Black Women Return to Their Natural Hair
Why does this happen? The media has a lot to do with it. Black women are typically seen with long, straight, flowing hair. Until recently, women who chose to go natural were often portrayed as eccentric. Or they were dismissed as being afrocentric. Also, some biased beliefs dating back to slavery still survive today. During that period of bondage, African-American hair was viewed as dirty and unkempt. So, many blacks were shamed by their hair and eventually found ways to change its state. After awhile, it just became the social norm for black women to have relaxed hair.
This has caused natural black hair to be viewed as an oddity. Often, a woman who chooses to maintain her true texture is considered to be going against the grain. Some even believe that this type of hair is not appropriate in the business world. Thankfully, there are laws in place to protect from this type of discrimination. But that hasn't changed the negative perception that many have of African hair.
This was not always the case. For a brief period in history during the 1960's -1970's, natural hair became a source of cultural pride. The Civil Rights Movement caused many to esteem their heritage, including their locks. It was common for men and women to wear afros or other natural styles. However, as the Movement died down so did these displays of diverse African-American hairdos. Many returned to using chemicals or heat on their tresses to achieve a straighter look.
But today the tide is once again changing. Many women of African descent are returning to their natural roots. In recent years it has become more and more common to see blacks on television with cornrows, braids, afros, and many other culturally unique hairstyles. Women such as Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, and Kim Fields-Freeman wear their hair unapologetically.
And what is there to be sorry for anyway? It would be odd for Caucasians or other ethnicities to feel inferior because they were born with straight hair. After all, it's natural for their hair to grow that way. That should also be the prevailing attitude regarding African textured hair. The way it grows out of scalp is the way it was designed to be. And once again many black women are realizing this fact and embracing what's naturally theirs.
Published by Serfronya Wallace
Serfronya Wallace is a wife, mother, and freelance writer. Her husband and she have been home educators for several years. Serfronya writes about home management, frugality, child rearing, and homeschooling.... View profile
- Buying Guide to Natural Hair ProductsAre you in the market for natural hair care products but don't have the time to find the best of the best? These pure and simple hair products really pack a punch.
- Quick Hairstyle: The Overnight Natural Hair Twist OutIf you have natural hair and are looking for an easy do, the overnight twist out is one of the best hair styles around, and you don't need to be a hairstyle-pro.
- Hair Bumps, Neck Bumps, Razor Bumps, and Ingrown HairsApproximately 30 to 40% of black men have some form of hair bumps or ingrown hairs. Yet, women also have hair bumps, especially women of African descent who shave their face.
- Transitioning from Permed Hair to Natural HairHow to transition from permed hair to natural hair
- Living with Natural Hair: My Choice to Straighten
- 5 Quick Tips to Quickly Detangle Natural Hair
- Does the Social Construct of "Race" Impact Tennis Tournaments
- Seven Myths About Highly-Textured, Natural Hair
- Tips for Caring for Natural Hair
- Great Natural Hair Style: How to Do Twists
- Review of Parissa Natural Hair Removal System
- During the 1960�s -1970�s, natural hair became a source of cultural pride.
- Today many women of African descent are returning to their natural roots.
- It would be odd for Caucasians to feel inferior because they were born with straight hair.
36 Comments
Post a CommentI received my first relaxer when I was 7 years old, and I was one of the many little girls who thought that it was simply a rite of passage. I made the decision to go natural about a year and a half ago, and contrary to the post below mine, there IS no going back. Healthy hair never goes out of style. Also, having relaxed hair is still imposed to an extent, as chemical treatments are the norm for Black women, instead of their own natural state. There is no other group of women for which this is the case. I'm not against straight hair, rather I am for healthy hair. When I want a straight look, I have the option to use heat and there's nothing wrong with that if done right and used sparingly.
However, as a chemistry major, I can tell you that nothing good comes from applying a sodium hydroxide mixture to your scalp and hair...even the weaker derivatives are harmful. In fact I would argue that it's the women who fail to realize this that are truly naive
There is absolutely nothing wrong with relaxed hair or weaves, and white society isn't "imposing" anything on us anymore. There are still more women who wear relaxed hair than natural hair, and that is a fact. Some of you young black women are so opinionated and think you have ALL the answers. This "new natural look" that you all rave about will go out of style, just like the Afro's did. We were all so proud of our Afro's back in the 70's, but soon got tired of nappy hair and switched to the chemically straighten Jeri Curl of the 80's. You too will soon get tired of looking at those dreadlocks and naps and go back to frying your hair like the rest of us. You're not "liberated", just very naive.
love yourself; then what you do with your hair won't matter. that is the ultimate self acceptance.
I AGREE. WEARING NATURAL AFRICAN HAIR IS SUCH A A JOYFUL, PEACEFUL PLACE BE.
As a professional make-up/hair stylist for TV and film for the past 20 years I have seen how much black women suffer with their hair. I think it is a shame that these women have been made to feel inferior because of their beautiful curly hair. Every time I work with a black model/actress I wish I could just say "Free yourself from the stupid bond white society has imposed on you, liberate your body from all the chemicals and pain, don't let the media dictate what you have to look like! No more weaves, wigs, hair pieces or perms!!!!! Go natural!!!!
Absolutely adore this article.
Love Yourself: How does chemically altering something that you were born with mean you love yourself? If one loves themselves why would they chemically alter themselves?
I love this article!
love yourself; then what you do with your hair won't matter. that is the ultimate self acceptance.
In response to Nappy Wappy, how would that work most soaps have skin softening products in them? It seems soap would make your hair dry and brittle. My suggestion to those who do not want to cut their is to wear it rodded style or in a curly bush or straw sets and cut the relaxed portion a half inch every six weeks. i did it for 18 months. i have been natural for 3 years.
Gone natural about 2 years now. I had a perm as well, and what I did was braid my hair (not tight) in cornrows month after month and now I have a full head of tightly coiled hair that I accept and love. Didn't have to go bald becasue my hair grew out beautifully with the braids. My wear an nappy fro, which I trim to style. It's really a self acceptance thing to go natural because let's not kid ourselves our hair has been (and still is) taboo. Yes it's a challenge to manage, but no more a challenge than dodging rainy days in fear that your style will fall, or sitting under the dryer every week, surving the chemical burns, and the brakeage.
See yourself, LOVE yourself.
i have relaxed hair and am tired of relaxing it over and over. plus it all ways burn not matter what.i want my natural hair back with out having to cut it all off.