Expression
Sunday 15 November 2015
My Thank You
So to everyone who has supported me on this blog especially Tahlitha who gave me the idea of what to blog about, everyone who has visited even if it was one time, to everyone who has shared it and promoted my blog, to everyone who has comment whether on the blog or to me in person, to everyone who big me up on whats app, those who sent me pics to be added, Thank You soooooo much!! Your effort has not been in vain. I really appreciate the support and I have found that I really like blogging especially on this topic. Remember I told you this was a school project? Well it has been graded already I got a fantastic 98% (the teacher does not give 100% and this was the highest grade possible). Popularity/interest was on of the criteria and because at the time I had gotten over 300 views, I was able to get full marks for that area. Thank you guys so much and I shall continue this hobby but currently life has me a way. Anyways, thank you all for pushing it to over 400 now and I've gotten views from Asia and Europe. woop woop! As promised, the slide show will be added soon. Minor complications have prevented me from getting it up and rolling already. Thanks again :D
Sunday 1 November 2015
Discrimination- Professionalism
Why were we lead to straighten our hair? Why is it really necessary that we press/ process our hair to be accepted (apart of an institute/organisation or even social group)? And, the main question on my mind is why is one regard unprofessional or it is inappropriate for her to wear her curls to work/school?
As far back as the ending of slavery and the development of the black race in the western hemisphere, female were told not to show their kinks. You had two options to fit in (not get killed or be acceptable)- tie away and hide that African hair of yours or straighten it.
You could not wear your beautiful curls, no matter how defined they were, regardless of the fact if they if they were loose (in type 3) or tight (type 4)
Today, as times are changing, and the progress natural black hair has made is significant, there are still some great holes in society's concepts/ ways of viewing natural hair.
The major problem is discrimination. Natural hair is not regarded as work appropriate. Who gets to choose what is work appropriate? Who has the choice of saying which ethnicity is good or which ethnicity is bad? There are rules set in place to oppress our natural form, why? Is it because 'they' think it is ugly, 'they' think we are ugly? So then, we think we are ugly, therefore we conform to 'their' rules then set rules in our society to oppress ourselves? We use 'their' misconception of beauty to judge ourselves.
There are circumstances where persons are being denied positions in the work place and other organisation because of how the choose to wear their hair. Where people are discriminated against because of their hair type they tend to change it to a more straighten style.
In everything we do, we should ensure that we do it in moderation and to ensure that it does not impede on others progress. As it regards to wearing natural styles to work and school the only rule there should be is this, as state before. Do not wear it too extravagant where it will block another person from learning such as an Afro. Afros can be worn elsewhere.
Today, I end with this small quote :
It is not a matter of what is on your head,
It is a matter of what is in your head.
It should be not an issue of the colour your skin,
It should be an issue of the character within.
It is not how thick your lips curled,
It is what comes out of it to positively impact this world.
As far back as the ending of slavery and the development of the black race in the western hemisphere, female were told not to show their kinks. You had two options to fit in (not get killed or be acceptable)- tie away and hide that African hair of yours or straighten it.
Today, as times are changing, and the progress natural black hair has made is significant, there are still some great holes in society's concepts/ ways of viewing natural hair.
The major problem is discrimination. Natural hair is not regarded as work appropriate. Who gets to choose what is work appropriate? Who has the choice of saying which ethnicity is good or which ethnicity is bad? There are rules set in place to oppress our natural form, why? Is it because 'they' think it is ugly, 'they' think we are ugly? So then, we think we are ugly, therefore we conform to 'their' rules then set rules in our society to oppress ourselves? We use 'their' misconception of beauty to judge ourselves.
There are circumstances where persons are being denied positions in the work place and other organisation because of how the choose to wear their hair. Where people are discriminated against because of their hair type they tend to change it to a more straighten style.
In everything we do, we should ensure that we do it in moderation and to ensure that it does not impede on others progress. As it regards to wearing natural styles to work and school the only rule there should be is this, as state before. Do not wear it too extravagant where it will block another person from learning such as an Afro. Afros can be worn elsewhere.
Today, I end with this small quote :
It is not a matter of what is on your head,
It is a matter of what is in your head.
It should be not an issue of the colour your skin,
It should be an issue of the character within.
It is not how thick your lips curled,
It is what comes out of it to positively impact this world.
Thursday 29 October 2015
Naturalista within me speaks
Probably you are wondering what is a naturalista.........
As defined by urban dictionary, a naturalista is a Black female who takes pride in her Black hair (hair that is not permed or been chemically changed in anyway).
Yes, yes, yes, I am a naturalista. My hair has never been processed but I have pressed it before. It was heat damaged a few weeks back but i have vowed not to use heat in my hair again. As the title of my blog, Kinky Tough African Natural Hair, so is my hair. Most of the time I don't treat my hair as I ought to and it reacts to this. It becomes a literal monster. Rar! I become scared of it in these times when it appears impossible to detangle but I always seem to get out of the situation.
I really like to see healthy, well taken care of natural hair. I am usually not biased by genes. Some of us really did not get any of 'the good genes' in hair. When it has no curly pattern or is not straight, when it doesn't grow fast, when what I call optimal length is not where we want, when everyone around us isn't crazy over your hair. Sometimes we have to like our own hair. We have to look pass the European notation that we are not good enough, that we are not pretty. This is what was placed on my head and this is what I will have to work with, love and appreciate. I love my curls. I stand for them and nobody can make me say otherwise .
