The REAL Story behind “I Love My Hair” on Sesame Street

Sesame Street Promotes Positive Self-Image for African American Girls

Courtesy of NPR

A little Muppet girl has started a sensation. The unnamed puppet with an afro sings a love song to her hair.

"I Love My Hair" debuted on the Oct. 4 episode of Sesame Street. It was posted on the show's YouTube page — and then women began posting the video on their Facebook pages.

African-American bloggers wrote that it brought them to tears because of the message it sends to young black girls.

Joey Mazzarino, the head writer of Sesame Street, is also a Muppeteer who wrote the song for his daughter. Mazzarino is Italian. He and his wife adopted their 5-year-old daughter, Segi, from Ethiopia when she was a year old.

Mazzarino says he wrote the song after noticing his daughter playing with dolls.

"She wanted to have long blond hair and straight hair, and she wanted to be able to bounce it around," he tells NPR's Melissa Block.

Mazzarino says he began to get worried, but he thought it was only a problem that white parents of African-American children have. Then he realized the problem was much larger.

In writing the song, he wanted to say in song what he says to his daughter: "Your hair is great. You can put it in ponytails. You can put it in cornrows. I wish I had hair like you."

That simple message has caused an outpouring of responses from women. Mazzarino got a call from an African woman who told him the song brought her to tears. "I was amazed, 'cause I sort of wrote this little thing for my daughter, and here this adult woman, it touched her," he says.

Mazzarino says he's happy to report that Segi loves the song — and her hair.

Why I Posted IT

“I Love My Hair” on Sesame Street. I had to share this video. I receive a lot of questions as well as comments from parents who inquiry different ways to encourage their daughters to embrace their natural hair. This can be a challenge even today even though we see more and more images and advertisements of African American women with natural hair or textured hair styles such as roller sets. The societal norm of long straight “India Remy” is still alive and well in our movies and music videos. But it seem that mainstream America has embraced our African American “roots”. But it is still very easy to argue the contrary. Here’s my question, is this video evidence that our country as a whole is progressive in encouraging self love in the African American community?

THE NATURAL CHOICE

This article was featured in my local paper in 2006. I wanted to take this opportunity to share it with my readers.
Natural choice
Tired of spending hours and money every week in salons, more black women are giving up chemically treated hair

By JOY SEWING
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

I am not my hair.
I am not this skin.
I am not your expectations. No, no.
I am not my hair.
I am not this skin.
I’m a soul that lives within.
- FROM INDIA.ARIE’S I AM NOT MY HAIR

Sometimes freedom comes in simple things.
For India.Arie, it’s shaving her head or wearing a short Afro.
It means not conforming to societal standards that dictate hair is best when straight, long and flowing, said the Grammy Award-winning singer.
“I am a person who sparks the debate about what beauty is and what hair is. I want black women to make their own decision about what is beautiful,” she said by phone.
Arie chronicles her transition from permed to natural hairstyles in I am Not My Hair, from her latest effort, Testimony: Vol. I, Life & Relationship. She also teamed with pop-rocker Pink to create another version of the song for the Lifetime television movie Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy. Ironically, Pink is known for nonconformist hairdos – from a Mohawk in candy pink to a spiky platinum blond.
For Arie, the processes to straighten or manage her naturally curly hair were many: press-and-curl (an iron comb heated on a stove), a Jheri curl and relaxers, which damaged her hair so badly she went natural, eventually wearing locks (commonly referred to as “dreadlocks,” a historically derogatory term used to describe hair that was “dreaded” or feared.

But Arie’s next step toward freedom was a big one.
The night before she was to appear on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, she shaved her head. It was a freeing experience.”I have a mental clarity that comes with shaving my head. The attachment I had with my hair no longer has power over me anymore.”

Hair issues aren’t exclusive to black women. Throughout history, women have struggled to find acceptance with hairstyles. Marie Antoinette shocked the world with her elaborate, supertall hairdo in the mid-1770s. Today, many women and celebs – from Beyoncé to Gwen Stefani – dye their hair blond when their natural color is much darker.

