Natural hair blog rant | Can we move on?

"There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action."---Goethe

(Source)

Two weeks ago it happened. Then, yesterday. And just now...again.

What am I talking about? The never-ending lip service of relaxed hair versus natural hair. And quite frankly, it is sounding more and more like people looking to air their misinformed views whilst clutching onto them as their last vestiges of keeping an argument alive. Now I can take people wanting to genuinely know about my decision to loc my hair or asking someone about their decision to be natural. But some people just have some very flawed views about natural hair. Where is it coming from? Is it a consequence of the black race being enslaved? Colonialism? The brainwash that straight is great and better? Are we still mentally bound in chains? When I had relaxed hair I never heard people say such things. The most I heard was women saying, "Not me, I don't think I can handle it!" Or, "I can't quite imagine it." Okay, fine that is their opinion. And shouldn't we just accept it? 

Now, what I cannot embrace is the downright negative hogwash that some people allow to roll off their tongues. Since when is wearing your hair in locs something that only lesbians do? That was a hot item in a Facebook group a couple weeks ago. I mean really, so you better watch yourself 'cos the lady with locs sitting next to you on the bus is gay? What nonsense! 

And, since when is it that having Sisterlocks is a cult? My goodness! A cult? I can tell you what a cult is but I try to promote this as a family-friendly blog. I'm not even going to touch the dreads vs. locs terminology tiff. 

Here are some more of the negatives I've heard and/or read:

• Locs are dirty because we don't wash them
• Afros are simply unkempt and unattractive
• Relaxed hair is better because it is straight
• You cannot do anything with your natural hair
• Natural hair makes you look old

If you know others, feel free to add them. I have said and will continue to say, I will not push my choices down anyone's throat. One should never have to. I respect a person's opinion to wear their hair how they wish. And mind you, that extends to their job description, food choices, way of life, religion, etc. I can be respectful of that person without maligning them, making them feel insignificant even though I disagree. Don't push your thoughts on me either. Share with me, show me and leave me to make my mind up. I hope that is how I transmit my ideas on this forum. 

It seems that people spend so much time looking for the negatives when it comes to this topic rather than looking up the positives and getting informed. There are so many blogs and resource sites, not to mention books that tackle the topic of natural hair. Are you telling me that in this information age, women are still touting these fallacies? 

Give it a rest now!

The status, nationality or race of the persons who were positing their opposing views are not known to me. The way you wear your hair does not have to define who are. I know it does not define me. I am a woman with joys, hurts, accomplishments and downfalls just like anyone else. I have dreams and passions. I have character. CHARACTER. Don't allow people to box you in and place labels on you because you have made a decision to not chemically process your hair. 

Why do women still toss these scandalous bits of misinformation about? Is it just to pose opposition? 

People are people wherever we go, I know. Maybe it is just me openly wishing that we could just stop this pettiness, especially given that there are so many more important issues facing our communities: broken homes, child abuse, hurting men and women, poverty, joblessness. Let's feed our ideas into finding solutions for those things.

I end with this Marcus Garvey quote:

"Do not remove the kinks from your hair. Remove them from your brain."

VOGUE Italia on Natural Hair

THE MAGAZINE'S SPOTLIGHT ON BLACK NATURAL HAIR MODELS. BUT WHAT'S UP WITH THE PHOTO?

Yes, the article highlights the increasing number of BLACK models taking to the runway with their 'au naturel' coifs. I have photos of Herieth Paul on my Tumblr; and by the way, I think she is gorgeous! Yes, Alek Wek has done it for years, too.

And, Ajak Deng is simply lovely!

I guess somethings are given life depending on who helps to row the boat along. Ms. Viola Davis rocked her natural hair at the Oscars and wagging tongues debated on whether it was appropriate/inappropriate. American First Lady, Mrs. Obama was recently wearing a natural weave/do and that also got raised eyebrows. Why? I don't know. So, maybe BLACK top flight models doing the same is a big issue. Which then allows certain voices in certain corridors to beg the question, one which angers me by the way, 'Is natural hair a sport?' 

No, it is not a sport. It's not a trend.

