Straight and “Nappy”
This article talks about how Imus’ slur highlights the use of “nappy” amongst African-Americans. After listening to what Imus said, no one seems to have focused on what his producer said about “Wannabes” and “Jigaboos” (in reference to Spike Lee’s move School Daze) It contained the following line:
Don’t you wish you had hair like this then the boys would give you a kiss talk about nothin’ but bliss then you gonna see what you missed
I can’t really think of an incident public or not (except this one) in which a white person referred to “nappy” hair… That is a black thing and where I grew up, it was always something negative…it meant that that person hadn’t combed their hair.
Tight. Kinky. Coiled.
All three have been used to define the word “nappy,” and, historically, the term nappy has been used to describe the hair that grows from the heads of most African-Americans.
While accurate based purely on the definition, it has been perceived by many as an insult to be called “nappy-headed.” Undeniably, radio shock jock Don Imus’ reference to the Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team last week as “nappy-headed hos” was demeaning and degrading
[...]
His comments, however, have raised once again the ghost of racism past and its lingering impact.
All would agree about the derogatory reference to hos (whores), but there’s a movement among African-Americans to reclaim the word nappy as something positive
“Historically, people have always looked at nappy as something negative, especially black folks,” said Nate Mitchell, owner of Natural Choice hair salon in Oakland.
Mr. Mitchell’s salon caters to those who’ve made the choice to forgo relaxers and return their hair to its natural texture. Still, some of those people, because of the negativity associated with nappy hair, are reticent about the path they’ve chosen. “Even here we have to convince our customers a lot of the time, that their hair is beautiful so they can feel good about what they’re getting done here.” [MORE...]
Another article: Imus steps into ongoing fray about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ hair
an animated discussion unfolded in black beauty salons and barbershops across the Chicago area.
“`Nappy-headed’ means you don’t look good. They used that word on slaves, like we don’t have hair that’s good enough,” said Tina Branch, a hair stylist on the city’s South Side. Her clients nodded in agreement.
“It’s a word that makes you feel bad, like you don’t look your best.”
[...]
As Branch discussed the word in her salon, her co-workers and clients piped upon the topic. At her salon, most of the women come in to have their hair straightened and styled.
“I ain’t nappy-headed,” said Monique McCoy. “I’ve got a comb. That word is for people who can’t get their hair straight.”
Ms McCoy, in the quote above, seems to be using the word in the sense that I grew up knowing it.
“It don’t look good to be nappy-headed,” Branch said as she explained that for many African-Americans “good” hair is still considered European-style straight. [MORE...]
Controversial question: If skin lightener is “changing the creation” and hence ‘haram’ (forbidden) then why do the same people often encourage the use of relaxers and perms for black women when asked about it? Why is that not “changing the creation” as well?
Filed under: Race
There is also the term ‘notty headed’ and what about having a ‘kitchen’?
Aight one time the Po Po’s in Chicago rolled up on me and my brother’s house party (jive translation: I can recall a time in my youth when several of Chicago’s finest from the Polce Department broke up a house party that my brother and I were hosting). They then commenced to give my brother a beat down. I warned them to leave my brother alone. At that warning they took his head and smashed it into a concrete wall. I then bum rushed about 10 officers, jumping all over their backs like a maniac. After they restrained me, they let this butch white cop at me. I woulda get her a$$ if I wasn’t handcuffed. By the times my girls got downstairs and saw what happened and were crying, a white male police officer screamed at them and told them to, “get your NAPPY HEADED A$$ES out of here!” They ran away terrified. I was like what, who you calling nappy headed?!
You got a fatwa saying skin lightening is haram?
SIGH - I’m tired of this incident… I’ll be back, once I go back to the various black forums I post on, so I can cut and paste what I’ve expressed.
While I have the floor, I am TIRED of Muslims and Blacks playing the race/islamophobia game… It’s old.
As a black woman, I am more offended when I hear these things from black men and women. I’m tired of blacks asking me if I have a weave because my hair has length, bounce and healthy (because it’s not full of chemicals http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/us/2007/04/11/mattingly.race.double.standard.univ
Respects starts with self, our homes, our respective communities. Darling Muslims pay attention. Learn from the mistakes we (blacks) have made - the first being TRYING TOO DAYUM HARD TO make the white man love and accept us! Muslims are making this mistake - grinning like Cheshire cats in nonMuslim faces. NO, I am not saying don’t be cordial and civil (we should be this way regardless of whom we are dealing with, but STOP trying to FORCE folks to love/accept you).