“This isn’t just a black woman’s issue. Nonblack women have hair issues,” said anthropologist Paitra Russell, who wrote her doctoral dissertation at the University of Chicago on African-American hair practices. “The earliest straightening agents were aimed at white women. There are all kinds of personal issues that people give to straightening their hair. Hair is a place where people are negotiating all social roles. Social roles are being played out on women’s heads.”

Arie’s song is an inspiring personal journey to which many black women can relate as they transition to natural hairstyles – locks, Afros, braids or twists. Such styles have been part of the fashion scene for years on the East and West coasts. Celebrities from Arie and Jill Scott to Macy Gray and Alice Walker have popularized natural looks.
Only recently have Houston salons begun seeing a rise in the number of women choosing natural styles. Perhaps the increase is due to an availability of more stylists who specialize in natural hair. Maybe, some stylists say, women are tired of high-maintenance permed styles.Permed styles require regular visits to hair stylists for chemical touch-ups. Also, the sweat from exercise and humid, rainy weather can ruin a hairdo.

KHOU-TV anchor Debra Duncan knows what a bad hair day can be. In 1988, while working as a reporter in Austin, she covered an outdoor event when it began raining. “The producer whispered in my earpiece that my hair was shrinking and growing at the same time!” she recalled.

Duncan is now wearing her hair naturally curly on air. She hasn’t chemically permed her hair since 1985, but she would spend more than an hour flatironing it each morning. One particularly rainy and humid day, she was too tired to fuss with her daily ritual.

“I’m free of those things that can tie you down (like hair). Wearing my hair natural makes me feel funkier, and freer.

“It was a moment of confidence. I just wanted to get up and go,” Duncan said. “I think I got 140 e-mails the first day. There were people who loved my hair and others who didn’t. With women, people start off with whether they like your appearance and your hair, not your performance. If my job is to give the news, why is the most important thing my hair?”

The change saves her 25 hours a month, Duncan said, time she can spend with her 2-year-old son and her husband.

Duncan’s decision to go “natural” is not unlike the statements about freedom blacks made during the 1960s by wearing Afros. Today, however, the freedom is a personal – not political – one.

“In the 1950s and ’60s, there was definitely a conforming pressure for black women to straighten their hair,” Russell said. ” We got the message that something was wrong with our hair in its natural state. Our moms and grandmothers believed if you had straightened hair things would be easier, and who doesn’t want things easier for their children?

“Now there’s a celebration of being different.” We’re focused on the individual where people are looking to be happy. Going natural speaks to that personal freedom.”

About empowerment

Every two weeks, Mamie Ewing’s routine was the same: She sat for hours in a salon for a wash and set.
Every six weeks, she got a perm to keep her hair straight and a color treatment to hide the gray. Her monthly bill was easily $100. That’s what professional black women did, she believed.
When her husband, Robert Ewing, died in 2002 and she retired from her job, Ewing was eager for a change.
The process of going natural can take months as women wait for their hair to grow out enough to cut the permed portion off.
Ewing didn’t want to wait, so she cut hers off, leaving only an inch or two to turn into small twists.
“I felt free that first day. I didn’t realize how much I was a slave to my hair,” said Ewing, 67, who had permed her hair for 40 years.
Not since the 1960s, when she was called “militant Mamie” for wearing an Afro, had Ewing felt so empowered. She now visits her stylist, Tonya Reed of Uncle Funky’s Daughter in Rice Village, only every six weeks to get her twists tightened.
“I really wished I had done it when I was working because it’s so much easier,” Ewing said. “It does say something about you when you embrace your own culture.”

Starting with tools

In the early 1900s, Madam C.J. Walker popularized the use of the hot comb to straighten hair – also known as the press-and-curl style – and taught women how to use it. She began selling Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp conditioner, and other hair-care products. She became the first self-made American woman millionaire, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
She was critized for encouraging black women to “look white.”
By the mid-1950s, George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products, developed a chemical permanent hair straightener for home use. This gave many women the freedom to chemically straighten their hair without going to a salon. By the 1960s, natural hair – particularly Afros – had become a symbol of defiance in the nation’s civil-rights movement.
In the 1980s, more black women climbed the corporate ladder and wore straightened styles considered acceptable for the business culture. Natural hair, as it had been throughout history, was viewed as unprofessional, rebellious and even bad.
For those women, the texture of their hair was as important as the color of their skin. “I don’t foresee a time when straightening hair won’t be a standard,” Russell explained. “We as a society are judged by the straightness of our hair.”

