“Just taking a moment to rant against natural hair police” ~Solange Knowles
Solange had a lot on her mind last night as she took to Twitter to speak against naturals who have questioned the authenticity of her big chop and criticized her for rocking “undefined” looks all the time. Check it out;
I cut my hair ALL off 4 times in my life all for very different reasons….I only reiterate this because this is nothing new for me.
I’ve never painted myself as a team natural vice president. I don’t know the lingo and I don’t sleep with a satin cap…
However, I did noticed when I picked out my hair, I kept seeing feedback about needing a “twist out”. Connnnfesssioonnn: I HATE twist outs.
I dont want to talk about no damn hair…..no mo.
So what got Solange all fired up? A post on natural hair Tumblr blog Moderne Meid, which was itself summarizing a post from a DIFFERENT natural hair website that attracted some very uncomplimentary comments about Solange’s hair, including that it is not unique, and looks dry and unkempt (aka, not always in a twist out).
I think it’s very unfortunate that Solange is getting flack for DARING to rock her hair with the curls undefined. There are still quite a few women who feel that the only “acceptable” way to wear natural hair is to painstakingly define every ringlet, curl and coil — stretched styles and undefined fros be damned. I love that Solange prefers an undefined look. It fits well with her overall look and attitude, and frankly it’s quite beautiful.
What are your thoughts on all this ladies? How do you feel about women coming at Solange for not having (or attempting to have) curls in her hair?
Solange’s full twitter rant is below (start at the bottom and read up). Click to enlarge the photos:
Whoa! Each one of us is unique. No two people have the same fingerprints, not even twins. That’s just how wonderful we are. Let everyone enjoy their style, whatever it is. I commend anyone who rocks their hair in it’s natural God given form. If you prefer something else then flow. But I must admit I’m loving Solange’s flow.
Lol the fact that ppl will pick on a person over anything is hilarious…if she wore 39inch weave they’d be bashing…stfu..its hair. I wish somebod would criticize me for NOT defining my curls. Ppl need to start worrying about their own hair…they taking this natural hair movement too emotionally serious. I like twist outs but hate to do them…I’ve got other things to do than be obssessed with my hair and products…smh tell solo…lol
I commend Solange for being self assured & bold enough to express herself as she sees fit with =out conforming to others ideology of what is or isn’t acceptable. What I or anyone else eats does not make Solange s*@t!!!
I commend Solange for daring to be so unique and not letting the prejudices of others define who she is and what she wants to do with her hair! Shoot! It’s just hair! I personally would not wear my hair like that simply cuz I HATE the task of detangling that would become inevitable if i left my hair out in a fro like that! But at the same time, I think Solange is beautiful and her locks are equally as gorgeous…nobody has the right to tell her how she should rock them!
I love Solange’s hair I love that she wears it in various different ways, I love that she tends to represent a “natural look” even when she chooses to wear a weave and I think the “police” need to stop with the divide and allow things to mature naturally no pun intended.
That’s the only way hate for our hair texture (whatever variety one may have) will die as well as the notion that if someone doesn’t roll out of the bed and go, they hate their hair that’s goofy. Variety is a beautiful thing.
While I totally understand the spirit in which she said everything, I’m not completely on board with the whole “it’s just hair” thing (that’s just my opinion). I kinda find it a little odd also, that as much advertising and promotion she does for Carol’s Daughter, she doesn’t care about hair. Don’t get me wrong, I think that her confidence and ability to not be swayed by the opinions of others on how she looks is amazing!! And I also like the comment theminniemaven made about taking back the natural hair movement before mainstream takes it to a whole new level. However, I believe that the hair on our heads is a beautiful thing, and I’m loving the sense of community it’s creating among SOME black women(like BGLH of course). I’m just not in the mindset of “I could give two cents about my hair”. Yes, the policing of each other’s hairstyles, motivation or enthusiasm for being natural definitely needs to stop. However, I think that it’s perfectly fine for those who do enjoy the dialogue to discuss various hair textures, styles, and products. The women harassing Solange about needing a twist-out can most certainly take a hike, but let’s not make this incident an opportunity to have an “I’m more natural, more proud, and less concerned about what people think than those OTHER twist-out wearing naturals” moment….I’m just saying. Much love ladies!!
