Symbols
Hair
“Hair is the perfect metaphor for race in America.”
Analysis for Ifemelu
For Ifemelu herself, hair represented her struggle for confidence and
identity as both a Nigerian immigrant and a black American.
When Ifemelu first comes to America, she realizes she is
supposed to relax her hair instead of having it in braids in
order to seem more professional.
o This becomes apparent to Ifemelu when Aunty Uju tells
her “If you have braids, they will think you are
unprofessional”.
o At first, Ifemelu remains a subversive spirit who refuses
to relinquish her natural hair and subject it to chemicals.
When she first decides to try relaxing and straightening her
hair, her hairdresser is content with Ifemelu’s new hair and
says, “Just a little burn… you’ve got the white-girl swing!”
o However Ifemelu leaves the salon mournfully, with the
potent smell of burning ingrained in her mind. The smell
of something organic dying made her feel a part of her
own identity has been burned away. Her burned hair
becomes a symbol for the death of her independence
o The oppressive outside force of the relaxing chemicals
actually start killing off Ifemelu’s hair, so she is forced to
cut it all off and start over. Wambui says that “relaxing
your hair is like being in prison,” as you are always doing
battle with your hair and trying to make it do what it isn’t
meant to do. Immediately after cutting her hair, Ifemelu
feels insecure and ugly
Wambui suggests that she go to “HappilyKinkyNappy.com” to be
inspired. Ifemelu peruses HappilyKinkyNappy.com and finds a
whole online community of black women embracing their
natural hair.
o Ifemelu starts ordering homemade products for her hair
and feels better about herself. The moment she “falls in
love with her [natural] hair” is a moment of self-love,
Hair
“Hair is the perfect metaphor for race in America.”
Analysis for Ifemelu
For Ifemelu herself, hair represented her struggle for confidence and
identity as both a Nigerian immigrant and a black American.
When Ifemelu first comes to America, she realizes she is
supposed to relax her hair instead of having it in braids in
order to seem more professional.
o This becomes apparent to Ifemelu when Aunty Uju tells
her “If you have braids, they will think you are
unprofessional”.
o At first, Ifemelu remains a subversive spirit who refuses
to relinquish her natural hair and subject it to chemicals.
When she first decides to try relaxing and straightening her
hair, her hairdresser is content with Ifemelu’s new hair and
says, “Just a little burn… you’ve got the white-girl swing!”
o However Ifemelu leaves the salon mournfully, with the
potent smell of burning ingrained in her mind. The smell
of something organic dying made her feel a part of her
own identity has been burned away. Her burned hair
becomes a symbol for the death of her independence
o The oppressive outside force of the relaxing chemicals
actually start killing off Ifemelu’s hair, so she is forced to
cut it all off and start over. Wambui says that “relaxing
your hair is like being in prison,” as you are always doing
battle with your hair and trying to make it do what it isn’t
meant to do. Immediately after cutting her hair, Ifemelu
feels insecure and ugly
Wambui suggests that she go to “HappilyKinkyNappy.com” to be
inspired. Ifemelu peruses HappilyKinkyNappy.com and finds a
whole online community of black women embracing their
natural hair.
o Ifemelu starts ordering homemade products for her hair
and feels better about herself. The moment she “falls in
love with her [natural] hair” is a moment of self-love,
