Today is February 1, 2012.  It is the first official day of Black History Month.

 

Because our family is interracial (my wife is Black.  I am White, and our son, Ivan, just 25 weeks old is Biracial), and particularly because this is Ivan’s first Black History Month, we want to make sure to honor, celebrate and commemorate Black History as fully as possible.

 

When it comes to race and race relations in this country, things are much better than they once were.  Example 1, of course, being that The President and First Lady are Black.  That’s something to celebrate.

 

Yet, not all is perfect.  Example 1 being that some don’t like the President just because of his race.

 

Another illustration that things are not yet perfect is that age-old clichés and stereotypes still hang on.

 

For example, when Ivan was being born, some commented to my wife and me that Ivan would have “good hair.”

 

Now, I understand where this comment originates from.  But, from my vantage point, hair is hair.  It’s not bad, unless it’s on your back, your ears, your nose or growing out of a mole.  If the hair in question is on your head, it’s good.  Don’t believe me, then ask a bald person.  They’re all very bullish on hair, which is why wigs and toupees were invented.

 

Point is, “good” or “bad” is a subjective value judgment that people are imposing upon hair.  But, hair is not subjective.  Hair is an objective thing.  It’s there on your head or it isn’t.  It’s a certain color, texture and length.  It’s shaped a certain way, and it’s combed a certain way (except for some men who are slobs).  There is just hair (by which I mean the head covering, not the musical).  Frankly, the only thing I think makes it really “bad” is if it’s dirty (yucch).  My wife has an afro.  It’s outstanding from my perspective.  I have straight hair.  It’s rather boring if you ask me.

 

Besides, (and I realize I am biased), but I think that any hair that your baby has on his or her head is “good.”  Your baby is a gift.  A perfect being.  A blank slate who doesn’t need to be weighed down with the baggage that we and past generations have brought to the table.

 

And, I particularly think that Ivan has great hair.  Is it better than my wife’s?  Better than mine?  I dont know, and I don’t care.  All I know is that I envy his look — part Beethoven, part Mad Scientist, part Albert Einstein.  It gives me great hope that he will one day be a great composer or inventor of something awesome!

 

So, as we get into Black History Month – embrace your hair, whatever it may be.  Wear it as you wish.  Comb it.  Braid it. Ponytail it.  Twist it.  Gel it.  Mousse it.  Slick it back.  Crewcut it.  Fade it.  Do what you want with it.

 

Just make sure to keep it clean!