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African-American women have struggled with the maintenance of their hair since the beginning of time. Not many other races understand the struggle that black women have to go through in order to attain beautiful hair.
These women will go through many processes such as perming their hair—no, not curling it, but relaxing it. Black women use a relaxer (aka a perm), which is a mix chemicals. The relaxer is put onto the roots of hair in order to straighten it. The process of putting the relaxer is called perming. The mix of chemicals that the relaxer is made up of, such as lye, can damage the hair–not to mention the excruciating burn ing that one experiences when perming the hair.
An African-American woman’s hair is very fragile and becomes damaged easily. There are not many processes that their hair can go through without becoming damaged. African-American women will go through many other processes such as sewing in extensions (aka a weave), braiding in extensions along with their actual hair, straightening it, blow-drying it, twisting the hair with gel into permanent dreadlocks, or using hair products in order to maintain hair health. Not only are these processes painful, but they are time consuming. The average black women will spend at least five hours putting extensions into her hair. All of this is in order to maintain hair beauty and to keep it looking fabulous.
African-American women are developing a new hair trend: “going natural.” “Going natural” is a phrase black women use when they choose to grow out their natural hair out rather than using harmful chemicals in order to straighten it. Black women are beginning to embrace their natural hair roots and wear it as is. Many women will begin the process of going natural by cutting their damaged hair off And allowing their hair to grow, putting extensions to allow the natural hair to grow more quickly, or simply allowing their hair to grow on its own. Some women have been growing their natural hair since birth.
“Going Natural” is becoming the preferred hairstyle amongst the black community. Fellow students, Jennell Barrett and Olguyne Ermilus have joined in on the natural hair movement. Also, many famous African American women have joined the trend, including Solange Knowles, Brandy Norwood, Janelle Monáe, and Kimberly Elise. Although it may be a long process, “going natural” is all worth it in the end. Beauty is pain.
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adviser • Sep 23, 2013 at 12:23 pm
@shsroundtable
violette • Sep 19, 2013 at 9:52 pm
I’ am Black Haitian American, I did not like the beginning of the article because it almost sounds as if its putting my Race down, because women of all races put chemicals and extensions. But towards the End it all made since. Going natural is beautiful and its safe for your hair. 🙂
adviser • Sep 20, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Yes, that is exactly what the authors were trying to say. Just FYI, both of the writers of the article are also black Haitian American young women, so they definitely understand both sides of the story. Thanks for the comment!