Wow!!!! I've read pretty much all of your stories and they've made me smile, laugh, and I even felt the pain and frustration some of you left in the comment section. We can all relate! Keep them coming and read the stories of others as well :) Loving the feedback and I wish I could reply to all of your comments! Share this vid with others so that the conversation will reach more and hopefully inspire more people to embrace their natural kinks! Love, India
My Mom always says, 'I can't go natural I have black girl hair,' or she says 'its nappy, and not good hair.' But she always says I can go natural because I have 'good hair.' It annoys me to no end. It's just an excuse to be hidden behind the flat damaged hair she goes around sporting. I finally convinced her to try to go natural last week. Wish me luck! 😊
meeshe brooks ive had people tell me off for encouraging them to go natural, telling me i wouldnt understand because my hair is different and its too much work for them to bother, but you see not only do i have many family members with that hair type, ive bleached and processed my hair to oblivion and i had to use alot of the knowledge i gained from watchng videos like this to heal and grow out my hair so i totally see how u feel about some of us having excuses...GOOD LUCK :)
meeshe brooks Wow! It's amazing how many of us share similar stories. My mother is the EXACT same way... so much so, that I could've sworn I wrote your post!! Wow.
My family told me I didn't have good hair, but I was sick of relaxers which really damaging my hair. They were shocked when after a few months I would wear my hair out and it was CURLY. Its kinky curly really! Can totally rock a fro. They were like you didnt have good hair as a child, I dont know where that hair came from. Im like *eye roll*. Ive been natural for almost 4 year and in that time, I have inspired the majority of my family to give up the creamy crack and my cousin decided not to ever perm her daughters hair. Im proud to have changed the way my family see's our hair.
As a child I let my perm grow out multiple times and i was made fun of a lot by my own family. I hated my hair and the way i looked in general, it took me 20 years to finally accept it. And now at 26 I finally see myself as beautiful, and those same family members are now complimenting my hair. I wish i had someone like you around when i was growing up. You've really inspired me to go out and talk to the babies and let them know they are beautiful just the way they are. Thank you!
I am so beyond glad for the natural youtube community because honestly I don't think "the message," especially as it relates to 4c type texture as being anything beautiful would ever be able to reach as many sisters as it has. I was 18 years on the creamy crack, hadn't seen my natural hair since I was a kid, when I made the change, and there was no love outside my house. None. I struggled so hard looking in the mirror with my twa to like myself because the peer pressure to go back, the lack of recognition and love from brothers, being told I looked like a boy, and my own insecurities made me doubt it for an entire year, and I still have days (usually wash days) where I'm like, why, how, who lawd! but I come to youtube, I take a deep breath, and I watch my inspirations, and I'm reminded that beauty comes from the inside and loving oneself first and everything else is extra. Now having gone through what I've gone through, now two years on, I make every effort I can to compliment any sister I see with natural hair because I know for a lot, especially with my texture, the STRUGGLE is real, so to hear from someone who looks like you, who's noticed you, that you are beautiful too...well, it does wonders. I remember the first ever compliment from anyone outside my circle, came from a brother I was passing by who worked in a store, and I came back recently and let him know, his words meant a lot to me.
Ugghh this video made me cry jusy because I know how that little girl felt about getting picked on about her afro because they used to do it to me except I was the only black person in the class so I felt real alone but I never let anyone know it got to me but it did and I wish I had someone like you to come and sport your big fro and show me how gorgeous it is. Thank god my mom is against relaxers on kids so my texture was never ruined no matter how much I asked but it did stay tucked away in braids pretty much all my life up to now. Im 18 and im soo done with braids and wishing I had "good" hair and being jealous of my mixed friends curls when my hair is just as amazing and way more versatile!
This video has touched me more than you know. My daughter about 3 yrs ago had a problem with her hair & her skin tone. It broke my heart that she didn't like her hair or skin tone. She wanted to be tan like me & have curly hair like mommy. In a desperate attempt to build her self-esteem I shaved my head, and I learned to care for her hair through you tubers like you & your sisters'. I so appreciate you ladies. My daughter is now 8 yrs old in 3rd grade & loooooooves her hair :).
Ronnie Fea, I Applaud your love & dedication for her well being & self worth! You didn't get hung up on hair but on your baby's mindset development & sacrificed your comfortability for your baby! She's now in a healthy place of self estimation & you've elevated as well. Bravo Sista, that's TRUE LOVE!!!
I get a lot of compliments from other races as well, not to sound offensive or rude but most black women just ask me if it's my real hair or if I use stuff to loosen the curl pattern, it actually made me realize when you said that...Not that I'm looking for a compliment but I barely get them from my own race..
Congratulations on your beautiful hair! But more-so, congratulations on stepping up and being the change that you want to see in this world!!! Thank you for giving of yourself for our children to make it. Thank you for leading by example in every way and most especially for being a natural sista for our little sistas to glean the self-love and the "how to" embrace our beautiful kinky hair. What a WONDERFUL video and what a wonderful life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I love the My Natural Sista's channel. I remember being in high school in the 90's I stopped saying good hair, simply because I didn't agree with kinky hair being bad and straight hair is good. Hair is hair and we have what God gave us. I went under so much ridicule for my statement at the time. I wasn't natural then but struggled with the stereotypes that culturally I was handed down. I'm glad times are changing. I really like that you are a teacher and able to share your knowledge with your students. I'll be student teaching this year and I know that education goes beyond the classroom, six hours a day and for five days a week. Thanks my sister.
I love the story about the girl embracing her natural hair. Those things show that you are an amazing teacher because you don't just teach your subject, you care about those kids and give them real life lessons. I commend you for that, you are a beautiful person x
I absolutely LOVE this!!! I receive more compliments on my hair also from other races than my own, when I have my hair big. I also get the "Girl you got that Good Hair" mess and that ruffles my feathers too! We all have beautiful hair regardless of the texture or curl! I must say you touched on a lot of points that I agree with in this video. Thanks for making this! Be Blessed!
It's funny because not long ago I was that girl.. I wasn't going to go natural because I didn't have "good" hair.. I wouldn't do it because I knew my hair wouldn't be curly... As much as I didn't want to think so I was defining my beauty by my hair, when it wasn't straight and it was time for a touch up I like I was having a bad hair day and that killed the rest of my flow.... Then one day something just clicked and I decided to give natural a try, the more I progressed the more I embraced the kinky texture, I knew I was ready when I didn't care about my fuzzy edges... So I thank you for being an inspiration not only to that little girl but to adults like myself 😊
What a great topic! Thank you very much for sharing this video. I had to share on my FB page. Its more than our hair, its the way we view ourselves. That we cant measure up to the society beauty standard if we dont look a certain way. I have a mixture of loose waves, kinks, and curls. My go to style is wash and go because it works for my texture. People ask if they can touch my hair, what do I "texturize" it with, if it's all mine because its thick, etc. Also being dark skinned, its as if I shouldnt have hair that looks this way. We are judged no matter what. The point is to set positive examples for our children. Embracing ourselves in all states of beauty so that our children are empowered. My daughter had long hair that she could sit on when straightened. In May she asked to cut it. I praised her for wanting to try something different. Her reasoning was so she could look like me! That was a defining moment when I knew that she looked up to me as her standard of beauty. I was so honored. She ended up cutting it into a chin length bob worn curly. The sad thing is that some of the kids at school said they didnt like it. Parents and teachers even asked why I "let her" cut her hair. When I explained her reasoning they were baffled. They didnt get it. Luckily my daughter is confident and rocks her new look and I know its because of the positive example that I set as her mother. We make the difference and videos like this help build awareness so that we can make a change and help break this generational curse of self hatred.
THANKYOU. This brought tears to eyes when you talked about the girl being ashamed of her natural afropuffs. Im so greatful to hear that you encouraged her to love her hair. My 3 daughters are also teased about their natural hair. they all have gorgeous hair that's thick and healthy. im constantly teaching them what to say to the haters and teasers. Seriously it is a problem and we need to help our girls get the message out that our hair is beautiful.
I LOVED THIS VIDEO!!! It encouraged me & I'm an adult! You're very right. We don't see images of our Sistahs wearing their afros & embracing natural hair styles on television, in magazines, or in the movies much. I am natural Now & I began this journey a few years ago, leaving a relaxer. I changed up & went BACK to a curl for one last try & regretted it due to SO MUCH shedding & thinning. It is a confidence, "learn'n to love me" issue. I had issues with my kinky hair & how it shrinks up SO MUCH. I have/had a "relaxer state of mind"! I just cut 2inches off my hair due to wearing the afro-puff all the time. I could go on but, I will end here. THANKS again for share'n your journey!
I hate that "good hair" comment also. I annoys me to no end. People think "good hair" is curly hair. Even my family was like that. Thank you for posting this.
Sooo....this is the BEST VIDEO HAIR MESSAGE I HAVE SEEN ON RUclips. I am a newly minted natural chyc and I cannot stress ENOUGH (as you can see via the all caps) how excited & inspired I am. Thank you so much! This is/was amaze-balls!
I really appreciate you doing this video and I think you articulated what's going on so well. My niece is in high school and every styles she wears to school she's on a mention for length of some kind or a "european" aesthetic. She loves her hair but she says she gets tired of explaining and just the comments. I do what I can to regularly reinforce that she is beautiful. She's starting to come around. So 3rd grade to me is perfect timing. The earlier we can get the message to sink in the better.
Oh, yes! I have what is termed as 'Good Hair', and I am sick of hearing that shit. When I hear that, I love pulling them up with my confrontational self. I always ask, "if mines is good, does that mean yours is bad?" Most are silent when I ask that because they have to now think objectively. Good hair is healthy hair!
few things here I can relate to! - One day 1 of a twistout or braidout all I hear is "oh you,re mixed so that works for you, Your hair is so curly" and all the compliments but like from Day 3 onwards I get people saying "oh I thought you were mixed then I saw your hair, oh did you lose your comb" and all that stuff! - A white gentleman today said he liked m hair, and I was actually shocked! Mos people around me (who are black) have just accepted that Ive done it and will comment like "oh, you're wearing an afro today" but they dont necessarily like it. It's really sad that we keep finding ways to divide ourselves s black people instead of sticking together, and can insult someone on something they cant change.....what if relaxers had never been invented? Would people still be calling each other nappy or it would be the norm? Sorry for long comment but I'm really annoyed about this issue!
