Loc Nation Continues in Marvel's Black Panther Movie

Collage: "African Venus" 1851 sculpture by Charles Henri Joseph Cordier 

to the left of my center picture. 

To the right, Angela Bassett as a fictional Marvel Comic's Wakandan queen in "Black Panther" movie (2018)

110 pre-made Locs were used to make the white dreadlock wig according to Pop sugar article:  https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.popsugar.com/beauty/Angela-Bassett-Hair-Black-Panther-44592642/amp

I prayed to God for a vision for my hair after my frustratration over how to control it was at an all time high. The vision in 2012 was revealed as "small twisted hair all over my head."  As I began to research this concept, I quickly discovered that others had already had the same vision.  As a beauty professional who was new to the locking process, I selected Sisterlocks because it was trademarked and seemed to be a structured organization.  I have been a locked natural since then (2012).

Now, regarding the movie itself, The "Black Panther" movie title stimulated many plot ideas.

1. The Black Panther Movement
2. A Black Superhero who saves the World from the Bad guys 
3. The original Comic Book storyline from the 1960's

Acrylic painting by Benita Blocker for Black Panther Fan Art Challenge.

I thought that the plot was option number 2:  Another Superhero to save the World.  Imagine that: A Black Superhero saving the World from destuction. However, wrong answer.

Plot option 3 is the storyline of this 2018 movie. I was disappointed at first, but I learned to appreciate it for what it was: tribal warfare and a fight for the throne. I saw it twice in two days. It was fast paced and entertaining.  You will have to judge for yourself by seeing it! If you are a Marvel Comic fan and know the Black Panther storyline, then you are set to enjoy it!

Now, to share more insights on the movie.  I have a guest writer Natiya Bennett to explain:

 . . .  (I usual see multiple perspectives as I was a media student, but from our culture as well). I saw it as a community fighting to maintain its own identity and hidding its resources. Keeping in mind how many of our communities are being lost to regentrification once the white people see our treasure. They want it and misuse it but don't want to be us. Then what they was after ends up lost. They usually destroy us. So there was that conflict of part of the culture holding on to doing the tradition and staying in the safe zone vs. the other part of our community who wants to see a change and intergrate. Also in the end I saw the subtle message that we need to buy back our neighborhoods and invest in ourselves. So yes on the surface it was just a movie from someones childhood.  The middle layer was the typical presentation of us in media, and on the top layer was the subliminal consciousness message. The amount experiences and knowledge one has determines which of those layers one sees. In essence we are all right in our opinions. Personally my only critique of this film is the graphics seemed to be in slow motion such as the fight scenes and car chases. ~Natiya Bennett

Many people selected to dress in African inspired attire or some positive "Black Excellence" message.  However, I rushed out on Thursday night in my dressy casual clothes, but opted for my sorority paraphernalia and "My Black is Beautiful T-shirt" for my second viewing.  So it is all good!  The movie is breaking box office records. Check it out and judge for yourself!

Soapbox Talk: The Beauty Industry 2015

Beauty Supply Stores

Most of the Beauty Supply stores sell hair, wigs, accessories, makeup, clothes, caps and more.  There are only a few aisles now that are actually stocked with hair products or Hair tools.  That means that people are either going natural where "less is best" or they are wearing a lot of protective styling (i.e. weaves or wigs)  This is amazing to me.

Print Ads

From Whole Foods groceries to Marshalls fashions to banking ads, almost every women of color has a short curly afro or a "braid out" or "wash and go" curls.  I have not seen a print ad with relaxed hair on a woman of color lately. This is amazing to me.

Day to Day Public Appearances

As I attend gatherings or go shopping,  I am simply amazed that by looking at people's hair all around me that I can tell that going to the beautician seems to not be a priority any more. Natural hair is everywhere. The afro with the headband or the pineapple top are the most popular natural hairstyling that I see.  There does not seem to be a glamour competition in my area except with the younger ladies with the vixen weaves.

People's opinion on Locking their Hair

"African Venus" 1851 sculpture by Charles Henri Joseph Cordier

Forming dreadlocks apparently has been a natural instinct for Africans from the 1800's and beyond.  I have even seem some mummy pictures floating on the Internet with dreadlocks.  However, 9 out of 10 times if I offer locs as a long term natural hair solution, Black women immediately have a brain freeze thinking "forever" locked.  Their excuse is that they want more styling options; yet, 9 out of 10 times that I see them, their hair is in the exact same headband or  afro puff on top of their head.  Well, you get the idea.  Dreadlocks are no more permanent than any other chemical service, but women are so scared of them.  I do not think that locs are for everyone's lifestyle, but I know for a fact that I can get  20 times the styling options as my locs continue to gain length than many of the natural loose hair sistahs walking around. Each to his own, but I am simply at a loss for words for the cosmetology industry.  Between the barbers and the braiders, cosmetologists are losing out on clientele.

I am personally going to stick with relaxers, smoothing treatments, and locs. Let's see what changes 2016 brings.