Helping others

Natural hairstyles worn by Qhiijah Sheryl James weren’t unusual in her native Jamaica. There, Afros, locks and braids are as common as straight styles in the United States. So it was shocking when James moved to Houston as a teen and was derogatorily called “Whoopi” or “Tracy,” referring to actress Whoopi Goldberg and singer Tracy Chapman, who both wore locks.
“I was the only one in school with a short Afro. There were no other celebrity images of natural hairstyles, and there weren’t many resources to help you take care of your hair,” James said.
Now James owns Back to Naturel, a natural-hair salon in northeast Houston. She also has written a booklet, the Pocket Guide to Natural Haircare, to educate her customers about natural hair.
“Some people might get frustrated with the process because it takes time to restore your hair to its natural state. And natural hairstyles aren’t maintenance-free,” James said.
“People think their hair will be hard and tough, but that’s not true if you take care of it.”
James said finding the right products takes time. She uses products by Keracare, Wild Growth and Proclaim. But there are many others.
Tonya Reed of Uncle Funky’s Daughter suggests Taliah Waajid’s Black Earth shampoos and conditioners, and Carol’s Daughters Hair Milk and Hair Butter.
Both warn against using products with mineral oil or beeswax, since they don’t completely moisturize the hair.
Reed said many women don’t know what their natural hair looks like because they have had perms since they were children. Once they make the transition, she said, customers often wonder what took them so long.
While natural hairstyles may not be for everyone, women who go that route say they have a new sense of who they are.
“With maturity sometimes comes a feeling that you don’t care about what others think,” said Duncan. “All that matters is how you feel, and I feel free.”

joy.sewing@chron.com

THE NATURAL CHOICE « Nappturology 101

HairStory-Erin F

“JUST DO IT! Its just hair and you will love yourself so much more once you see the real, natural you” Erin on going natural

1. How long have you been natural?

3 months on 5/2 :-)

2. Why and how did you go natural? (Did you transition? What products and styles did you use?)

I transitioned for 6mos usually just straightening my hair everyday...and that got really tiring!

3. Did you transition long term or do the big chop? Why?

I transitioned for 6months then finally had enough and BC'd. i wanted to go longer without cutting it and do a gradual trim but I woke up one day and said enough is enough!

4. How would you describe this experience?

The experience has been very fun, hard, emotional, exciting, scary...pretty much every feeling I could imagine! I was very excited when I first walked into my beauticians house but after I saw the hair fall to the floor I think my stomach fell with it and all I could think was that this was a HUGE mistake. It took me a couple of weeks to really come to grips with what I had done and to realize that my hair doesnt define who I am (I had always been referred to as the girl with the long hair). But then I realized that the natural me is the most beautiful i can be! I wake up in the morning and dont have to worry about flat ironing my hair and I'm not scared by rain :-). Now the hardest part is just finding the products that work best on my hair...lots of trial and error!

5. What was others response to your naturality?

I have had very mixed reviews. All of my female friends love my hair and several have BC'd after seeing my pictures and hearing my story which really made me feel good! But you know guys seem to love long hair so I got some hate mail on Facebook (ok just sad stories about how beautiful my old hair was and that I shouldnt have cut it). But then there were a few guys who really loved the new cut! I know my new look isnt for everyone...but its for me and that is all that matters.

6. Who was your biggest influence/support?  How did they provide support during your natural hair transition?

One of my friends has been natural and growing locks for about 5 years now and she ultimately convinced me that i should just go for it...so I did! Although I had the thought for a long time she gave me the courage to just go for it...and since her hair is beautiful I thought...why not?! I had some friends that told me not to and that I probably wouldnt like it but they were still supportive of my decision.