What you said is the exact reason why I stopped wearing my natural hair loose in its curly state. It will grow but the curls make knots which cause breakage! So I wear sew ins or keep my natural hair flat ironed & I've found that this method keeps my hair long & healthy. Every now & then I'll let my natural hair do what it does lol
I'm glad you made this video. I had been natural for 2 years before going back to relaxing for 2 years and my dad would always down me saying that he hated how my hair looked in its natural state. He was use to my straighten relaxed look. He would offer me to go back to a relaxer and that he would pay for it to get it "professionally done"!!! At the same time my mom was supportive, until she saw my hair was "defined and curly" she would say I needed a relaxer and that my hair was "bad hair". Mind you, my hair wasn't "bad" it was manageable but super thick and I couldn't help that my 4c hair had little to no curls!!!! After all the bashing I went through, I eventually caved into the pressure. My boyfriend begged me not to relax it, but I felt like I wasn't attractive with my hair. I regretted that decision as soon as I put those chemicals back in my head!! Now I'm 9 months natural and I LOVE my HAIR!!! I have a greater appreciation for it, my mom is now natural and often compares her softer and more curlier hair to mine. She says her hair is better than mine, sometimes it hurts my feelings, but I still LOVE my hair. No one and nobody will define who I am as a person because of the way my hair naturally grows from my scalp!!
I applaud your dedication. I used to teach and that takes a lot out of you, to mentor and wear your hair in a fro and accept damage in order to instil confidence in a young child is so admirable. I applaud you. Your hair will grow back but our little girl's confidence will not if we don't do something to help them. I have heard lots of people say they can't go natural because they don't have hair like me. I have encouraged so many women with a variety of textures to go natural and learn to love what ever God gave them because it is who they are and it is their crowning glory and it is beautiful and good hair is healthy hair. My 5 year old niece is natural, my mother, sister,mother in law and all the women at my church are natural we are all different textures and we are proud of what we have and encourage it! My hair is sleek and long when straight, it is big even when not straight, but I am wearing it in twists in updos and love it, my niece and the kids at my son's school love that i have twist like them. and yes, other races love our hair! LOL!
Omg I just witnessed the same account yesterday during a field trip! I too, work in education. I am a clinical therapist for autistic children and one of the parents who came on a field trip with us brought along her two daughters. I complimented her natural daughters and especially the older one with shorter hair. The mom SAID TO ME, "I made the mistake of perming her hair before but realized she had a GOOD GRADE of HAIR". I honestly didn't know what to say... I literally prayed for some sort of revelation as to how to broach the topic again. I wanted to ask the mother just where does that mindset of good vs bad hair come from?? Did not the same God who made straight hair make kinky hair?? Did he not make man and declare that His creation was GOOD?? It blows my mind how as a black community, we still think this way!
I LOVE this video!! I was nodding and praising the whole entire time. We need more teachers like you in our schools and we need more of us as naturals to show our young girls that we are beautiful NO matter our hair type. I live in an area where I also get more praise and compliments from other races than our own people, I think it is interesting that we as a people, are one of the fewer races that judges each other so harshly based on looks and hair. It is ridiculous and ugly. And has for the I can't go natural because I do not have good hair like you -- I get that all. the. time... It makes me so mad that at times I cannot answer back and other times I am sure they wished they never said a word. How can you not be natural, when it is what God gave you when you were born? Thank you for this video. I have put it in my favorites to show my nieces and young ladies of my friends so they will see as well. Thank you and God Bless you.
OMG! This... Since little my mom would blow dry straight my hair. Then, she started perming my hair. I never EVER knew and still don't know how my natural (or untreated and unstraightened hair) is or looks like. So I gew up with... That identity (if I may say so that way). I am mixed because being Puerto Rican means being a mix. Period. For my family and friends in school my hair was the "bad hair". So, it had to be "treated". Now, I am just struggling with that transition because I am cutting off with a self image or identity and I feel insecure because I don't know what type my hair is or how to take care of it at all. Though, I must admit that when I see the roots I get so excited but when I straighten my hair, I feel safe and comfortable. And you know what? God keeps telling me that my hair is NOT my identity. Because my hair is part of me but is not the whole. Wildamarie is not the hair. So, the spiritual struggle is ALSO ON! And... I have so many things running on my head right now that I don't know how to keep expressing myself... Augh... :'(
i'm a mixed arabic and african girl i wish that i have sow this v when i was under 13 old and younger =""") in that time i really needed someone like u to tell me these beautiful words to let the small girl that i was not to be ashamed to be diffrent my tears just camed out i need to start to love my hair because i'm tired of being ashamed of it all these years to be honest and i'm 19 y.old now so thanks for making this v u changed something in me :D
I went natural when I started university, I had dread locks and I pulled them out. Loving you hair is accepting yourself and loving you unconditionally and apologetically. I loved my locks but in my heart and my soul I yearned for my natural hair. Going natural I swear will bring you in alignment, oneness and at peace with true you. It's like being lost and blind sighted for years and going home to what you know to be truth in your soul. We all have our own truth and inner light to embrace. Trust me that it's a blissful, self-learning experience no human should be robbed. Natural hair is beautiful and I believe you will embrace your hair, as long as you follow your hair and do what feels natural and authentic to you.
That was very inspirational. If our daughters and sons don't see it from us then how else will they know that they are beautiful just the way they are!!!
I love this channel. I'm half black and I grew up with the white side and all my life my family tried to make me more white and less black, especially with my hair. I never learned to love my hair or my color and at 21 years old I'm still battling depression over my looks because I feel like I'm neither black or white enough. You guys are a true inspiration and I hope one day I can love myself like you love yourself :)
I have been a master hair braider for 30+ yrs and I am so tired of the fallacy of what is considered good hair by our people. I heard it all the time from my hair clients and yes I did educate them on what good hair really is. But last year I was so annoyed by it that I put up a sign and told my clients that there would be an extra $5 added to their price. Yes they thought I was kidding and yes I added it to their bill and YES it did stop the talk in my shop. Each one teach one and in the case of your vid, you're getting the conversation started with hundreds.
There is beauty in every race, but looking at this woman with her full natural mane gives me "my opionion" the perception that black women are the most uniquest and gorgeous women on the planet!! Natural hair compliments our feautures better :)
"Natural hair compliments our features better" YES!!!! Oh my gawd thank you for saying that! I've always thought that we black women, which our fuller facial features, and very curvaceous bodies, look way better with our natural hair than with relaxed. Don't get wrong now, there are plenty of BW with long, thick, healthy relaxed hair that they do indeed know how to take care of, but straight hair on black women is just so plain looking because everyone else white, asian, and even some spanish women already have straight hair! Everything about us is BIG and *BOLD* so why shouldn't our hair be the same too?!
If I got a dollar for every time I heard "I don't have good hair like you to go natural" I could buy me a chanel bag for christmas lol. Keep doing what you doing for our babies!!!
It is so cool to know you are a teacher. I teach Kindergarten and I make it a point to compliment the all the afros, puffs, braids and twists I see sported. They beam. And they compliment my hair as well. One of my girls got a relaxer this year (at 5 years old) and I almost cried for her when I saw the burns around her edges, but I continue to compliment her on her styles as well. Regardless of what the parents choose to do with our girls' hair, we have to remind them they are beautiful.
Although Iv'e been natural 7 + years. I've JUST STARTED to wear my own hair everyday!SMH And it's wasn't because my hair was considered "unwearable". I just wasn't excepting it myself. It wasn't until my daughter jumped on the natural band wagon that I started to except my hair more. Isn't that something? It's supposed to be the other way around. No matter what she stayed strong! Even when she would have bad hair days. She would say Mom it's not that I feel good about every hair day. But If I don't like it who else will? From then on we became each other's source of support. Along with RUclips Vids, etc. It wasn't always good...we both had our up's and downs but we hung in there! People need to understand the not every one is going to like the choices you make in your life. But that is "their problem" NOT YOURS! This is truly a journey to self love. And that's a good thing!!!
Yessss and Yes I am going through a natural hair journey right now (I started when I was 14 and I am 15 now) and let me tell you I got more compliments from my White and Asian then I did my black and Hispanic friends (yes loving your hair texture is also a problem in the Hispanic community as well ). That really got me annoyed that my own people even the older women in their 60's always asked me "Girl when are you getting a perm?" One of the older ladies in congregation also ME that "I don't know why these young girls want to go natural out hair needs to be straight!" You cannot tell me this isn't a problem !
Tell me about it, my Hispanic sistahs are addicted to the flat iron and keratin treatments. I used to be to but it feels so good when once in a while someone sincerely compliments me on my curls. Good luck on your transition. :)
Light skinned vs dark skinned...Good hair vs bad hair. What the what? We still have a long way to go. Diversity! We are made in the image of God. Wonderfully and marvelously made. I love my beautiful in whatever state I'm in.
Thank you so much for this video, I really needed this! I'm 15 years old and my mum first relaxed my hair when I was 8 we did it twice and we stopped and cut off the relaxer when I was 10. I didnt get burns or anything but I love being natural and I've been doing my own hair since I was 11 and I really do feel like we do no appreciate or love our hair! I used to cry myself to sleep crying asking God why can't I have straight lon hair, but not anymore. I dont want my 8 year old sister to grow up not loving her hair because not loving your hair is like not like being black, you are denying ypu heritage and your family. Because I live in England, there are much less black salons that the US most of these women dont know how to handle black hair because like you said we have mot grown up learning to care for our natural hair. Your videos really inspire and help me on my life long journey of loving me :) Xx
I can't say thank you enough to you for this video. I am almOst 31 years old and had been getting relaxers since I was 12. I just started my natural hair journey 8 months ago. It has been hard for me especially the first few months. But now I've got about 4" of new growth and I can finally see my curls come out. Ive learned I have type 4c hair and I LOVE it. I didn't understand at first that everyone's curl pattern will be different. So i started out my journey and got a little discouraged because my curls didn't fall the way other you tubers did. But I didn't stop. I'm going to be doing my big chop in October bc now I look at my relaxed ends and think what was wrong with me? I spent a 2/3 of my life trying to make my hair look like someone else's. Just so I could be considered "pretty". NO MORE.