I love that Solange is confident enough to rock her natural hair the way she wants to rock and does not conform to the defining your curls is the only way to be natural bs. She is a beautiful and unique woman and I am so happy she spoke out against the natural hair police. Solange, do you girl! It fits you and is so lovely.
Just when I start to like her she always messes it up (and for the record I’m well aware she doesn’t need me to). She tries very hard to shuck off any labels placed on her while seemingly embracing the mold of those labels, and enjoying the benefits thereof until something sets her off and she has a bitch fit. She does everything she can to be different from her sister, and at first it seemed contrived, but now that she seems to have comfortably found a niche she tries to disassociate herself? So will she not do anymore articles, interviews, or endorsements?
I kinda felt that way too
I second everyone here who said “it’s just hair.” It really is! Wear it however you want to. So long as you feel proud of who you are!
I totally agree with solange. I get flack about doing the same thing n I think its stupid. Let me do what I want with my hair! Emphasis on my hair. Anyway society needs to just allow us to be us n leave us to be us. That’s all we can be anyway right? Just us!
I really thought i was the only one who HATED TWIST OUTS. And this whole defining your curls mess, drives me crazy (i dont need to have a pound of eco styler on my hair to look acceptable). My BAA or my pony puff will do just fine thank you…..AND I LOVE SOLOS hair..she BE KILLING EM….
BLACK WOMEN YOU NEED TO JUST GET REAL AND LIVE LIFE. SOCIETY HAS CONDITION YOUNG BLACK WOMEN TO THINK THAT THEIR HAIR IS UGLY AND JUST PLAIN NAPPY. bLACK WOMEN HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT. BLACK WOMEN WILL ALWAYS BE HATERS AMONG ONE ANOTHER NO MATTER WHAT THEY ROCK ON THEIR HEAD OR ON THEIR BODY……..lIFE IS TO SHORT TO BE TALKING ABOUT SUCH SILLINESS
its her damn hair and she should wear it anyhow she wants. end of story
I don’t think there is anything wrong with wearing her hair undefined. I did that for two days in a row once, for the first time ever, and I thought it was the best look I’ve ever seen on my hair. Unfortunately it tangles easily, breaks a lot and very difficult to manage because it’s so thick, so I have to keep it in braids/twist 99% of the time.
It looks great on Solange so all the haters can go jump off a cliff. It’s our choice what we do to our natural God-given hair.
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So now there are CERTAIN WAYS to wear natural hair? HAH! The austere, elitist classifications the AA community place on their appearances makes me laugh somewhat, though tragically. There are grades for skin colour, hair type… what next? Teeth and lip size? And this is meant to be progress from the widespread, demonising and demeaning classifications that were foisted upon Blacks by colonialists and White majority during those overtly, virulent racist eras of before?
The bottom line is WHO. CARES? People are allowed to have whatever hair they want, present their skin whatever way they want – this is why we’re INDIVIDUALS. Also, nobody’s hair is the same, so all this Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 24G nonsense is inconsequential bull excreta. As long as you maintain your hair well and preserve its health, you can do whatever you want with it. I’ve always had natural hair and at no point have I ever gone through the ridiculous, expensive rigmaroles of satin caps and pillows, twist outs, leave-in conditioners, sealants – sheesh! Are you preparing Jesus or what?
The sooner this strange, rigid attitude towards natural hair (not to mention other physical traits) like it’s some arcane, esoteric concept dissipates, the better for everyone and the more fruitfully we as Blacks can appreciate TRULY what has been naturally given to us.
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