Our family went on a five mile nature walk last Sabbath and whew...my muscles are still aching.Anyway, my daughter and I didn't want all kinds of stuff (creepy crawly things) to get in our hair so we covered up with the famous "do rags."
Well, a couple of passer by'ers wanted to know what was peeking out from under my scarf and while I really didn't want to take it off in fear of things falling in my hair I gave in. They really liked my "style" as they call it and issued many compliments.
I have one question......why do other races of women appreciate our hair more than our own??? Ok, never mind...I already know, but it really makes me wonder how long will it take before we accept ourselves the way we were created.
15 comments:
Isn't that the beauty of dem locks. No matter what the outside conditions..they still look great and command compliments! Now LaChanda baby, you've got to expand on that last comment you made so we can get some dialog going. Seriously, I would like to know what angle you are looking at this from before I make a response.
Yes. I feel like they appreciate them more and sometimes I think they are in awe and don't know what to say.
I'm still trying to figure out why strangers are interested in what's underneath your scarves... I'm not even going to touch why women of other races appreciate our hair more!
Whew Tanya...ok I was trying not to open a huge can of worms. But, I'll put it out there and wait for your response.
Brunsli..you've never experienced anyone asking about your hair, covered or not? Maybe it's a Southern thing.
Karen..I'm sure you expereinced the same questions.
Tanya,
Looks like "loc'd yet free" beat me to it....her response is really where I was going.
The only thing I'd like to add is that we live in a much more "natural" day and age and if I had the knowledge then that is available now I would have been natural years ago.
My opinion is that so many beautiful folks are natural today and the resources are galore that there really is no excuse for ignorance now. Thoughts?
Lachanda,
I agree with you completely. At least my experience is that I get more compliments from women of other races. Just the other day a girl at a vitamin shop told me my hair was beautiful. She was white. Black women respond with lots of questions about the permanence of my locks or looks and mutters of distaste, unless they themselves are natural or thinking about going natural.
ok I get it now. Although I don't know if I would say I think women of other races appreciate our natural hair more. My experience is quite the same on either side of the fence. But I think Dr. C really nailed it in her journal with regards to how Black women react, page 90. Even if they don't say anything - I can feel the stare. I tend to give a smile. Those already past the threshold of self-beauty definition have no problem giving compliments.
its called "self-hate"! You and your daughter look so happy and active! I need to join you all! LOL
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I think like I said on LockItUp when you feel disconnected and self-conscious of your own hair, it's hard to appreciate the beauty of others. If you were to concede their beauty, you'd have to question your own motivations and hair choices. It takes some women a while, if ever, to get to the point they can see past their own hang-ups and appreciate others genuinely. It's the same insecurity that keeps us from trult celebrating each others beauty in every way. When you choose uniqueness over conformity, you can then see a wide range of possibility in others. Until then fear keeps you from challenging the status quo.
L,
Yes, people ask me about my hair all the time, but I never cover it. I was reacting to you saying they were reacting to what was peeking out, leading to you taking off. That seems a step farther, since you had to rearrange your outfit. ;)
Brunsli,
You are too funny girlfriend!
You guys have so much fun, such a loving family you are blessed!
So I guess thats really the norm everywhere, getting more compliments from other races than our own. WOW! I think it would takes hours to debate why don't even give each other compliments sometimes. There's such a huge range of factors that contribute to this whole debate of natural versus processed. In my experiance it usually goes much deeper than hair.
I need a new post from you. What's going on gurl?
I know, it's the new job and the planning of my son's Rite of Passage 13th birthday ceremony. I'm way over my head but loving it!
I'm coming, thanks for the note.
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