 |
| Go Natural or Not? |
Is it a Trend? Fad? Fashion Statement? Or Conscious Choice? Many teen
girls are thinking about making the transition from relaxed hair to natural
hair…
Are these teen girls doing it because they see others doing
it? Or are they making the decision to
return to their natural hair texture on their own? Whatever the decision is, teen girls who have
decided to make that transition will test their self-esteem, confidence and
self-worth, ultimately measuring their inner strength against the likes of good
old “Peer Pressure” and society’s perception of what beauty looks like.
 | ||
| Yes, I'm Going Natural |
A few weeks ago, my niece told me that she wanted to “Go Natural.” I was all smiles, yet at the same time
wondering if she truly understood the decision she was making and what it would
entail for her…. So you know me, I asked
a few questions and this is what she said:
Q. At what age did you receive your first
relaxer?
A. I don’t even
remember being natural; I think I was about 6 years old???
Q. When was your last relaxer applied?
A. My Mom did it sometime
in December 2012. (Mom: Former
Cosmetologist)
Q. What made you decide to return to your
natural hair texture?
A. I was tired of seeing
my hair break off and it looking unhealthy.
I also didn’t like how the early morning weather would make my hair
puffy.
Q. Are you excited about your natural hair
journey?
A. Yeesss. I’m excited to see the new changes in my hair
and doing different styles that are healthier and satisfying than flat ironing
and being unsatisfied with the results of damaged hair.
Q. What challenges do you foresee ahead of you?
A. I see the challenges
occurring outside myself meaning “getting different” comments whether good or
bad from my friends and peers. There may
be some people who won’t like it and there may be others whom I inspire to make
the switch too.
Q. What are your expectations/goals during the
transitioning process?
A. I expect my hair
to be much healthier, and my confidence boosted a little more.
Q. What did your parent(s) say about your
decision? Do you have a good support
system?
A. My Mom is supportive
although she didn’t say much about my decision.
Q. What advice would you give other teen girls
who are deciding to return to their natural hair texture? Why?
A. I would advise
them to take some time to seriously think about it first because you want to
make sure that you’ll like it and it’s something you want to do.
 | ||
| Looking Forward to BEing Natural; My Natural Hair Journey Begins |
After spending some time with my niece and discussing some of
the social objections she may encounter throughout this process, it was very
clear to me that she’d made a conscious choice based on her own understanding
of what “returning to her natural hair texture” meant.
Although my niece has watched me from afar over the years,
it’s apparent that she’s observed how I’ve handled both positive and negative encounters
as it relates to comments being made about my own hair.
So, needless to say I was still very honest and forthright
with her in sharing my joys and conflicts because I wanted her to know that as
a “Beautiful Dark-skinned Woman” she too would be susceptible to some of the
same ignorance in individuals who lack understanding of our hair and its
texture.…
In spite of the social ills and external oppositions, she’s
still confident about her decision and wants to move forward with the process of “Going
Natural.” So stay tuned as we take a journey
in the life of a teen that’s transitioning and transforming her mind and outlook
about natural hair and what’s BEaUtiful.
#YoungHipNatural
Love this. I am doing the big chop in the near future. I have had locs for years. It is time to for a change.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that quite a few young African American girls and women are electing to not perm or change the texture of their hair. We need to love and embrace our hair. We are the only race that have said that I hate my natural hair.
We never had examples of our moms having natural hair. I remember my mom getting her first perm when I was a little girl and it took all her hair out. I first permed my hair when I was 18 against my mom wishes. Now I wish I would have listened. I tried going natural but I did not know how to take care of it. I tried so many different products and just did not work the way I wanted it too. Since our moms permed their hair they did not know what products to use on our hair in it's natural state. At that time also we did not have the products available like we do now.
We now have women that do wear their hair natural and serve as a great example to our girls. They also can help us when we have a question about our hair. I know that I am going to need a lot of help when I do the big chop. My how things have changed.
Thank You... Change is GOOD, Just Like Our Hair Is GOOD in its Natural State! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's more than just "Our Hair," it's about how we see ourselves... And we can go on about this subject....
What I do believe is transpiring with this "Natural Hair Movement" is women and girls are coming to the "Self-Realization" of LOVING the true essence of who they are and their GOD Given "Natural Beauty."
Truly embracing who WE ARE in its totality, hair and all... Will begin to heal that "self hate" you speak of in my opinion. It's about acceptance and believing that God didn't make any mistakes as it relates to creating our hair texture.
Yes, this is true, there are a lot more "resources" available to us now... It's on us to maximize them in order to foster and support this transformation...
It's Fantastic and I Think it's a WONDERFUL NEW BEGINNING to Something GREAT Happening for those who chose to "Embrace Their Natural Hair and Celebrate Their Real Rootz!"