Lately there’s been quite a bit of discussion in the comment box about what being natural is and is not. We decided to parse out the five main points of contention to see if they are reasonable. Check it out.
Putting Color in Your Hair
Many women feel that coloring your hair simply disqualifies you as natural. There is a point to that — Hair dye is technically a chemical that weakens the hair and in some cases, alters the texture. But “going natural” most commonly refers to embracing texture, not color, although that’s part of the process too. Some argue that choosing a light color is an attempt to distance one’s self from a black/afro aesthetic, but what about creativity? What about experimenting and trying new things? Ladies, what’s your take?
Being Non-Black
It’s true that the natural hair movement began with, and is firmly rooted in black culture. And that is not likely to change. But it’s also true that accepting hair texture is something that women of other ethnicities struggle with too (as Algerian style icon Sa Rah shared) — albeit to a lesser extent. The consequences that black women can face for being natural — romantically, professionally and socially — are far more grave than women of other ethnicities. STILL, any kinky or curly haired woman can benefit from the inspiration, instruction and advice shared within the natural community. So, what do you think? Can any curly or kinky-haired woman be called ‘natural’, or is it a label that should remain unique to black women?
Getting a Texturizer
Many naturals were deeply upset when they discovered that Titi Branch, one half of the duo behind natural haircare line Miss Jessie’s, uses a texturizer to elongate her curls. Many saw this as a betrayal and antithetical to the natural ideal of embracing your texture ‘as is’. Texturizers are a chemical treatment that loosen kinks and curls but don’t fully straighten the hair. Without proper upkeep they can weaken the hair, and lead to breakage. Some feel that, because texturizers don’t fully eliminate kinks and curls, they should still count as natural. Ladies, what do you think?
Being Black and Having Wavy/Straight Hair
Black hair comes in a wide variety of textures, from kinky/cottony to bone straight. What about black women with naturally wavy and straight hair? Some feel that, because their texture is already socially acceptable, they don’t “need” the natural community and shouldn’t be a part of it. Some of this thinking came into play here on BGLH when we posted an article by Brittany, a wavy haired natural. What do you think ladies? Should being black and having wavy or straight hair disqualify you from being natural?
Being Natural Underneath a Weave
Our 2011 interview with Angela Simmons, who has a massive afro under a shiny head of weave, sparked major debate. Some felt that Ms Simmons, who didn’t know much about managing her natural hair (outside of seeing a stylist) was not qualified to be featured on a natural hair blog. But an increasing number of women are transitioning from relaxers via weaves, while keeping their natural kinks and curls hidden underneath. Some don’t yet have the courage to rock their natural hair out in public, and others find that weaves — which can withstand significantly more manipulation and heat styling than natural hair — are more convenient. Does this mean these women are not natural?
What does being natural mean to you?
I believe a person has to accept who they are naturally as a spirit. Then and only then can they embrace their natural, God-given features. It’s all about being true to you. There is a song that is all about that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWbTb3URnY0
Peace, ladies!
I’m not here to disqualify anyone I’m just SO SO TIRED of the “texturizer” discussion. A texturizer is a relaxer!!!! Looks like one, smells like one, burn/tingles like one and straightens like one. They are the same thing, I’m tired of the misinformation and girls saying they’re cutting all their relaxed hair off to “texlax” in hopes of achieving curls that may or may not appear. This process does straighten hair because it is a relaxer not a jherri curl lol…that is all.
Any type of relaxer makes my hair straight…”texlaxing,” all that.
First of all, I am natural , but I use a henna dye to cover gray. This does NOT disqualify me as a natural, because the henna dye DOES not have ammonia or any other chemicals in it!!!!!
Also having a texturizer does not qualify one as being natural because even though a texturizer allows you to keep some curl, it is still a chemical, like a relaxer. Read the label!!
Also for women who are naturally straight or curly/wavy, YES they are part of the natural community, because they are NATURAL!!!!! Do NOT make this a Good hair bad hair thing!!! Time to evolve people!!! Let us embrace all of our textures and keep it moving!!!!!
I don’t really care about color. Masai warriors use red ochre from clay to color their hair red. Would those guys not qualify as natural either? =p Or does it only matter if it’s a chemical from a box?