Imus needs a perm, and so does that white boy I saw on Metro this morning (5:30 am is too early for such a sight – Abu Sinan are you rocking an afro brother? LOL
Really, we have more important things to shout about – the pedophiles in our communities, decrepit schools which have NO heat and/or A/C – can our children learn in such an environment?! Hell NO! Teachers which other districts don’t want (because of their mediocrity) educating our children.
See what happens when you send the world mix messageS?! http://www.thestar.com/News/article/200265
SIGH - I’m tired of this incident… I’ll be back, once I go back to the various black forums I post on, so I can cut and paste what I’ve expressed.
While I have the floor, I am TIRED of Muslims and Blacks playing the race/islamophobia game… It’s old.
As a black woman, I am more offended when I hear these things from black men and women. I’m tired of my black men, SOME, not all calling my sisters who wear natural styles, including locks, nappy! Remember back in the day we all wore, “Happy I’m Nappy,” shirts in celebration of our RICH black heritage?!
I’m tired of the rap industry which basically says to the world that my beautiful black sisters are hoes… YET none of our so called Black leaders/activist are speaking out. Where are the protesters? Why no outrage?! I’m tired of BS mixed messages like this —-> http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/us/2007/04/11/mattingly.race.double.standard.univ
Respects starts with self, our homes, our respective communities. Darling Muslims pay attention. Learn from the mistakes we (blacks) have made - the first being TRYING TOO DAYUM HARD TO make the white man love and accept us! Muslims are making this mistake - grinning like Cheshire cats in nonMuslim faces. NO, I am not saying don’t be cordial and civil (we should be this way regardless of whom we are dealing with, but STOP trying to FORCE folks to love/accept you).
Imus needs a perm, and so does that white boy I saw on Metro this morning (5:30 am is too early for such a sight – Abu Sinan are you rocking an afro brother? LOL
Really, we have more important things to shout about – the pedophiles in our communities, decrepit schools which have NO heat and/or A/C – can our children learn in such an environment?! Hell NO! Teachers which other districts don’t want (because of their mediocrity) educating our children.
Bint Will, that is exactly what I was thinking. Basically he is saying what he has heard other African Americans say. And he is always mouthing off on everybody. He is a nobody really, I am really surprised at all the hoopla when as you said there is so much more important things to get indignant about.
Now Bro. Tariq, why do you always have to open a can of worms….. You know this is a very, very sensitive issue with Black women (even though they are not the only ones who chemically straighten their hair). I know women who are extremely proud of being Black but will not ever consider giving up the perm. Its very hard when there is so much competition amongst women, to not do something that most men find attractive.
Apparantly Barrack Obama has expressed is outrage at this. Umm Abdullah is correct, this is a sensitive subject for AAW. I would like to know how our AA brothers feel about this. Are you offended on behalf of your mothers, sisters, and daughters (cuz we no we ain’t y’all wives).
Umm Adam, why should our black brothers feel outraged when they are the first to call us whores and nappy headed. A few months ago my husband and I were trying to help a sister get married. My husband has a black friend who happens to be a contractor, so we suggested he check this sister out and if it’s meant to be, he get an old house and fix it up for her. you know what this PUNK said, “I’m not doing that for a NAPPY HEADED NIGGER, when I can go to Morocco and get a sister.” AGain, why cry when we accept this CUSSWORD from our own?!
“…the use of relaxers and perms for black women when asked about it?”
Tariq, I DEMAND that you issue an apology because you completely ignored the plight of all the pimps who got perms, relaxers, conks, and processes. Pimps have feelings too you know.
Bint Will…talk about audacity! Was that an actual quote? Did he not realise you are black and how dare he say that to your non black husband. That is why Imus felt it was OKay to say it. Please tell me he isn’t Muslim.
http://www.kansascity.com/182/story/66339.html
Umm Adam, you know he was. I feel sorry for these Moroccan sisters that are marrying brothers like that for green cards. Talk about recipe for dysfunctional marriage.
