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"Is That a Weave?"

By Nicole Dorn
Black College Wire

The decision to wear a weave is not a choice women make because they lack hair. A weave is also used to help hair grow and to obtain a particular hairstyle.

"Women wear weave[s] to portray a certain look or image. People just like to be versatile," said Dionne Allen of Southern University, a sophomore from LaPlace, La., majoring in psychology.

"We don�t like to have the same hair style at all times. If it takes adding hair to create that look, then that�s just what we have to do."

Roy Stewart, a junior from Plaquemine, La., majoring in secondary education, said he considers Beyonce Knowles -- a singer known for her long hair and even longer hair weaves -- beautiful.

"She looks good with [a] weave but she would look good without it also. When it comes to weave[s], it depends on how you look. If you need it, go ahead and get it, but if you don�t, then wear your own," Stewart said.

Another male student had a different view.

"I would prefer to have a girl who wears her own hair, so I can run my fingers through it without it getting stuck in a track," said Seth Watson, a senior from New Orleans majoring in electrical engineering.

For many, fashion is a factor.

A "weave provides a different look or style, but a lot of people get it just because everyone else has it," said Angelia Leblanc, a senior from Darrow, La., majoring in criminal justice.

And some women wear weaves as a way to keep their own hair healthy. Mesha Whitaker, a Southern freshman from Houston majoring in biology, said, "I prefer to wear my hair straight down. I just wear [a] weave to grow my hair out so that I can wear my own."

Nicole Dorn is a student at Southern University who writes for The Southern Digest.

Posted Feb. 23, 2004