Too Much Focus on Long Natural Hair

Hey everyone,

This is going to be a short post, but I want to get your opinions on the subject so please leave a comment. I have wondered many times whether in the natural hair community, there's a bit too much focus on long natural hair. Like I mentioned last week, there are lots and lots of Google searches on "natural hair LENGTH RETENTION," "how to have LONG NATURAL HAIR," "how can I GROW my natural hair," etc. There's nothing wrong with wanting long hair, but do you think there's a bias?

On Instagram, sometimes it seems that ladies with longer hair get more likes and follows. Even offline, I know that I got more compliments when people started seeing my hair as "long natural hair" instead of "natural hair."

african naturalistas, berry dakara, natural hair, twa, team natural, natural hair in nigeria

Personally, I don't think my hair is long. It's medium length.

I think that the higher affection for longer hair downplays the beauty of shorter lengths of hair, and almost the TWA. Although I have to admit that some people with TWAs rock them so well, it makes people like me want to start all over again. Anyway, maybe it's all in my head.

Or maybe not. What do you think?
Berry Dakara.

3 comments

Unknown28 August 2015 at 21:51
I think there's this attention to long natural hair due to the subconscious need to disprove the myth that black people’s hair can grow way beyond the shoulder.
But to each it's own. As my hair gets longer, I find myself stretching to a big chop. Me know that no creamy cracking for me again o.
African Naturalistas29 August 2015 at 12:02
Do you know that many people still consider it unladylike for a lady to have short hair?

I had short hair almost all my years growing up, so I am still enjoying long hair. Maybe when I am 60, I will cut my hair into funky hairstyles, lol.
Rhapsody Phoenix29 August 2015 at 21:00
Blessings i don't think it matters one way or the other as its a very personal thing. Some people like long hair others perfer it short. My mother and sister have both deliberately shaved their heads, they have been sporting bald heads for over a decade.

The only time there should be cause for concern is if nasty derogatory terms are used to define a particular type of hair in justification of embracing what is perceived as "good hair," etc because it points towards the affliction of a inferiority complex that purports toward self-negation. Outside of that people should just embrace their hair no matter the type, texture, length, sport it proudly. If you have it lock love it, if you have it perm love it, if you have it blond love it, if you have it natural love it, if you have it weaved love it, just do you and live!