Whew!!
Bint Will, your husband should have checked that brother. No, actually that guy needs to get professional help. He is sick in the head. He has clearly internalized racism and projected it on Black women. Was his mother a nappy headed nigger? His grandmother? Or what about all his female ancestors who struggled just so his sorry behind could come into being? That is truly undignified behavior. I feel sorry for the Moroccan sister that is duped into marrying his self-despising behind.
Black activists and community leaders, such as Cornell West and Sonia Sanchez, often critique misogyny in the Black community. Many activists do not condone the lyrics that degrade women or media depictions that support promote colorism. It is not like we are blind, deaf, and dumb. It is just that positive voices are rarely heard.
Umm Adam, unfortunately he was black AND Muslim. Yes, this is what the CHUMP said VERBATIM. I look black, can’t pass for anything, perhaps African or Jamaican at best LOL If I did not look my grannie nannie (pops grandma) then I would believe I am adopted or mom has something to tell me.
Only one male comment and it was NOT to defend our honor.
Happy To Be Nappy!
On the use of Nappy:
I am surprised that the uproar surrounding this man’s statements concerns him using the word “nappy”, as if “Ho” has become so common place in its use to describe women that his use of it really means nothing. That is what surprises me about the whole ‘debate’.
On the other hand, for him to use the word nappy and why reminds me of ChuckD, when he commented on the whole eminem using the word nigger. If i had a link i’d post it, he had interesting thoughts on that issue.
On the use of skin-lighteners vs. hair straighteners:
I would imagine that the issue here (shara’ wise) is two-fold:
1- the problem of harm: skin lighteners harm the skin, and cause health problems.
2- the problem of permanency: skin lighteners are semi-permanent (in their damage not effect) where as a perm will always grow out.
A humble reminder to everyone, to always keep in mind that Allah is watching us, may he bless us to be mindful of what we write and how we write it.
Umm Adam,
I will be the first in line to defend your honor sis’. Who said what? Where he at?? Lemme at ‘em.
Mr. Nelson and his incidiary posts strike again.
Bismillah.
As-salamu alaykum . . .
Just so you know, when I was growing up, and somewhat recently, I have heard white people use the word “nappy” to describe the quality and texture of hair, plain and simple, not that it was somehow a derogatory comment or even racial. I myself have described my own hair this way! (and hence why I always ask for attachment #2 when I go to the barber. I never let my hair grow out, for this very reason, it is nappy!).
I don’t even want to get into the whole debate about this character and all that has happened. I haven’t even read anything about it anyways… Just wanted to share about the use of the word “nappy” as a simply descriptive term. Oh, and by the way, it is the same word that the British commmmmmonly use for diaper!
salaam,
Would the issue of changing Allah’s creation apply since the natural hair grows back?
Couldn’t one use the example of colouring one’s hair, even with henna?
Very nice blog btw
long timer reader, first time poster (sorry, I’ve actually always wanted to say something like that)
Hood, I had similar thoughts as you did (why is nobody making a big deal out of the Ho comment). But the article addressed that, that we all agree that was derogatory. No debate there.
Um Abdullah - I’ve finally read the article posted on Kansascity.com. I’ve made the same points on various black - supposedly afro centric and progressive black forums. Ironically I was accused of coonery - gotta love the ignorance LOL
Khalil - I get your point about the use of the term in Britain, we have to bear in mind things are different elsewhere. It’s common in black America to have pookie as a nickname; those who speak Tagalog take it to mean something else (female genital organ). Also for us, a fanny back is one of those pouches you place around your waist, for the British (if I am not mistaken, it means something else). Nappy is a derogatory term in America, though some afro centric blacks will use it in a positive manner, but overall it has a negative connotation, as well as a denotation.
