For my paper on N-identities, I had a hard time choosing a what I specifically wanted to focus on. I bounced back-and-forth between my identity as a female and my identity as an African American. Then I came across the idea of focusing on aspect of myself that involved a combination of both of these identities. I wrote about embracing the natural hair that I was born with as I entered into adulthood, despite the influences from the media, society, and my culture.
In my paper I discussed how growing up, all the Black women within the media had long, straight, silky hair. I was born with naturally, thick, kinky, curly hair and I always aspired to look like these women. I went through phases in which I would wear straight hairstyles just so I could look like the women I saw on TV. But one day it occurred to me that it's not necessary to conform to society's warped view of ideal beauty and I realized the happiness that comes in just being my natural self. I realized that this is that way that I was born; I had no control over what hair type I was born with, so I decided to just embrace it.
I really enjoyed the N-identity section in Gee's article. Prior to reading this article and writing the paper N-identities, I had never really thought of the impact that my hair had on my identity or the connection that my hair had to my identity as an African American female. My original view of identity was pretty narrow; I usually only thought about the basics (gender, race, and religion). It was interesting to see how the media, my culture, and society all influenced my decisions growing up.
I know it is said that the media often negatively influences society, but I also know there are TV commercials and shows that encourage men and women to be themselves and embrace their flaws. Do you think these forms of media are effective in doing so? Or is society more interested in attempting to achieve the unrealistic standards of beauty seen in the media instead?
Gee, J. P. (200). Identity as an analytic lens for research in education. Retrieved from http://www.jamespaulgee.com/sites/default/files/pub/Identity.pdf
Myriah, what a wonderful and captivating post!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everything you discussed: when thinking about the things we value today, it's really quite sad that everything is superficial and biased. I have seen millions of these commercials you wrote about, elevating the women with perfect "silky-strait" hair, sending off the idea that if you have anything but this look, you are unworthy. Taking this superficial notion a step farther, I can't even being to imagine how it effects you as a Black Woman: everything they show as--in their terms--"RIGHT" is against your natural, God-given beauty that ties directly to your race. Heck, I often feel the pressure to conform to the ideal look!!! I am not naturally a blonde and though it is my personal preference to die my hair blonde, I know for a FACT that it must have stemmed from the idea that my natural hair color--wheat brown--was unacceptable and undesirable.
With all that being said, I truly do think that this notion is taking a slight turn for the better: Dove is known for embracing inner beauty and with every commercial they put out, they are showing REAL women with inner and outer beauty that defines who they are-- and it's certainly not silicone-drenched extensions blowing in the wind!!! I believe the movement of finding our N-Identities as a blessing is coming forth and making a name for itself: we are starting to see that it's OK to have a bad hair day; its OK to have frizz; its OK to be different. I know that it will take a very long time before the whole idea is switched and we focus on REAL beauty, but so far, I believe we are headed in the right direction. Embracing who you are starts off by recognizing and realizing who you are--unbiased, unprocessed, and unfiltered. The N-Identities are often times hated, but I think that they are actually "The Diamond in the Rough!"
Thanks missy :)