Do you ever feel guilty about wearing your hair straight or in weaves/wigs and other hair augmentations?
Of course it's every woman's prerogative to wear her hair however she chooses, but do you feel pressure to wear your hair a certain way because you're natural?
For those that feel it's easier to wear/care for your hair in a straightened/stretched-out state or for those that just prefer straight hair for aesthetic reasons... does it make you angry when very strict naturals or others accuse you of self-hate because you prefer your hair straightened?
Did you stop wearing your hair straight because of other people's opinions even though you like the versatility of having naturally curly hair?
Did you go natural because you felt you had to escape society's perception of black women and their hair issues?
Do you feel any pressure to conform and be either 100% natural or 100% straight?
I've been natural since 2005 and I absolutely love wearing my natural hair. But I am a professional cheerleader for a NFL team and the industry standard is straight long and silky. I often times feel frustrated and guilty for "weaving it up" to keep my spot on the team or consistently pressing my edges before every game to make my hair blend. I know it's damaging, and often times I want to rebel... but I love what I do and feel that it's the sacrifice I have to make for now. During the season, I play by their rules but as SOON as the season ends, I wear my hair out. It's feels so liberating!
ReplyDeleteNot at all! :) I think kinky, curly individuals get the best of both worlds. We should embrace the versatility of our hair and wear as many styles as we choose to! I know I do! My hair never stays the same for long! I change my hair as much as I change moods!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree.. We naturals have sooo much versatility.. Wear it kinky/ curly on some days, and straight on other days. I do get annoyed when strict naturals are like people who wear their hair straight or in weaves are self-hating.. So not true. Just as quick I'd throw in a weave, is just as quick as I wear my hair out naturally :D
ReplyDeletei flat ironed my hair recently for the first time in the seven months i've been natural and i disliked the way it looked. i was kind of scared it wouldn't revert back! so i washed it out immediately.
ReplyDeletehonestly i feel straight hair makes me look average. i like the 'big' poofy look.
Not in the slightest, and I agree with Mimi & Mane.
ReplyDeleteNever did I see a wig/ weave as a form of self hatred. In fact I'd be more inclined to believe that people who down others because they choose to do something different suffers from self-hate.
No one should worry about what the next person has in/ on their head. Heck no one should worry about what others may think, either. Its suck a shame that we have to deal with so much but its worse when we have to battle within our on community. *Sigh*
I went natural by mistake and stuck with it because I like challenges. I've had colors, highlights, short hair, long hair, relaxed hair, and now I'm natural. I've done pretty much everything to my hair (with an exception to a jerri curl.) Its just hair to me. It doesn't define who I am at all. At the end of the day I don't want to be Beyonce nor do I want to be Badu. If I was to shave my head bald or relax tomorrow, I'll still be Dwana.
I look at weaves/ wigs like I look at makeup. JMHO
Nope, not one bit. I personally where wigs or straighten my hair due to a very busy schedule and it takes me too long to detangle. I don't have a curl pattern or have discovered a product yet to stop my hair from curling into each other to make it look presentable TO ME. It's very frustrating. Right now...FOR ME, having it straight or covered, allows me to not yank through it and protects it. It's not about what others think of my hair being kinky or straight...it's my current lifestyle of limited time to properly style it.
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