It's A Choice, Not A Movement...

Just a few hours ago an article that was posted in essence.com was splattered on my FB status feed; the poster of said editorial then follows up with a paragraph long post rallying against any one who is trying to stop the "natural hair movement".

Why can't going natural be a choice? Why does it have to be a movement? As you can see from my profile pic I'm natural myself and don't get me wrong I'm grateful for all the blogs and YT videos that pertain to the care and maintenance of natural hair but there are some people that take this to levels that it should not be taken to.

So for this facebook poster to claim that essence was "paid" to post this article in efforts to stop the "natural hair movement" takes it to far and as far as this natural is concerned it is not that serious. To look down on someone because they choose to relax and not "take their hair back" is once again a bit much and a little sad (further separation of our people).

Maybe I'm just simplistic in my thinking but I never thought of relaxing my hair as being a slave to the white man; it just made it easier for me to manage my hair. I never thought going natural would satisfy a prerequisite to really being a black woman; I just wanted to stop relaxing so my hair would stop falling out. See? Simple. Choices. No power to the people, no nappy vs. straight just did what worked for me. Why can't it be that way period?

Anyway,

Somethings people need to know before taking this leap is:

This is not a movement of any kind. It is a personal choice and what is best for YOU and what YOU are able to manage.

Going natural takes research, time and patience. You may possibly have to deal with shrinkage, dry hair during certain seasons and frizz during others. If you can't hang with it then don't bother going there.

Know your hair type (curl pattern) and try different products. Not every one has that wash and go, don't have to throw nothing in out hair except for water type hair. Find what products work for you and use them.

DON'T, lawd sweet baby Jesus 6lbs in the manger, DON'T take going natural as a pass not to do your hair. In some cases being natural does take more work and time. Yes you may want to braid and/or twist your hair in order for it to look like something in the morning. But by all means don't roll into the office looking like Buck Wheat did after he got shot because you feel that you need not run a wide tooth comb through your hair because you are "natural".

Going natural is NOT I repeat NOT cheap in the slightest. For what you save in not going to the salon for those touch ups, you may spend in product (there is some affordable product out there). If you do find a competent natural hair stylist then yes you run the risk of spending the same amount of money for that touch up in one natural hair visit; which is understandable given the time it take to work with natural hair...oh and I need to mention the cost of product.

Being natural does not preclude you from being successful in your career field. I work for Corporate America, with top level executives and VPs, I just got a new position mind you and I rock my curly fro all up and through HQ. BUT, I make sure I look presentable and my hair is done (please see 4th paragraph in this list).

I'm getting off of my soap box now and now that I have said my piece I don't want to hear no more bullshit about this...it's a choice not an obligation to represent natural black folks.

Peace, hair clips and hair grease (when I was in cosmetology school we used to say that all the time). Night folks!