This blog post is not to be offensive only reflective.
You may think that the decision whether to chemically straighten my hair would not be a topic to write a blog post... Neither did I. I was talking to my fiance about straightening my hair. I have had my hair chemically relaxed almost all of my life until quite recently when I decided to go natural... I don't know if its working for me or not. And as usual, in my conversation, I was weighing the pros and cons... looking neat v.s. being natural, wash and air dry v.s. $200 salon bills, sleeping late v.s. straight ironing at 6 am... My conclusion: It takes a lot of time and a shit load of money for me (as an African American) to look that WHITE! I have a lot of respect for those who do go to great lengths to look another way then their natural beauty...but what exactly makes us want to? Do we all have it in us that the natural us isn't good enough. Would our lives be less complete without neon blue hair dye and the studs in our nose? People say that 'it makes them who they are'? Really? Would you not be the same person without those things. Personally, I believe I would be the same person with bone straight hair that cost me $200 every couple months (not including products), as I am right now with my natural afro. So, if thats not the issue, what is? It is how I would be portrayed. Beautiful, intriguing, unique, sexy... Women (and men too, for the most part) want to be considered all of these things. But people look at you differently when you are not dolled up. I mean, can you imagine if the photos on this site were not photo-shopped and the women didn't have enough make up on that you could actually see what they look like?! What if [enter name here] broke out that day and had a pimple, what is this girl has a bit of discoloration on her cheeks or forehead? What if she has a facial birthmark or a chipped tooth? Or the worst crime of all! Cellulite! gasp* Food for 'beauty' thought. But as for me, I am not straightening my hair.
You may think that the decision whether to chemically straighten my hair would not be a topic to write a blog post... Neither did I. I was talking to my fiance about straightening my hair. I have had my hair chemically relaxed almost all of my life until quite recently when I decided to go natural... I don't know if its working for me or not. And as usual, in my conversation, I was weighing the pros and cons... looking neat v.s. being natural, wash and air dry v.s. $200 salon bills, sleeping late v.s. straight ironing at 6 am... My conclusion: It takes a lot of time and a shit load of money for me (as an African American) to look that WHITE! I have a lot of respect for those who do go to great lengths to look another way then their natural beauty...but what exactly makes us want to? Do we all have it in us that the natural us isn't good enough. Would our lives be less complete without neon blue hair dye and the studs in our nose? People say that 'it makes them who they are'? Really? Would you not be the same person without those things. Personally, I believe I would be the same person with bone straight hair that cost me $200 every couple months (not including products), as I am right now with my natural afro. So, if thats not the issue, what is? It is how I would be portrayed. Beautiful, intriguing, unique, sexy... Women (and men too, for the most part) want to be considered all of these things. But people look at you differently when you are not dolled up. I mean, can you imagine if the photos on this site were not photo-shopped and the women didn't have enough make up on that you could actually see what they look like?! What if [enter name here] broke out that day and had a pimple, what is this girl has a bit of discoloration on her cheeks or forehead? What if she has a facial birthmark or a chipped tooth? Or the worst crime of all! Cellulite! gasp* Food for 'beauty' thought. But as for me, I am not straightening my hair.
heartbaker:
I think people should do whatever makes them feel beautiful. No one should try and be someone they aren't. If your chubby.. be chubby and happy.. and so on. I say it's better to be flawed then perfect