In “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain”, Alice
Walker talks about her personal growth and how the idea of being limited by her
hair put a cap on this growth. Walker appeals to her audience in a
lighthearted, humorous way and speaks from a personal perspective. “When Black
Hair Is Against the Rules” by Ayana Byrd and Lori L. Tharps, the authors relate
to the same experience, and primarily focus on how the armed forces discriminate
against certain hairstyles because they do not follow their agenda. I think
that both authors were trying to convey the idea that America favors an agenda
of primarily white characteristics, and that this mainstream idea of what is
acceptable or normal can be limiting to the expressive freedoms of minority
groups. Walker talks about how her own conception of how she thought she had to
wear her hair was limiting her from truly being herself and embracing who she
was. Although there was no physical law restricting her from embracing these
hairstyles and no-one was directly telling her that she couldn’t wear her hair
in its natural state, there was a psychological tendency to want to be like
everyone else that was limiting in its own respect, as well as a societal
tendency to regard these hairstyles as “lesser” or “abnormal”. I think she was
trying to explain to her audience that oppression can take many different
forms, and that having to limit or change yourself in any way to appeal to the “norm”
can be dangerous and destructive to one’s sense of individualism and
self-expression. Byrd and Tharps also hit on this same point in a more direct way
by giving concrete evidence of this oppression through examples of how the
military prescribes certain hairstyle restrictions because they do not follow
their primarily white agenda.
Both readings were about the hair of african americans, and how society tries to restrict and hate black hair, but "Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain" is about being liberated by the natural growth of hair even when the world around tries to tell individuals that black hair must be tamed and changed. "When Black Hair is Against the Rules" is more about the actual ruled restrictions that are in place in the army and in some schools regarding black hair. These restrictions in place don't take into account the natural tendencies of black hair, and dont respect the differences between different ethnic hairs. It points to the claim that America tries to point everyone in the direction of "being more white". "Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain" is more empowering while "When Black Hair is Against the Rules" is more of a cry for freedom from society.
ReplyDeleteAyana Byrd, Lori L. Tharpsapril, and Alice Walker discuss the ways in which black hair can affect someone in their personal lives and career choice in both of these essays. In Walker’s essay, Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain she talks about the ways in which having black hair took a toll on her personal life, and the emotional distress she sometimes felt because of the hair she had. Walker talks about how she felt like she needed to fit in, and having the hair that she has, did not fit into what is a social norm. Ayana Byrd and Lori L. Tharpsapril on the other hand, talk about how having black hair can affect women’s careers. Both of these women write about how having black hair in the Army is now seen as “against the rules”. They are trying to convey to their audience that discrimination comes in all shapes and forms, including discrimination about hair. Through their writing, both women are able to inform their reader about the restrictions the Army is now putting against women and their choice of hairstyle. This can seem like such a petty problem, but in reality, discrimination is everywhere we look.
ReplyDeleteWhile both “When Black Hair is Against the Rules,” by Ayana Byrd and Lori L. Tharps and “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain,” by Alice Walker both concern the issues of black hair and the ways it has been suppressed in history, the two works have very different tones throughout. “When Black Hair is Against the Rules,” takes on an accusatory tone, criticizing the American military for its seemingly biased rules on hairstyles. Recent updates have made cornrows, dreadlocks, twists, and other traditionally black hairstyles not an option for women in the military. This article is condemning these new rules as biased and unfair to people of color trying to have neat hair while in the military, calling for review and reform by several different parties. However, “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain,” focuses on one woman’s personal experience while growing out her natural hair after keeping it short for years. The author describes her emotional process in learning to love her natural hair. This work still gives examples and reasons to stop limiting black hair, but is much less accusatory and more concerned with inner thoughts related to natural hair, taking a peaceful and self-help sort of tone.
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ReplyDeleteBoth, “When Black Hair is Against the Rules,” by Ayana Byrd and “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain,” by Alice Walker, both present the same issue about black hair. “When Black Hair is Against the Rules", talks about the issue of black hair in the United States armed forces, and how braids and dreads are against the code of regulations. The authors talk about how its so much simpler to take care of your hair this way rather than the way the government would prefer their hair to be done. In the other article, “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain,” Alice Walker talks about her experiences in life and how she was done oppressing her hair because of someone else's wishes and that she would allow it to be what it was always meant to be without interference. Both of these articles take the same stand on black hair but present it in different ways. “When Black Hair is Against the Rules,” is more formal and aimed at a wider group and big wigs in government and “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain,” is more laid back and more geared towards anyone that wants to hear the story. In my opinion I believe that it's wrong to oppress black hair, I believe we should all be aloud to be who we were meant to be.
ReplyDeleteAlice Walker’s “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain” definitely tries to get the audience to relate on a personal level. She speaks on her growth level and the toll her hair has had in that process. After encountering a “ceiling” following her exponential growth she discovered that her “oppressed” hair was exactly what was holding her back. Instead of allowing her hair to grow along with her spirit she had always tried to conquer it, and never had the chance to realize it had its own individual personality. The other article “When Black Hair is Against the Rules” by Ayanna Byrd and Lori L. Tharps speaks to an audience who can’t relate as personally. By sharing the light on a policy offending those affected, this article tries to bring others to an understanding of exactly why its offensive. Putting restrictions on something strictly related to one group of people shouldn’t be allowed. Although I do agree with Walker’s idea that constantly oppressing a certain characteristic will never allow you to develop a love for it, I also understand that the military promotes order and uniformity. In doing this, however, they should keep all races in mind and make it fair for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with your blog post. It took Alice Walker forty years to overcome her unconscious resentment of her hair in "Oppressed Hair Puts a Celeing on the Brain". Walker used to dedicate countless hours to transforming her hair into something it was not until she realized her hair was something individual and a “stop-in-your tracks creation”. Walker was able to become a more spiritually free individual once she discovered how beautiful and unique her hair was and it was something that she couldn't permanently change. This tone of spiritual individuality is very different from the tone in the article “When Black Hair is Against the Rules” by Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps because they directly discuss how unfairly treated African American hair is in America. They particularly focus on how the army’s policy, AR 670-1, does not allow people to pursue hairstyles like cornrows, braids, twists and dreadlocks. This is their way of examining truly how misunderstood and unaccepted black hair is in America, starting from the colonies in the 18th century, when black hair was considered “closer to sheep wool”. If the army isn’t willing to accept black hair, then what does that say about the rest of American culture? Both articles take a different approach to discussing the prejudice against black hair, but the message is very related. America needs to take steps forward to ensure that African American hair is no longer looked at in such a distinct light. Hair is hair no matter what, and one should not feel less accepted or punished because of the texture of their hair.
