African American Military History

Fundamentals

The concept of African American Military History, as we consider it within Roothea’s living library, is not merely a chronological account of battles fought or uniforms worn. It represents a profound cultural narrative, an unfolding of identity and resilience that intertwines deeply with the heritage of textured hair. This history is a testament to the enduring spirit of individuals who served a nation that often denied their full humanity, all while navigating societal expectations and military regulations that frequently dismissed or denigrated their natural appearance. It is an exploration of how military service became a complex arena for self-definition, where the ancestral echoes of hair as a marker of identity, status, and spirit met the rigid demands of institutional uniformity.

The meaning of African American Military History, when viewed through the lens of textured hair heritage, clarifies itself as a continuous struggle for recognition and self-determination. It is about the sacrifices made, certainly, but also about the subtle acts of resistance and the unwavering commitment to one’s authentic self, even amidst the most demanding environments. This history is a delineation of challenges faced by Black and mixed-race service members who often had to contend with grooming standards crafted without consideration for their unique hair textures, policies that, in essence, asked them to shed a part of their cultural identity to conform.

Consider the term “Buffalo Soldiers,” for instance. This designation, given to African American cavalry and infantry regiments formed after the Civil War, carries a fascinating connection to hair heritage. One prominent theory suggests that Plains Native Americans, who encountered these soldiers, likened their dark, tightly coiled hair to the mane of a buffalo, a creature deeply revered for its strength and tenacity.

This seemingly simple observation became a badge of honor, a recognition of their formidable spirit in battle. It’s a powerful illustration of how a physical attribute, specifically hair texture, became a symbol of respect and enduring strength, even from those who were adversaries.

African American Military History, through the lens of textured hair, is a narrative of resilience, identity, and the quiet power of self-definition in the face of imposed conformity.

The significance of this history extends beyond the battlefield; it touches upon the very personal experiences of care and community. For generations, hair has been a central aspect of Black and mixed-race cultural practices, a tender thread connecting individuals to their lineage. Within the military context, maintaining hair became a daily ritual, often complicated by regulations that favored Eurocentric hair types.

The ingenuity required to care for textured hair in environments designed for straight hair speaks volumes about the dedication to ancestral practices and the intrinsic value placed upon one’s natural crown. This aspect of the history is a profound statement on how personal heritage persists, even under the most structured and demanding conditions.

Intermediate

Stepping into a more intermediate understanding of African American Military History reveals layers of systemic challenges and the unwavering resolve of those who served. The definition expands beyond basic facts to encompass the profound impact of military policies on personal identity, particularly concerning hair. The military, a formidable institution, has historically imposed strict grooming standards, often rooted in a Eurocentric ideal of appearance. These guidelines, while ostensibly designed for uniformity and discipline, often marginalized Black service members, compelling them to alter their natural hair in ways that could be physically damaging and culturally alienating.

The policing of Black hair within military ranks is a recurring theme throughout this history. For decades, natural styles such as braids, twists, and locs were frequently deemed “unprofessional” or “unkempt,” leading to discomfort and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. This is not merely a matter of aesthetics; it is a reflection of a deeper societal bias that historically devalued Black hair, often likening it to “wool” or “fur” rather than human hair. The implications of such policies extended to self-perception, creating an environment where conforming meant, for some, suppressing a visible marker of their heritage.

• The 1940s ❉ During World War II, as Black women entered the workforce and military in greater numbers, they navigated wartime restrictions on beauty products while adapting traditional hair care to new demands. Victory rolls, a popular style, were adapted using pressing combs and skilled techniques to work with textured hair, often combined with waves or pin curls. Head wraps and turbans, deeply rooted in African traditions, became both fashionable and functional, serving as protective wear in factories and military settings.
• The 2014 Army Regulations ❉ A stark example of this historical struggle occurred in 2014, when the U.S. Army updated its grooming standards, explicitly banning large cornrows, twists, and dreadlocks. This policy sparked widespread criticism from Black women in service and advocacy groups, who rightly perceived it as discriminatory and perpetuating outdated stereotypes. The sentiment among many was that the military, rather than seeking to understand Black hair, had instead attempted to “white-wash” it.
• The CROWN Act’s Influence ❉ A significant shift began to occur with the growing movement for natural hair acceptance, culminating in the passage of the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful Open World for Natural Hair) in 2020. While this act primarily addresses civilian discrimination, its spirit and the broader advocacy it represents have influenced military policy. In response to increasing concerns, military branches, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have taken steps to revise their grooming regulations, lifting bans on braids, twists, and dreadlocks and removing terms like “matted and unkempt” from their guidelines.