7. What have you learned since being natural (about yourself, your hair and other people)?

It probably sounds cache but I have more of a sense of self and I feel more beautiful in my own skin. I feel like there are no lies about who I am or where I come from...when you see me you can see my roots...my nappy roots :-)

8. What advice would you give to those transitioning or concerning natural?

Honestly...JUST DO IT! Its just hair and you will love yourself so much more once you see the real, natural you...and if you don't like it there is always weave ;-)

In Celebration of Black History Month A Look Back at the Black Hair Story

Michelle Breyer February 12th, 2009

Whether its activist Angela Davis’s Afro or hip-hop diva Lil’ Kim’s “weave of the week,” black hair has long had the power to set trends and reflect societal attitudes.
Since February is Black History Month — a time to remember important people and events that shaped the lives of African Americans – we thought it was an ideal time to explore how hairstyles have been interwoven into that history. It is a story that continues to evolve. Here is a look back at some of the key events and people who shaped the black hairstory.
This style, from Africa in the 1950s, might have originated on the west coast of Africa centuries earlier.
1444: Europeans trade on the west coast of Africa with people wearing elaborate hairstyles, including locks, plaits and twists.
1619: First slaves brought to Jamestown; African language, culture and grooming tradition begin to disappear.
1700s: Calling black hair “wool,” many whites dehumanize slaves. The more elaborate African hairstyles cannot be retained.
1800s: Without the combs and herbal treatments used in Africa, slaves rely on bacon grease, butter and kerosene as hair conditioners and cleaners. Lighter-skinned, straight-haired slaves command higher prices at auction than darker, more kinky-haired ones. Internalizing color consciousness, blacks promote the idea that blacks with dark skin and kinky hair are less attractive and worth less.
1865: Slavery ends, but whites look upon black women who style their hair like white women as well-adjusted. “Good” hair becomes a prerequisite for entering certain schools, churches, social groups and business networks.
1880: Metal hot combs, invented in 1845 by the French, are readily available in the United States. The comb is heated and used to press and temporarily straighten kinky hair.

1900s: Madame C.J. Walker (Pictured to the Right) develops a range of hair-care products for black hair. She popularizes the press-and-curl style. Some criticize her for encouraging black women to look white.
1910: Walker is featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the first American female self-made millionaire.
1920s: Marcus Garvey, a black nationalist, urges followers to embrace their natural hair and reclaim an African aesthetic.

1954: George E. Johnson launches the Johnson Products Empire with Ultra Wave Hair Culture, a “permanent” hair straightener for men that can be applied at home. A women’s chemical straightener follows.

Cicely Tyson
1962: Actress Cicely Tyson wears cornrows on the television drama “East Side/West Side.”
1966: Model Pat Evans defies both black and white standards of beauty and shaves her head.
Diahann Carroll
1968: Actress Diahann Carroll is the first black woman to star in a television network series, “Julia.” She is a darker version of the all-American girl with straightened, curled hair.
1970: Angela Davis becomes an icon of Black Power with her large afro.
1971: Melba Tolliver is fired from the ABC affiliate in New York for wearing an afro while covering Tricia Nixon’s wedding.
1977: The Jheri curl explodes on the black hair scene. Billed as a curly perm for blacks, the ultra-moist hairstyle lasts through the 1980s.
1979: Braids and beads cross the color line when Bo Derek appears with cornrows in the movie “10.”

Grace Jones
1980: Model-actress Grace Jones sports her trademark flat-top fade.
1988: Spike Lee exposes the good hair/bad hair light-skinned/dark-skinned schism in black American in his movie “School Daze.”
1990: “Sisters love the weave,” “Essence” magazine declares. A variety of natural styles and locks also become more accepted.
1997: Singer Erykah Badu poses on the cover of her debut album “Baduizm” with her head wrapped, ushering in an eclectic brand of Afrocentrism.
1998: Carson Inc., creator of Dark & Lovely and Magic Shave for black men, acquires the black-owned beauty company Johnson Products of Chicago in 1998. L’Oreal purchases Carson two years later and merges it with Soft Sheen.
1999: “People” magazine names lock-topped Grammy award-winning artist Lauryn Hill one of its 50 Most Beautiful People.
2001: Rapper Lil’ Kim wears a platinum blonde weave, while singer Macy Gray sports a new-school afro. Some black women perm, some press, and others go with natural twists, braids and locks.

