All you need to do is open a magazine – one that caters to African Americans
like Essence or to the mainstream like People – and you’ll see it. Turn on the TV or hang out at your local
Target or Walmart and you'll see it. Google it and see how many articles, blog
posts, and pictures, come up. There’s even a YouTube community. Black women everywhere have decided to ditch
the relaxer and wear their natural hair. On nearly every other page, in every
other ad, on every other commercial, if it features an African American woman
most of the time she’s rockin’ a natural (or natural looking) hair style.
For me it’s so refreshing to see natural hair being embraced by the
mainstream. No longer is natural hair a
style choice that only the few, the bold wear with pride. Our naps are no longer our “dirty little
secret” but a natural and beautiful part of who we are and we're wearing it!
But that was so not the case 8 years ago . . .
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Me & VP rocking out flat twist-outs in '07! |
Hellooo? Anybody
here? That's how I felt in 2004 when my homegirl VP and I decided that we were
going to grow our relaxers out and wear our natural hair! We made a bold
declaration. We were accepting our
natural beauty and freeing ourselves of society’s stifling definition of
beauty! It was on!!!
But it wasn’t that simple . . . .
First off, let me just let you know, I don’t have naturally
wavy, buttercream textured hair. I got
some naps! For the most part, mine is a think, kinky curly texture that definitely
requires some maintenance for manageability, from what I can remember. It has been 26 years since I have seen a full
head of my natural hair. That right
there is a lot of relaxer!
Back in ’04 transitioning for me was difficult. Even though I had the courage, the
determination and a great stylist, when I went home, I was on my own. My friend and I were both going through a
transition, but we were more like the blind leading the blind! I would wake up
each morning with fear in my heart as I walked to the mirror to see if my
nighttime hair routine had left me with enough style to take on the day -
sometimes yes, sometimes HELL naw!
It was hard. And I realized I wasn’t so brave after all. I had
chosen to grow my relaxer out as opposed to just cutting it all off and
starting fresh like some women do – I was too chicken. I did, however, experiment with new styles
and techniques. It always looked great when I left the salon, but managing the
two textures of hair (one natural and one relaxed) alone at home was a
challenge. I didn't know what I was
doing and I didn't have very many friends to ask.
But that wasn't the worst part.
What I hated the most was that it was ALWAYS ABOUT MY HAIR. At the time I was teaching on the Northside
of Chicago in a pretty diverse and progressive neighborhood. From the first day I walked in with my
flexirod set (a favorite style for transitioners), it was on. My students, my coworkers, the lunchroom
staff – everybody – offered everything
from compliments to questions and even suggestions and opinions about the look.
Not just on the first day, but EVERYDAY! I heard things like “Ms. D! I like your
curls!” “Oh, you look so artsy” to “Ooh Ms. D. you need a
perm”, “You know, I really like your old style better” (yes – someone said
that). Even, the cleaning lady!!! One
afternoon she walked into my room with a sheepish grin and a knowing look in
her eye.
CL: I know
your secret.
Me: What
secret? (I really was curious. Good Lord, what did she know?)
CL: I asked
myself, how could her hair be straight one day and curly the next. You're wearing a wig aren't you? (She smiled
widely as if she had thought long and hard before she arrived at the answer.)
I just took a deep breath and used it as a
teaching moment. She looked so
disappointed and a little confused.
Why my hair was of such interest to people
was a mystery. Truly there have always been and will always be Black women who
choose to wear their hair natural. But
even as late as 2004, myths, misconceptions , stereotypes, and questions about
them still prevailed – she’s radical, she’s militant, she’ll call you a “Sucka”
and a “Jive Turkey”, she’s going through some things, she’s depressed, she’s a
lesbian, she’s a man hater, she’s a hippie, she’s looking for the gunja!!! Her
hair musta fallen out!!
India.Arie
said it best, I am not my hair!! And contrary to what some may believe about my
Sunshiny (and sometimes theatrical
personality), I don’t really like the conversation to be about me, and I
definitely don’t want it to be all about my hair. I realized that I didn’t possess that Armor
of Confidence needed to be on frontlines of the Natural Movement. That armor that keeps people from saying
crazy stuff to you or that allows you to have it just roll off your back.
