dylan D 3rd
9/20/2019 10:41:36 am

I do not believe that creating a new look for yourself is a way to get new opportunities for your future. If life was all about how people looked then maybe that would be the case. However if you are presented with an opportunity and you have to change your look for it, then that’s just what you have to do, or choose to pass up that particular opportunity. As you said there is always tomorrow. Another opportunity will come when the universe permits.

Busby,T link
9/20/2019 01:23:49 pm

I agree .. just because you change yourself doesn’t mean that better things or good things will come

K Locke
9/20/2019 02:27:28 pm

Right , if life was all about how people looked and their appearance no one should be able to get opportunities based off their looks

Evan t
9/20/2019 10:12:18 pm

I agree with what your saying how does cutting your hair off create more opportunities for you.changing how you look doesn’t change you as a person you are still you at the end of the day.

LaMicaah
9/23/2019 09:27:45 am

I do not agree with you because I shouldn’t be judged based on my hair. I should get the same opportunities I had with the other hairstyles I had.

Deterville D 3rd
9/20/2019 10:35:19 am

I firmly believe that cutting your hair off or doing any other type of grooming in order to be able to do something is sometimes a part of life. With jobs, schools, even pro sports teams, there are requirements that must be made in order to stay with they organization. The owners of the organizations have the right to come up with grooming requirements if they want to. If the wrestlers feel as though they shouldn’t have to cut their dread locs off they should find another team that will allow it. Or better yet, start their own team.

Ezekhial Vereen
9/20/2019 10:43:05 am

Honestly, if you make the decision to cut your hair off for a more deep & defining way it makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something. After you’ve made your decision you can’t go back but it is apart of life because you can’t always get what you want. Now when your doing that your making a new way for yourself as well. In doing that you are loosing your culture but it helps you build off discipline.

Chyna henderson
9/20/2019 11:47:55 pm

Exactly. For example, my brother doesn't cut his hair when schools or jobs try to make him because of his religious beliefs. That's apart of his life, so if he cut it off it would probably mean that he would be changing his religion

Chyna henderson
9/20/2019 11:52:17 pm

Definitely, some people feel as though cutting hair open new doors for them or something and it does boost confidence because as you stated they would start their own team if no one allowed it so that gave them a little boost to be rebellious and who they want. What's the phrase, new do new you?

Guadalupe Rodriguez period 3
9/20/2019 10:38:29 am

I personally believe one must not change themselves in order to prove who they are and what they can do. I’m not only speaking about hair, I’m talking about everything, head to toe. The headline above the picture stated “ It’s symbolic of change and desire to a better life! “. As if his hair was determining a bad life , and this truly upsets me. No one should be put in that situation.

Dylan Deterville 3rd
9/20/2019 10:45:49 am

I also agree that no one should have to change anything about themselves to prove anything. However, in today’s world, it happens. We all have choices to make in life. One can choose to do what is required of them or find somewhere else to go.

A griffin 4th
9/20/2019 11:28:54 am

I agree , We all have choices , And once they are made they can’t be undone!

David O
9/20/2019 11:43:06 am

I also agree because some people actually change there minds fast and well that’s actually not kind of good but I agree with her or him

Busby,T link
9/20/2019 01:28:17 pm

I agree , Most people today change their self because other people might not like the way you look , so you you change yourself because you think you’re doing something good for you but your really not

A Griffin 4th
9/20/2019 11:27:43 am

I agree , no one should have to change themselves to be happy either ! In other words though , people change their hair when going through things as well

A gaines
9/20/2019 02:40:09 pm

I agree, some of people change the way they look because their boyfriend or girlfriend doesn’t like the look. I know some people Who don’t like themselves as a person. So they look to material things to feel better

A gaines
9/20/2019 02:38:15 pm

I agree no one should have to change themselves. You should be perfectly fine in the skin you’re in! Love yourself first. Before working on the outside, you gave yo know something within.

Deja carroll
9/20/2019 04:40:31 pm

I agree your hair should not determine whether person has a good life or a bad one. It sad that in today’s society that your hair determines what type of person you are.

