Last month, a video went viral featuring a woman speaking on stage about women, primarily addressing a Black audience on their natural hair. In response, a user on X app, made a comment about Black hair, saying, "Nobody says natural hair is bad. But can you go to events with your natural hair? An event where you have a function to run? You can maintain your natural look at home, but for special occasions, aim to look your best." This comment ignited a significant debate about whether Black women should proudly wear their natural hair in various settings.
Embracing our natural hair is not just about style; it's a journey of self-love, cultural identity, and empowerment for Black women. Society often imposes unrealistic beauty standards, it's crucial that Black women cherish and celebrate the beauty and versatility of their natural hair.
Imagine being a Black woman and thinking that your natural hair isn't "your best." That is absurd! Society has sometimes led us to believe that our natural hair isn't good enough or isn't suitable for various occasions. That is wrong! These negative ideas can make us feel like we need to conform to standards that don't truly represent us, it makes us want to divert from ourselves.
Even in professional settings, our natural hair can face unfair judgments and be labeled as "informal" or "unprofessional." This often leads to self-hate and a sense of inferiority within the Black community, and it's essential to challenge these historical mindsets.
This includes rejecting the damaging narratives that have held us back for far too long. While some women may prefer wigs, braids, or other styles, natural hair remains a symbol of our identity and a testament to our strength. It's not just a hairstyle; it's a part of who we are. You can wear your wig and all that you want to hear but looking down on your natural hair as insignificant or lower down is a very poor mentality that should be eradicated every single day!
We can invest in our natural hair and fully embrace it, we can break free from societal pressures and negative influences that have affected us for generations. It's time to leave behind the politics of Black women's hair in 2023, it is not a debate on how good it is - it should be adopted, welcomed, celebrated and respected.
We need to redefine beauty standards and honor the diverse beauty of Black hair. Our natural hair is not something to hide; it's a symbol of our truth, authenticity, and pride. When Black women confidently wear their natural hair, it's a powerful statement against biases and a celebration of self-love.
The idea that our natural hair isn't beautiful is a learned self-hate pushed by industries profiting from our insecurities.
In conclusion, the beauty and strength of natural hair for Black women should be celebrated. It's time to break free from the damaging narratives and embrace our hair with pride and self-love. By doing so, we challenge societal pressures and redefine beauty standards that have held us back for too long.