Janice Celeste the founder and Editor in Chief of Succesful Black Parenting Magazine dared to say in a single cartoon what many of us have been saying for years through blog posts, conversations at work, personal stories and YouTube videos.
The other day Janice released a video that was shared on the Huffington Post in an effort to “educate those on the other side — the non-black side” about the hair that naturally grows from our scalp.
Not only is the video educational and a tad bit sarcastic but it lets people know that hey, what we naturally have growing out of our head should not have to be tamed to suit some sort of made up ‘normal’.
It also calls out the fact that natural hair is different from what caucasian hair looks but it that does mean it is ‘bad’, ‘dirty’, or a distraction.
According to Madamenoire:
The animated video titled “13 Crazy Things White People Think About Black Hair”, harps on the many myths that non-blacks have about #teamnatural.
In the past year, we’ve seen a heinous amount of natural hair shaming ranging from young girls being expelled from school and banned from work to being belittled at salons. “It’s insanity at its best,” Celeste explained.
One of the preconceived notions that made the list was “Black natural hair, like Afros and Afro-puffs are a distraction.”
The video goes on to explain, “Well that’s a huge insult and is borderline bullying. That’s how my natural hair goes when putting in ponytail holders or when combed.
Saying it is a distraction is like saying my face is a distraction because it’s what I was born with. Asking me to process or relax my hair to make you feel comfortable is like asking me to get plastic surgery so you can look at me.”
We love the fact that there is a variety of content being produced to educate folks on what our hair naturally does and at the same time it is a little sad.
Unfortunately women and some men with afro textured hair are the only human beings on the planet that have to explain to the world about our basic biological makeup.
At the end of the day how your hair appears out of your head is solely dependent on the shape of your hair follicle which is nothing to make a big deal about.
Either way, we are happy Celeste made this cartoon, take a moment and press play to see “13 Crazy Things White People Think About Black Hair”.
Lena Chatman says
Can I touch it!
Quennie Dixon says
It’s so spongy!
Shanda Lee says
Interesting, I’ve never thought any of those thing. I would never ask to touch anyone else’s hair because I don’t like people touching my hair. So it’s interesting to me that this is what people think.
Trisha Anderson Love says
I’ve never heard white women say any of these either. I have a biracial child and the few non supportive comments I have received regarding her natural hair were not from white women!
Shanda Lee says
I’ve kept my kids hair natural. I get some glares and comments like don’t you know how to do their hair. They make relaxers you know. I reply yes I know, that’s why it’s long and soft and healthy.
Nikki Robbi says
I’ve heard literally ALL of these things. Especially when it comes to locs and braids
Valerie Johnson says
Wow you change your hair every day (insert perplexed look but trying to suppress it) lol.
Raziel Brown says
Racey