I was thinking about the fuss that was made over the hat that Aretha Franklin wore during the inaugural ceremonies and I was amused. Anyone who has spent any measurable time in a black church knows that this is not shocking to anyone else except those who are not aware of the rich history behind this phenomenon.

There is a long-time tradition of head adornment in the black religious community. While it may have started with the biblical admonition from the Apostle Paul that a woman must cover her head before entering a house of worship, over time it has become more than just a fashion statement, it’s a cultural celebration.

Admittedly, some of the hats are outlandishly gauche, oversized, stylish, one of a kind creations that have kept milliners (see: http://www.maggiemae.com/churchhats.htm) flourishing for the past century. They make such a statement, that chances are slight that you would see them worn as an every day accoutrement. But if there is a special occasion….you’d better watch out!

This slice of Americana was beautifully chronicled in a book called “The Crowns- Black Women In Church Hats”, where one of the subjects offered “”Sometimes, under those hats, there’s a lot of joy and a lot of sorrow.”” I’m sure those hats allowed her to express whatever she was feeling on a given day.

Perhaps, Maya Angelou’s foreword offers the clearest insight: “And then, she leaves home and joins the company of her mothers and aunties and sisters and nieces and daughters at church whose actions have been identical to hers that morning. They too had waited longingly for the gift of a Sunday morning.”

There is another occasion where you will see women wearing equally large and unusual hats and that’s the Kentucky Derby. For some reason, those crazy/wonderful hats are seen as cooler or more high brow. At the very least, I haven’t heard any public criticism of them. I can’t really say why that is the case.

Be Sociable, Share!

•