When I first returned to my natural texture, I got told this many times, “now that you are natural you’ll be limited in the hairstyles that you can do.” It seemed as if having the choice of hundreds of styles is what made any hair well, worthy. My answer was always so do you. And then I’ll ask, so how many different styles have you done in the last say3 months...6 months.... 1 year?... The answer was always, “ok I see your point.”
The truth is that any hair texture is limited in the number of styles that they can rock. If my hair is not loc’d I cannot achieve the variety of looks a loc’d style can. If my hair were straightened, I cannot achieve the styles hair with Afro texture can achieve. Straight hair has its limits, Afro hair has its limits, indeed the degree of straightness or curliness determines the degree of limitation.
However white little girls don’t seem to care that they cannot have lovely afro puffs, that their hair cannot stay in braids long enough, that cornrows don’t look as neat, that beads tend to keep falling out, that their hair (depending on the length) can get in the way, getting in their face, eyes and mouths sometimes, that water changes the look making it limb and sticking to the scalp. I don’t see white women worrying that they can’t rock a locs updo, an Afro or just having hair that doesn’t bow so visibly to the dictates of the weather, or have a hairstyle that you can go swimming with and it practically remains the same!
The truth is that any hair texture is limited in the number of styles that they can rock. If my hair is not loc’d I cannot achieve the variety of looks a loc’d style can. If my hair were straightened, I cannot achieve the styles hair with Afro texture can achieve. Straight hair has its limits, Afro hair has its limits, indeed the degree of straightness or curliness determines the degree of limitation.
However white little girls don’t seem to care that they cannot have lovely afro puffs, that their hair cannot stay in braids long enough, that cornrows don’t look as neat, that beads tend to keep falling out, that their hair (depending on the length) can get in the way, getting in their face, eyes and mouths sometimes, that water changes the look making it limb and sticking to the scalp. I don’t see white women worrying that they can’t rock a locs updo, an Afro or just having hair that doesn’t bow so visibly to the dictates of the weather, or have a hairstyle that you can go swimming with and it practically remains the same!
Recently a white mother asked me what swimming cap I used for my daughter because she thought her hair was dry after an hour swimming session. No her hair is not dry I explained, it just does not change that much when wet. There are so many things you can’t do with straight hair, but do the straight hair owners care? I-don’t-think-sooooo (sorry if you never listened to Gina Yashare back in the day).
So why then do we, who have Afro texture care that our hair can’t do a million and ten things? Why do we care that our hair doesn’t grow flat on our heads; that it doesn’t grow to our bums; that it doesn’t blow in the wind (how we even think that is a good thing shows the power of persuasion), that it doesn’t comb easily without water? Oh and by the way, straight hair tangles and brushing can be painful if not done carefully or if the ends have not been trimmed for a while.
So why then do we, who have Afro texture care that our hair can’t do a million and ten things? Why do we care that our hair doesn’t grow flat on our heads; that it doesn’t grow to our bums; that it doesn’t blow in the wind (how we even think that is a good thing shows the power of persuasion), that it doesn’t comb easily without water? Oh and by the way, straight hair tangles and brushing can be painful if not done carefully or if the ends have not been trimmed for a while.
When you are satisfied and appreciate what you have, you won’t bother with what others have got. Unfortunately , Afro hair has been so stigmatized for centuries as undesirable that we the ‘Afrotians’ have become so dissatisfied with it, that we look outward and seek to disguise it. It is no coincidence that majority, and that should read 98% of black teenagers have fake hair or have at least altered their hair (and even though I have not done a headcount it pretty much seems the case). Now look at white teenagers, almost 98% have their own hair. Hmmmm what kind of message do you think it sends out to the girls, both black and white? Is it a good message, a healthy message? Do you think black teenage girls will feel at par to the white girl in the beauty stakes? Does that matter?
That’s teenagers – what about the pre-teens, and younger children? More and more I see little girls in extension braids continuously, and hair extensions. I have noticed children in push chairs with weaves, yes weaves!! How many white children have you seen in hair extensions, going to school ladened with someone else’s hair or rather something else as hair? Many of these children have started having the hair problems of older women. Imagine facing a life, from say age 2, where you have to rely on wigs, weaves and extensions for the rest of your life to feel beautiful. What kind of choice is that?
That’s teenagers – what about the pre-teens, and younger children? More and more I see little girls in extension braids continuously, and hair extensions. I have noticed children in push chairs with weaves, yes weaves!! How many white children have you seen in hair extensions, going to school ladened with someone else’s hair or rather something else as hair? Many of these children have started having the hair problems of older women. Imagine facing a life, from say age 2, where you have to rely on wigs, weaves and extensions for the rest of your life to feel beautiful. What kind of choice is that?
I hope with Project Embrace I can help fellow women and girl ‘Afrotians’ appreciate what we have got, because really and truly it is beautiful. Soft and spongy like my daughter would say and it feels oh so nice. All we need do is look after it, not destroy it, and we will be rewarded with beautiful hair.
For tips on how to look after your natural afro hair, how to encourage your children to embrace their own hair and more please sign up below: