Yes, It’s A Weave
By Sam Kassé
What is it about the fascination of a black woman with long hair, that possesses people to lean in an whisper “Is that really your hair?”
Oh, the number of times I have been asked this! From coworkers I have known for a few weeks, to people I have met at a party and known for ten minutes, to the absolute stranger sitting next to me on the subway.
For starters, can we clear something up. Not only black women wear weaves. I mean, have years and years of Top Model taught you nothing? Women of all races wear them. Though there is a trend of some women referring to their weaves as extensions. This is an attempt to make the fact you have fake hair sewn into your real hair, seem somehow more refined. It’s all the same thing.
Secondly, I too see women ever day who have physical aspects that I am curious about. Are her teeth veneers? Are those contacts – nobody has eyes that blue! I wonder if her boobs are real? Did she get lip injections — do people still get lip injections? The difference is, I know better than to actually open my mouth and ask any of these questions.
It is not that I am ashamed of wearing a weave. You will never catch me trying to play it off as if it is my naturally grown hair. Personally, I find women who do that utterly ridiculous. I love wearing a weave for the same reason I love switching up my nail colour ever week. I like the way it looks on me, therefore, I get it done.
My problem is that it is none of your business. Why did you feel the need to ask? If you like my hair, that is great. Just compliment me on it, and go about your day. If you don’t like it, then you are entitled to your wrong opinion, please keep that opinion to yourself and move along. What is knowing if my hair is “real” or “fake” going to do for you? Nothing. You are just being nosey, and your question is going to turn that nosiness into rudeness.
So unless you know her very, very well, do not ask a black woman about her hair, because it is none of your concern. Even more importantly than that, do not touch her hair, but that is a whole different article for another day.