Hood – I hear what you are saying. IMHO, both perms and skin bleachers are harmful. Women need to read and research the ingredients keeping in mind those chemicals are seeping into the body. Most perms have lye and just about the same chemicals in them as housecleaners. Perms strip (destroy) the hair and many women have scalp damage because of them, others have been chemically burned - OUCH. I don’t know what to say (that’s good or nice) about putting bleach on your skin. I’m still in shock that people intentionally put bleach on their skin. But hey, women love to destroy themselves with various chemicals, including modern day birth control and period stopping pills – then we wonder why we have all the issues we do. Even during childbirth, we are adding chemicals to our bodies and later paying the price. A lot of women who had epidurals (which are very unnecessary) now suffer back problems. *Sigh*
Since I’ve shifted the convo to health, do you know how many illnesses can be controlled simply by changing our diets and being active? Yet, we prefer to overload our systems with chemicals. Okay, I’m going I have work to do
Bintwill,
It would be good if you can share some information on safer alternatives for all of the above.
Hood - yes, I will insha Allah
Bint Will,
No, I have to admit I dont have an afro! LOL! This white guy here keeps his hair nice and short, usually even shaved down to a nice #2 cut.
As a white guy married to an Arab, I’ll give my opinion on this whole thing.
My wife has very curly hair. It is soft and fine, but like I said, very curly. I think this is one of the reasons she gets mistaken for a Moroccan sometimes.
I prefer hair natural, whether it is curly, straight, fine, rough, “nappy” or not.
As a white guy I will say that African women, both American and from the continent, are just fine the way they are. Keep it nature, dont put chemicals in your hair, dont put too much makeup on your face.
Nature is best, God knew what He was doing when he made us.
If you African American sisters cannot find AA brothers who want you because you are proud to look and be the way God made you, that is fine, white brothers like myself will be more than happy to take you. Their loss is our gain.
Natural is best!
Bint Will,
Just a comment about the “fanny” issue in the UK. I lived there for several years and have been traveling there off and on for about 20 years now.
I have a funny story to relate. I was in a Tesco (grocery store) looking to pick up some Jaffa Cakes, crips and some soda a few years ago.
It was a crowded Friday night right after work so the aisles were packed. There was an American lady in there with her little daughter and the little girl was throwing a fit. The mother turned around, in a very loud voice and said “little missy, if you dont watch it I am going to smack your fanny”.
The whole aisle went very quiet as people turned to look and stare. I am not sure the lady even noticed it, but I sure did. I guess the American lady didnt know that in the UK “fanny” is not the backside of a person, it is the “frontside” of a female.
O, I was in the US DoD and worked with an American sergent there named “Pratt”. Unfortunately for him “pratt” in the UK means “idiot” or “stupid”. It was a doiuble whammy because he was. We’d get these MoD (Ministry of Defense) workers coming in asking for “Sergent Idiot”.
I love the UK………….feeling homesick for England now………lol
I bet the ‘bruthas’ are having a field day on Abu Sinan’s comment. Some are saying, “you can have them nappy headeded ho’s”, some are thinking racist statements about ‘the white man’ lusting after black women, and others will probably (and should) feel ashamed of themselves.
I will say that I agree with him (I know a first time for everything). My white husband absolutely adores me, masha’Allah. He only allows me to wear khol on my eyes and sometimes lipgloss. I don’t have a problem with it, because I don’t like makeup anyway and really have no desire to wear it and according to my husband no need. He too loves natural hair and even asked me why I didn’t wear braids. The only AA men you will find that CLAIM to love natural hair on women and no makeup are the afrocentric uber negroes with white wives and mixed daughters in cornrolls (sweeping generalization). I have seen non black men love the darkess of the sistaas with the most negroid features. To me this is the fitrah. Allah says in the Quran that he made us into nations and tribes so that we may know one another. If the bruthas don’t want the sistaas, that is fine they are not the only men Allah created and the sistaas need to wake up and realise that you are not cheating on the black race if you marry outside of it and there is no reason to feel loyal to it. Personal preference is another story. Bruthas do have it going on and the whole world can testify to that as they are probably the most desired man of any race. They know it sistaaas..don’t sweat them. They’ll come back…they always do.
I actually think the obsessive media interest with the Imus issue, particularly the past 2 days, has been a good thing for this country. It is forcing people, who might otherwise dismiss the issue (”he said sorry, let’s move on”), to confront their own perspectives. This doesn’t mean all of us will reflect, but if it gets more families & folks discussing the deeper malaise beyond Imus’ career prospects - then all praise is due to the Most Wise.
