Bonnet — Gate: My Perspective
I own a bonnet. It is black with orange and yellow geometric designs. It reminds me of an African flag and I wear it as a sleeping cap. Would I wear it outside? That depends. If I’m getting the mail or taking out the trash, I would have my bonnet on. However, if I were chatting with a neighbor or going to the convenience store, I would change into a head scarf or cap.
Why? It’s because of my upbringing. My mother came up during the 50’s and 60s. It was a time when Black folks were expected to leave the house looking presentable. Presentable meant men in dress shirts and pants. Women wore dresses or skirts. Don’t let it be a Sunday then Black folks really showed out in extravagant outfits complete with large, heavily decorated hats. In the South, that style still rules in most churches today.
Back then, Black folks dressed to impress — each other and not White society. Fashion was a way to show status in the Black community. The better you dressed, the better off financially you were. It was a matter of pride. Unlike today, where men walk down the sreet in white tank tops (known as “wife beaters”) and sagging pants, exposing their underwear. Women are in bonnets or rollers, wearing ill-fitting crop tops, tight pants, and fur-topped sandals.
As a fashionista, I understand trends. What’s worn today may not be in style tomorrow. However, it seems that there are two camps on what’s presentable in the Black community. If you want to look “hood,” you have the crop tops and furry sandals if you’re a woman and the tank tops and sagging pants if you’re man. Young men and women follow the fashion of their favorite celebrties and/or music artists. If you want to look “fashionable,” you’ll wear the oversized sweatpants fit or slim fitting jeans sans bottom out. I know there are many Black folk who wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a bonnet in public or walk around with sagging pants.
When Mo”nique made a video a little over a week ago about bonnets, I watched the video with mixed feelings. Here was an “auntie” sharing her thoughts on the style of yoing women she observed at an airport. Granted, when I’m getting on a plane, I want to be comfortable and dress accordingly. However, Mo”nique took issue with the many young women who wore bonnets, slippers, and blankets.
Wbile I agree that we should always leave our homes looking put together, I wonder if Mo”Nique spoke to any of the young women she saw. Bonnets are used ti protect our hair. Maybe some of the women were heading to a connecting flight or maybe they were saving their public outfits for an event. I know I wouldn’t criticize a woman for wearing a bonnet in public. That’s not my style. However, I do see what Mo”Nique was trying to say. We need to take pride in our appearance.
Many people felt that Mo’Nique’s connents were pandering to White people or policing Black women’s bodies. I don’t think so. I think Mo’Nique’s intentions were clear — Black people need to look good when they step out. Some of us are out here looking sloppy and claiming not to care. But then they get mad when someone comments on their appearance. You can’t have it both ways. Let’s do better as a culture, Black people!
