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Showing posts with label identity alteration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label identity alteration. Show all posts
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Discovering our best self
Thank you all so much for allowing me to share some of your comments about the distinction between personal grooming and identity alteration. After reflecting on them for the past few days, I have three thoughts that I’d like to share today.
First, personal grooming and identity alteration are largely in the eye of the beholder, that is, the difference is subjectively determined. For example, one woman might view getting a relaxer as mere grooming which provides her with a broadened array of style options. Yet, another woman might view a relaxer as an attempt to alter her ethnic identity given how the chemicals change the chemical structure of her kinky hair. The thing that strikes me is that we all have to make those judgment calls and should be free to do so. Yes, I’m a loc wearer and have been wearing my hair natural for over a decade. However, I sometimes get bored and think about other style options. For me, a relaxer is not the first thing that comes to mind (more likely to do another Big Chop and wear a teeny weeny afro for the next few years) but who knows!? Can we stop judging each other for the hair choices we make?
Second, we all know CRAZY when we see it. Ok, I might sound like a hypocrite given my first point BUT when I see a woman with thinning hair edges because of her constant blond weave, sporting blue contact lenses, press-on nails, plastic surgery and tight, TIGHT clothes I think, “What in the world is REALLY going on? What is wrong?” Yes, that is a judgmental question but when I see that I wonder, “What is she covering up?”
Third, the first two points suggest that physical appearance may only whisper insight about a person’s ethnic identity and self-esteem or physical appearance can scream out that a person is secure or insecure in who they are. We all have choices to make and your comments make me realize that all of us, Black, White, Asian, Latina, old, young, fat, skinny, are simply on a quest to be and to present our best self. Here’s to discovering more of her everyday.
Discovering our best self
Image by Good_1 found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47348316@N00/488399298/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Thank you all so much for allowing me to share some of your comments about the distinction between personal grooming and identity alteration. After reflecting on them for the past few days, I have three thoughts that I’d like to share today.
First, personal grooming and identity alteration are largely in the eye of the beholder, that is, the difference is subjectively determined. For example, one woman might view getting a relaxer as mere grooming which provides her with a broadened array of style options. Yet, another woman might view a relaxer as an attempt to alter her ethnic identity given how the chemicals change the chemical structure of her kinky hair. The thing that strikes me is that we all have to make those judgment calls and should be free to do so. Yes, I’m a loc wearer and have been wearing my hair natural for over a decade. However, I sometimes get bored and think about other style options. For me, a relaxer is not the first thing that comes to mind (more likely to do another Big Chop and wear a teeny weeny afro for the next few years) but who knows!? Can we stop judging each other for the hair choices we make?
Second, we all know CRAZY when we see it. Ok, I might sound like a hypocrite given my first point BUT when I see a woman with thinning hair edges because of her constant blond weave, sporting blue contact lenses, press-on nails, plastic surgery and tight, TIGHT clothes I think, “What in the world is REALLY going on? What is wrong?” Yes, that is a judgmental question but when I see that I wonder, “What is she covering up?”
Third, the first two points suggest that physical appearance may only whisper insight about a person’s ethnic identity and self-esteem or physical appearance can scream out that a person is secure or insecure in who they are. We all have choices to make and your comments make me realize that all of us, Black, White, Asian, Latina, old, young, fat, skinny, are simply on a quest to be and to present our best self. Here’s to discovering more of her everyday.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Personal Grooming versus Identity Alteration, Part 3
Image found at: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljyv9rhiLM1qzvbx5.jpg
I continue to post responses to a question I recently posed to a few of my readers. Here is the question:
What is the distinction between grooming and identity alteration?
Meaning, where is the line when personal grooming / hygiene changes into something that potentially alters identity?
as far as plastic surgery goes, i often feel that it is used in reaction to how one wants the public to perceive them. bigger boobs or butt, smaller nose, tighter skin/tummy are often used to cover up insecurities, never truly satisfying the person under the knife. (it has been said that people who get plastic surgery often go back for more or at least for maintenance...sorry no stats). however, as the last post discusses, plastic surgery as a response to a disorder or tragedy would be viewed as a means to return to the person that God originally made us to be.
i agree that personal grooming vs identity alteration is a person-by-person case. however, since the intentions behind each case would be forced to rely on each person's truths, the reality may never be realized."
Shakena thanks so much for your comment!
Personal Grooming versus Identity Alteration, Part 3
Image found at: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljyv9rhiLM1qzvbx5.jpg
I continue to post responses to a question I recently posed to a few of my readers. Here is the question:
What is the distinction between grooming and identity alteration?
Meaning, where is the line when personal grooming / hygiene changes into something that potentially alters identity?
as far as plastic surgery goes, i often feel that it is used in reaction to how one wants the public to perceive them. bigger boobs or butt, smaller nose, tighter skin/tummy are often used to cover up insecurities, never truly satisfying the person under the knife. (it has been said that people who get plastic surgery often go back for more or at least for maintenance...sorry no stats). however, as the last post discusses, plastic surgery as a response to a disorder or tragedy would be viewed as a means to return to the person that God originally made us to be.
i agree that personal grooming vs identity alteration is a person-by-person case. however, since the intentions behind each case would be forced to rely on each person's truths, the reality may never be realized."
Shakena thanks so much for your comment!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Personal Grooming versus Identity Alteration, Part 2
Image found at: http://www.stylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/hair.jpg
As I mentioned yesterday, Over the next few days, I am going to post some of the responses to a question I recently posed to a few of my readers. Here is the question:
What is the distinction between grooming and identity alteration?