I have to say that the Rutgers team & coach, Al Sharpton, Bruce Gordon, Jesse Jackson, the National Association of Black Journalists, and others have conducted themselves with admirable class, and inspiring steadfastness in this entire affair.
Maybe when Black Folks stop bein’ entertainment for white folks that some of this shit will fall away. After all, it’s people like Imus, who find the term amusing because of certain music they listen to, use it. Black Folks is still shuckin’ and jivin’ for The Man. I have to say, back when Miles [Davis for those not in the know] was makin’ music, it was Black Music and it had integrity. It tackled some social issues but damn…, it was dignified! Question is: When we gon’ get dignified?
That is an excellent point about Miles, Marc. What a dignified man Snoop is
Well we got along way to go before we regain our dignity, we too indignant. Snoop look like he got a lil Indian in his family, see why the Cherokee nation done dissed us. This N-word made me loose my card. Well I didn’t actually have a card…but I had bragging rights!
Finally, on Meet the Press, an extended meditation on what happens when the Bad Thing gets caught in the light reflecting off of Dom Imus’ colossal ego.
Allow me to explain.
Tolstoy said: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
Which is about half right.
Every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, but the razory maw of the beast that bores its way though the bones of every malignantly dysfunctional family has the same name.
The Bad Thing.
The Bad Thing is the light-stealing singularity around which the malignantly dysfunctional family orbits. It is incest or serial abuse. It is violent alcoholism. Thing for your livelihood, you will do and say anything — anything — to keep from having to face the true villainy of what it is you have come to serve, and what it is you have allowed yourself to become to serve it.
So it was this Sunday on Meet the Press when Gwen Ifill – for whom I have not had a lot of love in the past – and Eugene Robinson (who I like a lot) delivered a truth-laden and withering lesson on the provenance and prevalence of hatespeech in the media. The casual viciousness of it, and the conspicuous fact that so many of the Media Elite have been so utterly complicit in letting things get so bad.
And Ms. Ifill did not deliver her measured and (for network teevee) harsh jeremiad in a vacuum. She delivered it sitting across from the whitest, pastiest, third-rate, soft-toned, media-bestriding apologist for Conservativism in America today: David *ucking Brooks.
Bobo: We have to remember that a lot of this is comedy? And other people like Howard Stern and Bill Mahr have to look out…
Ifill: Doesn’t comedy have to be funny?
John Harwood: What about Borat? Some people say he’s s stitch. But some people say…
Ifill: Oh *uck you. We know where the line is. We know where the offense is. But the best way to dilute this argument/discussion is to keep saying “What about this” and “What about that?”
Bobo: Borat is cruel too. He is cruel to people who are bad on teevee.
Bobo serves the Bad Thing and so Bobo is horribly uncomfortable with the dark corners into which the Imus tempest might blow his little pastel wingnut outrigger. He tried constantly and desperately to steer the conversation away from those scary rocks out into friendlier waters.
Out to a discussion of “the larger picture.”
“The public culture”.
To keep widening the lens until everything is as gray and flat and featureless as his prose.
Yes, kids, you are hearing right: the champions of lock-and-load, lock-em-up-forever, no-mealymouth-excuses-about-how-hard-your-life-has-been Personal Responsibility Conservativism (so long as we’re just talking about muggers and pickpocket and car thieves) and are now desperately and loudly trumpeting their new truth:
That…wait for it…waaaait for it…Society Is To Blame.
That the coarsening of the culture is to blame.
We have now lived long enough to see the Rich, Powerful White People’s Brigade sprint for shelter in the loving arms of “We Were Victims of Circumstances!”
And who is to blame for the plight of po’, po’, wealthy, Caucasian Elites who get caught using their positions of privilege and power to slam and slander the weak and powerless.
Why, those awful Negroes of course. And their Devil Jungle Music! And probably Bill Clinton too, although we’re not yet sure exactly how to string him up for this one just yet.
Ifill: Judge the man by his actions.
Ifill: There has been radio silence about this. Newsweek, who sends all of their reporters on that show, were completely silent over this. Until his show was cancelled. Then and only then did they announce that their people would no longer be treading the Imus boards.
Ifill: The reason it took so long for the media elite to speak up is that they were so deeply complicit.
Robinson: That’s what hurt so much. That these were the best and brightest. These were not the baggy pants kids.
