Natural Hair vs. Society (response)

While writing out my topic on natural hair & society, i decided to ask other naturals about their journey. One particular person, Nakita, really inspired me, and i was literally lost in the words she wrote! I'm sure you will enjoy as much as I did..."My main reason for returning to my natural and original form of hair was because I felt that I didn't have to conform to societal views of what a beautiful black woman is. Many black people feel that you are ugly if you wear your hair in its natural state, or they either say "I don't have that good hair to not be able to get a relaxer." There is no such thing as good hair in my world, there is only healthy and unhealthy hair and different types of curl patterns within hair."

"Surprisingly, I figured out what the real meaning behind saying "I have to relax these roots" meant. It meant that we needed to kill the very thing that would always show up within our hair to remind us of our true heritage, kill what had made us feel ugly and less of women since we didn't have flowy, straight hair. I came to the conclusion that we had truly been brainwashed by society to hate ourselves, to chemically alter one of the very things that make us unique. My natural journey is definitely more about a soul searching purpose rather than a fashion fad. I embrace all that is supposed to be ugly, and I make it beautiful. I nurture my hair and I care for it, I own who I am as a black woman...free from chemical bondage and stereotypical chains."