 |
| picture taken from this site |
Hey there my lovelies,
So, I was reading CurlyNiki's blog today, and I came across a post about being a "natural hair snob"-superiority complex. The summary of the post is that this natural haired lady was told by a friend that she felt as though those who wore their hair natural acted as if they were superior, a natural hair snob of sorts. This comment got the natural haired beauty thinking and she realized that she may have some snobbish behaviors (she didn't say that, but I think they're "snobbish"). Behaviors like, feeling proud when she sees another natural, or when she sees someone with relaxed hair she wonders what that person would look like with natural hair. So this post got me to thinking. Hmmmm...am I a natural hair snob? And I realized that in a way I suppose I am. I definitely don't snub or not associate with people just because they choose to relax their hair. However, I too am proud of people who decide to wear their hair natural. And while I don't try to convert the "relaxed" population, I do find myself thinking, "if only she'd free herself from that relaxer." I find myself wanting women who have relaxed hair to start wearing their hair natural and experience the goodness. I don't feel like wearing my hair natural makes me "more black" or more "real", but I do feel like wearing my hair syas that I am comfortable with who I am and how I was made.
Have a great weekend,
Tootles for now,
Me
I wouldn't say I know many natural hair snobs, but I will say that the comment I hear most often by women who choose to go natural is that they are "proud of who they are" and comments along those lines. It sometimes comes off as, those of us, like myself, who are in love with the creamy crack and will never go back!, are not proud of who we are or are attempting to conform to some norm. I don't pay the comments much attention nor do I take them personally b/c I love my hair and the creamy crack! and pretty sure that will never change! :-D But I can say that those type comments could, in some instances, appear to be "snobby." But, I just say, as long as it's in line with Jesus, do you! And be happy/proud of whichever way you decide to rock your glory (hair)!
ReplyDeleteI really dislike it when women who are natural say that they are natural because they are comfortable with who they are. I'm just recently embarking on going natural but it has not changed my perception of who I am or how I feel about myself. I love God, my family, my job, and yes myself. Of course there are things I want to do and have yet to start (beat Shayna in a race), but none of what I do or how I feel is defined by how I wear my hair! I think its sad when people say I'm natural because I'm secure with who I am. It makes me wonder if they are truly secure with who they are, if they were they wouldn't have to state that they are secure with themselves, it would naturally show in the way they walk, talk and carry themselves. So I would say there are a lot of natural snobs but I feel its not intentional, its that they now feel they have to validate their choice for going natural. I have noticed with my patients that a lot of them feel more prone to talk to one another when they see that they have natural hair in common with one another. What they feel to realize is that a lot of them are natural but just choose to wear their hair straight. Why is it that black women seem to be more open to talking to each other if they see that they both wear natural hair styles?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the comments!!! I like to think that I am not a snob of any sort, but I'm sure some folks would beg to differ with that. I do agree that women with natural hair do often tend to gravitate toward one another and talk about hair. However, I think that this is human nature. Most of us are more likely to talk with others who share a common interest with us opposed to someone we have absolutely noting in common with. I run, and if I meet or see someone who runs we usually talk, at least a little, about running. I think that with hair that is worn obviously natural that comomn bond is just easier to notice. In a crowded room I'd have a much easier time picking out someone with natural hair than someone who runs. Therefore, I would gravitate to the natural and probably talk about our common bond, hair. Also, I have personally found that wearing my hair natural has affected my character and brought about changes within me and not just with my looks. However, I don't think that this is a bad thing. Doing yoga has done the same thing for me. I feel like both have made me more comfortable with who I am. I don't feel like it is the act of wearing natural hair (or doing yoga), but all that underlies it. For instance, natural hair does go against the grain. I know that natural hair is rapidly gaining popularity, but it is still not the norm, and I think that to wear it without regards to what others think of you you do have to be really comfortable with who you are (I do emphasize without regards to what others think of you). I think that to wear your hair any way without regards of what others think of you, you have to be comfortable with you. Similarly, to wear clothes that make you feel good, but are a little different according to society, you have to be comfortable with you. Personally, I have always loved natural hair, and to finally be wearing my hair natural just feels more right to me than relaxed. Having my hair worn a way that feels right and good to me makes me more comfortable with me, and I think that this translates into other areas of my life as well. So, I don't go around saying that I wear my hair like this because of that, I don't feel like I should have to justify why I choose to wear my hair a certain way. However, if someone asks, I have no problem sharing. I agree that if you have to state something constantly then either you're trying to convince yourself or it just plain isn't true. Like, I don't have to go around saying I'm a princess, it's just obvious :-) So, in sum, I don't think that I personally am a snob, but I could see myself and other naturals being perceived as snobs simply because we do tend to talk about our hair a lot when in the company of other naturals. And frankly, it's fun to exchange stories and ideas, sort of like getting a new recipe for something to bake.
ReplyDelete