 |
| Source |
“Downy, meaning "fuzzy, kinky," used in colloquial or derogatory reference to the hair of black people”
In 2007, radio talk show host, Don Imus, sent mainstream media into a frenzy with his racist commentary referring to the Rutgers Ladies Basketball team as “nappy headed hoes”. While he is not the first to cross the line of respect, only to later come back with a political apology, it was a highly publicized incident. Although there are other adjectives used to describe our texture which are deemed by some as derogatory, “nappy” seems to resonate more among black women. This is a topic that remains divisive and contentious within our own community. Some use the word synonymous with the term natural. Here are just a few opinions on whether or not the term is appropriate that I’ve heard from both sides.
 |
| Source |
PRO NAPPY
· It depends on how you use it. You can take its power away but using it positively. If you use it as a negative adjective, then it becomes problematic.
· It is ok for “us” to use it but not for outsiders.
· Freedom of speech argument – if we start allowing the language police to dictate word choice, where will it end?
ANTI NAPPY
· Origin – the term was designed to be used against us in a negative manner and therefore it still carries the same negative connotation.
· There are other terms that can be used to describe our hair such as curly, coily or highly textured.
· It’s the same as the good hair vs. bad hair argument
These comments raised a few questions for me:
1. Do phrases such as these help lessen the blow?
“Happy to be Nappy”
“Nappturality”
“Nappturalversary”
2. Why is the term “kinky” more accepted? Or is it?
The definition of kinky (as it relates to hair) is “tangled or tightly looped, as a wire or rope; tightly curled.
3. How do you feel about salons that embrace the term by using it as the name of their business?
Rosario Schooler- Ukpabi, Owner of the natural hair salon “Oh, My Nappy Hair”, in California.
“The name caused a lot of controversy, and we had to overcome a lot of hurdles. People actually wanted to fight us because of the name of the salon! We’re trying to say that nappy hair, natural hair is beautiful because it’s the way God made us. But we got lots of death threats and hate mail because of it. We were challenging people’s notions of what natural hair was, after being brainwashed for years that straight hair is the best and only way to go. It was a fight within themselves– ‘I have to accept my hair? My hair is beautiful the way it is?’ But they tried to flip it on us. We’re just trying to embrace and celebrate our beauty, and announce it to the world!”
4. Sabrina Moella directed the film “Nappy Heads” as a celebratory tribute to the afro. Does taking control of the word and using it in a positive manner make you feel more comfortable with the term?
5. Should we hold a mock burial and vow to never use the word again like they did with the other “n” word? And if so, will it have any effect? Will people still continue to use it anyway? What are the underlying issues?
 |
| Jabari Asim |
Like most sensitive topics, this is a thought provoking one which is worthy of some discussion. I always say respectful debate is healthy but impolite condemnation is unacceptable. I personally do not use the term nappy because it makes me uncomfortable. This is largely because most of my exposure to the term has been negative. When I heard it growing up, it was always in the form of an adjective describing an undesirable look. Words have power. This word was intended to degrade and ostracize black people – period. It’s a descriptor, not unlike “nigger”, that was given to use by Caucasian people, and we have for whatever reason accepted it and adopted as our own. I do not believe that putting the word “happy” in front of it changes its connotation, and therefore I do not use it and it is offensive to me. I am not going to call for a public eulogy nor will I organize a march and condemn those who use it, that’s their choice. I respect others who chose to do otherwise. What are your thoughts?
Edit:
This article was complete prior to the controversial twitter battle between Rhianna and a so-called fan. In case you’ve been stranded on an island, here it is:
This is just another example of the emotional response the term triggers.
1 comment:
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the term unless used in a derogatory manner. I embrace the word nappy because it was a term that once sent blows, caused pain and embarrassment to our people. Now, I embrace the word because to me, nappy does not represent something ugly but the natural state of my hair. If we rid the term "nappy" we should rid the term "dreadlocks" or locs period because the term was created to demean our people and the state of our hair. I say, embrace your naps and be proud of them. The same thing when someone tells you they don't think you can do or accomplish something and when you do... you rub it up in the person's face. I feel somewhat that way about these "derogatory" terms that we as a people have redefined.
Post a Comment