Is this an isolated incident? Hardly. This is happening more than one would think. Often times what is being labeled unkempt is a fro, locs, or striking natural hairstyles that are visually different from more traditionally accepted straightened styles.
The sad part is I have even seen in comments of posts about the subject where other naturals are condemning them as well for wearing less conforming natural styles.
It’s nothing to see a commenter say she saw a natural whose hair was dry, or all over her head or unkempt, and how it embarrassed her or made her mad. I’m sorry, but when did we decide what looks good on everybody, and what does not?
Also, who is the master of all hair beauty decisions? They need mind their own business! I’m tired of having to conform to someone else’s perception of beauty, and I’m REALLY tired of feeling my coils must look the way a stranger deems they should. We really need to stop hating on one another , and instead embrace each others’ differences.
My anger is valid, so if you don’t agree, just realize you are not seeing the whole picture. If we ourselves deem our hair must look more professional, or more appropriate, aren’t we saying that our hair must look more mainstream or less like our own hair?
Whatever happened to being an individual and embracing diversity? We cannot buy into the false notion of one universal look. Surely this world would be boring, and frankly I am not here for that. When you try to label certain styles as unkempt, you are stepping into the infringement of a person’s right of freedom of expression, and it is not your right to put limits on anyone – even with your own words.
I express the love of my natural coils by wearing it BIG, slightly fro’d out and free. So what if you don’t like it? Just realize that it does not have be compact to be beautiful to me and to the other naturals that smile and tell me they love my hair.
What you deem to be ugly or unkempt is probably a creative style the wearer feels proud of, so back off and reassess what you are really saying when you say it’s unkempt; your words have louder meaning than you realize. So label me unkempt if you choose, but as I rock my wild, big curly fro and you frown up, I’m expressing my beauty; all you are expressing is negativity.
I don’t care if it’s natural or relaxed it should look presentable.
U don’t expect to walk into a job looking as if u don’t own a comb don’t you?
I never use a comb so I see nothing wrong with going into a job looking like I don’t own a comb because I do not.
Well good for u. There are ways to still look presentable and self expressive. U don’t expect n I have yet to see an unkept businessman/woman. Every job had requirements for everyone no matter what race. I don’t see why people can’t get that through their skulls. It is expected to hsve proper hygiene practices and hair grooming is part of that
Yea it’s insulting it’s a persons natural hair pattern just because it’s combed it’s still their natural hair whether it has more curls puffy etc
There is a difference between natural and just not doing your hair… Hair is meant to be taken care of I don’t care the texture.
Like is said before it’s their hair I don’t care what they want to do it I’m not one and I can’t say to someone oh your hair looks unprofessional not my place
That word is becoming very annoying!
I don’t know why it would limit their freedom of expression. Hair can be unkempt the same way a skirt can be too short.
It seems that natural hair gets the label of unkempt more than any other hair type. That’s the problem.
I don’t think it’s insulting at all. Make it look “kept.” What seems to be insulting, to me, is how “our” so called “natural” hair has turned into another “black hair” big money business; is it going in our pockets though? It’s our “natural” hair. Just my thoughts!!
To be honest Noone was born with a damn comb we had whatever we were given I could care less if my hair is big and curls short and puffy to hell with what anyone wants to think my head my hair my body Noone will tell me how to wear my hair and this is someone who has been working since she was 14 who cares I don’t your personality shines mire than your damn hair
There is a difference between unkempt and presentable. Stop trying to justify walking around looking like you got jumped, raped, and fed on by a pack of wolves ‘by the head’ because of your decision to wear your hair in its natural state. Comb or not, hair in any state can look presentable, so quit making up excuses.
Its my natural hair I feel it is insulting tlking about someone hair not bein presentable or presentable, my hair nappy I walk around with my nappy fro, and I dont care what anyone says my personality speaks more than my hair, I have a professional job as a nurse and my patients love my nappy hair presentable or not its how you wear it
But you’re hair is done… Unkempt is for someone who does absolutely nothing to maintain their hair…. I’ve seen people who don’t do their hair and it starts to look like a big dread on their head, matted, and dirty.
There is a difference no one wants to get raped jumped or fed on by a pack of wolves but they do love their hair I don’t see anything wrong with it too each is own
I’m sorry but too many women use this im natural ish to not comb their hair since you’re so natural do you not bathe or brush your teeth it’s the same thing you take care of your hygiene well at least I hope your hair is a part of your body it should be taken care of so comb that mess hell walking around looking homeless ass smh
Ohk and yall act like ion wash & oil my hair unkempt hair to ME PERSONALLY MEANS not putting it in protective styles and not doin
When the petition on Beyoncé ‘ baby was raised, it caught lots of attention but see how nice she keeps it now. No matter the hair, you don’t have to have an excuse to keep it unkept.
I’ve seen straight hair, looking greasy, the hair is smelly (like wet dog), with dandruff (possibly lice) all decorated on it.
When I worked at a pharmacy as an intern there was a certain way we had to dress, and we had to pull our hair back if it was to the shoulders. So I get it when people say there is a professional way to where your hair. Even though my hair is natural, I never walk into a job interview or a job with my hair in a full blown out fro. I always either pin it back or where it in a twist out.
On the other hand white people have never given me crap about my natural hair. Many people want to touch, but they never say anything bad about it to my face. In fact when I went natural in high school the majority of the people who complemented me were white. Now that I’m in college a predominately black school I here comments about how girls with looser textured hair have “good hair”. I may not comb my hair every day, but I do own and use one so my hair doesn’t tangle.I find that the longer I don’t use a comb the more shed hair I have.