Contents:
- Say What?
- Why All The Talk About The Movement Ending?
- What’s Their Evidence?
- What’s The Fuss About?
- We Made A Difference
Say What?
Rumour has it that natural hair is a trend that is ending. I feel all kinds of ways about this. In the first place, yes we are trending but this is not just a trend. It is a lifestyle, it is part of our identity, it is a representation of our diversity.
This isn’t just about beauty, it’s about our heritage. Those are the things at the core of the natural hair community and as long as those pillars are the foundation there will be nothing to worry about.
Perhaps before I continue a little vocabulary lesson is in order. A general Google search will reveal that:
A trend – (noun ) A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
A fashion – Simply put, trends don’t necessarily have a lasting impact and if any at all, it is superficial or on the surface.
A movement – noun 1. An act of moving. 2. A group of people working together to advance their shared political, social or artistic ideas.
Now based on these definitions and the characteristics of all, it is safe to say that the natural hair community did not just materialize and start sweeping the globe.
It has always existed to some extent and the surge created by connections over social media and the world wide web, just magnified its existence. It is, therefore, reasonable to say that the community morphed into a movement but the roots have always been there.
For this reason, we cannot be dismissed as a fad or a trend. I’m glad we could clear that up.
Why All The Talk About The Movement Ending?
Some years ago when the natural hair movement blew up big, there were many who wanted it to be a fad. When it lasted longer than they anticipated they supposed that it was a trend that would soon die a sudden death as all fads eventually do.
I can imagine that chief among those was the relaxer companies. How dare black women walk away from the creamy crack? How dare they break free of the bogus beauty standards that were systematically created to keep them feeling that they had to buy all the products out there to ‘fix’ their otherness?
What’s Their Evidence?
The way our world runs, you can’t just say something and expect us all to buy it hook line and sinker. We need proof. Show us your evidence. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they cite some misrelated rhetoric filled with manufactured facts. But we’ll show ours first.
According to social media analysis tool Spredfast there were 554,048 posts using the hashtag #naturalhair on Instagram in the first two months of 2017. The posts received 1,646,842 comments and 81,303,058 likes.
When you assess the situation, you’ll notice that even if they insist on relegating the movement to trend status, the very fact that we are having this discussion proves that it is here for the long haul. Think about it, if fashion trends change about as often as one changes underwear, then this is not based on fashion solely and it is not a trend.
Yes, many wanted it to fail, even many of our own kind. They just didn’t see why it was necessary to have a movement that taught you how to embrace your kitchen and your shrinkage. To them, it was a regressive step.
I know lots of females that went natural because everyone around them was doing it and now they are going back relaxed because they don’t know what to do and don’t want to put in the work. Let’s face it very few black women do things that aren’t a trend
It is a lot of work indeed.
Yes it’s alot of work but it’s worth it if you’re willing to do the work I love it ????
I love my natural hair. I went natural for me, specifically my health. I’ve never been a follower, so I could pretty much care less what everyone else is doing. #justdoyou
You could care less??? It should be “I pretty much couldn’t care less”.
If it was a trend for them then I’m glad it’s ending. Ridiculous. #Teamnatural BEFORE it was a fad.
Natural hair his not a “trend”! It’s who we were made to be!
Natural hair is not a trend, it’s a life changing decision that does not end
I’m with both so it doesn’t matter to me.
My hair is not a trend ✌ #GodmadeMeThisWay
I know right? A trend as if my hair is ‘suddenly going to stop growing in a tight curl? Listen it’s not like dying your hair, you don’t ‘decide’ how it’s going to go so it’s embarrassing that WOC especially feel they can describe a genetic trait as a ‘TREND’, damn shame.
Talk about a trend-I hate it when people say, “I know, right?”
I say ppl can do whatever they want with their own hair and it’s not anyone else’s concern.
Every black woman I deal with personally has natural hair soooooooooooooo….
Dis accurate?
Don’t No Body Say That. Stop Lying, Damn You Could Still Print The Truth. It Won’t Kill You, l Promise
#TeamNatural
Creamy crack…I won’t be going back!
How about #TeamHealthy hair. Who gives a f**k what you decide to wear your hair
I hope that’s a lie
it never left in the first place..it was just overshadowed by relaxers.
#teamdoyou
I will never relaxed my hair so yes, it is not a trend for me. I love and embrace my God given tresses…natural hair works for me #naturalforlife #teamnatural
We were born this way. Is not trend. Since we as kids, society put in our heads that our hair is uglly and have a “right way” to use this: relaxed. Why? To look like white people hair. I dont need to look like other people to be acceptable. Now black women know the power and beauty about your own hair. A lot of black womem dont know how to take care of natural hair because never did this before. Lets go. It’s time to learn how to love and take care of our hair. #teamnatural #brazil
The media is sooo thirsty these days…how in hell can the hair on my head..that I was born with..be a damn trend…REALLY????gtfoh….now go and trend that!!! 🙂
I did a big chop on my hair and went natural I love results in the winter I get box braids but the summer I wash it everyday and wear my natural afro I love it no trend here.
