Maybe its just me.......

[NaturesBestKeptSecret]

Ok, so I have a friend who is totally "anti-Africa." Well, maybe that was a bit hrash, but honestly, I couldn't think of a better way to say it. Anyway, her comments to natural hair are always, "Oh, thats cute, so "Afrocentric". Now, that word is far from negative, but she means it in a negative way. Why is it that any woman that has natural hair has to be called "Afrocentric?" Why can't that woman just be making a decision to embrace her nature texture and foremost, stop damaging her hair with chemicals? Also, she will make ignorant comments like, "I hate African art." "That is so ethnic." Mind you, she is Black! Not mixed! Not even close to looking like it! As a matter of fact, she has a nappier head than I do.....WITH A PERM! All I am saying is, Black women need to stop putting negative implications with Africanism. Also, stop thinking that all natural beauties are out to make a political statement! Furthermore, it just makes me sick to my stomach to see Black women who have a MAJOR identity crisis! The minute we start denying out heritage, is when we begin to degrade ourselves. What y'all think?

[caramelhoney01]

you nailed it right on the head! some people are so caught up in what society thinks and accepts, that they let it influence their perceptions of themselves. thus denying theirselves, disrespecting themselves&their culture&history! there is no self love there! it's a sad thing! she needs to take a long look at herself and learn to appreciate and love what was naturally given to her by GOD! before we are black women we are beautiful children of our lord and savior and he made us to be just as he created us!! natural black beauties!!!

[Bleue-Rain]

loli agree. I'm not making any political statement and i don't think i'm afro centric earthly woman. I'm an everyday american woman who wants healthy hair. Point Blank. lol Maybe if beyonce chop her hair off and grow natural maybe the young girls will get the message. Until then.....who knows.

[NaturesBestKeptSecret]

You know what, y'all....I really think she is not confident of herself. I say that because I find her asking questions about being natural and what I put in my hair....thing like that. Her hair is brittle, dry, broken off and short. I did my bc last October, and my hair has already surpassed her length in both quantity and quality...and she hasnt even gotten hers cut! I try to help her out and dismiss those negative comments with the quickness. I try to be her friend and "show" her the way instead of saying anything. I share my knowledge with her, as well as my products. But guess what....Beyonce is natural....under her weaves! She can just afford all those lace fronts to perform in...By the way, Imma save up to get 1! So is Ciara, and has been for over 8 years! But all in all, I try not to say anything bc my words can sometimes come off harsh....but, her comments really do get on my nerves......
On a side note, I am a school teacher in an elementary school. Funny thing is, when i walked into my school last October with ALL of my hair cut off, my students weren't having it! I teach in the inner city......REAL INNER CITY! Nothing negative meant by that..I grew up in the inner city as well. However, I say that to say, most of my students had never seen a woman with natural hair before! In their neighborhoods, you have Hispanics with "pretty" hair, Whites with "straight" hair, Black girls with "fried, dyed, and laid to the side" hair, (from the creamy crack), and "track queens." So, here I came in on a Monday morning, having just had permed hair that past Friday, and I done cut off all my hair. Well, they didn't like it. But now, I must say that my students love my hair. I have told them about why I cut it all off, showed the young girls different ways to style their hair...And the most touching thing: This past Monday, the 1st day of school, we were revieng class rules, procedures, and norms. I was stressing the importance of being kind to one another and comlimenting ne another, instead of tearing each other down. Well, while we were going over examples of positive communication, one of my students said, "Ms. Hooper, your hair is pretty!" That made my day....And that was the point!

[Jamoky]

whether we want to be or not...sometimes we hav to pick up the mantle and be role models. I have had my fair share of ignorant comments and looks ...folks tryna put their hand in my hair without asking ( my pet peeve,....UGH!) all that. I have also had looks of admiration and curiousity and beautiful compliments and an instant comradry with sistas everywhere I go. Unfortunately, some folks just dont know how to express their fear or curiousity properly.. and that is basically what your girl's issue is. Some folks act a fool ANYTIME they are faced with uncharted territory and a lack of self awareness and pride in one's heritage only heightens the hatefulness.
I knw it can be overwhelming but TRY and correct this sista with some honey instead of cussing her real good ...(which is what I wanted to do 4 U when i read it...lol)
It saddens me about the all the division in our black communities and amongst some black sistas ...we don't need anymore so I'm asking you to practice patience and show the naysayers how true Queens act, look and talk !!!
Everyday those babygirls that come into your class get to see a functioning Queen, and everyday their sense of self and beauty is strengthened ...evn if they don't know it!!
Seeds planted don't pop up overnight , but MAN once they blossom ..
it is something.
The way you glow on your pics on Fotki I am sure you R summin in person. Show em how it's done sis !!
Keep planting good seed in our futures of tomorrow(our babies)
wass more important than that??

[Carmen]

it seems like your friend has been properly brain washed. she come along once she has an ah ha moment. could you imagine if the world stopped production of the creamy crack. i know a lot of sister that would rather commit suicide, than to face themselves. it is so sad, i have to deal with comments, not as harsh as yours, but as ignorant. like why don't you get dreads, and why don't you just rock a fro. ignorance is bliss, i've just find that a lot of it is their inner self nudging them to embrace themselves, but at my expense. i give it right back the decisions i make are for me, at the end of the day when everyones gone i have to be satisfied, fulfilled, in love and happy with me.