Hair Drama

I say, "Thank goodness for Jungle Fever!" When we were children the array of multiracial hair care products just didn't exist. It's a new day and now for a small fortune or a lot of research into homemade alternatives, you too (I'm speaking to the ashy-headed mixie in all of us), can have dope hair.

I think Rob touched on this...the main issue is the mom's relationship to her childrens' hair. Even my hair will "dread up" if I don't brush it for a week...maybe two...aw hell, it would take a good month to dread. I won't isolate white moms in this rant. Black people struggle with biracial hair just as much. I can't recall how many Black salons I visited, both as a child and an a adult, that tried to flip-it-slap-it-and-rub-it-down with some type of greasy goop better suited for taming a buffalo's ass...more to come...gotta go get the kids!

The Dilemma of Hair

Okay, it may be a little early in our blog to get into the infamous "hair" conversation, but I have to share. Yesterday I went to my friendly spa for a wax (TMI). As I was leaving, one of the employees (who I see regularly) asked me what kind of products I use on my hair. NOTE: my hair was curly, I had just washed it and run out the door. I told her a few things had used/currently use and she took copious notes.

When I looked at her funny (her straight, blonde hair would not be receptive to Aveda Be Curly or Mixed Chicks Leave in conditioner or Abba Mint Conditioning shampoo for curly hair), she informed me that she had two bi-racial children and she just didn't know what to do with their hair. She said that her son's hair would "dread up" (her words) in the back and she had a hard time combing it out. Then she showed me a picture -- this kid's hair was light brown with big, soft curls (FYI - no dreads in sight). The little girl was just as gorgeous, with shiny black curls.

I asked her what she was currently putting in their hair and she said BABY LOTION. I have heard of many white mothers doing this because the just didn't know what to do. I recommended that she simply use a soft baby shampoo and conditioner if needed, but not to weigh their hair down with too many products, especially made for the body not the hair! She was so grateful for the help, but I felt bad for the tens of thousands of mothers like her who are looking at their small black children and shuddering at the thought of having to tame their hair.

In the end, I think that you have to let it do what it will and find gentle, non-alcohol based products that will not strip their hair of vital moisture. But I think this is a great topic to outline since so many women are struggling with this issue.

One last note. The other thing to keep in mind is that not every mixed kid has the same type of hair! My sister's hair is much more coarse and thick than mine, but mine is fine and curly (when it wants to be). How are products supposed to account for this?

Finally!

I'm super-excited that we're finally doing this. We have these flashback conversations all the time during which we recount our sordid tales and escapades noting one common thread: how similar our experiences are. Sure, a lot of that has to do with the fact that we've known each other for over a decade and we lived together. But, the discussions usually take on more of a memoir feel...the scratchy chronicles of ashy-headed misfits-turned-cool-girls. Kindred spirits -- odd, huh? Iowa to NYC. Nuclear family to model of dysfunction. 90210 to creepy gumbo night at the stranger's house...THE SAME!

Welcome to Mixed Revues!

In this blog, we'll discuss all the fascinating (and wonderfully mundane) issues bi-racial and multiracial people of the world uniquely experience. Enjoy!