The way my hair grew out of my scalp is NOT a trend . It’s a life style ! Even if every black woman went back to relaxers, I would still embrace my natural hair .
Who is “they,” because I’m sure nobody asked “them.”
Must be a rumor put out by relaxer companies. Most of my black women friends have natural hair : Afros, locs, sisterlocs, braids, twists & press n curl.
I’m #TeamHealthyHair
#TeamNatural …… I went natural because I was tired of putting perm in my hair and burning it out. Being natural is easy and I can color when I want, straight when I want or wear it natural. Natural you are versatile.
Who is “they”? Just need to stop spreading these conversations around. We don’t need permission to look like who we are and that includes hair.
I don’t even know anymore lol each do was a challenge for me relaxer and natural
As much as a I love the idea of being natural and have been for six yrs. Gone are the days where I wear my hair out. It’s been wigs, weaves and braids for the last 4 yrs. My hair just refuses to comply. I never get that black girl magic twist out. I always end up looking like Harriet Taubman grandniece.
#TeamRelaxed
Not for me #TeamNatural
Lies and it’s not a trend this is life
I have been wearing a weave to take a break, but I am not getting rit of my natural hair not to mention all these darn products
I went natural because my fibroid cyst kept growing on my uterus on the left side an my ovaries on the right side. 11 months after I went natural I got pregnant with my third child after 21 years. I will never go back to get a relaxer.
No natutal hair is not a trend. Trends last a short time, women have been going natural for years now. It’s just now getting more attention.
In my opinion its not a trend….. Its black women waking up and realizing that their hair is beautiful the way it has grown out of their hair without out the damage they put on it to make it look like someone else’s
That’s right…my natural hair is not a trend…it’s simply mine
I’m natural for life????????
it IS. trend. Why else would everyone just start doing it all off a sudden? A few years ago… not even that long maybe 3 or 4? No on the cared.. now its like you “aren’t black” unless you have natural hair. Its actually really sad. I’ve seen the natural vs relaxed debate go on way to long and just girls going at each other over hair in the black community…sad. It shouldn’t matter what you have on your head, but we put so much emphasis on it and tel each other that natural hair is better instead of just encouraging each other’s hair choices. I like wearing wigs, but heaven forbid because apparently it means i don’t like myself or “who i am” .
How is something that grows out of your own head a trend?
History will always explain and make it clear! When I saw how slave owners used our hair to stuff their furniture chairs for padding……. so not a trend! So not just a style!
Well I’m from the old school and we wore a Angela Davis Fro back in the ’70’s. So it’s not all of a sudden. It’s all about how you want to wear your hair. Be your OWN woman and do whatever pleases you.
I went natural the first time in 1999 but I had no idea how to do it so I just wore a braid down the back. Relaxed it about a year later. Went natural again in 2008 and been natural since. I actually appreciate my hair and will not relax it.
No matter how much you try to dress it up, going natural is definitely a trend. Just like the fro in the 70s. I see a lot of females nowadays that are natural doing twist outs to manipulate their actual curl pattern so it can look like something it’s not; that also is a trend. Even if it grows out of your head, you can’t change the definition of what a trend is. Embrace it. You’re trending.
I’ve been natural for the past 5 years. I think black women in general put way too much emphasis on our hair when we should be supporting, encouraging, empowering, and lifting each other up. We are not our hair…..
I think black women find too many reasons to criticize each other.
Amen! I hate when we start going after each other because of how one chooses to wear their hair.
Lies
Hair is just that Hair! Do you however you choose to do You! In the scale of what all is going on in the world…..its just hair!
Nope. Not a trend for me. It’s ending for all the fake narurals lol. Bye.
Exactly. Those that are following what everyone else is doing. My return to natural is permanent.
Whose the “they” that are saying this they people who Can’t get their hair like ours? I wonder…
I wanted to know who THEY was too…THEY need to shut the hell up..????????????????
It’s not a trend it’s black women waking and realizing their beauty and learning to to accept themselves flaws curls waves and all regardless of hate hateful and discriminatory society can be when it comes to black womens beauty and uniqueness.
People just do you. If you like natural hair continue with it. If you want straight hair then by all means keep your hair straight. This article is a joke.
Who is “they” and why does their opinions matter
Yes… Who is THEY, cause THEY don’t speak for US… I feel ya????