I didn’t want to be bothered with it. From trying to figure out how to style my
hair, to the constant conversations about it, I was spending too much time
thinking about HAIR! So much so that nine months after the start of that
journey, I made an appointment with my dealer and asked for another hit of the
creamy crack. And just like that, I was
back on that stuff!
In the 8 years since my first attempt, things have definitely
changed. Newly natural celebrities like
Kim Coles, Raven Symone and Solange have made their journey to natural a very
public thing, adding themselves to the growing list of celebs like Jill,
Erykah, Esperanza Spaulding, and Corrinne Bailey Rae who are known for beautiful natural
hair. Even on the Disney Channel you can see little Skai Jackson on “Hey
Jessie” wearing beautiful braid outs and ponytails. And yes, even Cher was photographed wearing an Afro
wig.
Today, with so many woman going natural and with so many styles to choose
from there is no ONE image of the natural woman. She could be rocking braids,
locs, an afro, kinky curls, or wearing it flat ironed straight and for the most
part, no one really bats an eyelash. Call me late, call me a chicken, call me a
band wagoner, whatever! I wasn’t on the
front lines, but I’m ready to be a soldier! I’m down with THE MOVEMENT!! And I now have all I need!
Ammunition - Products
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Donna & Stephanie showing off free productsts! |
Today there is a
dizzying array of products for naturals, from $50 deep conditioners to home
recipes for moisturizers on the internet. Companies recognize that Black women are
going natural and they are cashing in. Even brands that were leaders in the relaxer
game have added products for naturals to their roster. For example Crème of Nature now has a Roots
of Nature line (is this funny to anyone else but me). Benefit: The upside is that many of the
products are good and reasonably price and you have so many to choose from, you're sure to find what works for you. Back in the day you’d have to spend a grip, pay shipping and handling, or
make it yourself.
Allies and Support
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Me with Titi and Miko founders of Miss Jessie's Products |
YouTube – There is a YouTube Community full of experts and newbies
all giving advice, tutorials, and product reviews. They have their own
language; using terms like TWA, BC, PJs (teeny weeny afros, big chop, product junkies). They have their own regimens and routines
(hydrate, moisturize, and seal) that they are willing to share. They have
become my support system for style ideas and transitioning solutions. WHERE THE HELL WERE THEY IN 2004!!!! Some of
my favorites are africanexport, kimmaytube, simplyounique, nikkimae, aliciajamesmusic,
ninapruit and mahoganycurls. Benefit: Many allow you to see how a
style is achieved from start to finish and with so many out there you’re sure
to find someone with a similar hair texture and/or style sense as yourself.
Natural Hair Blogs – There are tons of bloggers out there too that
provide education, product reviews and a safe space to post your own vent or
rant. A few popular ones are Curly
Nikki, Naturally Curly, and Afrobella. Benefit: Many of the best sites feature
articles from stylists, chemists, respected gurus, as well as regular
peeps.
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Chicago Natural Hair Expo - My People! |
Meet Up Groups and Natural Hair Expos – I recently
joined the Chicago Natural Beauty Meetup - a groups that provides a forum and
hosts events for women interested in natural beauty in my area. I recently attended the Chicago Natural Hair Expo
sponsored by Miss Jessie’s and found myself in a sea of naturals. It
was as if the clouds parted, the angel started singing. These were my people! The event featured a
fashion/style show, tutorials, vendors, and Fantastic SWAG BAGS that featured full
sized products from Miss Jessie’s! The event was coordinated by Rachel O. a
natural beauty expert and make-up artist. Benefit: I have found my people!!!
Armor
Back then,
when I would tell me friends I was growing my relaxer out they’d say, “Good
Luck with that!” Today, they say “Really, me too” or “Good for youl, I’ve been
natural for about 4 years now! ‘Bout time!”
Times have certainly changed.
Thanks to all my forebears who boldly and proudly pushed the envelope (or
rather Kicked In the Door) chickens like me can now proudly join the movement
too without all the fuss.
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Donella & friend showing off their SWAG bags! |
I’m not sure yet if
I’ll be a curly natural or one who straightens (sans chemical) or some kind of
hybrid of the two, but I do know that crack is whack (even the creamy kind) and
it’s coming out! It’s been 26 years since I’ve seen a head full of my natural
hair and it’s high time we got reacquainted.
What are your thoughts? Have you noticed this trend? Are you
down with The Movement? Do you think it will be a passing thing?