Relaxer Versus Natural Hair: A Verdict on Ethnic Pride?

Image found at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnMEC5QSEyhDjJT_gVBax2OIcpkwhp9su4xXs39Q64LGXKcyVQH0pBH6-dnNBw-zbY2cMH9wkgh_o5FYqBKxRCqAA1A04Bqf-rJCxhkopvhL58R_izwcxfo6aO1wnVe78ICE7NsEHXkY/s1600/307841.jpg

Today’s post is short, sweet (I hope) and to the point:

If you put chemicals (e.g., relaxer, Brazilian blowout, etc.) in your hair you are denying your ethnicity.

You should be able to wear your hair however you like and not have your ethnic identification be questioned.

What is your response to those two statements? How do the statements make you feel? Have you ever had someone express these sentiments to you? Please comment and tell me a little bit about yourself. J

Relaxer Versus Natural Hair: A Verdict on Ethnic Pride?

Today’s post is short, sweet (I hope) and to the point:

If you put chemicals (e.g., relaxer, Brazilian blowout, etc.) in your hair you are denying your ethnicity.

You should be able to wear your hair however you like and not have your ethnic identification be questioned.

What is your response to those two statements? How do the statements make you feel? Have you ever had someone express these sentiments to you? Please comment and tell me a little bit about yourself. J

Image found at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnMEC5QSEyhDjJT_gVBax2OIcpkwhp9su4xXs39Q64LGXKcyVQH0pBH6-dnNBw-zbY2cMH9wkgh_o5FYqBKxRCqAA1A04Bqf-rJCxhkopvhL58R_izwcxfo6aO1wnVe78ICE7NsEHXkY/s1600/307841.jpg

Natural Hair Causes Damage? Say WHAT!!!???

Image found at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRftlNkBCO_4TJugMysk7FikTklY4Sd4Ova666qa6q1FFslvRXM-IWg3h8zII7ThCkHMGqqHD649Ba46YJz5ec_VhpBORqFoWfK50qEK_x8VPKsF6eA-nKKYDMdpTuD1J4ZU2iEplrDnc/s1600/african-american-women-suffering-hair-loss.jpg

The following text was copied from a 7/24/11 article by Zuri Brannen of the Observer-Dispatch article entitled, “Hair trends: Women choosing new styles over chemicals” (http://www.uticaod.com/living/x1009570588/Hair-trends-Women-choosing-new-styles-over-chemicals):

All-natural options

Of course, not everyone follows the crowd. Many women still prefer to wear their hair relaxed because they find it easier to manage. Laly Marte, owner of Laly’s Beauty Salon in Utica, said that relaxers are something that some women have grown accustomed to.

“Once you try something new, it’s hard to go back to what you had before,” she said.

Marte encourages women to use relaxers, and does not suggest that they wear their hair natural because it also causes damage.

“If you leave your hair natural, it breaks off,” she said.

Rachel Yangasa, 15, has been getting relaxers since she was eight years old, and said she prefers to keep it that way because it makes her hair straighter and easier to manage. She said that she would never wear her hair natural because of how difficult it would be to maintain it.

“It would be like an afro,” she said.

But her younger sister, 12-year-old Ticia Yangasa, gave up relaxers last year in favor of a chemical-free alternative: wash and sets from hair salons. Stylists wash and straighten her hair using blow dryers and hot irons so that it can still be straight without using chemicals.

Since Ticia switched, she’s noticed that it has helped her hair to grow better, and it is more healthy, she said.

I don’t know if you noticed the comment by Ms. Marte that wearing your hair natural causes it to break off. SAY WHAT!!!! Now, I’m not the natural hair police snatching women up when they get relaxers (wow, is it really necessary, let folks make their own choices!) but I certainly think it’s uncool to say that natural hair causes damage. What do you all think? Have you ever received advice like this?Please share your story and how you responded.

Natural Hair Causes Damage? Say WHAT!!!???

