Contents:
- Say What?
- Why All The Talk About The Movement Ending?
- What’s Their Evidence?
- What’s The Fuss About?
- We Made A Difference
What’s The Fuss About?
Fast forward several years later and the proverbial vultures are circling, thinking that they are smelling blood because a few YouTubers have called it quits on their natural hair journeys.
So what if some women have returned to relaxers? It has caught on among some YouTubers but honestly, it’s not that deep. Yes, there might be a handful who have come to the decision that they prefer the straight look. So what?
People have different reasons for going on a natural hair journey in the first place. Who knows? Perhaps it was always the intention of some. Perhaps they needed to prove to themselves that they could grow their hair. Perhaps they really had no idea what their texture was because they had been relaxing their tresses for so long.
Maybe for some the novelty has rubbed off or based on their regimen it is proving to be more expensive than they bargained for. To be honest, all that is ok because at the end of the day everyone makes his or her own decision.
Is there some sense of unease over this? I suppose there is to some extent. This may be for several reasons:
- Some just joined the bandwagon so if a few of their favorite YouTubers abandon the natural hair journey they do so too.
- Some may be fearful that they lose the one thing that they could unite around.
I even dare to say this: So what if natural hair is a and the trend is ending? We set our own trends and we can break them.
We Made A Difference
At least in that case when it comes to the beauty of our hair, if the trend ends, it would be on our terms and not because we were bullied into doing so. We managed to flood the media landscape with places dedicated to us.
We influenced policies in institutions and government, just look at what this movement has done for representation in media and the dignity of servicewomen. WE MADE AN IMPACT!
Our platforms may stop trending, but as long as the information we have learned about ourselves is there for future generations to see, natural hair will never end.
There will always be a girl somewhere with a fierce afro, and you can bet your bottom dollar that as long as there are persons outside our ethnicity who admire what we’ve got, our platforms won’t stop trending.
All I know is that even if it ever ends we’ll be back, for things have a way of coming full circle.
Ashley Elaine Plummer says
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
TaShuna Lattimore says
It is a lot of work indeed.
Gwendolyn Carter says
Yes it’s alot of work but it’s worth it if you’re willing to do the work I love it ????
Hana Cheatom says
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
Rimmer says
You could care less??? It should be “I pretty much couldn’t care less”.
Lena Killion says
If it was a trend for them then I’m glad it’s ending. Ridiculous. #Teamnatural BEFORE it was a fad.
Yvette Martin says
Natural hair his not a “trend”! It’s who we were made to be!
Chantel Monique Hosea says
Natural hair is not a trend, it’s a life changing decision that does not end
Carolyn Haynes says
I’m with both so it doesn’t matter to me.
Huvie Joe says
My hair is not a trend ✌ #GodmadeMeThisWay
Ini says
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.
Rimmer says
Talk about a trend-I hate it when people say, “I know, right?”
Bretagne Monique says
I say ppl can do whatever they want with their own hair and it’s not anyone else’s concern.
Mercedes Jackson says
Every black woman I deal with personally has natural hair soooooooooooooo….
Dis accurate?
Chanda Dockery says
Don’t No Body Say That. Stop Lying, Damn You Could Still Print The Truth. It Won’t Kill You, l Promise
Lashon White says
#TeamNatural
Leslie E. Davenport says
Creamy crack…I won’t be going back!
Melissa L Jones says
How about #TeamHealthy hair. Who gives a f**k what you decide to wear your hair
London Wilson says
I hope that’s a lie
Raynisha Renee Jackson says
it never left in the first place..it was just overshadowed by relaxers.
Jewel Beamon says
#teamdoyou
Sandra Ifeoma Orimilikwe says
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
Mírian Dos Anjos says
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
glorious brunson says
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!!! 🙂
Jessica Jones says
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.
Aliyah says
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 .
Nebraska Jones says
Who is “they,” because I’m sure nobody asked “them.”
NubianPrize says
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.
Nea Mack says
I’m #TeamHealthyHair
Cheryl Amari's MiMi says
#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.
Adhana Lahab Guggino says
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.
Christal A Jenkins says
I don’t even know anymore lol each do was a challenge for me relaxer and natural
Tracy Mendoza says
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.