And that is the humble opinion of this island girl.

So, if this article was all about BLACK models and OUR BLACK HERITAGE, what do you think of it, let alone the photo?

Link to the article: VOGUE on Natural Hair Trend

Blog rant ~ Battle of the Complexions

What chubble is this?

So, I am flipping through Tumblr for some material for the blog and stumble across a post entitled (click on the link): "Battle of the  Complexions." Yes, you read right! Battle of the Complexions.

This so-called "runway contest for sexiest complexion", actually took place last night (Friday, February 24) in St. Louis and was apparently a success, according to one source. Its aim, you ask? Which is better: light-skinned, caramel or dark-skinned women. 

I am not an American, but I am a black woman and proud of it. Generations of people before me, worked hard to ensure that everyone of my skin colour be respected, be affirmed, but most of all, love themselves for who they are. But instead, we have some people who cannot get past the plantation and leave Massa day behind. How can people in this day and age be promoting this kind of competition? 

On reading the flyer I immediately thought of slavery: female slaves being paraded, degraded and then sold off to a new master. Their future in the hands of an unknown. Someone who judges them based on their colour, size, stature and the like. The idea of being on a runway, watching those woman strut their stuff in this competition, deciding if they are sexy or not, brings the aforementioned image to mind.

Even today a sickening mentality pervades the diaspora where women continue to be chosen for certain jobs, positions and even as a partner because she is light-skinned or dark-skinned. 

We are still mentally fettered. When will it end? We continue to handover the gun and the silver bullet to onlookers who mock our race. Is this the best way that a group of young people could find to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King? What does that say about the work that he did? The steps that he, and and others like him, have made to make your country a better place? 

Don't you - women - know that you are beautiful without needing someone to tell you? You should not need a competition for anyone to validate you.

Ladies, value yourself. Don't you know you are precious? 

You complexion does not make you. Don't let anyone break you because of it.

Sisters, you are precious!

Treat yourself like you are!

Black. ALL BLACK...IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

Companies named in 'Organic' mislabeling lawsuit ~ Link Love from NaturalReview

Source: advancedhairgear.com

I came across a very interesting article on the natural lifestyle site - NaturalReview. This site is chalked full of extremely interesting and very pertinent lifestyle information to help improve your way of life, generally speaking.

I have placed the links to the articles at the bottom of this post.

In this eye-opening article (published since mid-2011), the Center for Environmental Health has posted a list of hair care product manufacturers which are being sued by other companies for mislabeling their products as 'ORGANIC'.

Mislabeling products is something that I would have dealt with very lightly in a much older post. It is an issue that I feel strongly about. You see, I am one who tries to purchase only hair care products which are organic or at least free of most of the harmful chemicals and other substances. And that is difficult as it is here in Barbados. It bothers me that dishonest companies would play on the sentiments of hard-working consumers who are doing their part in making the planet a greener place. And I am not upset solely because I wish to do my part, but for all others out there who are trying to do the same. And some of these products are at times astronomically priced!! 

Here is the list of the companies with only a few of their products which the Center has identified as having misleading product information. Some of these companies may have more than these products which have allegedly been mislabled:

Advantage Research Laboratories, Inc./Murray’s Worldwide, Inc.: Parnevu T-Tree No Lye Conditioning Relaxer System

Aubrey Organics, Inc: Collagen & Almond Enriching Moisturizing Lotion

Beauty Without Cruelty/Lotus Brands, Inc: Organic Aromatherapy Facial Cleanser

Boots Retail USA Inc: Boots Amazon Forest Brazil Nut & Vanilla Body Wash

California Inside & Out, Inc: Out of Africa Handwash Tea Tree with Essential Oil

Colomer U.S.A.: Crème of Nature Kiwi & Citrus Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo

Cosway Company, Inc/Head Organics Company: Clearly Head Conditioner

Curls, LLC: Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream Organic Shampoo

derma e® Natural Bodycare/Stearns Products, Inc: Psorzema Body Wash

Hain Celestial Group: Jason Thin-to-Thick Conditioner and Baby Avalon Organics Silky Cornstarch Baby Powder

