5 Reasons why you should wear your Natural hair out more often

1. A True Representation of Us
While I was living in China. I had a lot of people asking me if my hair was fake or real. Although many Chinese have seen Black people on TV and even on the streets, most believe that the straight weaves that they see on Black women is our real hair. So, when they see me walking on the street with my afro puff, twist out, twists and what not, they automatically assume I was wearing a fake. Major Black celebrities such as Oprah, Beyonce, and Michelle Obama with straight hair are not really showing the "outside" world  what our hair really looks like.

2. Minimal discrimination between us and the "other" race
People will only criticise what they don't know and aren't used to. But if more of us go to job interviews, dates and other functions with our hair out in it's kinky coily state, I feel there will be a reduced tension between us and the "other" race. 

3. Eradication of Slave Mentality in regards to our hair
Those of us who follow Black hair in the media must have heard of Sheryl Underwood's statement about kinky hair. Perhaps you've also heard about the little girl at an Oklahoma school who was sent home by Black school authorities because they believed afros and locs are too distracting? It is this slave mentality that 's still causing many women to be ashamed of their hair to the point that they have nothing positive to say about their God given feature. 
The majority of us aren't even aware of this slave (or colonial) mentality because it is something that has been passed down many generation that it has now become a part of our thinking and lifestyle. But if you have any knowledge on the Black history or Black hair during slavery, then you'll know that the attitude Black women have towards their hair was developed during those times and was automatically passed down to future generations.

4. Knowledge, Empowerment and Self Love
Teyonah Parris
Knowledge is power and it is the empowerment that we gain from this knowledge that will truly set us free from the slave mentality which many of us still have. And if we could get rid of this mentality, we'll be able to love our hair in it's natural texture without the need to change it's structure or always on a hunt for a product that will help us "manage" our hair. 

5. No need to wear other people's hair
If you've seen the documentary "Good Hair" by Chris Rock, I'm sure you're aware that the "human hair" which you paid hundreds of dollars for were sacrificed to some questionable gods. Also, did you know that some of those hair were secretly cut off from other women's hair while they were sleeping or watching a movie at the cinema?
Personally, I stopped wearing "human hair" weaves after watching this documentary because I refused to take part in the craziness. I was also enlightened by the film because it really made me think and ask myself why a Black woman like myself has to pay top $$ for packs of stolen/sacrificed INDIAN hair, when I'm not Indian. I also knew that wearing hair that was sacrificed to some unknown gods cannot be spiritually right and so I refused to be involved in such sin.

What other points would you add to these 5 points? Please leave them in the comment box
The Mane Captain

7 comments

  1. I think we as women still have a long way to go in terms of being confident and comfy with wearing our natural hair. We even get victimized in the workplace when we do (natural hair is seen as not being professional). However, all hope is not lost as more women are getting to see the benefits of keeping natural hair.

    ReplyDelete
  2. blessings.....
    My hair is in its natural state God gave me. I understand the politics with "black" hair, I air quote the term "black" because it is problematic but that's an issue for another time. I believe people have the right to express themselves through their hair anyway they see fit, whether that be temporarily straight (hot comb/blow dry), permanently straight (chemically processed), naturally curly, kinky, deadlock, cornrows, weaves, braids, wigs whatever. Where I have an issue is when I am condemned for my choice and demanded through a barrage of questions to justify my God given right to be as I choose. Neither do I lend an ear to those making excuses as to why they choose not to keep their hair natural. Excuses that fall into the negative stereotype unjustifiably designated to purport/promote perpetuated acts of self-negation and self-defecation.

    If a person(s) has/have chosen to chemically relax their hair cool, more power to them in celebrating the beauty of choice however they need to deal with the reality of why they have made that choice and accept why for them chemically relaxed hair is better and not subject me to the vile propaganda rooted in a history created by those wishing to feel “superior” for which many have no consciousness. The problem with many who criticize those who have chosen not to chemically relax their hair, remaining naturals stems solely from their discomfort with their natural hair and ethnicity that they then project unto those who have embraced it.

    I love my natural hair and the diversity it lends to my moods and shifting modes of style I use to portray how I am feeling in my spirit on any given day. At times I am feeling loud and bubblely and I would let it loose and just be not caring that the wind constantly restyles it into something other than what it started off as. At other times I twist it, rock some plaits, and if am feeling patient and tolerant of its defiant personality I'd sit down and take my time piece by piece and temporarily straighten it with a hot comb only to rinse it a couple days later and rock the tight curls. When I feeling bold, obnoxious and defiantly flaunting my African ancestry I work the bold loud head raps that scream-yes damn it, I am here, deal with it!

    Permanently straightened hair is not for me because I feel it lacks character and personality; it is just limp and just hangs there. It takes a lot of work and attention to weave some character into it taking hours of priming curling with the curling iron, spraying it to keep the curls in only to have the humidity hit it and all your hours and hours of labor be for not. I wish not to be a slave to my hair, I work with it, understand it, love it and embrace it, it’s the reason I don't color it either, too much bloody up keep, so I rock my grey like I rock my natural texture, who don't like it is not my business, that is there issue, issues I am not willing to hold or own.

    My thing is whether you decide to rock you natural texture, permanently straighten, braid, weave, locks, temporarily straighten, color and embrace your grays that is a personal choice and ones personal choice should not be used as a whipping board to diminish or humiliate another for making a different choice that is relevant and personal to them.

    peace.
    Rhapsody
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    ReplyDelete
  3. Well said, ladies!
    For me, I honestly I don't understand what all the fuss is about when it comes to hair & the choices people make. God made us all unique & we all have different tastes, preferences, opinions, etc. Why people feel they are better than anyone else based on their choice is beyond me.
    Discrimination & negative criticisms of any sort is just wrong.
    Oh well! Sadly, that's the world we live in. Human beings will always be myopic & judgemental, at least those that choose to remain that way.
    As Shakespeare said, "to each his own". Shikena!!!

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  4. The bottom line is that we should learn to accept that we are beautiful just the way we are and also love who we are.

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  5. I honestly don't care who relaxes their hair or keeps it natural, how you keep your hair is your business. I am natural because relaxers never worked for me and i was tired of burning my scalp. I finally realised that i had always liked afro styles, so instead of suffering heat stroke and itching scalp when fixing weaves i decided to let my natural hair do the talking, though i do wear wigs sometimes when i want a different look. As for me we should all respect each others choices.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From the contents in these comments, it doesn't seem like anyone read or even skimmed through the post. Not even the title! Which says, should, not must; often, not always, natural hair not relaxed. The post is written to women with afro hair who rarely wear their hair out due to one reason or the other.
      This post might have come way earlier than its time and so I see why it doesn't resonate with any. Black women didnt grow an aversion towards their hair overnight and I dont expect them to be comfortable with by just reading one post.
      The truth isn't always easy to digest. Besides, this is a natural haircare blog, not a weave haircare blog. what's the point of reading and writing haircare tips if your hair is rarely out?

      Delete

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