Yeah, I Perm My Hair.
Posted
DISCLAIMER: This is in no way trying to disrespect, or mock people who are affiliated with the nation of Islam or hold the same views and beliefs of the Nation Of Islam. This is in no way an approach at being offensive to those who actually have natural hair.
So I've been reading Malcolm X and I'm the type of person who, once introduced to a topic; I must thoroughly explore and educate myself on it. So I googled, read books and watched videos that all pertained to the nation of Islam and their beliefs. I Just had to ask this question: 'Why do all pro-black or political and/or non political groups really into black empowerment claim that ALL black people who do not contribute to or join their campaigns, or believe in their beliefs are Uncle Toms'? Especially little things like perming my hair?
WHY do they believe that they actually have an answer for EVERYTHING?
...And has it ever occurred to them that the reason I perm my hair is because it makes it more manageable? NOT because I hate myself.
I personally could NEVER EVER manage my hair if it was all natural. I perm my hair, and I'M PROUD!
The Dr. Works Miracles to Keep My hair Dark & Lovely and If you don't like My Cream Of Natured Mane It doesn't matter to me because I Do what I Do JUST FOR ME!
In no way shape or form is my decision to keep my hair straight due to self hatred. I LOVE myself entirely too much to hate myself. In all honestly, I probably identify with my black people, and want to empower them more than some of the people who are the head of these pro-black organizations. If I hated being a 'Negro' or a 'black woman' Assatta Shakur wouldn't be my hero, and I wouldn't idolize the black panthers. I also would have NEVER agreed to, or Chosen to attend a Historically Black college, so that I could contribute my money to them in the form of Tuition and Book fees.
I could care less whether a black man (or woman) disliked my straight hair, just like I could care less whether a white man hated my black skin. I could care less, however; you will NOT talk to me how you please because of EITHER of those things and you will not treat me in an ill manner or disrespect me because of either of the two.
I also applaud any man, woman, or child who decides to sport a natural hairstyle. I just personally can not deal with it for the simple fact that when it comes to my own thick mane of hair I'm lazy. With a perm you can wrap it up for bed, and unwrap it in the morning. No grooming and picking through. I'm a true child of the microwave era and I tend to wake up an hour before I have to be somewhere and take about 30 minutes in the shower. I have no time to do my hair.
How can you honestly think that you are empowering black people with your 'truth' by making them feel degraded, and at times even shaming them into believing what you believe to be truth? I don't mean that in a disrespectful manner, however; you want to talk down on me for my decisions and call me the white mans slave and an Uncle Tom while also telling me that joining forces with you can change that?
I don't think so.
*Takes a Breath*
So with that being said, I will continue to believe in my own beliefs, practice what I choose to practice, and YES, I will continue to use the no Lye relaxer of my choice when i see the new growth peeking through my well oiled scalp.
I REMEBER AWHILE BACK I WAS READING THIS GIRL'S BLOG. I BELIEVED SHE WAS FROM FRANCE. BUT AS I WAS READING IT SHE WAS INTO "PRO-BLACK" AND KEEPING THE HAIR NATURAL BECAUSE SHE WAS AN ALL NATURAL GIRL. SHE HAD PICTURES OF BLACK FEMALES WITH NATURAL HAIR AND HOW TO MAINTAIN AND STYLE IT.
I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED AT HOW SHE TOOK THE TIME OUT TO DEDICATE HER BLOG TO BLACK HAIR.
THEN AS I KEPT ON READING IT TURNED FROM IMPRESSED TO DISTRESSED. SHE MADE A POST ABOUT GIRLS WHO RELAX THIER HAIR AND BASHED THEM FOR IT. CALLING GIRLS WHO RELAX THIER HAIR, HATERS OF THEMSELVES N SHIT LIKE THAT.
LONG STORY SHORT.. I CLOCKED THE TEE ON THAT ASS. SET IT STRAIGHT. AND WE ALL HAD A GOOD DAY.
**mind you she might have casted some voodoo cause the next week.. my hair was acting real funny. :|**
I perm my hair, and I'M PROUD!
ME TOO!!!
http://www.juicycarter.blogspot.com
you're a self-hater!
you're a self-hater!
repent!
i kid.
i have natural hair, very short natural hair, but that's because i like it this way.
hair does not = politics. smh at those that think it does.
I def appreciate your post.. I used to perm my hair for that exact reason- it's really hard to manage, but because I go to school 5 hrs away from home & no where near a hair salon I couldn`t maintain it & it was doing my hair more harm than justice.. Long story short, haven`t permed my hair since May or so of 2008... I alternate styles: twists, braids, curls when I unbraid my twists/braids or I jus wear one of those knitted things.. At the end of the day, natural hair, permed hair, doesn`t make the person unless the person lets it make her.. The only way it`s self-hate is if the purpose is to be something one isn`t i.e. a black woman who straightens her hair to run away from being black... B
But anyway! Keep doing you & educating yourself & remember that those who degrade their fellow man aren`t really trying to empower or uplift him/her...
I don't perm my hair, but from time to time, I'll get sew-in weaves or braids...does that make a self hater? No, I am just switching up the hair style. Hair is a form of self- expression. Be proud of your realxed mane!
