OK, so I’ve talked a lot about caring for curly, mixed hair, right? And even recently, was interviewed by CNN reporter, Lisa France, about the whole idea of “good hair”, and in particular, how hair plays such a huge role in the Black community [and with our mixtkids and families too]. But I’ve never discussed my background or my “hairstory”. In the Hispanic community, we have our own issues and expectations as well. I’m gonna take you back in time. Way back in time. Like 37 years back in time. I’m a little girl, with long black hair, living in Ogden, Utah. That’s right, Utah. Land of the Mormons and yes, there are brown people in Utah….
Anyway, as is very typical of most Hispanic families of the time [and even today], I sported long tresses. Waist length hair, mostly in pony tails or braids and always VERY tight ones. OK, mine weren’t always that tight, for two reasons. My mom worked and “tight” ponies take time, plus I did my own hair much of the time and that never equated to straight parts or tight ponies. But also, I was a serious tomboy and didn’t care much what I looked like. Course, I see pictures now and wonder “what the hell was I thinking?” Oh, but even better was when Dad did my hair for early morning soccer games. No part, just spread with your hands and braid. Wish I had pictures of those hairdos!
When my Mom did my hair though, two things occurred and both caused pain. First, the brushing. With all that long hair and being a very active [and sweaty] kid, I had tangles. Lots of tangles and my Mom isn’t all that patient, so brushing was hard and fast. I am so thankful I was born with a hard head, but some of my cousins weren’t and I remember the crying that took place when they got their hair done. I never cried, but if I moved too much or complained to loud, I got a whack on the head. Never hard, but still, a whack on the head with a brush or comb gets your attention real fast!
After the brushing, came the parting. I had a part straight down the middle of my head. My Mom took that part pretty serious too. My Tia’s did the same. I mean, there wasn’t a hair out of place or you got a repart [ouch!]. Even with my hard head, the part some times hurt. I often wondered if my Mom was trying to cut my head in half, because the pain was eye watering. She never meant to hurt me. I think she was just trying to get my hair done and some times pushing harder seemed to help keep it straight. I think. I hope.
And then, after the part, came the ponies. Tight ponies. Really tight ones and usually with Bobbers. Remember Bobbers? Do they even sell these anymore? I seen some once, but not like the industrial sized, super strong ones we had. ‘Old school’ Bobbers made it real easy for my Mom to get those ponies tight. Course if I could find some now, I might be able to do them tight enough to create a mini face lift. I might start looking on eBay.
37 years later, I’ve had so many hairstyles, from buzz cut to bob to layered to long again. But that part down the middle of my head, it’s still there. I purposefully part my hair on the side now, but if I step out of the shower and just shake my head, it will part right down the middle, all on it’s own, just where Mom left it.
