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| Relaxed VS. Natural |
There is lots of discussion about natural hair versus relaxed hair and I figured that I'd add my 2 cents to this topic.
First, I would like to say that although I prefer my hair to be in its natural state, I do not believe that this makes me or my hair better or even healthier than the hair of anyone else. Healthy, beautiful hair, and even damaged hair can be found on both natural and relaxed hair. I have seen this discussion take an ugly turn when someone decides to get on their high horse and dictate to others what they "should be" doing with their hair. In my opinion it's not so much the state of the hair, as it is the state of mind an individual is in when they make the choices they make.
Wearing your hair how you choose to wear it is a choice that you are entitled to, but if your decisions are based on some sort of crazy superiority complex or feelings of inferiority then you might want to take a step back and access your reasoning behind your decision for the sake of your own mental well being. In my opinion, hair is an accessory. You should be free and feel free-minded to do whatever you want with it! Dye it, Cut it, Curl it, relax it, lock it, twist it, braid it, shave it, perm it...do whatever your little heart desires, because it is just hair and you should have way more going for you than just your hair anyways. We shouldn't allow a silly device such as "natural vs. relaxed" to divide us.
All this is to say, whatever you decide to do with your hair, allow it to come from your freedom of choice and from doing what makes your happy and nothing more. That is all...
Are you relaxed? Are you natural? I would love to hear your point of view on this topic.
I have been completely natural for over 4 years and I will never go back to being relaxed. They way someone chooses to wear their hair should be their own choice, however, for most of my life I didn't know that not relaxing my hair was even an option. I find this is true for most people I meet. The great thing is that as more women are wearing their hair without relaxers and weaves we are able to see the different textures and beauty as well as the possibilities!
ReplyDeleteWell said Scarlett. I have been natural for a little over 10 years now and it pleases me to see that more women are seeing natural hair as an option. Like you said, for some, it has never even crossed their minds to NOT have relaxed hair and hopefully that will change as we become more educated about our hair, its amazing versatility, and how to take care of it.
ReplyDeleteI think that natural hair has become more of an option as women are learning to love themselves first, We also have a lot more options in terms of products than we have had in the past. If you follow the history of civil rights in an interesting way you should follow the history of our hair. At this point I see the acceptance of various hairstyles as an acceptance that although we are Black we are coming to a point where we are defining ourselves in ways beyond our Blackness. I often tell people the only thing I ever craved of white culture is the ability to be seen as an individual instead of a race. We definitely are not at that point but we are inching closer.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I love your closing comment! "To be seen as an individual instead of a race". That is a powerful statement! Thank you for sharing!
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