I agree with you 100%. Majority of the people who give me compliments on my hair are not black. I started to transition and then went to do my big chop and everyone just kept saying "no!! Why do you want to cut off your hair!!" Now I did the big chop and I love my twa. Plus my hair isn't as short as I thought it would be. I have a cut pixie cut when I where my hair straight
It is sad. From my experience i have been told by other black people that i am not black enough just because of the music i listen to and because I dont watch BET.
I get the same response with anime. But yea. From majority of the black people that I have met tell me I want to be white. So they just tell me I'm not black enough for them. It is weird and sad to hear that.
bri gomez I understand all too well. We suffer a lot of racial stereotypes from our own people. A lot of people need to realize the color of your skin does not dictate the things you do or represent. I should not have to listen to hip hop or watch basket ball wives to be black. BEING BLACK IS ONLY THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN, NOT WHO WE ARE. I love anime too. I also love korean pop. I have heard those comments before too. STAY STRONG!
I don't really care what anyone thinks about my opinion because I know it isn't the POPULAR opinion. But my hair doesn't really have a CURL pattern. My curl pattern is what some jokingly refer to as 4Z. It's a hot mess. I can't "wash & go". I've been natural for six years and I'm to the point where I'm considering relaxing again. The "good hair" debate gets tired to me because that's just how some of us are going to feel. Period. Unless you have my head of hair, you don't get it. It's just frustrating because the people whose hair actually curls are always the one talking about "no such thing as good hair". Sorry for the rant, I just really had to get this off of my chest.
6 years is a long time - have you tried washing with rhassoul mud - I live in Germany and buy it at my Turkish bath house. I would never use shampoo again. Its very primal and joyful to use the mud and I know it is what our afro hair is supposed to be cleansed with. I hope you give it a try.
I don't fault you on how you feel about "good hair" or wanting to straighten it. It is after all YOUR hair. I at times feel as though I just don't look as pretty with an afro. I doesn't fit my face. I personally don't like braids either. People's opinion of YOUR hair do not matter.
Wow this brought me to tears I wish I had a teacher like you growing up. I, like so many black girls, was ashamed of my hair most of my life thank you for being such an inspiration and please keep doing ya thing
OMGGGGGGG... I LOVE YOU GIRLLLLLLLL! PLEASE KEEP EDUCATING OUR YOUNG WOMEN! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! AND YOUR MISSION AND YOUR PASSION... You may have lost a few inches...but you gained your WINGS IN HEAVEN FOR HELPING THESE YOUNG SOULS!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!
When i was younger, my hair was natural until the age of 13.My mom styled my hair in transitioning styles all the time because she loved how long my hair grew, the strength, and fullness. My mom's friend who had no idea about perm decided to put it in my hair because I wanted my hair to look like the other kids. My mom was away and by the time she came back my hair was already permed and she was angry. After she washed it out, she saw how straight and long my hair was. She decided to put perms every month. My hair was long reached armpit length ,but it was always thin. When i started college my friends told me i should go natural and they barely see my hair (lol i am the queen of weaves I've had every style imagined). I decided to transition my hair in December and i had some much heat damage,color damage, and perm. My mom cut my hair almost near bald. I was so embarassed to have my hair looked like that. My mom still discourages me of going natural and she constantly tries to convince me to perm it. I go to a college where if your hair is not long and curly your hair is not beautiful natural, you look ugly. I get laughed at daily and sometimes if my hair is not on point, I feel ugly. I went natural because my hair was damaged ,but i also wanted to love myself for who I am. I wear my hair out more regardless of the harsh comments i get. I am glad someone like you can make me feel better about my hair. Thank you
I am currently about 1 year and 4 months into transitioning and I am so happy with how strong and beautiful my hair has become without the use of a relaxer. I have actually had a co-worker tell me a month or 2 ago that she cannot go natural because her hair is "too nappy" and she "doesn't have that good hair". What is it about kinky hair that makes people despise/ridicule it? To me "good hair" is healthy hair that grows. The term should be defined by the health of your hair, not its texture.
Thank you for this video- I am two month natural and a middle school educator. I see kids picking on each others hair to a point where the natural kids cut or change their hair to 'fit in'. I wear a curly afro puff and I see the students point and laugh or they make some comment about jerri curl or nappy hair. I am the only teacher of color in my building, but despite this, I want to show that we have beautiful hair, and if they want to rock their natural hair, this teacher is behind them 100%:). You and your sisters are an inspiration:)!
Thank you SO much for making this video! Yes, I have heard that "you can go natural because your hair is [fill in the blank]." I used to think that way myself. But my mind has been freed, & I am embracing every coil & curl on my head! I'm so glad you mentioned those girls in your class too. I intern with 4th and 5th grade students, & because of the area (semi-rural MD), there is only one black girl in each of those classes I work with. My hair doesn't fro easily (fine strands), but I try to wear my hair out every time I go in there to show them that they aren't alone. We've really bonded, & I love being able to help them grow their self esteem & confidence.
I'm the whitest girl you can find, I live in Europe and I love my tiny curls. My mom has been straightening her hair for ever, but I like my afro style, it pops out, and make me different and noticable :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts, this has helped me a lot! :)
People will stop me to compliment me on my hair but say "if my hair did that then I would go natural". I tell them they can rock what God gave them too but I think people don't want to take the time to learn their hair. Natural hair is all about trial and error. Embrace the journey!
Yes, as much as I love compliments, I don't like the "wistful" ones where you can tell the person thinks what I have is better than what she has, and also the whole "I can't wait until mine is that long/big" etc. Unless you are my identical twin, your hair will never look like mine, and it's better to enjoy your journey and discover what your own hair will do. Heck, mine looks different every day even if I do the same thing, and that's kind of cool to me.
nicthommi Yes!!!! People have told me I have good hair etc but my hair looks different on different days. Some times it curls up while other times it tangles..... I hate the "good hair" comments and the "wistful" people, who mean well but put themselves down in the process.
Wow!! This was soooooooo needed. I GET ON MY SOAP BOX EVERYTIME SOMEONE SAYS THE DREADED "GOOD HAIR " COMMENT. I'm going through it with my daughter. She's 11 and I'm trying all kinds of natural product with nice slip but her hair still knots. She has a super tight coil. She's only ever saw me with natural hair but the peer pressure is definitely there to where the fake hair and a perm. I still try to in still in her that her hair is beautiful how it is. Please continue to encourage all natural sistas on their journey to true beauty! Thank U!!!
I have heard plenty of girls tell me in high that they loved my natural hair, but they would never go natural themselves. I see the beauty in everybody's hair. I feel there's a certain glow to a black woman when she embraces her natural state. I went natural 1 year ago and let my ex boyfriend influence me to get a relaxer. I had a very simple mind then, and I'm angry that I let him influence me because once I got a relaxer I lost a part of me. 3 months ago I did the big chop and I am confident and loving it! I really enjoyed your video!
I had to stand up to my Dad about my hair! He would just come up to me and say Zahara why don't you do something with your hair? I felt like I shouldn't have had to do that but it saddened me that I had to tell my Dad that he didn't have to like my hair because it's my hair and wearing it the way God intended it to be is how I'm going to wear it. But yes please educate these girls about their hair. I never wanted a perm when I was little but older women in my life would say "Ooo girl your hair is thick! Why don't you get a perm?" It got to the point to where I thought having thick hair was a bad thing. So I convinced my Mom to let me get a perm...worst idea ever. My hair got so short as time went by and I went natural but I didn't fully embrace my hair up until over a year ago, when it took my boyfriend to put confidence in me to love my hair. And he's white. Now I'm proud of my hair. Still learning about it trying to gain some length but I love my hair. I think it's a good thing you're doing about mentoring the little ones to love their hair. I wish I had someone in my life come to tell me that my hair is beautiful when I was their age. Keep doing what you're doing. I support you 100%.
i have heard the 'i don't have good hair' or 'my hair is to hard/dry' to be natural excuse so much! I remember in 6th grade there were some girls complaining about how they wish they didn't have African hair... so sad that people aren't proud of what God gave them :(
Your daughter is beautiful, and it's a beautiful example you've set for that sweet little girl. You're absolutely right, we need to love each other natural, and you are setting an amazing precedent for your little girl and you should be proud.
OMG I had to comment, I usually don't but this just hit HOME!!!!! Thank YOU! because when I was growing up I was the little girl who was ashamed to be in her skin, wishing and praying God would make me lighter and curlier because I THOUGHT that was the only form of beauty. I hated my dark skin and my natural hair and I went YEARS with long unhealthy permed hair because I thought it was beautiful. Now that I am older and a full year natural I still find myself occasionally doubting myself but it is people like who encourage and inspire me to keep going. Our babies need to know that they are beautiful just the way God made them. Thanks!
I'm 17 years old and I Made the conscious decision to go natural yesterday. My grandma and mom always use to say my hair is thick and too hard to manage. My hair is nappy and I don't have good hair. But there is no such thing as good hair or bad hair.. The hair that you have defines you. I had my last perm 2 weeks ago and for now I'm going to do threw the transitioning process. Wish me luck ! (:
I didn't intentionally go natural for my two girls or others to be a role model for natural hair....that just kinda happened as a result. Some child on the bus asked me once why I don't perm my hair and I said "I embrace the way God in His infinate wisdom made me...and that don't include perms" 64 kids on the bus....dead silence. Next day...the black girls came to the bus curly, the white girls with curls came to the bus that way, and some tried crimping cuz they had strait hair. Pride shows!
