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.
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