Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published April 12, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 12, 2007 at 2:03 AM

E-mail article     Print view

"The other n-word": nappy

For African-American women, hair has been the battleground for definitions of beauty. And when it comes to their hair, no word is more incendiary...

Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — For African-American women, hair has been the battleground for definitions of beauty. And when it comes to their hair, no word is more incendiary than "nappy."

So when Don Imus described members of Rutgers University's women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos," he not only devalued a talented group of young women with a misogynistic term. He also stepped into a fray over "good hair" vs. "bad hair" that has gone on for generations in the black community, stirring up pain and anger over a word that little black girls still lob at one another each other as an insult.

" '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 Chicago's South Side.

The negative meaning of nappy — a reference to tightly curled hair — has been attacked over the years as Afros, dreadlocks and other natural styles celebrated the coarse texture of most African hair.

Yet, despite tote bags, shirts and books that proclaim "Happy to Be Nappy," for some blacks the word implies that people are not beautiful unless their hair is straight.

"Nappy can be considered the other n-word sometimes," said Lanita Jacobs-Huey, an anthropologist and associate professor at the University of Southern California.

But pair the word nappy with "ho" and it's a particularly traumatic slur, Jacobs-Huey said.

"When Don Imus uses the term, it can be painful," she said, noting that the context added to the insult. "He said 'nappy-headed,' making a derogatory comment about hair, and paired it with 'hos,' which is a sexual reference. It plays to how black women have been sexualized in the media."

Hair stylist Larry Parker said the word is tossed around often, especially in hair salons. But it all depends on who is saying it and what they mean.

"African Americans can say it to each other because we know what it feels like to wear that name or that label," he said. "But others outside our race can't say it. They don't understand it, they don't have to live it and they don't identify with it."

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Senate Democrats split on health bill's fate

UPDATE - 01:13 PM
SC gov faces 37 charges he broke state ethics laws

U.K. started planning early for war, leaked papers show

Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm

India's feeling bruised even before White House visit

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

Advertising