I definitely can relate to this, people always tell me I have "good hair" when my hair is in a wash & go state. Peeve here too because I don't believe in "good hair" Going through some hair issues now & here is my video on the scalp issues & my post about my healthy hair journey ruclips.net/video/xqNkCPaABYM/видео.html
WOW. This is the first video of yours that I have watched. You have nailed it. This video brought me to tears. I spent my entire life being told that I have the "bad" hair, and my sister had the "good hair. Because of that, my mom has put relaxers in my hair for as long as I can remember, while I just longed to have my sister's "good" hair. I remember being in college and learning in a sociology class about the European standard of beauty that has made us be ashamed of what God gave us. I made a decision that day to go natural. Besides, I had always hated the chemical burns that accompanied my relaxers (why was I doing that to myself???) That was a pretty radical decision 20 years ago - there was no youtube, no natural community, and all around very little support. I went home, cut the relaxer out of my hair, stayed with my TWA and went from there. My family was so disgusted, they would bully, pressure, and humiliate me every time they saw me. My own mother told me that she was embarrassed to be seen with me and told me I couldn't sit next to her in church unless I straightened my hair. I was accused of being militant, manly, and just plain ugly. This is what I had to endure FROM MY OWN FAMILY. My aunt told me that if I had the "good hair" like my sister I could get away with it, but people with the "bad, nappy, hair" just can't be going out like that in public. I can't even go into details with what I got from the brothers and sisters in the rest of the world. But one example: I interviewed for a job at a black organization and they told me that if I would only "do something" (read:straighten) my hair, I would fit right in. Like you, most of the negativity was coming from my own. Of course now, well, we see celebs and it is starting to become more accepted, and so many are becoming more comfortable woth the fros and the kinkiness, but we are lying to ourselves if we believe there still isn't a divide. I had my (very kinky, zero curl pattern) twists freshly out and a girl commented that it was cute, but she could still tell that I didn't have that "good hair". It makes me sad that little girls are not taught to love their kinks and fros, just like other girls are taught to love their waves and soft curls. I spent so many years hating on my hair until i realized I wouldn't trade it for the world. THANK YOU!!! This video is so important! I wished every single girl could see this. I will be sharing, sharing, and sharing some more.
I am LOVING this video/channel!!! It is so refreshing to see this issue being discussed in this manner. It goes way deeper than just hair, it's about self-love. I went natural a year ago and I am loving it! I encourage every black woman to watch ur videos. Lovin it. Keep it comin...
my mom is like that with the good hair bad hair thing and it's really annoying and my hair is like in the 4s. I like the nappy but then my hair shrinks and hugs up on itself and knots and tangles and then I have to Cut. Her. omg Riley is the best. I love your channel and what you do. keep it up.
My mom kind of the same way. She's natural but have a very loose curl pattern. But i ignore her comments. I'm going to wear my hair "nappy" if I want. What else am I going to do with it lol I love my hair so oh well.
Sista, you are powerful. We are powerful. Everything you say is so true. Yes, we must continue to have this conversation on the beauty of natural hair. It has taken a long time for this info to come back to us Black women. I'm 64 and have worn my hair natural most of my life because I wanted other sistas to see an alternative, but it never occurred to me that we could have really long hair. Congrats to all my sistas for these videos on caring for our hair. I'm learning so much!!!
I hate the ''Are you mixed because you have good hair. '' I get that on a daily basis. In a sense i feel offended because what if i wasnt mixed ? Does that mean i have bad hair if i wasnt mixed. I may be mixed but im predominantly black and i find that rude.
My friend Kim(she's white) is like wow Tajh your hair is so cute and curly but my friend Alicia(she Mexican) is like your need a comb then the other day my friend Johnny called me nappy headed and started to wear this hat over my afro but thanks to this video I wear my afro everyday and I love it btw I'm In fifth grade
also this past Friday i went to my journalism class, and my professor had the nerve to tell me and another girl that we would have to straighten our hair because there has never been a black woman with natural hair on broadcast news. I then proceeded to tell her that I will be the first if it hasn't!! Ans she's black... I refuse to let people think the way my hair is, is just a style. its a part of my identity who I am. Its just like most whites born with straight hair people want tell them to make it curly or they will never get the job. I refuse to compromise with how god created me...!
Thank you for sharing this video. For me this IS a big deal. I am a mixed girl that came from a family with straight hair and I KNOW what it is to feel how this girl felt and I wish I had someone like you when I was a little girl. God bless you
I'm so glad you made this video your really address some real issues. Every time I wear a wash and go people always say "you have good hair" but when I wear my fro those same people are looking like "what happened". Some of our people are still stuck in a certain mindset. I am so thankful I went natural and learned to love myself and my hair before I had my daughter. Because I embrace my natural hair it allows me to embrace hers and teach her to love every kink and coil.
Thank you! :) It's not only happening in your community. I'm Asian and it's happening in our community as well. I'm a Filipina and I'm so sick and tired of rebonding (a prevalent straightening method here in The Philippines and in Asia) my hair since I was in 5th grade. I did enjoy my straight hair phase before but for the past 3-4 years I was just tired of it--of having to straighten my hair 1-2 times a year, causing more breakage, of ironing my hair when the roots are starting to come out, of getting bored with my straight hair that I couldn't bring to curl properly when I wanted to rock curly hair. I envied the mermaid-haired models and celebrities and girls on Pinterest and in magazines. And I wondered, why can't I wear my naturally curly hair when models, celebrities and other personalities are trying to chemically (or with styling tools) style their hair to look curly? So I big chopped all my straight ends last October and I'm continuing to learn more about my hair texture and I'm treating it well. Thank you. You are beautiful inside and out and absolutely inspiring. Thank you for being you. Thank you for empowering people (no matter what gender, no matter what race) to be themselves. God bless you. :)
I remember making my mom perm my hair in middle school. She was sad. She was like "Why?" And it was because I was insecure and wanted white girl hair, and I lied and told her because I hated getting my hair done every other day by twisting and doing hair treatment. My mom permed it, and I slowly regretted it. My hair was big curly and full, now I have to regain it. I also dyed, cut, and everything. Looking at my photos as a kid makes me want to cry. So much self hate and self loathing just to fit in was killing me. It took me 9 years to realize this. I won't let my sister make that mistake. I'll constantly teach and show her through me that her hair is beautiful, and if she wants whitegirl hair to wear wigs, and to love herself and our culture. Media can be one motherfucker.
I was reluctant to watch as I'm so over the "discussion" but you approached some new areas, namely celebrating the kinky. As one who gets the "you have good hair so you can go natural" people, your message connected with me. I get annoyed but turn my attitude down and begin to educate. I don't get the same thing when I rock my kinky looks. Thank you for taking the time to make this. Helping people realize that every texture is acceptable and gorgeous is much needed. Good to know theres someone else in the big fro grow goal group.
I'm an Asian girl with naturally straight, fine hair but I srsly LOVE black women's natural hair. My friend has a sister who is 4 yrs & she is half black with beautiful kinky curls. She grew up around Asians & realized that she's different because of her hair. She always talks about wanting to straighten her hair already bc she sees everyone around her with straight hair. I need to show her this video. It going to be so inspiring.
I got hair like Les Twins at the moment, you wont believe how many people have told me to cut my hair, but am also glad how many people have said my hair looks cool too, I am trying to not let it dread up though, nobody where I live has hair like I got so am well pleased that I am letting it go wild
Thank you my sister for what you did for those young girls and their mothers by inspiring them to wear their natural hair. God Bless you! What an amazing story.
Such beautiful words! I feel the EXACT SAME WAY!! Our Community needs to reclaim their beauty with no regrets, no looking back, and embracing every kinky and curl we have. The AFRO is GLORIOUS, it is our CROWN and I refuse to let ANYONE tell me any different. I loved this video!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Let's teach our kids to have this mentality people!!
I know that is right! You are on point with your frame of thought, and action in regards to showing our children that their hair is beautiful. I will love it when we or our children no longer say, "i went natural 4 or 5 yrs ago, but rather I have been natural all my life! I stumbled upon your channel and I am pleased I did. Please continue to be an example because I know I will:) (not only for our girls, but our boys too!
Greetings and salutations sister! I just joined your channel because of this video! I completely agree that we need to set the example for these young baby girls that need it. You would think that in this day and age where there are so many natural women out there that it wouldn't be necessary, but the media and our culture make it difficult for some of us to recognize our natural beauty. I love your message and your channel. Thanks for sharing this ;-) Inspirations & Blessings, Nat
wow that little girl got her everywhere!!! She is soo adorable! Yes I agree with everything you are talking about. I get that good hair comment too and I have gotten the bad hair comment when I do the fro... I get compliments from stranger rather then friends and some family. But I have started a little mini movement in my church because of all the great styles I do with my natural hair and a lot of ppl think natural cant look cute, cuter then weave! But IT CAN!! I LOVE MY FRO TOO so I can relate completely. Even when I colored my hair ppl tried to take my natural card away from me... So I love it, I love this video!
AMEN! Fro love all day! I'm glad you discussed the favoritism among textures. I sometimes got discouraged on my natural hair journey when my texture didn't look like the ideal looser curls. So let's celebrate the kinky you guys!
I am 67 years old and I just love you. Keep it up little sister.
Wow!!!! I've read pretty much all of your stories and they've made me smile, laugh, and I even felt the pain and frustration some of you left in the comment section. We can all relate! Keep them coming and read the stories of others as well :) Loving the feedback and I wish I could reply to all of your comments! Share this vid with others so that the conversation will reach more and hopefully inspire more people to embrace their natural kinks! Love, India
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I'm LOVING this!!!! You guys have inspired me to make more vids similar to this one! Thank you!!!! Love, India
My Mom always says, 'I can't go natural I have black girl hair,' or she says 'its nappy, and not good hair.' But she always says I can go natural because I have 'good hair.' It annoys me to no end. It's just an excuse to be hidden behind the flat damaged hair she goes around sporting.
I finally convinced her to try to go natural last week. Wish me luck! 😊
meeshe brooks ive had people tell me off for encouraging them to go natural, telling me i wouldnt understand because my hair is different and its too much work for them to bother, but you see not only do i have many family members with that hair type, ive bleached and processed my hair to oblivion and i had to use alot of the knowledge i gained from watchng videos like this to heal and grow out my hair so i totally see how u feel about some of us having excuses...GOOD LUCK :)
meeshe brooks Wow! It's amazing how many of us share similar stories. My mother is the EXACT same way... so much so, that I could've sworn I wrote your post!! Wow.
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Awwwwww! This really warms my heart! Wow! The impact once person can make. Teachers always have a special place in my heart!
