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As I was making plans about what to post I found myself self editing. There were some topics that would really fit and be helpful to people who want to stay natural but I had some reservations about writing about them. I had to ask myself, “Why?”
That question brought me back to a conversation that my husband and I had while traveling back from a business trip. I don’t know how the conversation started. I actually think it was one of those “why do black men. . .?” In the course of the conversation we started talking about black women and their hair.
Called Out
He challenged me as to why I didn’t put all aspect of chemical free hair styles on the site. “Is it about being chemical free, making a statement or both?” I said it was about doing what is best for your hair. His point: there are many women who don’t want to put chemicals in their hair but aren’t comfortable with some of the “natural styles” either. If the site is about helping people stay chemical free, then cover all aspects of chemical free styling. He had a point.
That conversation really made me take a look at what my basis for being “natural” really is. And to be honest with you I can say that I am natural because it is a part of my lifestyle. I am a vegetarian, I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. I try to take care of myself inside and out.
I believe being natural is about doing what is best for you and your hair. Period. However, I know that my view of “naturalness” has been colored by a lot of the books and websites that I have read over the past ten plus years. For some people “naturalness” and black consciousness are one and the same. Coming from that world view, any thing that is “natural” but doesn’t directly support “black pride” or “natural beauty” is wrong out of hand.
Natural Bias
I believe that everyone should have a healthy self respect. But there is a spirit of criticism, fault finding and better than thou that I have seen amongst some in the natural community. For some, it isn’t good enough not to put chemicals in your hair. You have to wear your hair in the most afro centric style.
There is nothing wrong with afrocentric styles. If you, personally, choose to wear your hair in the most afrocentric style then that is great. I wore a full afro or a puff for two years straight. Does that make me any better than a natural sisters who wears their hair in braids or weavesn? I don’t think so.
I think we need to be honest with ourselves. There are a lot of people who want to wear there hair without resorting to chemicals to control it but they don’t want to feel confined to one type of “natural style”.
For a long time I have felt that many of us in the natural community have discriminated against other natural sisters because they were not natural enough. When “looking white” was right, we looked down on those who were too dark, whose hair was too “nappy” whose nose was too wide or lips were too thick. Now that “naturalness” has seen a resurgence we have flipped the script and it is this whole blacker than thou mentality.
My Cards
I am about to put my cards on the table. When I started this site it was because I wanted to help people who wanted to find alternatives to relaxers. I wasn’t really pressed to push any type of agenda. I realize that I got “off message.” I got caught up in the whole “natural as an expression of Black Pride” ideology.
This site is about helping people go natural and stay natural whatever that means to you. As long as you are not looking for me to advise you on how to chemically change the texture of your hair, I will do my best to write articles to help you enjoy your hair at whatever “stage” you happen to find yourself in.I apologize for getting off course. I just wanted to let you know. I’m back.
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