Queens: Portraits of Black Women and Their Fabulous Hair

Heard about this book from a recent article in The Washington Post, about hat maker Vanilla Beane who recently passed away at age 103. Although I wish that the photos were in color, the stories of the women themselves are a precious piece of history. So glad that I purchased this book to add to my coffee table book collection.

I found "Queens: Portraits of Black Women and Their Hair" to be a wonderful book. I enjoyed the photographs and the stories that went along with them. Hair is such a loaded issue for Black women that it's refreshing to see a book that glorifies all manner of hair and hair styles. As India Arie sings, "I am not my hair" meaning I am more than my hair. However, there's a very real part of us that is our hair and Michael Cunningham has captured that part.

This book provides an array of styles and expressions of Black pride. Hair texture and skin tone have historically been issues among Black folks since the days of slavery, segregation and a cast systems within the race. Queens portrays hair style as a way in which a sistah can express her whole personality by making whatever statement she chooses.

I have bought each of these books, and they do not disappoint; Again, guys, you did a great job; Watching sisters with straight,perm,bald,natural,braided hair talk about their hair experiences made me feel a connection to them; like, I know how you feel; I understood the sister who had to wear a wig to cover her locks; I understood the sorority sister who couldn't find the specific perm she needed for her hair and how she went to various lengths to get it; (Oh, I been there too); The sister with the mohawk, the sisters from Ghana; the ones with the fancy hairstyles as well as those regular every day sisters just trying to have a say; Thanks.

"Hair is a big part of how we define ourselves and other people make assumptions about us based on our hair." "I set my hair money aside like it's a bill." "She's dark, but at least she has all that hair." "Hair is fun, hair is temporary, I think it's meant to be played with." These are some of the quotes taken from QUEENS: Portraits of Black Women and Their Fabulous Hair by Michael Cunningham and George Alexander. Cunningham, the photographer and Alexander, the journalist, have put together photo essays highlighting African-American women throughout the world and the role hair plays in their lives. Through the interviews we find some women attempting to make political statements while for others, no statements are necessary. Also, family traditions play a large part in how we deal with our hair. Like a rite of passage, certain ages are staples in families dictating when you can get a perm and when you can get a cut. One woman stated that her father was a Black Nationalist, and therefore perms were a no-no in her household. Some prefer to go natural, using no chemicals and for others, perms are the way to go. There are also the salon dramas, thus becoming a reason to avoid them. At the same time, there is a psychological benefit afforded within salons while relaxing and regrouping from the stresses of life. Regardless of the preference, convenience appears to be the overriding factor with hairstyles depending upon your lifestyle and cost is no object to achieve certain results. Whether it is in America, London or Ghana, Cunningham and Alexander have delivered a comprehensively written and visual look into the African culture and the relationship between mind, body and hair. If we take a look at our own lives and history within our families, we will certainly come across a story that speaks to our hearts. QUEENS can serve as excellent conversational piece among women while pulling in the male species for their take. "The salon is a place where women can come in and sit down and be heard and finally express how they are feeling." Hats off to the author and the photographer for a job well done. Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I not only enjoyed the pictures that capture the beauty and diversity of our sisters crowning glory, but the stories as well. Each page is saturated with history of everyday women and even perspectives of young women that you can learn from and appreciate their experiences. The book shows that we share with the world who we are by hair and not matter how diffrent, we are all truly unique and special. Very interesting! There is even an excerpt of an honest woman who lost her hair. It shows almost every aspect of the kaleidescope of being black and beautiful. This book is a must have and great gift, the other books by the author seem to be interesting also.