ReplyDeleteIn both "Oppressed Hair Put a Ceiling on the Brain" by Alice Walker and "When Black Hair is Against the Rules" by Ayana Bird and Lori Tharps, the authors discuss black hair. However, the authors differ on empowerment vs. conformity in today's world. In Byrd and Tharps' online article, the two authors explain the seemingly racist US Army's updated appearance and grooming policy. In this policy,"No distinctions are made for race or ethnicity, only gender, in that the regulations regarding hair are divided between women and men... certain sections pertain specifically to black women, since they refer to hairstyles like cornrows, braids, twists and dreadlocks". This shows that there was overt discrimination against hair that is of European decent rather than African in the US Army's updated policy. In "Oppressed Hair puts a ceiling on the Brain" the author does not discuss race much and instead talks about loving oneself. Walker claims that she became empowered, through the actual physical development of her hair, because it is so unique. While Alice Walker talks about the empowerment of black hair, the two authors of "When Black Hair is Against the Rules" talk about how black hair is not a cultural norm and how conformity to a white hairstyle is often times impossible due to the differing characteristics of black hair.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your blog as well, and how Alice Walker’s essay “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain” uses a more personal and one to one approach. She uses her own personal experiences, feelings, and thoughts to create a connection with her readers. Exposing herself in that way allows for us as readers to realize and acknowledge what she has been through. However, the article “When Black Hair Is Against the Rules” by Ayana Byrd and Lori L Tharps takes a different approach with its readers. The article is more informative than it is relatable, because not everyone has experiences with grooming policies, dress codes, or anything to do with being a part of the military.
ReplyDeleteIn both of these readings, the authors take different approaches to the same issue: black peoples hair. The author of "Oppressed hair put a ceiling on the brain" takes the approach that she felt more empowered by her hair and how it gave her confidence. and the other author of "When black hair is against the rules" takes the approach about how people react to it and gives examples of todays society that are against it. this author talks about how the army was prejudice against black hair and how kids at schools have gotten in trouble for their hair. the other author talks about the feeling of power she got from her hair growing and being braided. i think that people should be more considerate of this because it is something that they are born with and cant help. i have a cousin who is white and has dreadlocks so it is not actually a big deal. it is just a hairstyle and in my opinion dyed hair that is an unnatural color is more distracting than someone with dreaded, braided, etc hair.
ReplyDelete“Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain” by Alice Walker and “When Black Hair Is Against the Rules” by Ayana Byrd and Lori L. Tharps, are both articles about the oppression and restrictions on black hair put by our society today. Walker’s article is a lot more personal and light hearted. She talks about growth as well as her personal life, of how her hair caused her to stress and put a mental ceiling on her brain, and that she now understands why monks and nuns shave their heads. Byrd and Tharps’ article have to do with the army’s restrictions on black hair. The army is limiting or right out banning hairstyles such as cornrows, braids, twists and dreadlocks all hairstyles that pertain specifically to black women.
ReplyDeleteBoth “When Black Hair is Against the Rules,” by Ayana Byrd and Lori L. Tharps and “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain,” by Alice Walker discuss the issues of black hair and how society has put negative connotation on black hair, the articles differ in tone and viewpoints. “When Black Hair is Against the Rules,” takes the stand that the American military for its racial regulations and standards for hair upkeep and hygiene. New regulations have targeted predominately African American hairstyles such as cornrows, dreadlocks, twists, and others for women in the military. This article is targeting these new regulations as biased and racially discriminatory towards African American military service members, the article demands that these new regulations be overturned and reviewed by outside groups. However, “Oppressed Hair Puts a Ceiling on the Brain,” focuses on the authors personal experience while growing out her hair after social negative connotations made her feel forced to keep it short for years. The author describes her journey to learning to love her natural hair. The article goes on to emphasize reasons to stop judging African American hair, but instead of the righteous anger and indignation of the other article the author of this article focuses on how this choice can increase your feeling of self worth and empowerment.
ReplyDelete“When black hair is against the rules” took a stand on African American’s hair in the military. However, I don’t think that this essay was intended to be persuasive. You can definitely tell which side the author is on though, but the information is predominately informative. She gives specific details, events, and time periods, which correlate to the issue at hand. It makes it more credible and believable. I personally didn’t even know that the military had that many restriction for African American hair, which I think is beyond ridiculous. These troops are willing to die for our great nation, and yet their hair is what is of concern. “Oppressed hair puts a ceiling on the brain” also is taking a stand on African American hair, but this author uses a different technique. This essay is primarily based on the author’s personal experiences with dealing with her black hair, which make it more relatable to the reader. Even I can connect with her. Walker spoke of wearing long braids, which are what I grew up wearing as well. Theses personal experiences can add a persuasive touch to the essays. Like myself, if other readers can relate to her personal experiences, then the essay is more persuasive.
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