The changes, while welcome, are part of an ongoing dialogue. The experience of African American women in the military, in particular, highlights the intersection of race and gender in the context of appearance standards. For many, military service was a means to an end, a path to opportunity, but it often came with the unspoken rule that conformity to mainstream beauty ideals was necessary.

The persistent push for inclusivity in hair policies signifies a deeper desire for institutions to recognize and respect the diverse heritage of all who serve. It underscores the profound meaning of allowing individuals to bring their authentic selves, including their natural hair, to their service without fear of penalty or prejudice.

Academic

The academic elucidation of African American Military History transcends a simple chronological recounting, offering instead a critical examination of its intricate interplay with textured hair heritage. This field of study delves into the systemic mechanisms through which military institutions, often reflecting broader societal biases, have historically sought to regulate and, at times, suppress expressions of Black and mixed-race identity, particularly through hair grooming standards. The meaning of this history is therefore a complex negotiation between institutional control and individual, culturally informed self-presentation. It is a profound exploration of how ancestral practices, deeply rooted in African traditions, encountered and resisted a dominant aesthetic paradigm.

The military’s historical grooming policies, which largely mirrored Eurocentric beauty norms, represent a tangible manifestation of institutional racism. These policies, often articulated through regulations that deemed natural Black hairstyles “unkempt” or “matted,” served to reinforce a narrative of inferiority concerning textured hair. This discriminatory framework compelled countless Black service members to chemically alter their hair, a practice that not only carried physical risks, such as scalp issues and hair loss, but also imposed a psychological burden of conforming to an alien standard. The enduring substance of this historical experience is a testament to the resilience of Black identity, even when confronted with powerful institutional pressures.

The historical policing of Black hair in the military reveals a persistent tension between institutional uniformity and the inherent right to cultural expression.

A particularly illuminating case study in this historical discourse is the experience of African American women in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during World War II. Despite their eagerness to serve their country and contribute to the war effort, Black women encountered significant discrimination from the outset, including racial quotas for enlistment and segregated training. Beyond these overt forms of prejudice, the subtle yet pervasive impact of grooming standards became a daily challenge. As Black women entered defense plants and military service, they had to adapt their hair care routines to meet both wartime exigencies and military regulations.

Consider the ingenuity required to maintain protective styles or simply manage textured hair in environments not designed for it. While white WACs might have found their hair easily accommodated by regulations that favored straight styles, Black WACs faced a different reality. The popular “Victory Rolls” of the 1940s, for instance, were adapted by Black women through the skilled use of pressing combs and setting techniques, demonstrating a creative adaptation of traditional methods to contemporary styles. This practical protection extended to the widespread use of head wraps and turbans, which, while fashionable, also served a crucial functional role in factory settings and military duties, all while subtly affirming ancestral traditions.

The ramifications of these policies extend beyond mere discomfort; they speak to a deeper issue of identity and belonging. When the military, an institution that demands unwavering loyalty and commitment, implicitly or explicitly rejects a fundamental aspect of one’s cultural identity, it creates a profound internal conflict. Dr.

Chic Smith, in her examination of the policing of Black women’s hair in the military, notes that the military’s grooming regulations, by not accounting for the inherent differences in hair textures, growth patterns, and length of non-chemically altered Black hair, perpetuated a racist ideology that “othered” Black women. This academic perspective underscores that the historical manuals contained a “design flaw ❉ racism.”