Meaning, where is the line when personal grooming / hygiene changes into something that potentially alters identity?
Here’s a response from Charlice, an Assistant Professor and highly intelligent, intellectual (and kind) woman, wife and mother:
Hi Tina,
That's a tough question. My first reaction is to think that the line between grooming and identity alteration is defined by mentality, by the reason behind the person's choices. I used to believe automatically that black women who got relaxers were seeking to downplay their black identity. But I've met too many socially conscious black women comfortable in their own skin who happened to wear relaxers to make that assumption anymore. I've worn my hair natural for over 20 years and still occasionally consider getting a relaxer just to get a different style option. Yet, at the same time, I do believe our hairstyle choices are nearly always an effort to define and express our identity to some extent; not just broad racial identities, but also professional, gender, socioeconomic, and idiosyncratic identities. When I think about relaxing my hair, it may not be because I want my hair to look more like a white woman's, but it is often because I think I would look more professional or socially acceptable with a sleeker style. So, in that sense, it would still be a case of identity alteration. And maybe, beneath all those arguments about professionalism, it really does boil down to wanting to look more like a white woman since that really is how a "professional" look is defined. I always have to check myself by asking, "What's so unprofessional about nappy hair or hair that stands up? Who decided that?" As it stands, my choice to wear my hair natural is certainly not just a matter of grooming. It is definitely a political and a social statement. In my case, it is now also about my daughter having one person whose hair looks and feels like hers in a setting where there are few others like us. I think that's important.
Charlice, thanks for such an honest and insightful commentary. What do you all think? Please share your thoughts! J
Personal Grooming versus Identity Alteration, Part 2
Image found at: http://www.stylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/hair.jpg
As I mentioned yesterday, Over the next few days, I am going to post some of the responses to a question I recently posed to a few of my readers. Here is the question:
What is the distinction between grooming and identity alteration?
Meaning, where is the line when personal grooming / hygiene changes into something that potentially alters identity?
Here’s a response from Charlice, an Assistant Professor and highly intelligent, intellectual (and kind) woman, wife and mother:
Hi Tina,
That's a tough question. My first reaction is to think that the line between grooming and identity alteration is defined by mentality, by the reason behind the person's choices. I used to believe automatically that black women who got relaxers were seeking to downplay their black identity. But I've met too many socially conscious black women comfortable in their own skin who happened to wear relaxers to make that assumption anymore. I've worn my hair natural for over 20 years and still occasionally consider getting a relaxer just to get a different style option. Yet, at the same time, I do believe our hairstyle choices are nearly always an effort to define and express our identity to some extent; not just broad racial identities, but also professional, gender, socioeconomic, and idiosyncratic identities. When I think about relaxing my hair, it may not be because I want my hair to look more like a white woman's, but it is often because I think I would look more professional or socially acceptable with a sleeker style. So, in that sense, it would still be a case of identity alteration. And maybe, beneath all those arguments about professionalism, it really does boil down to wanting to look more like a white woman since that really is how a "professional" look is defined. I always have to check myself by asking, "What's so unprofessional about nappy hair or hair that stands up? Who decided that?" As it stands, my choice to wear my hair natural is certainly not just a matter of grooming. It is definitely a political and a social statement. In my case, it is now also about my daughter having one person whose hair looks and feels like hers in a setting where there are few others like us. I think that's important.
Charlice, thanks for such an honest and insightful commentary. What do you all think? Please share your thoughts! J
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Personal Grooming Versus Identity Alteration
Image found at: http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/qf/c/ModernMechanix/4-1933/lrg_face_harness.jpg
Over the next few days, I am going to post some of the responses to a question I recently posed to a few of my readers. While I typically blog about hair, the question gets at a higher order issue of beauty standards. Here is the question:
What is the distinction between grooming and identity alteration?
Meaning, where is the line when personal grooming / hygiene changes into something that potentially alters identity?
Here is a response from Stephanie, a doctoral student at Boston College who studies workplace identities. Her hair has been "in transition" from texturized to natural since December 2010:
"Notes from an aspiring academic"
Grooming/Personal Hygiene: Incremental change- "Changing oneself physically with the intention of being 'neat, clean and/or 'attractive'" Neat + clean = hygiene;
Neat + clean + 'attractive' = grooming
Identity Alteration: Radical change - "Changing a relatively fixed identity through cognitive, physical, and/or behavioral means in order to reconcile 'who one is' with 'who one aspires to be'
What do you all think? Please comment. Thanks!
Personal Grooming Versus Identity Alteration
Image found at: http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/qf/c/ModernMechanix/4-1933/lrg_face_harness.jpg
Over the next few days, I am going to post some of the responses to a question I recently posed to a few of my readers. While I typically blog about hair, the question gets at a higher order issue of beauty standards. Here is the question:
What is the distinction between grooming and identity alteration?
Meaning, where is the line when personal grooming / hygiene changes into something that potentially alters identity?
Here is a response from Stephanie, a doctoral student at Boston College who studies workplace identities. Her hair has been "in transition" from texturized to natural since December 2010:
"Notes from an aspiring academic"
Grooming/Personal Hygiene: Incremental change- "Changing oneself physically with the intention of being 'neat, clean and/or 'attractive'" Neat + clean = hygiene;
Neat + clean + 'attractive' = grooming
Identity Alteration: Radical change - "Changing a relatively fixed identity through cognitive, physical, and/or behavioral means in order to reconcile 'who one is' with 'who one aspires to be'
What do you all think? Please comment. Thanks!
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