I Am Not My Hair

For centuries black women and women of color have struggled with their coarse locks that are either too curly (nappy) or euphemistically speaking, "unmanageable".  I loathe the word "nappy".  It carries such a negative undertone.  To say that black women's hair is a touchy subject would be an understatement.  The hair care industry is making billions annually, which affords black women more freedom and versatility in the hairstyles they can rock now more than ever.  Weaves, wigs, clip-ins, braids, sewed in, glued in, bonded, you name it, these ladies are doing it.  If a black woman is not straightening her hair with a hot comb, flat ironing or relaxing it, there is only one alternative...natural tresses.

If you want to know just how sticky the subject is, just ask a man who has dealt with a black woman and he will be the first to tell you all the Do's and Don'ts.  Moisture is Public Enemy #1 to a black woman's hairdo!  Yes, that's it, moisture!  Moisture can come in the form of sweat, or water or any other type of liquid, but it will instantly do one of two things: If the woman has natural hair with no chemicals on it, her hair will expand and the hair's natural curl pattern will form (afro/curly afro).  If she has a relaxer, the hair will just go limp.  I know, No bueno!  Now it makes much more sense why some black women will not swim or workout when there hair is in a specific style, right?

Not swimming and not working out can become a hinderance to your lifestyle and decrease physical activity.  There are two common remedies for this: a full weave or wig or braids or locks of some kind.  Not only do black women have to worry about Public Enemy #1, moisture, but they also have to fear another common enemy to black women's hair and that would be the black man...lol!  No, seriously! Black men love to touch their women's hair when it is fresh out the shop, sweat out her curls while engaging in physical activity ;-) and basically take a beautiful hairdo from 0-60 in 5 seconds.  To that I say, ladies, make him pay!$!$

On a more serious note, black men do not only mess up perfectly good hairdos, but they criticize them as well.  Nowadays, black men are very vocal about whether they like or dislike weaves, who should wear them and who shouldn't and what they feel your "best" look is.  I think I liked it more when men didn't care about fashion and grooming *smile*.  Either way, black women have some serious "roots" and "soul" searching to do.

So here comes the ultimate hair question.  Do black women ignore the negative "nappy" stereotypes and rock their natural hair...kinks and all? Or do they go for the easier and "manageable" route with a partial or full weave or wig?  Statistics show that more and more women are going with the latter.  Time, convenience and affordability play a big factor.  I say, if you are going to put anything on your head, just make sure it is quality, or at least looks like quality, otherwise, you are downgrading.  And it is also a good idea to pick curl patterns, styles, and colors that are flattering to your physical features.

I'm curious to know about the struggles black women have with their hair when it comes to braids, wigs, weaves and locks.  Do you find that you get attention from different people when you wear your natural hair?  Do you get criticized for wearing your weave?  I would also love to hear from the men who have something to say.....TIME TO WEIGH IN...

P.S. If you want to explore new NATURAL hairstyles, treatment, products, etc....check out this site: http://bglhonline.com/ - "Celebrating the dopeness of natural hair."

More recently popular black celebs have been making it a "trend" to rock their natural hair and I'm lovin' it.  Check out some pics of celebs rocking natural looks:

 

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!