Support for Black natural hair!

The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.

By Wayne Lopez: I was really taken aback by your story entitled “Afro hair style ‘hairdo’ causes controversy at Belmopan City Council”.  I was really trying to understand why a black hairstyle in a once majority Black nation would be considered a controversy when even nations like the United States, with all its racial problems have been past that issue.

Then it occurred to me, what would they rather her do with her hair? And, what would make that right? Would they rather her fry her hair, dye it and then lay it to the side?  The problem with that is that studies show a small quantity of chemical penetrating the scalp which can lead to further problems; so that’s out. Or, would they rather her putting weaves and other people’s hair in her head? Who are we to have to buy other people’s hair; don’t we already have what God gave us, for which we are thankful and proud? So, that’s out also.

Then it occurred to me again, who is setting the standard of beauty and professionalism in Belize. Are we still stuck on some antiquated colonial law in Belize? I thought, if Belize is truly independent then the first thing that should have left with the British were the laws and norms that were built to advance white supremacy. Laws that uphold white supremacy cannot be good for anyone of us in Belize. And, how long was Belize a majority Black country? Was there a consensus that all Blacks could be bullied or brainwashed into trying to look like Europeans? Didn’t anyone think for a minute that there would be proud Black People who would want to grow and show their own hair in the way they wanted to show it? It is this outlook that has larger implications like the government ignoring the needs of a majority Black population in Belize City (see what Elrington said on his way out regarding this subject). It is this thinking that leaves mostly Black boys with a low self -esteem which leads the subliminal and overt apathy when it comes to” living and let live” in Belize City, especially. I don’t have to go into the problems that we have seen in Belize City.

Then it occurred to me again, would they had wanted her mom to commit racial genocide by mating with a non-black person in order for her to have a different texture of hair? Although a lot of Belizean men and women fall for the trick of having children outside of their race in order to have so called “pretty children”, I do not support such a perspective. I, personally don’t think much of the hair that is on the head of mestizos, white, Asians, or even some mixed race people. But I have kept that opinion to myself. Furthermore, it is not my place to try to stop them from making a living because of their hair; I demand the same consideration be given to Black people with their Strong Black hair.

I know that the original author of the article meant to do us a service, and they did. However, the antiquated term “colored” is just that, antiquated. Just like we do not call white people “pale or pallid” or Mestizos “pepper gut” anymore, we do not see the term “colored” as useful. Black people, Africans, Moors, Indigenous etc. will do.

This entire story and the ordeal that our Sister has been put through should be taken as an affront to everyone in Belize who have kinky and Strong Black hair. It should be an affront to all children who have parents with natty hair (even the ones with weaves to hide their hair). And, shame on you the HR Manager.  We should start a revolution of wearing our natural hair no matter the texture or the length. Once we start accepting ourselves, the world will be compelled to accept us for who we are.

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