So here on Chatterbox we not only give you the skinny on the who's who, or the who's NOT...we speak on issues that affect us (i.e young black folk spec. women). And what subject is more aggresively tackled than us and our hair! There's blogs, magazines, talkshows and now even MOVIES dedicated to the discussion of us and our follicles. So I decided to plunk down my two cents on the matter. And please believe, this isn't the last time. This isn't a "hair" blog but I will discuss it from time to time. This is the dissertation, however, so take notes.
If you were confused about my stance on the matter, you may wanna take a gander to that little picture in the corner by my profile. Im natural. I have been natural for almost three years, but I can honestly say I am more NATURAL now than I was when I first started. How so you ask? Well because we black women have 78,000 things we do to our hair. Between heat styling it, perming it, weaving, geling it and laying it to the side...that's a lot of stress on our poor little heads. So after considering myself "natural" while I wore wigs and weaves ,I finally gave those up, only to wear my "natural" straight with heat styling and lost all my curl and so TADA! Here I is with a TWA (teeny weeny afro for those who dont know "natural" lingo). And the world is now a better place for it. So to ask my opinion on black women and hair...is to ask my opinion on so much else as well.
So here's my approach: MOST OF US DONT THINK WE'RE BEAUTIFUL...unless your hair is straight or loosely curly or some variation in between. Not to mention LONG its got to be long and no matter how much money we waste on weaves and extensions instead of our own hair it shall never be LONG enough. All of that to say, its way deeper than just hair. It's self image and esteem. And we need to stop giving that image to other people. Especially those who dont look like you, or me...or any of us. We threw a tizzy when Solange cut her hair off, why? Not because it was like the upteenth time you've seen a bald celebrity but because her hair dont curl all nice and "pretty". It's thick, like MINE, like YOURS like all of ours!!! So attention (hold on to your seats for this one folks) ACCEPT YOURSELF THE WAY YOU ARE. Stop changing who you are so you can fit some ideal that will never be you. Embrace all that is awesomely cool about yourself instead of trying to look, act, dress like person A), B), or C). You are great! You are 100% beautiful just how God made you. No Yaki 1B, 18" is gonna make you more unique.
So for those out there still perming it, weaving, straightening, (STRESSING IT, really) take a moment and truly ask yourself WHY? Why are you doing this? For whom? Your job? Your boyfriend? Your relatives? Who's image are you upholding by not being 100% yourself. Because if it aint naturally you, it's somebody else. We've come too far and been fighting for too long for something like good vs. bad hair, and light vs. dark skin to stop us from being GREAT. So I say let thy kink shine, you can have just as much fun and creativity with your natural hair as it's straight counterpart. And you know what? It's easier! And cheaper too! We'll talk products later. But until next time I say to you sisters, LOVE WHO YOU ARE! Give yourself a hug and a compliment every morning. Affirm that your beautiful by behaving beautifully. And look in the mirror and love what's there. Curly, kinky, thick, nappy, coarse,thin in all it's glory. You are a precious reflection of God...and that hair...is to.
Check out Chris Rock doing a much needed documentary called Good Hair...its thought provoking, inquisitive and FREAKIN HILARIOUS! Enjoy!
If you were confused about my stance on the matter, you may wanna take a gander to that little picture in the corner by my profile. Im natural. I have been natural for almost three years, but I can honestly say I am more NATURAL now than I was when I first started. How so you ask? Well because we black women have 78,000 things we do to our hair. Between heat styling it, perming it, weaving, geling it and laying it to the side...that's a lot of stress on our poor little heads. So after considering myself "natural" while I wore wigs and weaves ,I finally gave those up, only to wear my "natural" straight with heat styling and lost all my curl and so TADA! Here I is with a TWA (teeny weeny afro for those who dont know "natural" lingo). And the world is now a better place for it. So to ask my opinion on black women and hair...is to ask my opinion on so much else as well.
So here's my approach: MOST OF US DONT THINK WE'RE BEAUTIFUL...unless your hair is straight or loosely curly or some variation in between. Not to mention LONG its got to be long and no matter how much money we waste on weaves and extensions instead of our own hair it shall never be LONG enough. All of that to say, its way deeper than just hair. It's self image and esteem. And we need to stop giving that image to other people. Especially those who dont look like you, or me...or any of us. We threw a tizzy when Solange cut her hair off, why? Not because it was like the upteenth time you've seen a bald celebrity but because her hair dont curl all nice and "pretty". It's thick, like MINE, like YOURS like all of ours!!! So attention (hold on to your seats for this one folks) ACCEPT YOURSELF THE WAY YOU ARE. Stop changing who you are so you can fit some ideal that will never be you. Embrace all that is awesomely cool about yourself instead of trying to look, act, dress like person A), B), or C). You are great! You are 100% beautiful just how God made you. No Yaki 1B, 18" is gonna make you more unique.
So for those out there still perming it, weaving, straightening, (STRESSING IT, really) take a moment and truly ask yourself WHY? Why are you doing this? For whom? Your job? Your boyfriend? Your relatives? Who's image are you upholding by not being 100% yourself. Because if it aint naturally you, it's somebody else. We've come too far and been fighting for too long for something like good vs. bad hair, and light vs. dark skin to stop us from being GREAT. So I say let thy kink shine, you can have just as much fun and creativity with your natural hair as it's straight counterpart. And you know what? It's easier! And cheaper too! We'll talk products later. But until next time I say to you sisters, LOVE WHO YOU ARE! Give yourself a hug and a compliment every morning. Affirm that your beautiful by behaving beautifully. And look in the mirror and love what's there. Curly, kinky, thick, nappy, coarse,thin in all it's glory. You are a precious reflection of God...and that hair...is to.
Check out Chris Rock doing a much needed documentary called Good Hair...its thought provoking, inquisitive and FREAKIN HILARIOUS! Enjoy!
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