Ok so I hate this. People saying "Oh, it looks good on you". Because honestly how can you not look good as your natural self. I don't understand. But I do understand knowing what you can wear and can not wear. I understand stay away from thing that do not accentruate your features. But how can chemcial free hair be one of them. Your hair is as unique as your fingerprint. I never hear anyone say I can't wear any other part of their body. I have come to the conclusion that its all in their mind. I once was one of those people who thought I couldn't live without a relax. I had to quit "cold turkey". Initially, I was more terrified of what people would think than anything. After delievance of my fears, I began to embrace and love not only my hair but all of me. God created me "fearfully and wonderfully".
Many people feed into misconceptions of beauty defined by years of an oppressed society. Beauty is not bright skinned with light colored eyes and straight long hair. This is the slave master's definition not ours. Our culture is rich in diversity and what better way to embrace it than individualizing your own definition of beauty.
Who are we to say that kinky, nappy hair is not beautiful. Why can't it be? Honestly, from my experience the nappier my hair the more compliments I get well, from Caucasians anyway.(smile) There is a unconscious self hatred of natural hair within the African American community. If your hair is not relaxed then you're bombarded with word such as nappy and kinky. Forced to overcome myths of unmanageablity and unhealthiness. As well as being conceived as afrocentric and unprofessional in some cases. Which are truly generalizations put on some of us. Going natural for many; is a lifestyle change verse hairstyle.
Once a woman told me "I did that in the 70s. Its hard to comb, huh?"
I said "No ma'am because I dont comb it." To optimize my curl definitation I don't comb my hair. Her response was you have good hair. WHAT!? No, I just know how to take care of my specific hair type. But I can't get mad at this woman's ignorance. She like so many others has been conditioned to believe straight is better, more managable. And that having a small curly pattern is nappy.
Lets educate each other by embrace our own hair and educating ourselves. Where does your hair texture come from? Your mom, dad or grandparents? What are your hair needs?
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