Natural is not a trend and neither is wearing weaves.
well lets see went natural in oct 2010 permed in dec 2014 went back natural in july 2015 as I prefer texture in my hair.have not cut my hair since feb 2016. (i know yall didnt ask all that) i said all that just to say for some of us it really is a preference and not a trend
Exactly it’s a preference…. I’m fine with people doing whatever they want or what works for them
Relxaed
It’s a choice not a trend…we can rock any style, natural or straight!
Natural hair trend started way too late for me.
Why is it natural hair? Why is growing long hair so shocking to people? If you eat well, take care of the hair that comes out of your head it wouldn’t be all nappy looking in the first place. It’s not natural hair, it’s YOUR hair!
White women perm and straighten their hair as much a black women and women of all race wear hair weaves these days and if you dye your hair it is not natural anymore just saying
I’m staying natural for me and nobody else. Do you however you want too.
It would be boring if we all looked the same…I do what i like its coming out my head.
Lol! They who? We black women create our own trend! We say when it begin and end!
It ended for me couldn’t take it no more poofy hair
Nope I’ve been loc’d 8yrs and I’m gonna stay that way✊
TEAM RELAXED
Smh it’s not a trend please stop it. Smh it’s a choice. Relaxers never went away so it’s not like it wasn’t a choice if you wanted it. Smh stop with the division we black folks have enough problems. Smh
I don’t know who THEY are but THEY always got something to say! THEY need to kick rocks and stop worrying about what WE are doing! Natural hair is not a trend!
DO YOU! and the REAL you is NATURAL
Not over here
I was natural for five years but I just couldn’t take care of my natural hair and got so tired of it hurting to comb. I relaxed it 4 months ago and much happier ! No more frustrating mornings or disappointing twist outs
Sometimes you gotta find the right routine. My twist outs last 2 weeks because I use gel and other products that work well together Whenever I felt like relaxing my hair again I just put my hair in protective styling and that made me forget about relaxing my hair.
It’s as if the world thrives on drama from women(specifically black). There we are appreciating each other and boom!, somebody has to turn us against each other Bc of hair type, skin color etc. It’s every woman’s choice how she wears her hair.
I’m team in between
Why oh why must we always be pitted agianst each other in some type of way???
Natural hair is not for everyone. But it is definitely not a “trend”. Some people do not have the time and patience it takes for natural hair and that’s fine. I don’t consider anyone with relaxed hair not as black as the next person and neither should anyone else. I personally love my natural hair and have no intention on ever relaxing it again. I definitely don’t look at anyone differently. There is such a thing as healthy relaxed hair too and whoever wants it can have it. We have enough going agianst us as it is, let’s stop finding different ways to be divided.
Team whatever the hell you feel like
lmfao who is they? i quit murdering my scalp and locs with chemicals 5 years ago it’s safe to say it isn’t a trend
I’m natural for life!
Natural almost 8yrs now I love it but whatever you feel it’s your hair
I don’t think so but I do know that makers of relaxers hopes it ends real soon. Lol
I know a black hair publication did not say natural hair is a trend after all the complaints about its acceptance in the work place, don’t touch my hair, there’s nothing wrong with my hair, loving my black hair, here’s how to care for black hair , the politics of my hair, post and articles over the last 10 years.
Who cares what state hair is in.
Quite the opposite!
Not a chance! I love my locks. No chemicals, no comb, no problem.
#Team natural 4Life
Exactly…there is a huge decrease in relaxer sales, and now the companies have resorted to planting articles to reprogram the psyche.
Its not a trend
Not a trend….it is who you naturally are. I will wear my hair just as it was intended by my maker to grow out my scalp. No chemical modifications needed.
(Virtual hug) I wish people would take this energy and go find a cure for these diseases or create some more innovative solutions to society.
It’s not trend. Black women are just owning their natural. That’s not ever going away
It’s not a trend it’s a preference and not everyone has the same preference
Not a trend as much as it acceptance. And I don’t say this to say that women who relax their hair don’t accept who they are. But it’s a general acceptance. It’s my hair I do what I want with it. I’ve been natural for 6 years. I never think of relaxing it again and my reason for that is I color my hair often. I prefer to look like a curly peacock and I accept it.
Do what works for you
I actually has a woman ask me why I don’t relax it as its puffy. I replied. I’m Black and it’s ok for me to rock my fro.
i agree with natural not be a long term…but I tell you, some girls look so much better rockin an afro! simple beautiful…better than the weave, even if its a wig, they look better! I had to relax my hair…this vegas dryness ruins your hair!
Natural all the way
Hair is not just a trend, and it’s awesome to see so many people not just African-Americans, embracing their natural texture. I’m currently transitioning, so I use these clip ins and they look SUPER natural https://www.averahair.com/products/avera-curli-crush-clip-ins-type-4-curl?variant=43737735118