Why Is Hair Soooo Important in the African American Community?

This is one of the age old questions out here. I am sure you remember when you were young your mom had that trusty dusty comb, with the bowl of water and hair grease. We all remember the saying that our hair is our crown and glory. For the people who aren't black, I am sure you remember times when your classmates and/or friends did not want to get their hair wet or would wear hair accessories to protect their hair. All of this is so true. Let me say this....Hair is always going to be important in the black community. Why? Its because how we were trained to think. We are still trying to be accepted among our peers, with our men and society. Everyone has an image of us and how we should look. People either want us to have straight hair because it makes us blend in or they want us to be natural so we can be our true selves. At the end of the day, we care for our hair because our hair is what differentiate us from everyone else. There are so many styles and techniques we can do to our hair.We tend to sometimes feel lost without our hair. I am a woman with natural hair and have been natural for almost 5 years. When I had relaxed or chemical-treated hair, I did not want to get my hair wet. Reason being if we got our hair wet, then the entire hair process and the money spent to get it done went down the drain. If my mama knew I got my hair wet and didn't try to protect it, I would be in trouble. Now that I am natural, my hair can stand water because I do not have to worry about my hair reverting back from straight hair to curly hair. Our hair also must go through long processes, even to just wash our hair. It takes me almost 2 hours just to wash my hair. When I used to go to a professional, I would be in the shop for extensive amounts of time. If we do not take good care of our hair, it can easily get damaged, an increased amounts of breakage, dryness, etc. It takes time and money for the upkeep of our hair. So why is hair so important to black community? Because it takes a lot of time and money to keep our hair looking nice. Time and Money are some of the most valued things in society, so why wouldn't we make it a priority? You be the judge.