Accept Your Curls
Recently, I have had a couple of friends and family asked me about hair. This has been the hardest post I have probably written thus far. Reason is that, if this was a video on Youtube, the vlogger would probably throw in disclaimer after disclaimer. First of all, I am not hating on women of colour who choose to chemically enhance their hair( I have done it once before) or woman who choose to have weaves. Secondly, I am no hair specialist.
However, being a natural head , I started to notice the perceptions that people had about women who decided to wear their natural crown. I remember when Solange Knowles took her natural tresses to the MTV awards in 2009, I may have had relaxed hair but I had never seen something so beautiful. I knew then what I wanted, however when I read blogs and the comments people had left, I was not so sure anymore. I remember one specific comment, it read: " Can Solange go comb her hair or relax it because this style isn't working"(made by a woman of colour). Though this comment shock me to my core, I went and started my transition, then I cut my hair. I was embarrassed of my short hair that I had to constantly have my hair in braids at all times, not because I thought about 'protective styling', eventually my mother could not keep up thus my hair remained free for a while. During that time, I decided to do dreadlocks because I was becoming impatient with my natural loose tresses.
I loved my dreadlocks but hated the questions. A massive amount of people thought I was protesting something, not that I naturally wanted them then people would often mention the hygiene of my dreadlocks because they assumed I never washed them. Lastly, they would ask me why I do not cover them up with a weave or braids- this initially made me feel like my hair was HORRIBLE to look at. Slowly I started to realize that the comments were made because of people's perceptions. I am currently happy with the way my hair curls, I just wish that other woman would be.
A friend and fellow blogger, Jade Kebbie( http://thecoconutlists.blogspot.com/) , of mine brought to my attention about the Miss South Africa pageant stating that even if the skin colour of the contests are different - one thing remains constant is the wavy weaves. I took a look and was sad to find that it was true.
These women are all beautiful and though we may not admit it, "set the standard of beauty" because this is what they constantly feed us through media. It has a negative effect not just on how we mentally view ourselves but how we speak to others.
Dove Hair and other hair related products have seen the natural hair movement and jumped on the bandwagon providing products that protect as well as enhance your curls. Currently, They have a "Love your Curls" Campaign.
Let's stop hating our Natural hair. The way it grows out of your head is how it was meant to be.
However, being a natural head , I started to notice the perceptions that people had about women who decided to wear their natural crown. I remember when Solange Knowles took her natural tresses to the MTV awards in 2009, I may have had relaxed hair but I had never seen something so beautiful. I knew then what I wanted, however when I read blogs and the comments people had left, I was not so sure anymore. I remember one specific comment, it read: " Can Solange go comb her hair or relax it because this style isn't working"(made by a woman of colour). Though this comment shock me to my core, I went and started my transition, then I cut my hair. I was embarrassed of my short hair that I had to constantly have my hair in braids at all times, not because I thought about 'protective styling', eventually my mother could not keep up thus my hair remained free for a while. During that time, I decided to do dreadlocks because I was becoming impatient with my natural loose tresses.
A friend and fellow blogger, Jade Kebbie( http://thecoconutlists.blogspot.com/) , of mine brought to my attention about the Miss South Africa pageant stating that even if the skin colour of the contests are different - one thing remains constant is the wavy weaves. I took a look and was sad to find that it was true.
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| Check all their profiles on : http://misssa.co.za/finalists/Pages/default.aspx |
These women are all beautiful and though we may not admit it, "set the standard of beauty" because this is what they constantly feed us through media. It has a negative effect not just on how we mentally view ourselves but how we speak to others.
Dove Hair and other hair related products have seen the natural hair movement and jumped on the bandwagon providing products that protect as well as enhance your curls. Currently, They have a "Love your Curls" Campaign.
Let's stop hating our Natural hair. The way it grows out of your head is how it was meant to be.
Z.
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