My last blog was about me and my natural hair. This week I had another thought on hair when I read a friend-sister-in-Chirist's Facebook status update. Yaya was relating how she went to campus and felt she looked HOT and made a comment that "it must be the straight hair." Now that got me thinking... Did she feel hot coz she was hot or was the fact that she straightened her hair what was making her feel hot? It made me think of myself too because, to be honest, when my hair is straight I feel I look good as opposed to when it is in its Afro state. My husband likes it long and straight as well even though he won't say. My son definitely likes it. He can't stop playing with it. That got me thinking... Am I brainwashed into thinking straight hair = beauty? Or... Is it just a preference?
I spent a whole month not being able to wash my hair. I literally had it tied in a bun the entire month. I didn't even comb it. In fact, I couldn't comb it because it was thick and tangled. I couldn't handle it anymore. At the end of last week I eventually washed it. Now, what usually takes two hours to do took me two days. TWO days! That's because I have a little one as I said before. I tried to get my neighbour to plait it but our schedules clashed. Eventually yesterday I asked my other neighbour if she could please just flat iron it for me because it would make my life a whole lot easier. So she did and this is what it looked like yesterday.
Of course it felt so light and all and all and all, and combing it today took like less than 5min. Do you know how GOOD that felt?! Then I started thinking again... Do I stop being me now coz my hair is flat ironed? Have I stopped being natural? I haven't added chemical or anything but I have added heat. Am I no longer naturally me?
As my neighbour was doing my hair yesterday her husband was saying how back in the day black people would iron their hair to make it straight to look more white therefore more accepted. Is that what I was doing?
What is natural? Some people say in its most natural uncombed state. Some say that is untidy you should comb it out. Some say plaited like cornrows. Some say dreadlocks or sister locks. What do you say? More importantly though, above what people may think or say is what God thinks or says of me... In having my hair like his have I moved away from Him?
Eish, this whole hair thing is soooooo tough! I would love to write more, I really would, but my son just woke up and if I don't post this now I never will...
And so the hair drama continues... Until next time...
Hey Khona, interesting thoughts. My view is that God created us as creative human beings and as such I believe you are totally free to exercise your creativity and style your hair in any way that makes you comfortable bearing in mind that you need to please your husband as well. I feel that we have subscribed to certain false ideals of beauty ie straight hair is good and kinky curly hair is not. See my hair vent
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I feel that you are not less of a natural sister with straight hair than with curly hair - although direct heat damages your hair - damage of any kind, I think is what may not be pleasing to God, especially if there are alternatives. Concerning black women's hair, somebody once quoted, "to whom much is given, much is expected."
You have beautiful hair. Yes the drama continues. Aluta continua! Asijiki.