The persistence of these discriminatory practices, even into the 21st century, underscores their deep-seated nature. As recently as 2014, the U.S. Army’s updated grooming standards, which banned styles like twists, dreadlocks, and large cornrows, were met with significant backlash, including a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus. The use of terms such as “unkempt” and “matted” to describe these traditional Black hairstyles further exacerbated tensions, revealing a fundamental misunderstanding and disrespect for textured hair.

The scholarly pursuit of this history requires acknowledging that African American military personnel, particularly women, faced a “double V” campaign—victory abroad against fascism and victory at home against racism. This internal struggle for dignity and recognition, often fought silently through personal grooming choices, adds a profound layer to their service. The specification of this history is not just about the external battles but the internal ones, the daily negotiations of identity in a world that often demanded erasure.

The subsequent policy changes, influenced by advocacy and legislative efforts like the CROWN Act, are not merely administrative adjustments; they are acknowledgments of the deep significance of hair as an expression of identity and a step towards a more equitable and inclusive military environment. This continuous dialogue between policy and lived experience, between historical precedent and contemporary understanding, forms the very essence of this vital area of study.

Reflection on the Heritage of African American Military History

As we close this contemplation of African American Military History, viewed through the tender lens of textured hair heritage, a profound sense of continuity settles upon us. It is a heritage not merely of service and sacrifice, but of enduring spirit, of ancestral whispers carried in every curl and coil. The journey of Black and mixed-race service members, from the earliest days of conflict to the present, is a vibrant thread in the grand tapestry of Roothea’s living library. It speaks to the elemental biology of our hair, a gift from the source, echoing ancient practices where hair signified identity, status, and even spiritual power.

The tenderness of care, passed down through generations, became a quiet act of resilience within the rigid structures of military life. Despite regulations that often dismissed the unique needs of textured hair, the commitment to its well-being, to its ancestral meaning, remained. This history shows us how personal rituals of care, often performed in shared spaces or quiet moments, sustained a connection to community and lineage, even when far from home. It is a testament to the fact that identity, particularly that tied to our hair, is not easily shed; it is deeply rooted, an unyielding helix of self.

The African American Military History, in its evolving significance, truly becomes a voice for identity and a shaper of futures. The challenges faced, the policies resisted, the victories won in the arena of appearance standards—all these moments have contributed to a larger narrative of self-acceptance and cultural affirmation. It is a continuous unfolding, where the wisdom of the past informs the present, allowing us to appreciate the unbroken lineage of care and pride that defines textured hair heritage. This journey, marked by both struggle and triumph, reminds us that true strength lies not only in outward conformity but in the unwavering authenticity of one’s inner and outer self.

References

• Byrd, A. D. & Tharpe, L. (2001). Hair story ❉ Untangling the roots of Black hair in America. St. Martin’s Press.
• Cooper, H. (2014). Army’s Ban on Some Popular Hairstyles Raises Ire of Black Female Soldiers. The New York Times .
• Gallagher, C. (2014). The American kaleidoscope ❉ Race, ethnicity, and the civic culture. Oxford University Press.
• George, N. & Hunter, J. (2009). Good Hair. HBO Films.
• Higate, P. R. (2001). Military masculinities ❉ Identity and the state. Praeger.
• Jacobs-Huey, L. (2006). The new black ❉ A natural hair renaissance. Rutgers University Press.
• Mercer, K. (1994). Welcome to the jungle ❉ New positions in cultural studies. Routledge.
• Phillips, L. (2006). The Womanist reader ❉ The new Black feminist thought. Routledge.
• Smith, C. C. (2018). The Policing of Black Women’s Hair in the Military. Africology ❉ The Journal of Pan African Studies, 12(8), 50-65.
• Thompson, M. (2009). Black women’s hair ❉ From roots to glory. Xlibris Corporation.
• White, D. G. & White, S. (1995). The African American odyssey. Prentice Hall.
• Weitz, R. (2001). The sociology of health, illness, and health care ❉ A critical approach. Wadsworth Publishing.