Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Natasha Trethewey's "Naola Beauty Academy, New Orleans, 1945," the poem serves as an intimate portrayal of a Black beauty salon, highlighting not just the meticulous art of hairstyling, but also the sense of community and skill that thrives in such spaces. Set in 1945 New Orleans, the poem effectively captures the atmosphere of an environment where the twin objectives of beauty and belonging converge.

The poem's diction is conversational, and its tone is matter-of-fact, evoking the rhythm and cadence of everyday speech. This narrative choice lends the poem an immediacy and makes it accessible, as if the reader is privy to an inside conversation. The setting is brought to life with specific details: the hot stove for the combs, the basins for washing hair, and the month-"July jam"-all of which render the atmosphere palpable.

The poem focuses on the art and craft of hairstyling- "Don't burn nobody. / Her own's a righteous mass" suggests the expertise required for the work. Hairstyling here is not a trivial pursuit, but an art form requiring not just technical proficiency but an intuitive understanding of texture and style. The hairstylists, Lee and Ida, are not just service providers; they are artisans. Ida possesses a "natural touch," and Lee has fingers made "steady" from sewing. Their background stories, briefly hinted at, underscore their skills in their current roles-Lee's previous sewing experience has made her hands steady, a trait invaluable in hairstyling as well.

In this beauty salon, hairstyling becomes an expression of personality and community identity. The phrase "Her own's a righteous mass" suggests that Ida's hair is not only a physical feature but also a statement, perhaps of her pride or her self-assurance in her craft and community. The artistry of laying waves "Light, slight, and polite" goes beyond aesthetics; it's a subtle nod to the societal judgments often imposed on Black hair and the social codes surrounding its presentation.

Historically and culturally, Black beauty salons have been significant community spaces, places for not just grooming but also socializing, networking, and even activism. In a society that often marginalizes Black beauty standards, these salons serve as sanctuaries where Black women can embrace and celebrate their natural features.

Thus, "Naola Beauty Academy, New Orleans, 1945" is not just a poem about a beauty salon; it's an ode to a space of artistic skill and community bonding. It captures an environment where Black women can be themselves, unburdened by the societal pressures that dictate how they should look or be. Trethewey's poem pays homage to these safe spaces and the extraordinary ordinary people who make them what they are.