Thank you for this...my baby is a huge reason why I'm loving my natural. She's nine and natural and I want her thank God for all that she has and is.
My family told me I didn't have good hair, but I was sick of relaxers which really damaging my hair. They were shocked when after a few months I would wear my hair out and it was CURLY. Its kinky curly really! Can totally rock a fro. They were like you didnt have good hair as a child, I dont know where that hair came from. Im like *eye roll*. Ive been natural for almost 4 year and in that time, I have inspired the majority of my family to give up the creamy crack and my cousin decided not to ever perm her daughters hair. Im proud to have changed the way my family see's our hair.
As a child I let my perm grow out multiple times and i was made fun of a lot by my own family. I hated my hair and the way i looked in general, it took me 20 years to finally accept it. And now at 26 I finally see myself as beautiful, and those same family members are now complimenting my hair. I wish i had someone like you around when i was growing up. You've really inspired me to go out and talk to the babies and let them know they are beautiful just the way they are. Thank you!
I am so beyond glad for the natural youtube community because honestly I don't think "the message," especially as it relates to 4c type texture as being anything beautiful would ever be able to reach as many sisters as it has. I was 18 years on the creamy crack, hadn't seen my natural hair since I was a kid, when I made the change, and there was no love outside my house. None. I struggled so hard looking in the mirror with my twa to like myself because the peer pressure to go back, the lack of recognition and love from brothers, being told I looked like a boy, and my own insecurities made me doubt it for an entire year, and I still have days (usually wash days) where I'm like, why, how, who lawd! but I come to youtube, I take a deep breath, and I watch my inspirations, and I'm reminded that beauty comes from the inside and loving oneself first and everything else is extra. Now having gone through what I've gone through, now two years on, I make every effort I can to compliment any sister I see with natural hair because I know for a lot, especially with my texture, the STRUGGLE is real, so to hear from someone who looks like you, who's noticed you, that you are beautiful too...well, it does wonders. I remember the first ever compliment from anyone outside my circle, came from a brother I was passing by who worked in a store, and I came back recently and let him know, his words meant a lot to me.
Riley just made me cry...... That was beyond beautiful.... It touched my soul... I agree. It starts with the babies both male and female.
Ugghh this video made me cry jusy because I know how that little girl felt about getting picked on about her afro because they used to do it to me except I was the only black person in the class so I felt real alone but I never let anyone know it got to me but it did and I wish I had someone like you to come and sport your big fro and show me how gorgeous it is. Thank god my mom is against relaxers on kids so my texture was never ruined no matter how much I asked but it did stay tucked away in braids pretty much all my life up to now. Im 18 and im soo done with braids and wishing I had "good" hair and being jealous of my mixed friends curls when my hair is just as amazing and way more versatile!
This video has touched me more than you know. My daughter about 3 yrs ago had a problem with her hair & her skin tone. It broke my heart that she didn't like her hair or skin tone. She wanted to be tan like me & have curly hair like mommy. In a desperate attempt to build her self-esteem I shaved my head, and I learned to care for her hair through you tubers like you & your sisters'. I so appreciate you ladies. My daughter is now 8 yrs old in 3rd grade & loooooooves her hair :).
your comment has really touched me. what an unselfish show of love for your child! we need more mothers like you and more teachers/people like india!
Ronnie Fea, I Applaud your love & dedication for her well being & self worth! You didn't get hung up on hair but on your baby's mindset development & sacrificed your comfortability for your baby! She's now in a healthy place of self estimation & you've elevated as well. Bravo Sista, that's TRUE LOVE!!!
Thank you both :0
I get a lot of compliments from other races as well, not to sound offensive or rude but most black women just ask me if it's my real hair or if I use stuff to loosen the curl pattern, it actually made me realize when you said that...Not that I'm looking for a compliment but I barely get them from my own race..
Congratulations on your beautiful hair! But more-so, congratulations on stepping up and being the change that you want to see in this world!!! Thank you for giving of yourself for our children to make it. Thank you for leading by example in every way and most especially for being a natural sista for our little sistas to glean the self-love and the "how to" embrace our beautiful kinky hair. What a WONDERFUL video and what a wonderful life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I love the My Natural Sista's channel. I remember being in high school in the 90's I stopped saying good hair, simply because I didn't agree with kinky hair being bad and straight hair is good. Hair is hair and we have what God gave us. I went under so much ridicule for my statement at the time. I wasn't natural then but struggled with the stereotypes that culturally I was handed down. I'm glad times are changing. I really like that you are a teacher and able to share your knowledge with your students. I'll be student teaching this year and I know that education goes beyond the classroom, six hours a day and for five days a week. Thanks my sister.
I love the story about the girl embracing her natural hair. Those things show that you are an amazing teacher because you don't just teach your subject, you care about those kids and give them real life lessons. I commend you for that, you are a beautiful person x
I absolutely LOVE this!!! I receive more compliments on my hair also from other races than my own, when I have my hair big. I also get the "Girl you got that Good Hair" mess and that ruffles my feathers too! We all have beautiful hair regardless of the texture or curl! I must say you touched on a lot of points that I agree with in this video. Thanks for making this! Be Blessed!
It's funny because not long ago I was that girl.. I wasn't going to go natural because I didn't have "good" hair.. I wouldn't do it because I knew my hair wouldn't be curly... As much as I didn't want to think so I was defining my beauty by my hair, when it wasn't straight and it was time for a touch up I like I was having a bad hair day and that killed the rest of my flow.... Then one day something just clicked and I decided to give natural a try, the more I progressed the more I embraced the kinky texture, I knew I was ready when I didn't care about my fuzzy edges... So I thank you for being an inspiration not only to that little girl but to adults like myself 😊
What a great topic! Thank you very much for sharing this video. I had to share on my FB page. Its more than our hair, its the way we view ourselves. That we cant measure up to the society beauty standard if we dont look a certain way. I have a mixture of loose waves, kinks, and curls. My go to style is wash and go because it works for my texture. People ask if they can touch my hair, what do I "texturize" it with, if it's all mine because its thick, etc. Also being dark skinned, its as if I shouldnt have hair that looks this way. We are judged no matter what. The point is to set positive examples for our children. Embracing ourselves in all states of beauty so that our children are empowered. My daughter had long hair that she could sit on when straightened. In May she asked to cut it. I praised her for wanting to try something different. Her reasoning was so she could look like me! That was a defining moment when I knew that she looked up to me as her standard of beauty. I was so honored. She ended up cutting it into a chin length bob worn curly. The sad thing is that some of the kids at school said they didnt like it. Parents and teachers even asked why I "let her" cut her hair. When I explained her reasoning they were baffled. They didnt get it. Luckily my daughter is confident and rocks her new look and I know its because of the positive example that I set as her mother. We make the difference and videos like this help build awareness so that we can make a change and help break this generational curse of self hatred.
THANKYOU. This brought tears to eyes when you talked about the girl being ashamed of her natural afropuffs. Im so greatful to hear that you encouraged her to love her hair. My 3 daughters are also teased about their natural hair. they all have gorgeous hair that's thick and healthy. im constantly teaching them what to say to the haters and teasers. Seriously it is a problem and we need to help our girls get the message out that our hair is beautiful.
I LOVED THIS VIDEO!!! It encouraged me & I'm an adult! You're very right. We don't see images of our Sistahs wearing their afros & embracing natural hair styles on television, in magazines, or in the movies much. I am natural Now & I began this journey a few years ago, leaving a relaxer. I changed up & went BACK to a curl for one last try & regretted it due to SO MUCH shedding & thinning. It is a confidence, "learn'n to love me" issue. I had issues with my kinky hair & how it shrinks up SO MUCH. I have/had a "relaxer state of mind"! I just cut 2inches off my hair due to wearing the afro-puff all the time. I could go on but, I will end here. THANKS again for share'n your journey!
I hate that "good hair" comment also. I annoys me to no end. People think "good hair" is curly hair. Even my family was like that. Thank you for posting this.
I hear the "good hair" bit all of the time, so sad I have "4c" + hair and I'm proud of it.
Llppep
yes I hear that all the time and ask the same question. They say mixed people hair.. i get so annoyed!!!!
Sooo....this is the BEST VIDEO HAIR MESSAGE I HAVE SEEN ON RUclips. I am a newly minted natural chyc and I cannot stress ENOUGH (as you can see via the all caps) how excited & inspired I am. Thank you so much! This is/was amaze-balls!
I really appreciate you doing this video and I think you articulated what's going on so well. My niece is in high school and every styles she wears to school she's on a mention for length of some kind or a "european" aesthetic. She loves her hair but she says she gets tired of explaining and just the comments. I do what I can to regularly reinforce that she is beautiful. She's starting to come around. So 3rd grade to me is perfect timing. The earlier we can get the message to sink in the better.
Oh, yes! I have what is termed as 'Good Hair', and I am sick of hearing that shit. When I hear that, I love pulling them up with my confrontational self. I always ask, "if mines is good, does that mean yours is bad?" Most are silent when I ask that because they have to now think objectively. Good hair is healthy hair!
few things here I can relate to!
- One day 1 of a twistout or braidout all I hear is "oh you,re mixed so that works for you, Your hair is so curly" and all the compliments but like from Day 3 onwards I get people saying "oh I thought you were mixed then I saw your hair, oh did you lose your comb" and all that stuff!
- A white gentleman today said he liked m hair, and I was actually shocked! Mos people around me (who are black) have just accepted that Ive done it and will comment like "oh, you're wearing an afro today" but they dont necessarily like it.
It's really sad that we keep finding ways to divide ourselves s black people instead of sticking together, and can insult someone on something they cant change.....what if relaxers had never been invented? Would people still be calling each other nappy or it would be the norm?
Sorry for long comment but I'm really annoyed about this issue!
