After doing the "big chop" in January, I have gone through a plethora of emotions. Some days I am excited about my original God given hair, other days I hate it, and in between those periods..."I just forget about it". It has helped me in my journey though to see other women starting to join the "unrelaxed movement" by sporting their natal locks. But, I digress. There is a purpose to this post. As you may have noticed, I am no longer using the word "natural" to describe myself. Let me explain why.
Lets first ask ourselves, what makes one "natural"? The definition for natural is "something that is present in or produced by nature". But when it comes to hair, I am finding it hard to separate the two, the natural and chemically treated hair idea. Maybe it is so hard for me because of the rift between the chemically relaxed faction and the unrelaxed patriots fighting over this term. There are those with chemically relaxed hair that believe that it is " natural for them to relax their hair" and their hair has adjusted to this state, hence this is now their natural hair. And then there are the unrelaxed who feel that since their hair is in the original state without the aide of chemicals, then they are natural. Personally, why can't we just get along? Does it really matter?
It was a salon owner who made a valuable and beautiful statement that made me reconsider my idea on "what is natural". He said, " That in about six months or even a year, I will probably want my hair flat ironed and temporarily straightened. It will still be in its natural state, but I will have to use certain products and styling tools to achieve the desire style. It is no different than with chemically treated hair. For those who have relaxers, they use it to maintain their hair. When their new growth appears, they use certain things to achieve and maintain their hair. So in the end, hair ...is hair.
The difference is "What You Make It". What you are comfortable with. What rocks your world and brightens your day. This may be with a wig, relaxed hair, lace wig, unrelaxed hair, weave, or whatever you think makes you beautiful and happy. I just don't think it fair or right to dismiss someone because their idea of beauty is not the same as yours.
I enjoy my natural hair more than my relaxed style because of its freeing nature. It fits my personality and lifestyle. Also, I just couldn't do relaxers anymore....my scalp was just too sensitive. But those are my feelings and these feelings work "for me". So I will not judge those who choose not to be as myself. Everyone is different and have to do things that best suit themselves. We are allowed to be our own selves, rock our own styles, and do what makes us happy.
So, define your naturalness your own way.....
Peace and Blessings
The Lost Girl
