Black Hair: To Go Natural or Not?
Article wrttien by La Tonya L. Cook
It is sad to say that even in 2011 many African American women are still slaves, to their hair and the stigma that surrounds the subject. Good hair vs. nappy hair is the constant battle though not always verbalized it’s the permanent elephant in the room. Allowing hair to seize and maintain control many of my sisters have not and will not learn to swim. Not daring to veer near the water because of the aftermath that is sure to ensue. Avoiding the naps and kinks, straightening combs, and salon time are worth the sacrifice in their eyes.
Ask around and you will find that it is common knowledge that a man is typically not allowed to touch, feel, and caress a black girls’ hair. Heaven forbid he realizes that ain’t all you. Even if he knows the truth he’s still unwelcome to mess with the doo because of how much time and energy it took to have it done. And having to “sleep cute”, never allowing the head to rest on a pillow comfortably.
Laughable but serious hair for black women affects every day life. It seems that Perms, weaves, and wigs are where it’s at while going natural is frowned upon in many black households. In fact my Nana who I love dearly and happens to have “good hair” has told me that she doesn’t exactly care for my decision to go natural.
I shudder at the thought of how much money and time I have spent on everything hair. Starting at the tender age of 16 I have rocked blonde, fire engine red, fuchsia, jet black, blue black, orange and rarely my natural color. I have also had long hair, short cuts, worn long and short wigs, lace fronts, weaves, braids, kinky twits, etc.
I now proudly rock my natural hair which started as a twa (teeny weenie afro) but is growing into long strong mane. Born with a thick head of hair and getting perms for as long as I can remember I only recently acquired the desire to wear my hair in its natural state. For me the journey hasn’t been all that easy breezy especially when coming off being addicted to the creamy crack (hair relaxers)…LOL!
So with my new found appreciation and love for my natural hair I just had to follow @LeaveInTheKinks on Twitter…LOL! The blog which was started by two natural ladies has recently started a campaign called “I Love Your Hair”. It’s an ode to natural hair where all you have to do is express to your fellow natural hair sisters just how much you love their hair. Even if you’re not so vocal the ladies of Leave In The Kinks will provide you with the novel cards you see pictured above. Either way you will be sure to put a smile on many faces as well as inspire them to also spread the love.
Be sure to check the blog and join the movement. Speak up and let the masses know that contrary to popular belief natural hair is indeed beautiful! What are your thoughts on natural hair?
Read more from La Tonya L. Cook aka MissBehaved at http://phenomenalstyle.com
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i believe in natural hair. no matter what the texture of your hair is it can look GREAT without putting chemicals in it or covering it up with weaves. why hide or change what God gave you. be proud!
I agree that the natural hair is frowned upon by many. But lets be real…that natural hair movement aint for everybody. If it works for you then go for it. Too many times we do what society expects us to (ie the relaxers and the weaves etc). And everyone will have an opinion about your hair.. Good luck with your TWA because now you will also have to deal with the long hair mentally (men that believe women should have long hair), But do what suits you.
I honestly believe that this has become a self-esteem issue. Historically we’ve been broken down for centuries and made to believe that a “eurocentric” style was the standard and as our grandparents and friends beat us over the head with it, sometimes literally, we as a culture became adaptive to what a “standard” should be, instead of bracing what was natural to us and beautiful. Although beauty is in the eye of the behold, if the person – specifically a woman – does not see herself as an attractive being, she will go through whatever it takes to physically improve what is really an internal issue. We love facades.
I’ve been natural for 5yrs and although it was a process, even in my “naturalness” I’ve had to learn to embrace my natural curl pattern, the versatility of my hair and even the products that work best for me. I LOVE my afro. It symbolizes my confidence to break free from adding harsh chemicals to my hair and the forwardness to “take ownership” of my look. There is nothing wrong with wearing weaves, braids, etc; however, the reason why most women won’t go natural is because they are ashamed of how they look raw. Same reason why most women don’t leave the house without, at the minimum, foundation. It’s not because they specifically want to look “presentable”, it’s because they are not confident in their raw look. Some women feel as though they are not beautiful without makeup. It’s all self-esteem and self-confidence. Once the core problem is address, it can lessen the conversation about why people go natural, the darkskin/lighskin issues and why women go the extra mile to gain the likes of man, who really could careless if you wore a paper bag or not.
Just my opinion though…
I am not a natural sister and it is not because of insecurity but a preference. I choose to relax and I also choose to color…. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and because I rather relax my hair doesn’t mean that I’m less of a black woman. It is about personal up keep and my own self image. Not taking away from all my natural sisters I commend you.but please stop with this story about being natural is inexpensive when it’s not. Miss jessies and carrol daughter products are costly. You might not be buying relaxer but what you use to keep moisture in your natural is not inexpensive. Thank you
I tried to go natural. I lasted about a year… And it was the HARDEST year of my life with regard to hair care. The only reason I believe I lasted that long was because I had nowhere to be but the library at the time. Once I started working, it took too much morning maintenance to look acceptable and the daily buns and ponytails were damaging my hair.
Therefore, like Lisa, above, my preference is to relax my hair and not deal with the waves & frizz.
I have friends with beautiful natural hair, but every time I see these beautiful styles (including regular twist outs, or ‘fros) I think about the time… Everything def ain’t for everybody! Go on and love your permed, natural, texturized, weaved or braided hair… Just love YOU!
@Lisa- natural hair IS for evryone! Why else would god give it to black women?! This is the same kind of eurocentric crap you have jammed in your heads! That’s just logic!! @Dawn- stop trying to hide the fact that you dislike your natural texture. Don’t act like natural haired women are attacking you, their trying to get you to stop damaging your hair just bcause you “prefer” it. @KC- if you wear a weave or permed hair, you aren’t representing yourself. That’s not being you. Being what god gave you is being yourself. Try being natural again and try to find the right hairstyle and you’ll love being you.