Image found at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRftlNkBCO_4TJugMysk7FikTklY4Sd4Ova666qa6q1FFslvRXM-IWg3h8zII7ThCkHMGqqHD649Ba46YJz5ec_VhpBORqFoWfK50qEK_x8VPKsF6eA-nKKYDMdpTuD1J4ZU2iEplrDnc/s1600/african-american-women-suffering-hair-loss.jpg

The following text was copied from a 7/24/11 article by Zuri Brannen of the Observer-Dispatch article entitled, “Hair trends: Women choosing new styles over chemicals” (http://www.uticaod.com/living/x1009570588/Hair-trends-Women-choosing-new-styles-over-chemicals):

All-natural options

Of course, not everyone follows the crowd. Many women still prefer to wear their hair relaxed because they find it easier to manage. Laly Marte, owner of Laly’s Beauty Salon in Utica, said that relaxers are something that some women have grown accustomed to.

“Once you try something new, it’s hard to go back to what you had before,” she said.

Marte encourages women to use relaxers, and does not suggest that they wear their hair natural because it also causes damage.

“If you leave your hair natural, it breaks off,” she said.

Rachel Yangasa, 15, has been getting relaxers since she was eight years old, and said she prefers to keep it that way because it makes her hair straighter and easier to manage. She said that she would never wear her hair natural because of how difficult it would be to maintain it.

“It would be like an afro,” she said.

But her younger sister, 12-year-old Ticia Yangasa, gave up relaxers last year in favor of a chemical-free alternative: wash and sets from hair salons. Stylists wash and straighten her hair using blow dryers and hot irons so that it can still be straight without using chemicals.

Since Ticia switched, she’s noticed that it has helped her hair to grow better, and it is more healthy, she said.

I don’t know if you noticed the comment by Ms. Marte that wearing your hair natural causes it to break off. SAY WHAT!!!! Now, I’m not the natural hair police snatching women up when they get relaxers (wow, is it really necessary, let folks make their own choices!) but I certainly think it’s uncool to say that natural hair causes damage. What do you all think? Have you ever received advice like this?Please share your story and how you responded.

You all interested in posts about Growing up Latina?

Image found at: http://rosiemolinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/hijas-americanas-cover.png

The other day I posted:

I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the hair identity issues confronting women, often with a focus on African-American women. I just Googled “Hispanic women hair” and came across a very interesting video (found at:http://rosiemolinary.com/hijas-americanas/) that summarizes Rose Molinary’s book Beauty, body image and growing up Latina. While the video is geared towards Latinas it has universal appeal. I would love to read your thoughts. How can we help women of all cultural backgrounds embrace their authentic beauty?

Any thoughts? Let me know if this just not a topic of interest. Thanks!

You all interested in posts about Growing up Latina?

Image found at: http://rosiemolinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/hijas-americanas-cover.png

The other day I posted:

I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the hair identity issues confronting women, often with a focus on African-American women. I just Googled “Hispanic women hair” and came across a very interesting video (found at:http://rosiemolinary.com/hijas-americanas/) that summarizes Rose Molinary’s book Beauty, body image and growing up Latina. While the video is geared towards Latinas it has universal appeal. I would love to read your thoughts. How can we help women of all cultural backgrounds embrace their authentic beauty?

Any thoughts? Let me know if this just not a topic of interest. Thanks!

Hijas Americanas: Growing up Latina

Image found at: http://rosiemolinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/hijas-americanas-cover.png

I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the hair identity issues confronting women, often with a focus on African-American women. I just Googled “Hispanic women hair” and came across a very interesting video (found at: http://rosiemolinary.com/hijas-americanas/) that summarizes Rose Molinary’s book Beauty, body image and growing up Latina. While the video is geared towards Latinas it has universal appeal. I would love to read your thoughts. How can we help women of all cultural backgrounds embrace their authentic beauty?