Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

TO THOSE OF MY SISTERS WHO KEPT THEIR NATURALS, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"To Those of My Sisters Who Kept Their Naturals" by Gwendolyn Brooks is a powerful poem of affirmation and celebration that commends African American women who have chosen to embrace their natural hair. This choice is depicted not merely as a personal or aesthetic preference but as a profound act of self-love, resistance, and cultural affirmation in a society that has historically devalued Black beauty standards in favor of Eurocentric ideals.

Brooks begins the poem with an expression of solidarity and affection, "Sisters! I love you because you love you." This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, highlighting the central theme of self-love as an act of rebellion against societal pressures to conform to white beauty standards. By rejecting "Blondine," the "hot-comb," and the worship of icons like Marilyn Monroe and Farrah Fawcett, these women are not only refusing to alter their natural appearance but are also rejecting the notion that white features are the benchmark of beauty.

The poem specifically mentions not wanting "to be white" and not engaging in "the advertisement of imitation," which Brooks critiques as inherently futile and somewhat comical ("the hot comb is laughing too"). This imagery underscores the absurdity of striving for an unattainable standard that denies one's own identity and heritage.

Brooks celebrates the "rough Other music" and the "Real" and "Right" as embodiments of authenticity and cultural richness. The reference to "Other music" can be interpreted as the unique beauty and rhythm of Black culture, which stands in contrast to the mainstream or "imitation" that fails to capture the essence of their identity. The poem asserts that natural hair is not just hair but a "celebration in the world," signifying a broader acknowledgment and embrace of Blackness in its fullness.

The repeated use of "Sisters!" serves as a call to unity and mutual recognition among Black women, emphasizing the communal aspect of the choice to wear natural hair. It's a choice that connects individuals to a larger movement of cultural pride, self-acceptance, and the rejection of oppressive beauty standards.

"To Those of My Sisters Who Kept Their Naturals" is a testament to Gwendolyn Brooks's skill in capturing the complexities of Black identity and the power of self-definition. Through this poem, Brooks offers both praise and encouragement, urging her readers to see the beauty in their natural selves and to resist the pressures of conformity. The poem stands as a celebration of Black womanhood, resilience, and the unapologetic embrace of one's heritage.

POEM TEXT:

Sisters! I love you because you love you.

You have not bought Blondine

You have not hailed the hot-comb recently.

You never worshipped MarilynMonroe.

You say: Farrah’s hair is hers.

You have not wanted to be white.

Nor have you testified to the adoration of that state

with the advertisement of imitation

(never successful because the hot comb is laughing too.)

But oh the rough rough Other music.

The Real.