I've decided to do it. I'm going natural. I'm going to grow out this chemically straightened hair of mine and let my natural, god-given, curl pattern show through. A lot of people (Kuh Reel Yuh, Lynn, etc.) don't think I'm actually gonna go through with this. Let's talk about this, I did just meet a guy; he probably likes my hair as is. However, I told him that I'm thinking about cutting my hair off and starting over; he sounded concerned, but not so much that if we were to become something more it would pose a problem. Either way, I've decided that my last relaxer will be my last relaxer.
I'm a bit nervous about this transition though, just because I haven't seen my natural hair since 5th grade. I just remember my hair being long and thick and not wanting a comb anywhere near me. I don't really know why, when my 10 year high school reunion is coming up, when I just met a really nice guy, why I would even venture into this natural hair journey now? I'm doing it, and I don't know what I'll be looking like for the next couple of months, but I'll definitely keep you posted.
I wish I had my MooMoo's natural curls:
But ultimately, I want my hair to look like this:
When I get further along, I will start a natural hair journal on Fotki, I'll be sure to post the link on here as well. For now, here's my 4 weeks past a relaxer picture:
Nappdom, here I come.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Natural or Bust!
Posted by Tracie Mae at 1:23 AM
Labels: nappy hair, natural hair journey, no more relaxers
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14 comments:
I love the way your hair looks now, but you know you can get the same look with natural hair with the products they have today.
I say, go for it, girl!
Good for you! That little, seemingly insignificant change of lifestyle is ultimately a big statement on accepting yourself.
Why should your beauty be determined, even in part, by how straight your hair is? It shouldn't, and anyone that thinks it does is sadly deluded.
Reinforcing a Euro-centric model of beauty -- which includes the "long, luxurious" bone straight hair -- probably accounts for half issues that black women and men encounter.
Plus, why actually damage your hair and scalp to fit such a model?
Good for you Tracie!
Hustlin' Harder
http://www.obsidianhustle.com
i'm not going to pretend i understand about hair that isn't on my head. i don't. i've asked plenty of questions over the years. all i know is that it sounds like a bitch what all you have to go through to keep your hair straight and looking good. i say do whatever you feel like doing to your hair.
Ooooh, I thought you said ,Natural Bust! Uh, never mind.
I keep saying it- youre going to look so cute! You have a very pretty face. You can totally pull it off.
LOVES!
I've done it before and I'm in the process of doing it again, this time using braids to transition. I never did the big chop, TOO SCARED for that right there. Not sure if I gave you this link, but this message board has a TON of info and supportive women who can help and guide you on your natural journey. I'll send you links as I think of them or come across them because I'm always looking for new infos and ideas.
Black Hair Media Forum
Oh and going natural doesn't always have to be about some deep philosophical issue or bucking the "European Standard of Beauty". Sometimes you just wanna BE. But whatever your reasons, make them your own because you will come across a lot of folks with different view points and reasonings and it can be EXHAUSTING. Do WHATEVER you feel is best for you for WHATEVER reasons you want to.
I imagine a sista does just "wanna be" sometimes.
But, last I checked, it was a real rarity for black women to have natural super-straight hair. Sure some sistas do, but not many.
So my question is, where did that element of beauty come from, with respect to life in these United States?
I agree, TM should do what she pleases, regardless of the reasons. But I'd be curious to find out what cultural cues made her original hair texture not good enough.
Hustle. Harder.
http://www.obsidianhustle.com
It wasn't that I my original texture wasn't "good enough," but I was extremely tender-headed as a child. I didn't get a relaxer, still though, until 5th grade. I think my mom was tired of fighting me to do my hair, and I was tired of crying every time I got it done. It was a managability issue. And once you get one, you just gotta keep getting 'em.
Saw ur vid on youtube, good luck with your transition!
Silvergirl
@TM: Damn, that tender-headed thing must be a B-I...
That's what we need! I just figured out my next invention: an analgesic hair pomade for the tender-headed folx out there. Like Royal Crown with some topical pain killer in it...
Yo, that's the lick...
Always Hustlin'
http://www.obsidianhustle.com
Ooh, I can not tell you how tender-headed I was so I'm totally feeling you on the fear of the comb. That's actually the big reason I went natural; getting my hair done hurt. I'm sure it doesn't have to hurt like when we were kids. People had the idea that naps were devils to be tamed and handled them as such, which is why it hurt. I'll be following your journey to Natural.
Anthony - DO THAT! Man you'd be R-I-C-to the H!!! If you could grease your child's scalp and numb it at the same time...oh my jeez. I think you got something there.
Everybody else - Thanks for the encouragement!!
Hey I never said you weren't gonna do it! I said I didn't think IIII could do it WITH you. But like I told you last week, I'm just getting a press next time. No relaxer. *bites lip*
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