Want to be Becky with the Good Hair?

This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on April 27, 2016.
 
Beyoncé's new song "Sorry" has been the talk of the Internet this week. Widely interpreted as proof that Jay Z has cheated on his wife, people are desperate to learn more. Who is "Becky with the good hair", mentioned in the song? Some women are denying it -- Rachel Roy, for example. Others, like Rita Ora, are hinting that they are Becky. Poor Rachael Ray is an innocent bystander caught in the Rachel Roy fallout and Taylor Swift is a suspect because she always is. Although if Taylor is Becky, she would have already written her own song about it.

I have no idea who Becky is but I am annoyed that the world is focused on finding a woman to blame, when we all know exactly where Jay Z is. That is a subject for a different blog post, however. This one is all about hair. 

For the record, I think you all have perfect hair but if you're looking for a change or are curious about why we care so much about hair, check out these books:

Better than good hair Diy dye Diy updos

Better than Good Hair: the Curly Girl Guide to Healthy, Gorgeous Natural Hair by Nikki Walton
• eBook

DIY Dye: Bright and Funky Temporary Hair Coloring that you do at Home by Loren Lankford
• eBook

DIY Updos, Knots, and Twists: Easy Step-By-Step Styling Instructions for 35 Hairstyles from Inverted Fishtales to Polished Ponytails by Melissa Cook
• eBook

Every woman's guide Going gray Hair a human history Hair story

Every Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair at Any Age: Learn What Can Be Done to Keep a Beautiful Head of Hair for a Lifetime by Lisa Akbari

Going Gray: What I Learned about Beauty, Sex, Motherhood, Authenticity, and Everything Else that Matters by Anne Kreamer

Hair: A Human History by Kurt Stenn
• eBook

Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America by Ayana Byrd
• eBook

Hairstyled Me my hair and i Politics of black women's hair Red a history

Hairstyled: 75 Ways to Braid, Pin and Accessorize Your Hair by Annie Thoumieux
• eBook

Me, My Hair and I: 27 Women Untangle an Obsession edited by Elizabeth Benedict
• eBook

The Politics of Black Women's Hair by Althea Prince

Red: a History of the Redhead by Jacky Colliss Harvey

Related post:

 ----- COMMENT: 
AUTHOR: Sephora 

 I really enjoyed this blog post - you are so funny! 

----- COMMENT: 
AUTHOR: SC 

hile I think that this is an interesting post to link to a pop culture reference, I take issue with the title of the blog post for two reasons: First, why would anyone want to be the woman who was a third party in a marriage? As you mentioned above, it is important to not pin women against each other, especially in cases of infidelity, when men usually are in full view and not facing the same judgement; but insinuating someone would WANT to be the one a husband/boyfriend/partner cheats with plays this competition game between women that is unhealthy and unhelpful. Second, the concept of "good hair" for Black peoples and communities has a long history - as some of the books above explore - and the reference to "good hair" from a Black artist is a particular kind of reference that plays on this history. Wanting to have or be the one with the "good hair" plays on a long tradition of placing a particular type of hair against natural, Afro-Carribean hair - a traditional that has been harmful in body and spirit to many Black folks - and that, again, ranks women and/or plays them off each other. I take no issue with the content of the post nor the link to pop culture, but I suggest you rethink the title because it is sexist, racist, and offensive as a result.

DATE: 04/27/2016 


 ----- COMMENT: 
AUTHOR: AR E

 
Possible additions to your list: 'Da kink in my hair (Trey Anthony)

 Good hair (Chris Rock)  :)

DATE: 04/27/2016 

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