This has got to stop! I mean what’s all the fuss about?
She was natural, but decided to relax – side eye. She has a curly perm, but wanna come to the natural hair meetup – attitude. All she wears are weaves; she can’t tell me anything about my natural hair – rolling eyes. You cut all your hair off, that’s dumb – negative opinion.
Uggh enough already, it’s just hair!!!
When I became a naturalista back in 2012, I was proud of my decision. Not because others were doing it, and not because it seemed like the “right” thing to do. I decided to go natural because my hair was really damaged by the relaxer, and I needed something different in order to get my hair back to healthy. Honestly, I did not know I was going natural until I saw my roots and got excited, so I went with it.
At the same time, I was in it by myself; I did not know what to do with my hair, but I did not become discouraged. I tried hair salons, but they did not know what to do with my hair. So I checked out books at many libraries, printed articles from online, posted “styling” pictures on my wall, and read product reviews. I took my hair into my own hands like many naturals before and after me.
Then I discovered hair tutorials on YouTube, and saw many blogs of naturals who had similar hair as mine. I learned about my hair daily, more than when I was on my journey alone, and I am grateful to all the YouTubers and the bloggers who put themselves out there like that.
Now that it seems to be a bit more popular, things between us girls have become less than favorable with some kind of weird animosity – natural women vs relaxed women vs women who wear weave. Why all the hostility between us? When it all comes down to it, it’s just hair.
We should lift each other up, no matter what journey we are on. Women would go HAM on you if you do not make the same decisions as they do, or demean you in the comments sections on social media if they don’t agree with you. Can’t we all just get along? Here are 3 ways we can avoid all the negativity, and get back to a sisterhood of just plain healthy hair:
1. Learn to appreciate what is different about each of us
From my personal perspective, I was walking with my son in the park one day, and saw a woman with beautiful hair. I mean her hair was bra strap length, and just gorgeous. As we were walking towards each other, I told her, “Your hair is very beautiful.” And that’s when we had started a conversation.
Her hair was relaxed, and she’s been relaxed for years. I told her that I’ve been natural for about 2 years now. There was no disdain, no arguments, and no negativity. We just talked about hair in general, our journeys, and we were very polite about it. Then we went about our way. I felt pretty good just knowing her story, and I am sure she felt great hearing mine.
It doesn’t matter who the woman is, if you have a story to tell, tell the story and be open to hearing hers. You would be surprised how much you have in common, even though your journey is seemingly different.
This is great,we need this
Awesome article! I wish all of my sisters read & live this in the words they type/speak.
Women are our own worst enemy. If it’s not hair, it’ll be something else that women will use as an excuse to tear each other down.
For real!!!