As defined by urban dictionary, a naturalista is a Black female who takes pride in her Black hair (hair that is not permed or been chemically changed in anyway).
A naturalista is someone who wears their hair the way that it naturally grows out of their scalp.
This could mean they have curly, wavy or "kinky" hair.
Whichever "hair type" they may identify with, they love and accept themselves because they know and understand that they are beautiful in their anatomy. This could mean they have curly, wavy or "kinky" hair.
Yes, yes, yes, I am a naturalista. My hair has never been processed but I have pressed it before. It was heat damaged a few weeks back but i have vowed not to use heat in my hair again. As the title of my blog, Kinky Tough African Natural Hair, so is my hair. Most of the time I don't treat my hair as I ought to and it reacts to this. It becomes a literal monster. Rar! I become scared of it in these times when it appears impossible to detangle but I always seem to get out of the situation.
I really like to see healthy, well taken care of natural hair. I am usually not biased by genes. Some of us really did not get any of 'the good genes' in hair. When it has no curly pattern or is not straight, when it doesn't grow fast, when what I call optimal length is not where we want, when everyone around us isn't crazy over your hair. Sometimes we have to like our own hair. We have to look pass the European notation that we are not good enough, that we are not pretty. This is what was placed on my head and this is what I will have to work with, love and appreciate. I love my curls. I stand for them and nobody can make me say otherwise .
Hair Talk
What is it that we all want from our hair? Length? A thick rich body? Softness? Moisture? Sheen? Many of us would agree that these are key factors and our goals we want to attain with our hair, but many of us do not know how to get there? Well, I've got a little friend on youtube who gave me some very good suggestions I would like to share with you:
Healthy Living - What you eat not only effects your waistline but also your hair. Focus on consuming fruits/veggies and lean protein. Ensure that your drinking plenty of water.
Moisturize - The first ingredient of your leave in should be WATER. Learn how to properly moisturize your hair to slow down the evaporation process. Sweet almond oil and jojoba oils are great leave in oils. Coconut oil is very common in the natural hair community however I find that coconut oil is better for conditioning. Regardless oil and butters should be used as sealants and not to add moisture to your hair. WATER = moisture.
Determine the porosity of your hair. If you have high porous hair you may apply oil directly to your hair and scalp without applying a leave in first.
Retain Your Length - Learn to leave your alone. Over manipulation can cause damage to your cuticles. Learn how to finger tangled your hair. Low manipulation styling is your friend.
Limit Heat- avoid direct heat if at all possible. If you do use heat, make sure the blow dryer is set to low and that you use a heat protectant. Deep condition regularly. Trim your ends - Avoid split ends by trimming your hair. If you don't want to trim your own hair, go to a stylist whose has exp. with natural BLACK hair.
~Annettemint
Additionally, the basic procedure I use to wash my hair which has proved very efficient and has resulted in my hair being much more healthier, was gained from the Youtube video below. I strongly recommend the using of this procedure. Even though my hair is a bit tighter coiled than this lady's own, the procedure works for me
Introduction and Welcome fellow 4c-4d hair types
"Remove the kinks from your brain, not your hair" Marcus Garvey. Whether you are transitioning, you have transitioned or you've been a naturalista all your life, this blog is a must read for you. You will find out all my struggles and glory as it relates to my hair, get tips I have gotten and basically hear all my views and knowledge as it relates to natural hair.
A warm welcome to all interested parties to my blog. It means so much to me that you choose to use your precious time to read my blog. You want to know about me? Well, I am minutely awesome. Nah, I'm awesome. Physically, I am a phenomenon. I have a very light complexion with a hair opposing that. My hair is medium length, almost reaching my lower neck, ranging from 4c - 4d hair type, from time to time. It shrinks a lot. I love my hair but I also hate my hair. It is definitely a great stress to handle but I love how different it make me. My hair makes me fabulous. (not necessarily). Anyways this is a school project and I doubt all this is needed so onward we go to share with my fantastic readers about natural hair, my natural hair.
Finally, I must state that I am not biased as it relates to who ever has processed hair or who wears their kinks. It is your choice definitely and if you can't live with how you were naturally made, and straight is what your confidence needs, then go ahead. Be you!
A warm welcome to all interested parties to my blog. It means so much to me that you choose to use your precious time to read my blog. You want to know about me? Well, I am minutely awesome. Nah, I'm awesome. Physically, I am a phenomenon. I have a very light complexion with a hair opposing that. My hair is medium length, almost reaching my lower neck, ranging from 4c - 4d hair type, from time to time. It shrinks a lot. I love my hair but I also hate my hair. It is definitely a great stress to handle but I love how different it make me. My hair makes me fabulous. (not necessarily). Anyways this is a school project and I doubt all this is needed so onward we go to share with my fantastic readers about natural hair, my natural hair. Finally, I must state that I am not biased as it relates to who ever has processed hair or who wears their kinks. It is your choice definitely and if you can't live with how you were naturally made, and straight is what your confidence needs, then go ahead. Be you!
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