Weeeell... I am an all natural, Black Power Chick... And I actually have no problem with permed hair. Granted, I do believe that the preference of straight hair does come from European brainwashing/standards of beauty...we live in America, for petes sake. Doesn't mean you hate yourself...
Besides...being nappy doesn't automatically mean you're about positivity, so...people that judge someone's awareness based on their hair is just plain retarded.
I choose not to perm my hair because I don't want chemicals on my skull, and its faster for me to just get up, untwist, shake and keep it moving (girl sheeeyd...I wake up about 30 minutes before I'm due at my desk..o_o)!!
In short (lol) people that judge you because of your hair are dumbasses and should be kicked in the shin.
yo :)
i happened to be muslim AND natural so when i saw the first few sentences i was like "oh god, i dont want to have to whip out my shit." but this wasnt one of those islam bashing posts... at least i didnt think so. lol.
so anyway, its true a lot of "afro-centric" and musilm blacks tend to act like know-it-alls i should know, there are a few in my famz.
However, I guess thye feel as if degradig those who perm thier hair, or treating them wrong, or giving them the "eye" will convert them right away. which i feel is absolutely fuckin wrong.
really, my absolute pet-peeve are those (my dad calls them) "conscious dreds"but i call them "conscious naturals" who belie e that anyone who uses relaxer straight up is a LOST cause with NO connection to thier roots at all.
OHHH THOSE people would get me heated to the MAX.
i get what you mean, I feel you completely. I have nothing against the permies (i call them permies cause well, Im too lazy to type out -girls who relax-) i do state the beneficial aspects of natural hair but, i care less what they do.
As long as they know who they are, and arent trying to bash me, we'll be fine. Lol.
I am the only one out of my friends with natural hair, and i keep my thoughts to my damn self.
I did my big chop for myself, and solely for myself. I didnt do it to make a statement or to make other black girls feel threatened or some dumb ishh.
And for the islam aspect of things...
it says nothing much about relaxing hair. LOL. so those people are what we normal muslims like to call "extremists" they take things to the next level and shit. Islam is about peace, solely peace and submitting to god.
Not about degrading others and towering over people and stuff.
Much love to you, i love your blog!
pce, lve & fresh air :)
back again!!! dont wanna be "that bitch"
but when you straighten the hair its called relaxing it..when you want it to curl up its called a perm..
I appreciate what you've said and I totally agree. I have natural hair now and for me I just wanted to give it a try because I had several girlfriends who went natural. Although I do agree that our desire to have straight hair has been passed down through European beauty ideals, I also believe that in this day and age, Black women have so much choice and freedom with their hair. Straight, natural, weave, wigs, dreds... whatever you like and I think that is empowering. We no longer have to feel like there is only one way to have our hair or have to conform to what the style is at the time. We are more than ever coming into our own and we're using our creativity with our hair do to so. Check the track by India Arie "I am not my Hair." Take a listen and feel empowered to choose whatever hair you feel like. Who knows maybe I'll relax my hair again one day. The choice is mine!
I agree with you.
I have been from natural to relaxed back to natural and now I am relaxed again. I just have no qualms about chopping my hair off and starting from scratch. People tend to make a huge deal out of hair--but I dont believe that your preference for straight hair automatically means youre brainwashed or whatever. It's just how you feel. I would say that my hair was more manageable when it as natural but im at a place where I love my short, relaxed, pain in the ass hair right now. It involves some maintenance but i love the way it looks. That doesnt make me any less of an afrocentric, empowered and self loving black woman.
Im gonna see if i can make this short and sweet.
I am natural. Been natural for about 10 years. Im natural because I cannot care for my relaxed hair and it will break off. Currently my hair is mid back length when dominican or egyptian pressed or blown out.
However
I am the ultimate weave queen. I have seen my natural hair pressed straight for exactly 2 days (the longest I have ever gone) before getting it weaved up with the most expensive STRAIGHT or CURLY/INDIAN hair weave ever. I was told by my hypocrite sister that MY WEAVE is self hatred etc...basically all the things people with permed/relaxed hair go thru.
With that written, I dont knock anyone who perms or wears their hair natural. Im not natural to prove how "black" I am. I never show my "natural" hair anyway! I can't manage my hair natural or relaxed, so where is my place in the "pro-black/self-hatred" world. Basically, weaves are the best things for me. Its hair and I believe changing up the look is the purpose since it grows back anyway.
Go on ahead and Keep on perming!!!
i couldnt make it short, but it is sweet ;o)
ALSO!
I have met plenty of black people with dread locks that are the most "white washed" people you can meet.
My ex's mom died her dreads blonde and hated me because I am dark-skinned.
I now believe people with dreads are self-haters and want to be white! and if you are white with dreads, you want to be black of course! lol
Dreads= Self Hatred!
jk
@HeavenBlessing?
Telll me about it! Some of them black power people hate their own people.. why else would they put them down, instead of teaching those who dont know better.
@Sasha
Lol dont worry girl, I may seem bitchy but i wouldnt label a comment, bitchy, nor my commentors/readers "That bitch"
and I Knew that but i was raised calling a relaxer a perm.
@Lil Honey B
Nope, you just like variety girl. I feel you