Daddy, Papa and Me

Emma used to love her hats (this link takes you to some photos with her in hats). We love them too. She was so 'distinguished' in them. She doesn't wear them much any more (though she loved this 'stylish' one recently).

So, this book: Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats, looks fascinating. I'm aware of the tradition having seen it when I've lived in Virginia and Baltimore (and tangentially, it's a large part of the "Black Nativity" play we see at Christmas. As one reviewer on Amazon states (from link above):

"For the African-American churchgoing women hats are not mere fashion statements they are integral expression of faith and cultural identity. The Apostle Paul should be thanked daily by all milliners for Paul furthered the fashion of wearing hats to church by writing "Every woman who prays or prophecies with her head unveiled dishonors her head" (I Cor. 11:5)."

There was this book that shows up when looking at "Crowns" on Amazon that we'll have to get: Queens: Portraits of Black Women and their Fabulous Hair. We'll have to get this book too :).