Naturals are hair obsessed
Yes, I must admit some of us are, including me but as I a natural hair blogger I kinda have to be. It’s my thing, my bread and butter but to assume that all or most of the natural hair women running around here have hair on the brain in ridiculous.
There are naturals who you don’t even know are naturals and they never discuss hair in person or on social media so step out of the judgement box and recognize that we aren’t all crazy over some hair.
Naturals think women with relaxers are self-hating
Sting a little? Nobody likes to be judged so please don’t think all naturals are judging you. We know there are women out there who take this natural thing ultra personally and might have that friend who is constantly trying to get you to drink the Natural hair kool-aid and join ‘the club”.
If that is the case I can see why you angry as she calls you everything but a black woman because you wont comply with her unnecessary demands. Believe me when I tell you she is the minority on that one, because we are all too busy working on ourselves so you are beyond safe from that kind of ridicule.
All naturals are just fad-driven
Eww, insulting! It is a fact that natural hair is in the magazines, tv commercials and on the runway. Wigs*, weaves and ponytails are even adopting natural textures which might seem like a fad.
But the vast majority of us have decided to make natural hair a lifestyle change which makes it more than just a fad or the thing to do for just a season.
All natural women love neo-soul or reggae
Seriously? Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Neo-Soul but I was all over it and loving it even before I went natural so stop the madness and take a girl out to a techno club every now and then.
Now, as far as reggae, it’s not for me but I am sure it is the same for that genre of music as well, not everyone with locs, rocks out with Bob Marley playing soccer on a Sunday evening.
Natural hair is hard work
Anything that is new to you is going to be hard work at first and if its new there is understandably a learning curve that can be quite fulfilling when you jump over the hump. In my own experience I find my natural hair much easier than my relaxed hair but it took some time for me to figure out what my hair needed and what worked.
No one figured out how to take care of relaxed hair overnight so we can’t expect to learn our natural tresses in a few days either. Natural hair is only hard if we make it hard, the goal is to keep it simple.
Do you have any stereotypes that you deal with daily? Or do I have them all covered? Comment below!
I’m transitioning to natural hair and my mom say some of the most rude and nastiest comments I’ve ever heard about natural hair. Her favorite thing to say is “natural hair looks nasty”. She has nothing positive to say about natural hair.
I know its hard but, try to ignore her. My Mom is currently of the opinon that my natural hair woudn’t give the right impression at my new internship. She was fine with it whilst is was in college, but even then she always had something to say. I’m going to assume you’re an adult, but even if you aren’t, parents need to know that kids have their own brains, and think their own thoughts. And ultimately, make their own decisions.
Thanks for the kind words. I just let her have her own negative opinion because it doesn’t me.
Ashley, stick by your conviction, my dear Sister-Queen. Its your life, your hair; not your mother’s. If she truly loves you unconditionally (as any mother should love her daughter) she’ll come around once she sees you are committed to this. If she never does…well, you can’t limit or confine yourself to do what is considered “acceptable” simply to make someone else happy. Betrayal of self is still a betrayal. Good luck with your life’s journey and stay true, Ashley.
PS: As a parting thought- Have you ever asked your mother why natural hair is so nasty? Also please make her aware that every time she calls your hair nasty she is really calling you that. What is so wrong with looking exactly like GOD made us? Is your mother saying the Almighty made a mistake when our hair was created? It may be time for your mother to update her consciousness and you could be just the catalyst to bring that change about. Stay Strong, Ashley.
Well actually, from those who have not heard of the natural hair movement. Ues they exist. LOL. I still get “ooh how long did it take to put that in or I have a friend that does extensions or how long do you leave it in. Really, these sisterlocs are all mine. Homegrown all natural organic and GMO free.
Yeah, my white friends’ assume I have weave, like every black person in the world(sarcasm) 🙁
I have two questions that I get on the reg.-
#1 – oh you must not comb your hair. I have gotten this question from black and white people.
#2 – are you or will you or why don’t you straighten your hair?
Ugggg – so tired! : )
I laughed as I went through this list. I have to say that I experienced a lot of these stereotypes when I went natural well over a decade ago. I remember getting: “Will you read some of your poetry at our spoken word event?” Me: Ummm, I don’t write poetry. Him: Come on natural sista, share your knowledge. Me: I don’t have anything to share. Him: Come on now, you gotta have something! Even a Bible vese!…..
I think the one that still persists is “Natural hair is hard work.” It can be if you make it, but it doesn’t have to be.
Lol! My uncle wants me to straighten my hair but he is insane. Every salon I go to is in love with the softness and length of my hair and I’m not giving it up for no one. Natural hair. I can say I’m eccentric but in the fashion/artsy/music(songs similar to Hey there Delilah and converse as wedding shoes) world not the poem type way although I love depressing poems. I was thinking about being a vegan but only because meat does not taste ALL THAT good to me. I’m a carb girl.
I had to smile about the comment of is being hair addicts because I am. I am the first to admit that I am a bonafide product junkie for my natural hair and this site feeds my habit lololol. Yesterday, after reading the article on the best conditioners, I went to Walmart and stocked up on Imfusion and Neutrogena. Yep, one of the myths is absolutely true in my case lololol. Y’all pray for me.
Oh, I’ve had to deal with stereotypes from the sublime to the ridiculous. Because of my natural hair, people have asked me if I am Muslim (it was wrapped that day), Rasta (my twists were looking like locs, I guess), and gay (because “all Black lesbians wear their hair natural, short, or locked” Really?)
I’m so glad I haven’t had to endure that. I love my natural hair texture.
That is the wrong pic sorry