(Amari Diaw Pictured to the Right)
2003: New Bedford, Mass. Dance teacher Amy Fernandes’ refuses to allow 4-year-old Amari Diaw to participate in her ballet dance recital along with the other children in her class who have been practicing for the exciting event because she requires the girls to pull back their hair into a bun. Amari’s mom put Amari’s very curly hair into cornrows and pulled it back into a bun. Fernandes, however, insisted that the braids be removed and that Amari’s hair be pulled back straight into a bun.
2006: Baltimore Police Department’s new, more rigid professional appearance standards prohibit such hairstyles as cornrows, dreadlocks and twists. These natural hairstyles are deemed to be “extreme” and a “fad” by the department.
2007: MSNBC Radio Host Don Imus loses his job when he calls the Rutgers’ women’s basketball team “some nappy-headed hos.”
2006: Black hair-care is a billion-dollar industry.
2008: “The New Yorker”(shown below) draws heat when a cover photo portrays Michelle Obama with an Afro and an AK 47 machine gun and and Barack Obama in a turban doing the fist bump. Many felt the cartoon reinforces negative stereotypes about both Muslims and natural hair.
2009: Comic Chris Rock unveils “Good Hair” at the Sundance Film Festival, exploring the way black hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of black people.

My 2nd BiG ChOp

Why I went natural and big chop’d not once but twice.

1. Why did you decide to go natural?

Initially, I was wearing full sew-ins…and I was like what’s the point on putting a relaxer on hair that nobody could see. So, my 1^st thoughts were to just go a couple of months with out a relaxer but then I got to thinking…why not go all the way. I started researching and instantly became obsessed with all the information that was out there

2. How long did you transition? Did you big chop if so when (how far into the transition process)?

I transitioned for about 8 months

3. What was people's (family and friends) response to your new look?

My peers at school loved it...some people made jokes by calling me names like Jill Scott, Angie Stone and bunch of other beautiful naturals..Others started calling me afrocentric. It didn’t bother me…I just tried to get them to understand that all I was trying to do was be who God intended me to be! As for my family...They hated it (it was like a hidden read between the lines type of hate).

4. You mentioned you big chop a 2nd time. What were the circumstances centered around the 2nd big chop? What was the time frame between the 1st and 2 nd BC? Why did you decide to bc again and not revert to relaxers? What advice do you have for ladies in similar situations?

After a couple months of being natural, I was pressured by my mom to alter my hair for her wedding ( I still to this day don’t understand because she once had beautiful natural hair). I was over the weaves, so I deiced to get a press. During the course of my researching, I had read stories of people having heat damage but I had never heard of a one time press-n-curl leaving the hair permanently straight. When I went to wash my hair…it didn’t revert back. My 1^st thought was that maybe I didn’t wash it enough times. So, I washed it again in the shower, when that didn’t work, I began to panic. To make a long story short, my hair didn’t go back. I could no longer do my wash and go’s, or wear my puff. My hair looked like I was TRYING to achieve the natural look. My whole head was straight. The only thing I could do was wear my hair flat iron or in a straw set. That’s when I really realized my hair was damaged. When I was transitioning, flat ironing used to be a pain...but after my silky press it was so easy. I didn’t want to keep flat ironing and I was over the weaves, so my only option was to do the big chop again. It took me about a week to make the decision. At 1^st I was like I am back at square one. But I quickly realized that this is a journey and sometimes things happen…now Iam rocking a TWA…and I admit it is different because my styling is limited. I choose to Big Chop and not revert back to relaxers because it would have gone against everything I stood for and all of the time and effort I put in. My advice to anyone who is natural or transitioning…is to be knowledgeable about everything that concerns your hair and don’t be so hard on your self when you make a mistake. Heat damage is a serious thing, some people can use heat w/o any damage…but you don’t know if you’re that person that can’t withstand it until the damage is already done. So are you willing to take that risk?