What you said is the exact reason why I stopped wearing my natural hair loose in its curly state. It will grow but the curls make knots which cause breakage! So I wear sew ins or keep my natural hair flat ironed & I've found that this method keeps my hair long & healthy. Every now & then I'll let my natural hair do what it does lol
I'm glad you made this video. I had been natural for 2 years before going back to relaxing for 2 years and my dad would always down me saying that he hated how my hair looked in its natural state. He was use to my straighten relaxed look. He would offer me to go back to a relaxer and that he would pay for it to get it "professionally done"!!! At the same time my mom was supportive, until she saw my hair was "defined and curly" she would say I needed a relaxer and that my hair was "bad hair". Mind you, my hair wasn't "bad" it was manageable but super thick and I couldn't help that my 4c hair had little to no curls!!!! After all the bashing I went through, I eventually caved into the pressure. My boyfriend begged me not to relax it, but I felt like I wasn't attractive with my hair. I regretted that decision as soon as I put those chemicals back in my head!! Now I'm 9 months natural and I LOVE my HAIR!!! I have a greater appreciation for it, my mom is now natural and often compares her softer and more curlier hair to mine. She says her hair is better than mine, sometimes it hurts my feelings, but I still LOVE my hair. No one and nobody will define who I am as a person because of the way my hair naturally grows from my scalp!!
I applaud your dedication. I used to teach and that takes a lot out of you, to mentor and wear your hair in a fro and accept damage in order to instil confidence in a young child is so admirable. I applaud you. Your hair will grow back but our little girl's confidence will not if we don't do something to help them. I have heard lots of people say they can't go natural because they don't have hair like me. I have encouraged so many women with a variety of textures to go natural and learn to love what ever God gave them because it is who they are and it is their crowning glory and it is beautiful and good hair is healthy hair. My 5 year old niece is natural, my mother, sister,mother in law and all the women at my church are natural we are all different textures and we are proud of what we have and encourage it! My hair is sleek and long when straight, it is big even when not straight, but I am wearing it in twists in updos and love it, my niece and the kids at my son's school love that i have twist like them. and yes, other races love our hair! LOL!
Omg I just witnessed the same account yesterday during a field trip! I too, work in education. I am a clinical therapist for autistic children and one of the parents who came on a field trip with us brought along her two daughters. I complimented her natural daughters and especially the older one with shorter hair. The mom SAID TO ME, "I made the mistake of perming her hair before but realized she had a GOOD GRADE of HAIR". I honestly didn't know what to say... I literally prayed for some sort of revelation as to how to broach the topic again. I wanted to ask the mother just where does that mindset of good vs bad hair come from?? Did not the same God who made straight hair make kinky hair?? Did he not make man and declare that His creation was GOOD?? It blows my mind how as a black community, we still think this way!
Love this video! I support our young sisters. Well said India!
A sad thing is other races ALWAYS compliment our hair more than our OWN...But we will get through this cause BLACK GIRLS ROCK!!!
I LOVE this video!! I was nodding and praising the whole entire time. We need more teachers like you in our schools and we need more of us as naturals to show our young girls that we are beautiful NO matter our hair type. I live in an area where I also get more praise and compliments from other races than our own people, I think it is interesting that we as a people, are one of the fewer races that judges each other so harshly based on looks and hair. It is ridiculous and ugly. And has for the I can't go natural because I do not have good hair like you -- I get that all. the. time... It makes me so mad that at times I cannot answer back and other times I am sure they wished they never said a word. How can you not be natural, when it is what God gave you when you were born? Thank you for this video. I have put it in my favorites to show my nieces and young ladies of my friends so they will see as well. Thank you and God Bless you.
Thank you my fellow sister! This is truly uplifting and inspiration! Our own people need to compliment each other's hair no matter the texture!
OMG! This...
Since little my mom would blow dry straight my hair. Then, she started perming my hair. I never EVER knew and still don't know how my natural (or untreated and unstraightened hair) is or looks like. So I gew up with... That identity (if I may say so that way). I am mixed because being Puerto Rican means being a mix. Period. For my family and friends in school my hair was the "bad hair". So, it had to be "treated". Now, I am just struggling with that transition because I am cutting off with a self image or identity and I feel insecure because I don't know what type my hair is or how to take care of it at all. Though, I must admit that when I see the roots I get so excited but when I straighten my hair, I feel safe and comfortable. And you know what? God keeps telling me that my hair is NOT my identity. Because my hair is part of me but is not the whole. Wildamarie is not the hair. So, the spiritual struggle is ALSO ON! And... I have so many things running on my head right now that I don't know how to keep expressing myself... Augh... :'(
i'm a mixed arabic and african girl i wish that i have sow this v when i was under 13 old and younger =""") in that time i really needed someone like u to tell me these beautiful words to let the small girl that i was not to be ashamed to be diffrent my tears just camed out i need to start to love my hair because i'm tired of being ashamed of it all these years to be honest and i'm 19 y.old now so thanks for making this v u changed something in me :D
I went natural when I started university, I had dread locks and I pulled them out. Loving you hair is accepting yourself and loving you unconditionally and apologetically. I loved my locks but in my heart and my soul I yearned for my natural hair. Going natural I swear will bring you in alignment, oneness and at peace with true you. It's like being lost and blind sighted for years and going home to what you know to be truth in your soul. We all have our own truth and inner light to embrace. Trust me that it's a blissful, self-learning experience no human should be robbed. Natural hair is beautiful and I believe you will embrace your hair, as long as you follow your hair and do what feels natural and authentic to you.
That was very inspirational. If our daughters and sons don't see it from us then how else will they know that they are beautiful just the way they are!!!
Delcenia Smith Thank you!!!
I love this channel. I'm half black and I grew up with the white side and all my life my family tried to make me more white and less black, especially with my hair. I never learned to love my hair or my color and at 21 years old I'm still battling depression over my looks because I feel like I'm neither black or white enough. You guys are a true inspiration and I hope one day I can love myself like you love yourself :)
*APPLAUSE* Your pupils are blessed to have you as their teacher!
I have been a master hair braider for 30+ yrs and I am so tired of the fallacy of what is considered good hair by our people. I heard it all the time from my hair clients and yes I did educate them on what good hair really is. But last year I was so annoyed by it that I put up a sign and told my clients that there would be an extra $5 added to their price. Yes they thought I was kidding and yes I added it to their bill and YES it did stop the talk in my shop. Each one teach one and in the case of your vid, you're getting the conversation started with hundreds.
There is beauty in every race, but looking at this woman with her full natural mane gives me "my opionion" the perception that black women are the most uniquest and gorgeous women on the planet!! Natural hair compliments our feautures better :)
"Natural hair compliments our features better"
YES!!!! Oh my gawd thank you for saying that! I've always thought that we black women, which our fuller facial features, and very curvaceous bodies, look way better with our natural hair than with relaxed. Don't get wrong now, there are plenty of BW with long, thick, healthy relaxed hair that they do indeed know how to take care of, but straight hair on black women is just so plain looking because everyone else white, asian, and even some spanish women already have straight hair! Everything about us is BIG and *BOLD* so why shouldn't our hair be the same too?!
you're giving me life no lie!!
If I got a dollar for every time I heard "I don't have good hair like you to go natural"
I could buy me a chanel bag for christmas lol. Keep doing what you doing for our babies!!!
It is so cool to know you are a teacher. I teach Kindergarten and I make it a point to compliment the all the afros, puffs, braids and twists I see sported. They beam. And they compliment my hair as well. One of my girls got a relaxer this year (at 5 years old) and I almost cried for her when I saw the burns around her edges, but I continue to compliment her on her styles as well. Regardless of what the parents choose to do with our girls' hair, we have to remind them they are beautiful.
Thank you for your honesty. You have encouraged me. I have tears of joy flowing.
Although Iv'e been natural 7 + years. I've JUST STARTED to wear my own hair everyday!SMH And it's wasn't because my hair was considered "unwearable". I just wasn't excepting it myself. It wasn't until my daughter jumped on the natural band wagon that I started to except my hair more. Isn't that something? It's supposed to be the other way around.
No matter what she stayed strong! Even when she would have bad hair days. She would say Mom it's not that I feel good about every hair day. But If I don't like it who else will? From then on we became each other's source of support. Along with RUclips Vids, etc. It wasn't always good...we both had our up's and downs but we hung in there!
People need to understand the not every one is going to like the choices you make in your life. But that is "their problem" NOT YOURS! This is truly a journey to self love. And that's a good thing!!!
Yessss and Yes I am going through a natural hair journey right now (I started when I was 14 and I am 15 now) and let me tell you I got more compliments from my White and Asian then I did my black and Hispanic friends (yes loving your hair texture is also a problem in the Hispanic community as well ). That really got me annoyed that my own people even the older women in their 60's always asked me "Girl when are you getting a perm?" One of the older ladies in congregation also ME that "I don't know why these young girls want to go natural out hair needs to be straight!" You cannot tell me this isn't a problem !
*asked
Tell me about it, my Hispanic sistahs are addicted to the flat iron and keratin treatments. I used to be to but it feels so good when once in a while someone sincerely compliments me on my curls. Good luck on your transition. :)
Araceli Guzman awwww thank you
Light skinned vs dark skinned...Good hair vs bad hair. What the what? We still have a long way to go. Diversity! We are made in the image of God. Wonderfully and marvelously made. I love my beautiful in whatever state I'm in.
Thank you so much for this video, I really needed this! I'm 15 years old and my mum first relaxed my hair when I was 8 we did it twice and we stopped and cut off the relaxer when I was 10. I didnt get burns or anything but I love being natural and I've been doing my own hair since I was 11 and I really do feel like we do no appreciate or love our hair! I used to cry myself to sleep crying asking God why can't I have straight lon hair, but not anymore. I dont want my 8 year old sister to grow up not loving her hair because not loving your hair is like not like being black, you are denying ypu heritage and your family. Because I live in England, there are much less black salons that the US most of these women dont know how to handle black hair because like you said we have mot grown up learning to care for our natural hair. Your videos really inspire and help me on my life long journey of loving me :) Xx
I can't say thank you enough to you for this video. I am almOst 31 years old and had been getting relaxers since I was 12. I just started my natural hair journey 8 months ago. It has been hard for me especially the first few months. But now I've got about 4" of new growth and I can finally see my curls come out. Ive learned I have type 4c hair and I LOVE it. I didn't understand at first that everyone's curl pattern will be different. So i started out my journey and got a little discouraged because my curls didn't fall the way other you tubers did. But I didn't stop. I'm going to be doing my big chop in October bc now I look at my relaxed ends and think what was wrong with me? I spent a 2/3 of my life trying to make my hair look like someone else's. Just so I could be considered "pretty". NO MORE.