The one thing I will say, is that people with more socially acceptable hair types with looser waves and curls should understand that the journey they are on may be different from someone with 4b/4c hair. It’s important to recognize that fact and not stomp all over it. =p
People should be allowed to have their hair any way they want without being judged, labeled or excluded. As long as their actions don’t stink of cultural appropriation than I’m fine with it.
I am not natural but I’ve been natural before so I’ve seen both sides of things. The one thing I have an issue with is when natural nazi’s (and yes I said natural nazi’s which are people who put the issue of being natural or make judgement on those who are not)talk about pride in their hair or that being natural is not difficult yet they have it hidden up under weaves and wigs.
In that case you’re natural but it defeats the point that some claim that they are trying to make. How can one chastise someone for not being natural but then project the same look but in a different way?
That’s why this whole natural or relaxed thing is just too much for me! Just wear your hair the way you want to wear it and let the next chick wear hers the way she wants to. The way the social system works in America anyway, it doesn’t matter what we do to our hair, it’s going to come with some consequences. Just do you, live with or rise above those consequences and generate some sisterhood in between. After all, it’s bad enough that everyone else has something to say about us. Do we really need to be against ourselves too? Just sayin’.
\end rant ;-)
Please stop referring to people as Nazis. That is offensive. What those people did is no comparison of someone judging you on something as stupid as hair care/ style practices.The judgey tone of these people can be bitchy. I would rather be called a Bitch than a Nazi. Please stop.
Texturizers are a definite no no, I didn’t feel I was a true natural until I stopped texturizing my hair, I found it became more of a hassle then it was worth. As far as color goes, I love seeing how color expresses itself on natural hair, I feel it highlights the beauty and texure of natural hair. I don’t consider myself a hair nazi, my decision to go natural was based strictly on my desire to not perm my hair ever again, I just didn’t like how my hair was thinning and the whole 6-8 week ritual of reapplying chemicals to my hair, not to mention the cost.
Bottom line is if you apply a chemical to your hair you aren’t natural in a superficial sense. However if you have a color or texturizer please know that as a participant on a hair blog or forum you need to state that truthfully. You should not give advice or ask for help without stating the obvious. Its not the chemical process that bothers me but the acting like your hair hasn’t changed. Color makes the hair drier, and for a few alters the natural texture. A textuizer is the same as a relaxer also having the potential to cause dryness and breakage. There is risk associated with both.The advice you give and the help you ask for can be null and void if you don’t say that your hair is chemically treated. It doesn’t make you less of a person if you want to wear weave, relax, texlax or color. It may be just what you need to spruce up your style or maintain your hair. The problem seems to be that everyone wants to join this movement because of the comradery and since of community, but everyone wants to bend the “rules” so that they don’t feel left out.Heaven forbid you tell them they can’t come play lol. Then you get called a murderer (NAZI) apparently exterminating peoples dreams of what it means to be natural. The initial purpose was to be happy with what you got. Where you fall into that is ultimately up to you.
Lets be real OUR HAIR on average is NOT STRAIGHT OR WAVY! i have never seen an UNMIXED BLACK PERSON with natural STRAIGHT WET AND WAVY HAIR!
Im not saying it’s not possible to have im just saying U would be hard pressed to find it on FULL UNMIXED BLACK PERONe
TO ME if it’s no kinky then u are disqualified.
The “Natural” community consists of black and mixed black women of all hair types. Only from Africa do we see the texture of hair targeted specifically by relaxer companies, so only people with african blood count.
Color-treated hair, in my opinion is still natural because you can treat your hair with an array of natural products from lemons to cinnamon to henna dye.
A texturizer is a relaxer. Period.
And as for weaves and wigs hiding natural hair: Some girls and women are not confident enough in their hair and in themselves to break away just yet, but it will come. Others opt for the low (not no) maintenance of them. So long as underneath they are natural, then that’s that.
Knowledge, logic and understanding.
I put a dark auburn color in my hair after I big chopped. I still consider myself natural. Naturalness is a state of mind as well as a physical description. I stopped eating pork and red meat and using deodorant with ammonia. I also drink more water, excercise more frequently, and eat more fruits and vegetables. Doesn’t that also qualify as “natural”? My mindset is to stop pointing at other people and focus more on me and my overall health.
BTW, My co-worker/friend came to work last week with a beautiful weave, flowing down her back, light brown with streaks of blonde. I told her that it was gorgeous (it was).
My motto: Concentate on you, not me!