
Source: Anthony Barboza / Getty
When we think about Black women’s hair being overly scrutinized and policed from nearly every industry, we tend to think about natural, un-processed, unstraightened hair. Eurocentrism being the standard of beauty in this country and the world over explains why Afro-textured hair isn’t readily embraced. But regardless of the ways we move, Black women tend to find ourselves under a judgmental and discriminatory magnifying glass.
In the eighties and nineties when Black women in the public eye were known for wearing their real hair (no extensions or weaves) on television and stage, singer Anita Baker caught flack for wearing her own hair on album covers and in photo shoots.
The legendary singer shared a bit of her story in discussing the story of Deandre Arnold, the Texas senior who was told to cut his locs or he would not be able to walk at graduation.
Baker said that her now signature and iconic hair cut caught flack from people in the industry. In a tweet, Baker wrote:
“Back in the day, every album cover & video? I processed, wrapped, cut & curled my own hair. Stylists kept bringing “ridiculously long, un-textured weaves & wigs.” They felt “my own hair” was not “professional or glamorous enough. … It became “A Thing” A. Beautiful. Thing. This stock photo, is titled “Anita Baker, hair cut” #DoYou #Dared2WearMyOwnHair #StillGotEdges“
Back in the day, Every Album Cover & Video? I processed, wrapped, cut & curled my own hair. Stylists, kept bringing "Ridiculously Long, Un-textured Weaves & Wigs" They felt "My Own Hair", was not "Professional or Glamorous enough"😭😳😂 https://t.co/fOi2aFEHuR pic.twitter.com/WidSDWOB5Z
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) January 24, 2020
Baker is right. At 62-years-old, Anita Baker’s cut has proven timeless. We know because not only is she still rocking it–still full and bouncy as ever–but scads of Black women across the world saw Anita’s hair and wanted to wear theirs just like it.
Back in the day, Every Album Cover & Video? I processed, wrapped, cut & curled my own hair. Stylists, kept bringing "Ridiculously Long, Un-textured Weaves & Wigs" They felt "My Own Hair", was not "Professional or Glamorous enough"😭😳😂 https://t.co/fOi2aFEHuR pic.twitter.com/WidSDWOB5Z
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) January 24, 2020
… 🎈It became "A Thing" A. Beautiful. Thing. This stock photo, is titled "Anita Baker, hair cut" #DoYou #Dared2WearMyOwnHair🎶 #StillGotEdges🙌 pic.twitter.com/63t01nINbD
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) January 24, 2020
After listening to Baker’s story, women started sending in pictures of themselves rocking the Anita Baker cut, sharing how they had been inspired by the singer. See what they had to say on the following pages.
@IAMANITABAKER my 1992 (TV anchor) version on your haircut tho it was growing (big) out. There were a few versions over the years. https://t.co/zOSjniKwGV pic.twitter.com/acZOFFtmEQ
— Kim Bondy (@KimBondy) January 26, 2020
We alllll wanted that AB cut baby!I tried it buuuuut😬🤷🏽♀️ not everyone could 😂😂😂 #IAskedForTheAnita #IGotTheGumby https://t.co/Et1R9A1Zjg pic.twitter.com/VVtf0gTn0A
— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) January 25, 2020
Morning of my senior prom in 1992, I went to the hair salon and had my shoulder length hair cut to look like you…. Icon @IAMANITABAKER https://t.co/8b5JNNCun8 pic.twitter.com/WdOUFA5DTi
— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) January 25, 2020
OMG! Shows you how much they new. Evvvvvery black woman wanted your hair. All of our beauticians, as they were called back in the day, stayed in business doing the Anita Baker hair cut✂️. 🎤🎹🎶🎵🎼🎈🙏🏾❤️😊
— Sheila Bush (@sibush) January 25, 2020
You were/are stunning. Didn't know this was such a struggle for you to keep your authenticity. Wow. More power to you.
— 🏳️🌈⚧️🏆🎬🖋️ (@CampbellX) January 25, 2020
It’s beautiful 😍 to me , I cut my hair too two years ago , your look was an inspiration pic.twitter.com/zYzPztGxza
— Britni (@YBritni) January 24, 2020
AND “your own hair” was so fly that a whole era of hairdo was named after YOU! “Let me get that Anita Baker cut” 💃🏽 https://t.co/A2ygoPblf0
— Ciandress (@ciandressj) January 25, 2020
Yet, most of got our first grown up hair cut bring your photo into the beauty parlor 🙌🏽 “I want that Anita Baker hair cut”💜💜
— Kyra Lockhart, M.S.Ed. (@mizthang37) January 24, 2020
Auntie people still go into the Salon TODAY and ask for the "Anita Baker Cut"!!! #Trendsetter
— Carin Poole (@69FootballMom) January 25, 2020