I agree with you 100%. Majority of the people who give me compliments on my hair are not black. I started to transition and then went to do my big chop and everyone just kept saying "no!! Why do you want to cut off your hair!!" Now I did the big chop and I love my twa. Plus my hair isn't as short as I thought it would be. I have a cut pixie cut when I where my hair straight
It is sad. From my experience i have been told by other black people that i am not black enough just because of the music i listen to and because I dont watch BET.
I get the same response with anime. But yea. From majority of the black people that I have met tell me I want to be white. So they just tell me I'm not black enough for them. It is weird and sad to hear that.
bri gomez I understand all too well. We suffer a lot of racial stereotypes from our own people. A lot of people need to realize the color of your skin does not dictate the things you do or represent. I should not have to listen to hip hop or watch basket ball wives to be black. BEING BLACK IS ONLY THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN, NOT WHO WE ARE. I love anime too. I also love korean pop. I have heard those comments before too. STAY STRONG!
Aunjerika Pugh I don't care what people say anymore. I'm just to live my life and if they have a problem with it oh well.
bri gomez Me too! Thats the only way to be or you will never be happy.
I don't really care what anyone thinks about my opinion because I know it isn't the POPULAR opinion. But my hair doesn't really have a CURL pattern. My curl pattern is what some jokingly refer to as 4Z. It's a hot mess. I can't "wash & go". I've been natural for six years and I'm to the point where I'm considering relaxing again. The "good hair" debate gets tired to me because that's just how some of us are going to feel. Period. Unless you have my head of hair, you don't get it. It's just frustrating because the people whose hair actually curls are always the one talking about "no such thing as good hair".
Sorry for the rant, I just really had to get this off of my chest.
6 years is a long time - have you tried washing with rhassoul mud - I live in Germany and buy it at my Turkish bath house. I would never use shampoo again. Its very primal and joyful to use the mud and I know it is what our afro hair is supposed to be cleansed with. I hope you give it a try.
I don't fault you on how you feel about "good hair" or wanting to straighten it. It is after all YOUR hair. I at times feel as though I just don't look as pretty with an afro. I doesn't fit my face. I personally don't like braids either. People's opinion of YOUR hair do not matter.
samuisun
i think your biggest problem is you dont know how to care for your hair.
+brpatni dukes yup. And clearly doesn't have the patience or compassion to figure it out.
I wish everyone would go natural.......Our black hair is just gorgeous!!!!
#Black hair is love!
Wow this brought me to tears I wish I had a teacher like you growing up. I, like so many black girls, was ashamed of my hair most of my life thank you for being such an inspiration and please keep doing ya thing
OMGGGGGGG... I LOVE YOU GIRLLLLLLLL! PLEASE KEEP EDUCATING OUR YOUNG WOMEN! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! AND YOUR MISSION AND YOUR PASSION... You may have lost a few inches...but you gained your WINGS IN HEAVEN FOR HELPING THESE YOUNG SOULS!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!
SUPER LIKE!!!!!! Praise God for this video. God made NO mistakes and that includes our hair...everyone's hair:)
When i was younger, my hair was natural until the age of 13.My mom styled my hair in transitioning styles all the time because she loved how long my hair grew, the strength, and fullness. My mom's friend who had no idea about perm decided to put it in my hair because I wanted my hair to look like the other kids. My mom was away and by the time she came back my hair was already permed and she was angry. After she washed it out, she saw how straight and long my hair was. She decided to put perms every month. My hair was long reached armpit length ,but it was always thin. When i started college my friends told me i should go natural and they barely see my hair (lol i am the queen of weaves I've had every style imagined). I decided to transition my hair in December and i had some much heat damage,color damage, and perm. My mom cut my hair almost near bald. I was so embarassed to have my hair looked like that. My mom still discourages me of going natural and she constantly tries to convince me to perm it. I go to a college where if your hair is not long and curly your hair is not beautiful natural, you look ugly. I get laughed at daily and sometimes if my hair is not on point, I feel ugly. I went natural because my hair was damaged ,but i also wanted to love myself for who I am. I wear my hair out more regardless of the harsh comments i get. I am glad someone like you can make me feel better about my hair. Thank you
I am currently about 1 year and 4 months into transitioning and I am so happy with how strong and beautiful my hair has become without the use of a relaxer. I have actually had a co-worker tell me a month or 2 ago that she cannot go natural because her hair is "too nappy" and she "doesn't have that good hair". What is it about kinky hair that makes people despise/ridicule it? To me "good hair" is healthy hair that grows. The term should be defined by the health of your hair, not its texture.
Thank you for this video- I am two month natural and a middle school educator. I see kids picking on each others hair to a point where the natural kids cut or change their hair to 'fit in'. I wear a curly afro puff and I see the students point and laugh or they make some comment about jerri curl or nappy hair. I am the only teacher of color in my building, but despite this, I want to show that we have beautiful hair, and if they want to rock their natural hair, this teacher is behind them 100%:). You and your sisters are an inspiration:)!
Thank you SO much for making this video! Yes, I have heard that "you can go natural because your hair is [fill in the blank]." I used to think that way myself. But my mind has been freed, & I am embracing every coil & curl on my head! I'm so glad you mentioned those girls in your class too. I intern with 4th and 5th grade students, & because of the area (semi-rural MD), there is only one black girl in each of those classes I work with. My hair doesn't fro easily (fine strands), but I try to wear my hair out every time I go in there to show them that they aren't alone. We've really bonded, & I love being able to help them grow their self esteem & confidence.
I'm the whitest girl you can find, I live in Europe and I love my tiny curls. My mom has been straightening her hair for ever, but I like my afro style, it pops out, and make me different and noticable :)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, this has helped me a lot! :)
My 6 year old asked me to take out my braids bc he missed my fro :)
People will stop me to compliment me on my hair but say "if my hair did that then I would go natural". I tell them they can rock what God gave them too but I think people don't want to take the time to learn their hair. Natural hair is all about trial and error. Embrace the journey!
Yes, as much as I love compliments, I don't like the "wistful" ones where you can tell the person thinks what I have is better than what she has, and also the whole "I can't wait until mine is that long/big" etc. Unless you are my identical twin, your hair will never look like mine, and it's better to enjoy your journey and discover what your own hair will do. Heck, mine looks different every day even if I do the same thing, and that's kind of cool to me.
nicthommi Yes!!!! People have told me I have good hair etc but my hair looks different on different days. Some times it curls up while other times it tangles..... I hate the "good hair" comments and the "wistful" people, who mean well but put themselves down in the process.
Wow!! This was soooooooo needed. I GET ON MY SOAP BOX EVERYTIME SOMEONE SAYS THE DREADED "GOOD HAIR " COMMENT. I'm going through it with my daughter. She's 11 and I'm trying all kinds of natural product with nice slip but her hair still knots. She has a super tight coil. She's only ever saw me with natural hair but the peer pressure is definitely there to where the fake hair and a perm. I still try to in still in her that her hair is beautiful how it is. Please continue to encourage all natural sistas on their journey to true beauty! Thank U!!!
I have heard plenty of girls tell me in high that they loved my natural hair, but they would never go natural themselves. I see the beauty in everybody's hair. I feel there's a certain glow to a black woman when she embraces her natural state. I went natural 1 year ago and let my ex boyfriend influence me to get a relaxer. I had a very simple mind then, and I'm angry that I let him influence me because once I got a relaxer I lost a part of me. 3 months ago I did the big chop and I am confident and loving it! I really enjoyed your video!
Girl I heard that I can't go natural too I just smile and walk away because that's pure ignorance and I don't have time for it
I hear that too and I am like Whelp natural isn't for everybody by do you have a valid reason as to not being natural???
I had to stand up to my Dad about my hair! He would just come up to me and say Zahara why don't you do something with your hair? I felt like I shouldn't have had to do that but it saddened me that I had to tell my Dad that he didn't have to like my hair because it's my hair and wearing it the way God intended it to be is how I'm going to wear it. But yes please educate these girls about their hair. I never wanted a perm when I was little but older women in my life would say "Ooo girl your hair is thick! Why don't you get a perm?" It got to the point to where I thought having thick hair was a bad thing. So I convinced my Mom to let me get a perm...worst idea ever. My hair got so short as time went by and I went natural but I didn't fully embrace my hair up until over a year ago, when it took my boyfriend to put confidence in me to love my hair. And he's white. Now I'm proud of my hair. Still learning about it trying to gain some length but I love my hair. I think it's a good thing you're doing about mentoring the little ones to love their hair. I wish I had someone in my life come to tell me that my hair is beautiful when I was their age. Keep doing what you're doing. I support you 100%.
i have heard the 'i don't have good hair' or 'my hair is to hard/dry' to be natural excuse so much! I remember in 6th grade there were some girls complaining about how they wish they didn't have African hair... so sad that people aren't proud of what God gave them :(
Your daughter is beautiful, and it's a beautiful example you've set for that sweet little girl. You're absolutely right, we need to love each other natural, and you are setting an amazing precedent for your little girl and you should be proud.
OMG I had to comment, I usually don't but this just hit HOME!!!!! Thank YOU! because when I was growing up I was the little girl who was ashamed to be in her skin, wishing and praying God would make me lighter and curlier because I THOUGHT that was the only form of beauty. I hated my dark skin and my natural hair and I went YEARS with long unhealthy permed hair because I thought it was beautiful. Now that I am older and a full year natural I still find myself occasionally doubting myself but it is people like who encourage and inspire me to keep going. Our babies need to know that they are beautiful just the way God made them. Thanks!
I'm 17 years old and I Made the conscious decision to go natural yesterday. My grandma and mom always use to say my hair is thick and too hard to manage. My hair is nappy and I don't have good hair. But there is no such thing as good hair or bad hair.. The hair that you have defines you.
I had my last perm 2 weeks ago and for now I'm going to do threw the transitioning process. Wish me luck ! (:
It's going good. :) I have a lot of new growth. I can't wait till my hair gets long.
Hope your still natural and rocking!!