House of Cheatham, Inc: Organics by Africa’s Best Hair Mayonnaise

International Trade Routes of New York, Inc/Laboratorios Phergal: Naturtint Green Technologies Permanent Hair Colorant

Kinky-Curly Hair Care: Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz

Kiss My Face Corporation: Hold Up Styling Mousse

Lafe’s Natural BodyCare/Lafe T. Larson, Inc: Deodorant Stone With Holder

Morrocco Method, Inc: Euro Organic Oil Simply Pure Hair & Scalp Therapy

Namasté Laboratories: Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pak

Nature’s Baby Products, Inc: Nature’s Baby ORGANICS Shampoo & Body Wash in Vanilla-Tangerine Scent or Lavender-Chamomile Scent           

Nubian Heritage Group/Sundial Group LLC: Coconut & Papaya with Vanilla Bean Extract Body Wash

Nutrition Resource, Inc. dba NutriBiotic: NutriBiotic Everyday Clean Conditioner Botanical Blend

Rainbow Research Corporation: Rainbow Baby Oh Baby Unscented Organic Herbal Shampoo

Renpure, L.L.C: Renpure Organics I Love My Hair! Body and Shine Shampoo

Strength of Nature Global, LLC: Elasta QP Intense Fortifying Hair Conditioning Treatment

Sundial Brands/Sundial Group LLC: Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

The Himalaya Drug Company: Organique by Himalaya Toothpaste

Todd Christopher International, Inc/Vogue International: Hydrating Teatree Mint Conditioner 

Quite frankly, I hope they are made to answer to these charges and stay away from doing it in the future. When a consumer reposes their faith in a company based on what their label says, it ought not to be taken lightly. 


What is quite disturbing is seeing the SHEA MOISTURE ORGANIC RAW SHEA BUTTER MOISTURE RETENTION SHAMPOO on the list! That is the shampoo I swear by. I will still use it, as it works. But, I would like to know what ingredient is there in that shampoo that is not 'organic'; whereby making the company's claims null and void. There in lies my concern. Either it is, or it is not. There are a few other companies listed whose products I have used before but not the exact product listed above.


What do you think? Leave us a comment!

Here is the link to the post as it appears on NaturalReview - ORGANIC Mislabeling

Follow this link to the see it on CEH.ORG - Mislabeling lawsuit

The Great Debate: Interlocked vs. Palm-rolled locs

My locs were started using palm-roll. It was the technique I chose. And the technique recommended by the lady who started my locs. Interlocking in Barbados has received a very bad rap and many persons shy away from using the method for started locs. This is primarily because some people who do it, do not and cannot interlock well which ends up damaging the client's hair. 

I know of locticians who will not do interlocking. And then those who will not do palm-rolling. The little bit I do get is that some locticians are upset that there are supposed 'loc experts' out there who do an absolutely horrible job at interlocking. This has caused much antagonism and even a slight air of 'I am better than you' among professionals. 

The long and short of it for me is this: If I trust my loctician to do the best job possible with my locs and if he/she is tops are interlocking or palm-rolling or both, why then can't I choose (under advisement) the best procedure for my hair? It is petty in this day and age to continue with this debate. I have some people with impeccable locs that are INTERLOCKED. And I mean persons with mature locs with no more damage or hair loss than persons who have used the palm-roll route. 

Personally, interlocked locs are neater and so much more uniformed in shape and appearance. 

I am thinking of interlocking a few of my mine and is primarily because they are looking thin. That has to do with the fact that the person who started them did the hairline locs too small/neat, when they should have been a lot bigger.  I was told they were not at risk of breaking but in my mind I am anxious to do something about them. As long as I am not going to run the risk of damaging my locs, roots or hairline, I will consider it. 

My cousin, Kim, from the blog Censorednomore, interlocked some of her locs recently and received a frosty welcome from her local loctician. She was chastised and berated for doing it. And to be honest, her hair is so much nicer now that she interlocked the shakier ones. 

I guess that episode is what prompted me to really sit and write finally how I feel about the whole issue surrounding these two locking procedures. 

What do you think? Can you shed some light on the situation?