I just recently participated in a Tweet Chat about naturals wearing weave and the question was asked: How do you feel about naturals wearing wigs, weaves, extensions, etc.? I’ve been discussing this topic with other naturals for some time now. It wasn’t until I recently read some comments, that I felt the need to discuss it openly.
Angela Simmons recently tweeted this pic:
Just took my weave out.. Look how long my hair grew. Its so thick !! http://yfrog.com/kesnvgwuj
When I saw this pic, I didn’t think of just the fact that she took her weave out…but the fact that her hair was so beautiful and her excitement of her hair growth and thickness! So why is it so hard for so many naturals to embrace weave? Does that make someone ‘less natural’ if they decide to wear it? And what about wearing weave as a protective style? (Which is what I do frequently!) I’ve done it all: two-strand twists, Marley braids, full/half wigs, tree braids, sew-ins you name it! Now don’t get me wrong, if it’s just NOT for you…that’s totally understandable.
My concern is when ‘some’ naturals make other naturals feel like there’s this PRO-NATURAL MOVEMENT…and don’t you DARE wear weave!!! (Notice I said ‘some’, not ‘all”). It’s as if they carry picket signs that say, “If your hair is not kinky, curly,twisted, fro’d out, or in bantu knots you CANNOT ENTER!” Lol But seriously…why bash or say negative things about the naturals who choose to wear it? All of those styles are LOVELY, but there are many reasons women decide to wear weave, wigs, extensions,etc. For me, I LOVE to change my hair! I also wear it as a protective style to protect my hair from the Summer Heat and humidity. In addition, I workout 4-5 days a week and it is a challenge to try to style my hair most days. I refuse to let hair be a reason for me not to workout! Now…it’s nothing for me to rock my wash-n-go, twist out, bantu knots or fro! I go with what works for me.
Many choose weave as an option for the versatility of styles! Some may want their hair straight and don’t want to damage it by adding heat, others may like the low-maintenance factor, and others may not want to chemically alter their hair with color and they use extensions. I know in cooler months, a half/full cap is a nice accessory to warm up that scalp! lol Whatever the reason, no one should make you feel that you are ‘less-natural’ because you do.
It was my decision to become ‘relaxer-free’ and I have been just that for five years and counting! I will never regret the day I decided to stop putting chemicals on my hair! Not to mention, the whole sitting in the salon for 5+ hours…I don’t miss one bit!
Blogger Ashley on weave:
There’s always some sort of controversy when questions about being natural enough, or what is considered “natural” causes. Not saying this is one of those cases. But, whose place is it if an individual agrees, approves, likes what another woman does to her hair? Let’s promote unity for natural HEALTHY hair no matter what route the natural takes.
We should ALL be free to be who we are! Grow it, fro it…Leave it, Weave it…or go get your creamy crack fix if that’s what you want! Live by the words “I Am Not My Hair”, embrace what makes you feel good about you, and know that YOU are beautiful!
UPDATE:
Here’s an awesome interview by Curly Nikki with Kita and Mo from the T.O. Show as they talk about hair, reality tv, and business.
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Wonderful post!! I get alot of heat from other natural ladies just for flat ironing my hair…they call me faux natural!!! Although I go between the two, I still somehow get looked down as not really being fully natural! But if not having a relaxer in two years is considered unnatural hair then I’m thinking all wrong!!!
Thank you so much! Oh wow at getting heat for ironing your hair! I’m sorry I lol’d at ‘faux natural’! Those 2 don’t even go together…lol I hope you know that you are NOT at all ‘faux’! I’ve seen many naturals with pressed hair and it’s prettier than a perm! I think it’s a nice change, whether you decide to press or weave it! I know it’s pretty! =)
Great post!! I agree. I don’t know why some women feel the need to look down on or question other women about what they do with their hair. My hair is down my back (relaxer free) and I put a “protective styling” weave in at least twice a year.
It just seems like to me some people that are “natural” snub their noses at those that make other choices….and isn’t that the whole point? Haven’t they made the “choice” to be natural? And wanted to be accepted.
Just crazy…….another example of our black women doing what we all too often do best, put each other down.
You are the perfect example! I love the fact that you aren’t afraid to be versatile and/or protect your hair! It’s beautiful and it will stay that way! What I love most about your hair is when ppl see you out, they are just as shocked that your hair is so long and pretty after you wear it weaved up! lol That’s why you get those ‘special’ ones that wanna run their hands through your hair! Lol
And you are right about the whole black women putting each other down! White women weave their hair ALL THE TIME…been doing it for years! Fortunately for them, they don’t deal with these issues. Everyone needs to just focus on what makes them feel good!
Great post! I’m not a “natural” but I think it’s crazy for anyone to make others feel less than because of the way they wear their hair. I say, “You wear YOUR hair the way YOU want, and I’ll wear MY hair the way I want.” How I wear my hair is no concern of yours…unless it’s looking a mess. Then you can say something. ;-)
I agree! It’s just like ppl who decide to relax their hair! I don’t care…heck I use to! I became natural by accident, but I don’t regret it…especially the way I change my hair! lol
I do like the fact there are good people who genuinely share benefits of natural hair without making people who don’t decide to make that transition feel bad. LOL @ looking a mess! At that point…there needs to be an ‘accessory’ on stand by! It won’t hurt!
I have always been natural. People who feel that they like different styles should be entitled to wear them without ridicule. I do, however, see how wearing weave but claiming naturality can have conflicting means. It can be seen like a dieter eating a burger but championing that subway is really the way to go. Are you really dieting or are you enjoying the benefits of both worlds. Either you are or you aren’t so when you wear weave no matter what the reasoning I think you aren’t natural in the social sense until you rock the hair that God put on your head. This is just my opinion. This was an engaging blog.
Thanks for reading and I appreciate your comment. To me, natural is about being relaxer/perm free, which I’ve been for 5+ years. I rock my natural hair, weave, twists, afro…whatever I’m feeling. I am not less natural because I decide to rock extensions, braids etc. I still do not put chemicals in my hair, color, etc. However, if a natural wants to color their hair which I know so many that do, I don’t feel they are less natural, because they decide to. If that’s the case more than 75% the ones “you” see are not natural. It’s what you like and makes you feel good! Ppl can argue the same about skin (make-up), tattoos, nails, etc. or anything not in it’s natural state…but that’s another topic of discussion! And btw…I don’t believe in ‘diets’ however I am a lifestyle changer. I eat burgers from time to time, all while enjoying within moderation or making healthier choices. (i.e., Subway, etc. is not the only way to eat healthy). You gotta go with what works for you! Naturals have the ability to be creative and free, without limits!
I learned something today.I learned the definition of what natural means to you and others here and there. You explained it like Tyra Banks did or at least similarly. She said she will rock her natural hair(length) from time to time, still use texturizers, wear weave and the like. She still uses perms where you do not. I hope I didn’t offend you.
Not at all! You are entitled to your opinion! One of my perfect examples is where one of my commenters wrote about her experience. She has beautiful, long, natural hair — but she likes to protect her hair or change it up from time to time! We all like we what we like! But no you didn’t offend me at all!
Great post..It was nice to see others opinions on this topic
Thank you! You hear so much negativity and sadly it comes from mostly naturals. Women who wear relaxers don’t care about what you or others do to their hair, because they too busy worrying about looking good themselves! I know I didn’t when I wore mine back in the day. lol I say do what makes you happy! Thx for reading! :)