I didn't intentionally go natural for my two girls or others to be a role model for natural hair....that just kinda happened as a result. Some child on the bus asked me once why I don't perm my hair and I said "I embrace the way God in His infinate wisdom made me...and that don't include perms" 64 kids on the bus....dead silence. Next day...the black girls came to the bus curly, the white girls with curls came to the bus that way, and some tried crimping cuz they had strait hair. Pride shows!
I definitely can relate to this, people always tell me I have "good hair" when my hair is in a wash & go state. Peeve here too because I don't believe in "good hair" Going through some hair issues now & here is my video on the scalp issues & my post about my healthy hair journey ruclips.net/video/xqNkCPaABYM/видео.html
WOW. This is the first video of yours that I have watched. You have nailed it. This video brought me to tears. I spent my entire life being told that I have the "bad" hair, and my sister had the "good hair. Because of that, my mom has put relaxers in my hair for as long as I can remember, while I just longed to have my sister's "good" hair. I remember being in college and learning in a sociology class about the European standard of beauty that has made us be ashamed of what God gave us. I made a decision that day to go natural. Besides, I had always hated the chemical burns that accompanied my relaxers (why was I doing that to myself???) That was a pretty radical decision 20 years ago - there was no youtube, no natural community, and all around very little support. I went home, cut the relaxer out of my hair, stayed with my TWA and went from there. My family was so disgusted, they would bully, pressure, and humiliate me every time they saw me. My own mother told me that she was embarrassed to be seen with me and told me I couldn't sit next to her in church unless I straightened my hair. I was accused of being militant, manly, and just plain ugly. This is what I had to endure FROM MY OWN FAMILY. My aunt told me that if I had the "good hair" like my sister I could get away with it, but people with the "bad, nappy, hair" just can't be going out like that in public. I can't even go into details with what I got from the brothers and sisters in the rest of the world. But one example: I interviewed for a job at a black organization and they told me that if I would only "do something" (read:straighten) my hair, I would fit right in. Like you, most of the negativity was coming from my own. Of course now, well, we see celebs and it is starting to become more accepted, and so many are becoming more comfortable woth the fros and the kinkiness, but we are lying to ourselves if we believe there still isn't a divide. I had my (very kinky, zero curl pattern) twists freshly out and a girl commented that it was cute, but she could still tell that I didn't have that "good hair". It makes me sad that little girls are not taught to love their kinks and fros, just like other girls are taught to love their waves and soft curls. I spent so many years hating on my hair until i realized I wouldn't trade it for the world. THANK YOU!!! This video is so important! I wished every single girl could see this. I will be sharing, sharing, and sharing some more.
I am LOVING this video/channel!!! It is so refreshing to see this issue being discussed in this manner. It goes way deeper than just hair, it's about self-love. I went natural a year ago and I am loving it! I encourage every black woman to watch ur videos. Lovin it. Keep it comin...
my mom is like that with the good hair bad hair thing and it's really annoying and my hair is like in the 4s. I like the nappy but then my hair shrinks and hugs up on itself and knots and tangles and then I have to Cut. Her.
omg Riley is the best.
I love your channel and what you do. keep it up.
My mom kind of the same way. She's natural but have a very loose curl pattern. But i ignore her comments. I'm going to wear my hair "nappy" if I want. What else am I going to do with it lol I love my hair so oh well.
I've been following India for over a year!
Unity 101
yas!
lol "forget that waist length journey, I want my fro to be out here". nice
Sista, you are powerful. We are powerful. Everything you say is so true. Yes, we must continue to have this conversation on the beauty of natural hair. It has taken a long time for this info to come back to us Black women. I'm 64 and have worn my hair natural most of my life because I wanted other sistas to see an alternative, but it never occurred to me that we could have really long hair. Congrats to all my sistas for these videos on caring for our hair. I'm learning so much!!!
I got chill watching this. I'm loving what your standing for. Yessss
I hate the ''Are you mixed because you have good hair. '' I get that on a daily basis. In a sense i feel offended because what if i wasnt mixed ? Does that mean i have bad hair if i wasnt mixed. I may be mixed but im predominantly black and i find that rude.
My friend Kim(she's white) is like wow Tajh your hair is so cute and curly but my friend Alicia(she Mexican) is like your need a comb then the other day my friend Johnny called me nappy headed and started to wear this hat over my afro but thanks to this video I wear my afro everyday and I love it btw I'm In fifth grade
also this past Friday i went to my journalism class, and my professor had the nerve to tell me and another girl that we would have to straighten our hair because there has never been a black woman with natural hair on broadcast news. I then proceeded to tell her that I will be the first if it hasn't!! Ans she's black... I refuse to let people think the way my hair is, is just a style. its a part of my identity who I am. Its just like most whites born with straight hair people want tell them to make it curly or they will never get the job. I refuse to compromise with how god created me...!
Thank you for sharing this video. For me this IS a big deal. I am a mixed girl that came from a family with straight hair and I KNOW what it is to feel how this girl felt and I wish I had someone like you when I was a little girl. God bless you
I'm so glad you made this video your really address some real issues. Every time I wear a wash and go people always say "you have good hair" but when I wear my fro those same people are looking like "what happened". Some of our people are still stuck in a certain mindset. I am so thankful I went natural and learned to love myself and my hair before I had my daughter. Because I embrace my natural hair it allows me to embrace hers and teach her to love every kink and coil.
Thank you! :) It's not only happening in your community. I'm Asian and it's happening in our community as well. I'm a Filipina and I'm so sick and tired of rebonding (a prevalent straightening method here in The Philippines and in Asia) my hair since I was in 5th grade. I did enjoy my straight hair phase before but for the past 3-4 years I was just tired of it--of having to straighten my hair 1-2 times a year, causing more breakage, of ironing my hair when the roots are starting to come out, of getting bored with my straight hair that I couldn't bring to curl properly when I wanted to rock curly hair. I envied the mermaid-haired models and celebrities and girls on Pinterest and in magazines. And I wondered, why can't I wear my naturally curly hair when models, celebrities and other personalities are trying to chemically (or with styling tools) style their hair to look curly? So I big chopped all my straight ends last October and I'm continuing to learn more about my hair texture and I'm treating it well. Thank you. You are beautiful inside and out and absolutely inspiring. Thank you for being you. Thank you for empowering people (no matter what gender, no matter what race) to be themselves. God bless you. :)
Why did this video make me cry...
Me too!
I remember making my mom perm my hair in middle school. She was sad. She was like "Why?" And it was because I was insecure and wanted white girl hair, and I lied and told her because I hated getting my hair done every other day by twisting and doing hair treatment. My mom permed it, and I slowly regretted it. My hair was big curly and full, now I have to regain it. I also dyed, cut, and everything. Looking at my photos as a kid makes me want to cry. So much self hate and self loathing just to fit in was killing me. It took me 9 years to realize this. I won't let my sister make that mistake. I'll constantly teach and show her through me that her hair is beautiful, and if she wants whitegirl hair to wear wigs, and to love herself and our culture. Media can be one motherfucker.
Im 16, and at the beginning stage of being natural. & This video really just made me happy and worth me watching every second. Thank you (:
I was reluctant to watch as I'm so over the "discussion" but you approached some new areas, namely celebrating the kinky. As one who gets the "you have good hair so you can go natural" people, your message connected with me. I get annoyed but turn my attitude down and begin to educate. I don't get the same thing when I rock my kinky looks. Thank you for taking the time to make this. Helping people realize that every texture is acceptable and gorgeous is much needed. Good to know theres someone else in the big fro grow goal group.
I'm an Asian girl with naturally straight, fine hair but I srsly LOVE black women's natural hair.
My friend has a sister who is 4 yrs & she is half black with beautiful kinky curls. She grew up around Asians & realized that she's different because of her hair. She always talks about wanting to straighten her hair already bc she sees everyone around her with straight hair. I need to show her this video. It going to be so inspiring.
im a white female, And i'm so infactuated with black hair . i love it ! im so jelly! And i'm always so dissapointed when they don't like there hair !
I still trying to find the detangling comb you have were I can buy it.
I got hair like Les Twins at the moment, you wont believe how many people have told me to cut my hair, but am also glad how many people have said my hair looks cool too, I am trying to not let it dread up though, nobody where I live has hair like I got so am well pleased that I am letting it go wild
Beautiful Having Love for your Hair Makes you Complete and More!!!
Thank you my sister for what you did for those young girls and their mothers by inspiring them to wear their natural hair. God Bless you! What an amazing story.
Such beautiful words! I feel the EXACT SAME WAY!! Our Community needs to reclaim their beauty with no regrets, no looking back, and embracing every kinky and curl we have. The AFRO is GLORIOUS, it is our CROWN and I refuse to let ANYONE tell me any different. I loved this video!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Let's teach our kids to have this mentality people!!
I know that is right! You are on point with your frame of thought, and action in regards to showing our children that their hair is beautiful. I will love it when we or our children no longer say, "i went natural 4 or 5 yrs ago, but rather I have been natural all my life! I stumbled upon your channel and I am pleased I did. Please continue to be an example because I know I will:) (not only for our girls, but our boys too!
Greetings and salutations sister! I just joined your channel because of this video! I completely agree that we need to set the example for these young baby girls that need it. You would think that in this day and age where there are so many natural women out there that it wouldn't be necessary, but the media and our culture make it difficult for some of us to recognize our natural beauty. I love your message and your channel. Thanks for sharing this ;-)
Inspirations & Blessings,
Nat
I love how u encouraged those kids to be natural!! You ROCK!!
wow that little girl got her everywhere!!! She is soo adorable! Yes I agree with everything you are talking about. I get that good hair comment too and I have gotten the bad hair comment when I do the fro... I get compliments from stranger rather then friends and some family. But I have started a little mini movement in my church because of all the great styles I do with my natural hair and a lot of ppl think natural cant look cute, cuter then weave! But IT CAN!! I LOVE MY FRO TOO so I can relate completely. Even when I colored my hair ppl tried to take my natural card away from me... So I love it, I love this video!
AMEN! Fro love all day! I'm glad you discussed the favoritism among textures. I sometimes got discouraged on my natural hair journey when my texture didn't look like the ideal looser curls. So let's celebrate the kinky you guys!