A Griffin
9/20/2019 11:25:52 am

I feel like image is important, but image is not everything. Many people including myself will have a fit if they don’t have the right outfit or right hairstyle or right clothes! If my hair isn’t done i’m not attending school,work,or anything else! PERIOD POINT BLANK ! In addition , people take all that and use it in a bad way. For example , everyone can’t afford things like long weave and hair moisturizers and perms! I feel like there should be salons where people can get things like that did for free. Image isn’t everything and No human should live off of that

K Locke
9/20/2019 02:20:57 pm

I agree because i used to be the same way but your future and grind is more important, your image isn’t everything

Deja carroll
9/20/2019 09:37:28 pm

I agree I was like thus during middle school I even was scared to go to school if my hair or clothes looked right. I had this urge to look the best even if people were not paying me attention. However, i disagree on getting certain things for free. Haircuts I understand, but most of the hair products hairstylist use are quite expensive to buy. I think they should still charge but at a smaller price.

David O
9/20/2019 11:45:38 am

I agree with miss griffin because actually some people have there own music and all that and well I agree about the stuff where people can’t afford weaves and all of that girls stuff so I agree with ms griffin

K Locke
9/20/2019 02:17:48 pm

I agree also because i believe no one should have to cut off their hair or change anything about theirselves. A persons hair means the most to them because it takes years to grow. I feel people shouldn’t let another persons hair determine who they are.

Reed, K 6th
9/20/2019 02:21:14 pm

Its a shame that people start to change their natural hair for a simple job that probably wont be best for them later. Comments like Griffons make me wonder that if you refuse to wear your natural hair to a point that you will completely cut off school, work, and etc, thats just insecurity. Yes, you can wear wigs and such and look great too, but if you're wearing such and then saying that having your regular hair out will cause you to cut school or work loose, then is it really worth it? Black women will invest $200 in bundles of hair but cant invest like $50 in keeping up their own hair. Just be yourself.

Evan t
9/20/2019 10:17:33 pm

No lie it is sad that people are changing how they look to try to get a job why not start our jobs where everyone is welcome no matter how they look it shouldn’t matter what type of hair you have it should matter what type of person you are. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Deja Carroll
9/20/2019 09:50:14 pm

I believe you should not cut your hair just because it is seen as a inappropriate hairstyle. I also believe this to a certain extent. Some jobs require you to have your hair in a certain style as a sign of professionalism. However, they will never demand you to cut all your hair off because it was seen as inappropriate and unprofessional.

Deja carroll
9/20/2019 09:57:34 pm

Society plays a huge role on how some hairstyles are looked down upon. For example, the most controversial hairstyle so far is dreads . they are seen as dirty and unkempt. Some people even ignore the religious aspects of the hairstyle.

Evan t
9/20/2019 10:14:29 pm

Cutting your are and thinking your are going to get more opportunities is stupid to me cutting your hair only changes how you look it doesn’t change for people look at you you are still the same person.

Chyna henderson
9/20/2019 11:38:25 pm

I believe that when you cut trim or groom your hair it represents a new chapter in your life. Whether it being negative or positive. Although I agree with image being everything. For example, everyone is beautiful in their own way without having to do the extra necessity's as far as make up and etc....

LaMicaah
9/23/2019 09:32:57 am

I do not feel like it’s fair that people are judged based on the hairstyle they have. People should be able to express their selves freely. It’s not right that people don’t have the same opportunities because of your hair. Hair is a way of expression. It shouldn’t be taking away from us.


Comments are closed.

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    Mixed Ink is our class blog, the window into our souls. It was designed to improve students' writing, critical thinking and communication skills by giving them a platform to provide meaningful content based on their interpretation of what they see.

    Although the students receive a grade based on a rubric for completing this assignment, they are not graded on complexity of thought. This is a place where students of all levels can freely, confidently and creatively express themselves and their opinions in a nonjudgmental platform. They are required to respond to and critique each other, but degradation, slander, lewdness, etc., will not be tolerated. 

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