Nohs Guy says
#TeamRelaxed
Latonya Yvonne Westry says
Not for me #TeamNatural
Candace Tyree says
Lies and it’s not a trend this is life
BD P. Billups says
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
Shanette Holloway says
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.
Diane RhineHart says
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.
Cheyenne Grimes says
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
Cassandra Hawkins says
That’s right…my natural hair is not a trend…it’s simply mine
Joy Blakey- Boles says
I’m natural for life????????
Jamila Kelly says
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” .
Ebony Frank says
How is something that grows out of your own head a trend?
Lisa Ballard says
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!
Shirley Graham says
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.
Keina Esther says
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.
Brittney Holland says
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.
Joycelyn Cannon says
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…..
Rosalyn Mackay says
I think black women find too many reasons to criticize each other.
LaShonda Thomas says
Amen! I hate when we start going after each other because of how one chooses to wear their hair.
Faith Steele says
Lies
Maureen Renee says
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!
Johari Kafi says
Nope. Not a trend for me. It’s ending for all the fake narurals lol. Bye.
Katrina Dunbar says
Exactly. Those that are following what everyone else is doing. My return to natural is permanent.
Ronnie Natasha Renee says
Whose the “they” that are saying this they people who Can’t get their hair like ours? I wonder…
Kisha Davis says
I wanted to know who THEY was too…THEY need to shut the hell up..????????????????
Patrice Dixon says
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.
Birdena Drayton says
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.
Ingrid Sylvia Pascal Singh says
Who is “they” and why does their opinions matter
Kisha Davis says
Yes… Who is THEY, cause THEY don’t speak for US… I feel ya????
Jayde Doughty says
Natural is not a trend and neither is wearing weaves.
Valerie LaShelle says
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
Tanesha Winston says
Exactly it’s a preference…. I’m fine with people doing whatever they want or what works for them
Kendis Mills says
Relxaed
Saundra Robinson says
It’s a choice not a trend…we can rock any style, natural or straight!
Tanya Betton says
Natural hair trend started way too late for me.
Lynn Fleur says
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!
Janice Litchmore says
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
Felicia Randle says
I’m staying natural for me and nobody else. Do you however you want too.
Natasha Turner says
It would be boring if we all looked the same…I do what i like its coming out my head.
Mabel Herring says
Lol! They who? We black women create our own trend! We say when it begin and end!
April E. McLeod says
It ended for me couldn’t take it no more poofy hair
Doris Lorraine Woods says
Nope I’ve been loc’d 8yrs and I’m gonna stay that way✊
Shawn Stephen says
TEAM RELAXED
Chandra Houston says
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
Ronny Lopez says
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!
Chanika Tian Xin Clarke says
DO YOU! and the REAL you is NATURAL
Brittney Graham says
Not over here
Kimmy Hinkle says
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
Karen Johnson says
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.
Claire Line says
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.
Brittney Greenfield says
I’m team in between
Stacey Taylor says
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.
Spence-johnson Bev says
Team whatever the hell you feel like
Mo Brown says
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
Joy Blakey- Boles says
I’m natural for life!
Leslie Galloway says
Natural almost 8yrs now I love it but whatever you feel it’s your hair
Mildred Denise Catmet says
I don’t think so but I do know that makers of relaxers hopes it ends real soon. Lol
Sorrelle Ellis says
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.
Nita Beckles says
Quite the opposite!
Khadine Pessoa says
Not a chance! I love my locks. No chemicals, no comb, no problem.
Cindy Nelson says
#Team natural 4Life
Mika Sampson Rowell says
Exactly…there is a huge decrease in relaxer sales, and now the companies have resorted to planting articles to reprogram the psyche.
Lettisha Samaroo says
Its not a trend
Mika Sampson Rowell says
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.
Vanicka McGee says
(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.
Jadean N. Pitts says
It’s not trend. Black women are just owning their natural. That’s not ever going away
Tanesha Winston says
It’s not a trend it’s a preference and not everyone has the same preference
Sade Simone Baker says
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.
Novelle Tynes says
Do what works for you
Novelle Tynes says
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.
Sandra Dee says
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!
Wilma Shepherd says
Natural all the way
Linda says
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