It was, on the whole, a good discussion, but three huge points were mostly overlooked.
First, however lacerating language may be, there is a completely different tenor when using language to take on the powerful, the hateful, the bigoted and the enemies of civil society…and using that language to either premeditatedly or gratuitously beat on the weak, the powerless, the noble, the honorable, the poor, the sick, the lame, the halt, the sick.
It is a categorically different thing for the landed and the privileged to thug on “the least of these”, and they f(**&() well know it, which is why the Right has had to pour so much time and money over the decades remarketing their whole mythology of victimhood.
That symphony of lies lifted wholesale from the dregs of the Confederacy and the White Supremacist movement to explain to the faithful why their leadership caste of rich, tubby, white bigots and their orc legions are really The Oppressed.
That entire encyclopedia of mendacity devoted to explaining why Bible-pounding, Christ-defiling demagogues with their own satellite networks, teevee stations, coast-to-coast radio empires, publishing houses, marketing firms, think tanks, congressmen, senators, embedded journalists, President, political Party, newspapers, tax-free rivers of revenue, Constitutionally-protected citadels, and a dozen doggie-doors straight into the heart of the White House…are really a horribly put-upon minority. Are really being subjugated by the Sekrit Liberal Elite Media Cabals working to destroy America by aiding terrorists and working with atheist scientists to take away our freedom by faking up a “Global Warming” crisis. The entire operations is run by man-hating feminists, abortionists and obscure assistant professors, accessorized and sexualized by queers, with muscle provided by Dirty Commie Labor Unions, soundtrack provided by Welfare Queens and funding by George Soros.
Second, the panel almost entirely avoided noticing that for twenty years the Right has made its political bones openly trafficking in the Bad Thing.
That the entire Conservative movement owes its electoral successes entirely to its efficient cultivation of the rawest, ugliest and most virulent hatespeech imaginable, and it’s harvesting of its poison fruits at election time. That far from paying the kind of steep cultural price these weak children and neocon stalking horses of the MSM suddenly seem giddily anxious to charge to everyone’s account equally regardless of rank, privilege or context (in the name of Holy “Fairness”), the Right has been lavishly rewarded for adopting the language, habits and attitudes of racists, sexists, homophobes and theocrats.
Third, the embrace of White Supremacist ideological infrastructure dressed up in Biblical language was not an accident. This was done by the Right willingly, carefully and by design. For twenty years the Right has pioneered the use of 1,000 decibel demonization, slander and lies as a matter of tactical necessity. Their leaders and elite media apologist like David Brooks know it, but for twenty years they have stayed silent regarding the simple fact that the entire Ponsi Scheme of Conservativism is built on hateful words and despicable ideas.
Which means that without Limbaugh and Coulter…
Without Hannity and Hume…
Without Will and Gingrich…
Without DeLay and Drudge…
Without Coulter and Malkin…
Without O’Reilly and Savage…
Without Dobson and Cheney…
Without Goldberg and Lott…
Without Falwell and Roberson…
Without Schafly and Tancredo…
Without all the rest of that loud, vile, Democracy-loathing freak-show…
There. Is. No. Republican. Party.
Period.
There. Is. No. Conservative. Movement.
Period.
Without their legion of demagogues, all of those cozy think tanks and glorious corporate welfare giveaways and high value-added wars and plush teevee pundit gigs would vanish in a puff of stink and a flutter of Confederate flags.
They are The Bad Thing and so, for twenty years, The Bad Thing has remained frantically unacknowledged and deafeningly unheard by the David Brookses of the world.
But now the Bad Thing has crawled onto a national stage and take a huge shit under a big spotlight, which is why the Media Bobos are freaked out.
Because the god-fearing, Party of Personal Responsibility Conservatives are terrified that the general public will finally notice that they are the ones who bear the primary responsibility for premeditatedly eradicated civil discourse in our society.
Terrified of finally being forced to submit to that paternity test.
posted by driftglass @ 9:56 PM
Umm Adam, the funny thing is many, not all, Indians do not consider Cherokees as real Indians. Either you are Indian or you aren’t, regardless of what any law says. This is as asinine as the one drop of black blood (which basically forces one to deny who (s)he is).
Eric
Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts !