It’s 2023 And People Are Still Giving Natural Hair A Bad Rep
Make it make sense!
- written by Joy Onu
- 5 min read
- 01 Nov, 2023
Ebonee DavisA video recently went viral, a lady on a podium decided to give single women of her “congregation” advice on how to attract a partner, and in doing so, she came for natural hair, amongst other things.
The female “pastor” or so it seems, made comments on how important it is to look presentable, she said and I quote, “Natural hair is not selling market.” That’s not even the most devastating part, as a result of this fueled conversation, a lot of public opinions have been aired, and you’ll be shocked by the number of people who agree that natural hair should be hidden and not worn to public events.
She added: 'All of you will be carrying natural hair about. Who natural hair help? OK. Better wear your wig and be doing like this…" “And be flipping it,” she added. “Go and spend that money on hair. Draw your brows, buy lip gloss, look good.” Watch the viral video here
This entire conversation is so 2008, it’s the kind of mentality that takes us back a decade, because tell me how it is 2023 and a lot of people actually buy into the idea that natural hair isn’t presentable enough for events.
If you’re on a journey to embrace your natural hair, don’t get dissuaded by the nay-sayers, natural hair to its very core is beautiful, it is elegant and it’s not something you hide, and it’s definitely not unworthy of being worn to a “fancy event”. Sure, wigs are nice, but in what world do we belittle the natural hair on our heads in the name of aesthetic and the world’s one-sided beauty standards?
Here are a few ways you can learn to wear your natural hair with pride
Block Out The Negative Talk
Recently, I was at a hair salon, and like every other time I’ve been to the hair salon, I got unwarranted advice on why I should use a relaxer on my hair. Not that I have anything against people who use hair relaxers, I used to as well, but I’m just at a point where I actually love my hair the way it is, it is brutal to manage but it’s mine.
Everyone is entitled to look the way the want to look, or dress the way they want to dress, so imagine a world where African natural hair wasn’t subject to negative discussions such as these. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good wig and protective hairstyle from time to time, but phrases like, “You can’t wear your natural hair to event”; “It’s too big, it’s too full”; “Who natural hair help” and so on, is just not it.
Understand Your Natural Hair Needs
Be fully aware of what type of hair your natural hair is, understand what it needs. From moisture to cleansers, to conditioners, and ultimately protection. Use products that work for you, and no matter what you do, whether you’re wearing a wig or a protective style, do not neglect your natural hair.
The idea that your hair should look a certain type of way at events is completely insane to me, is it really ever this deep? At the end of the day, you have to do you, but the one thing we’re not going to allow is the natural hair slander.
We all have it, and we should all love ours.