Is it true that Cainrow is a rebellious hairstyle?
I came across an article in a mainstream women’s magazine (whose name shan’t be mentioned), where they described the so-called “re-invention”of cainrow as a ‘rebellious, urban’ style. This instantly infuriated me and I questioned,‘Why is it that anything associated with Afro-Caribbeans always has to have a negative connotation?’There is nothing ‘rebellious’ about Cainrow, and I’m pretty sure the hairstyle isn’t worn to resist any form of authority, control, convention, government or leader, because this is EXACTLY what the magazine said when they decided to stigmatise this style with such a horrendous label. Ignorance.
Throughout history black hair has undergone a plethora of identity crisis’ from being forced to submit to European standards of beauty – long, straightened and preferably blonde to being told that traditional styles worn by the Afro-Caribbean culture such as Afros, cainrow, braids and locks are uncool, unpretty and somewhat uncouth. As time has evolved, other cultures have seemed most certainly keen to embrace these type hairstyles, often receiving praise from the media as it if were they’re own, so it seems that these “urban” hairstyles are only glorified when they’re not being worn by anyone who is, well, black.
Hair is hair – long, short, curly, frizzy, afro, kinky, straight, fine, course, medium, red, black, blonde, brunette, whatever it looks like, it’s hair! There are so many different types which are all unique and should each be fully embraced, acknowledged and respected for its own individuality. I am still mortified by the term ‘good hair’, often used frequently in the Afro-Caribbean culture to disregard any hair type that doesn’t fit into the ‘shoulder length hair’ideology. So let me flip the switch for second, ‘What is good hair exactly?’ – and since when does length of hair determine the condition, quality or level of hair care maintenance the hair has received? It’s just as ignorant to believe that hair length is the only indicating factor to determine what “good hair” looks like.
There is a whole history behind black hair, and I would like to highlight the point: that before we start throwing labels at things we do not understand, we really ought to learn about them first. With that being said, I would also like to acknowledge how much the black beauty regimen has evolved, and thanks to social media platforms such as Tumblr as well as representation in the media from celebs such as Solange, Lauryn Hill and India Arie (just to name a few), we can actually see that hair styles of Afro-Caribbean origin are something to be indeed celebrated. Always remember, you are bold and beautiful and there is much history in your hair than you can ever imagine.
(Feature images via tumblr)