Relaxer

Transitioning with Sew-in

Straw Set after 1st BiG ChOp

Afro

2nd BiG ChOp

Want to share your HairStory on Natural Hair Rules!!! email me at tamara@naturalhairrules.com

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Erica F. HairStory

1. How long have you been natural?

I have been natural for 14 months.

2. Why and how did you go natural? (Did you transition? What products and styles did you use?)

I went natural because I had a goal for healthy hair. I am a firm believer that Good Hair = Healthy Hair in whatever form you choose to do with it relax, texturize, wear it natural you name it. I had a relaxer for about 9 years of my life and my hair was damaged, thin, and balding in some spots. I wanted a change and my choices were either to cut my damaged hair or to go natural of course I the latter. I transitioned with Kinky twists, micro braids, and Senegalese twists for a year. Some products I used while transitioning were Boundless tresses growth serum (growthspecifics.com), Suave conditioner to wash my roots, and peppermint oil for my scalp. In between braids or twists I began cutting off my relaxed hair in order for my natural hair to grow faster. A year to the date of my last relaxer I cut off the rest of the relaxed ends and haven't put extensions in my hair since. I love my natural hair and will NEVER relax again!!!

3. How would you describe this experience?

The experience going natural is EMPOWERING! There is always a journey to get you to where you want to go and the experience its priceless. You begin to learn so much about yourself, your heritage why black women started to straighten their hair back in the day, the stigmas behind having "nappy" hair, and how much your hair doesn't define who you are. Your black is beautiful in any form and this journey to natural hair will teach you to embrace YOU!

4. What was others response to your naturality?

My family made jokes about me being "afrocentric" and trying to be Angela Davis, and they still make jokes to this day. During my transition they didn't believe I was going to go through with being natural until I cut my hair off and started to rock a fro. To be honest you shouldn't care about what others think, say or do about you being a natural beauty. IT IS YOUR HAIR and you are natural for you. Having the versatility to wear your hair curly, straight, up, down, in an afro, in twists, is priceless and you should dare to be different.

Check out her blog:
allthingsnaturalbyemf.blogspot.com

Follow her on Twitter: emickeyf171

Before

After

Elaine H. HairStory!

-How did you go natural (Did you transition? What products and styles did you use)?

I’ve been chemical free for 16 months and all naturally me for 8 months…not that long I know but I feel like it’s been longer.

-What was others responds to your naturality?

Honestly it depends on who I encountered. Lol. Let’s start with my family – my mom was shocked and while she will NEVER admit it, I don’t think she initially liked it. I grew up with a family of women who straightened their hair with chemicals…that’s all I knew. Even before the perms, my mother use to use a pressing comb…like they were done when they were young. Now, she likes it, but still puts her two cents in on it. They really like it when my hair is twisted.
My sister was transitioning and actually went natural before me, so she was my biggest cheerleader…along with my aunt. I knew that I could show them two my recent styles and get an honest and supportive decision. When other family members saw my hair, some were just shocked (cause literally the last time they saw me, I had a long silky mane…and now I had a kinky fro! Lol. Some made fun, others it didn’t matter.

Most of my friends have not seen me in awhile OR they saw me with braids/weave as I transitioned (I live out of town). So they’ve seen pictures and thinks my hair is gorgeous. I actually inspired a line sister of mine to transition back to natural after her experiencing my journey. That made me feel really good!

People at work (except the ethnic minorities) actually didn’t say anything to me when I showed up one weekend with my hair in a dry twist (while transitioning). Then when I got the braids (lots of compliments) but when I chopped it off and showed up on Monday…no response. I always get a response with the longer hair (braids or weave) but never really anything with my puff or fro…..very interesting…

The ultimate lesson is that you have to love yourself even when you feel that others do not. While some of the haterizm may be out of love and uncertainty, you have to understand why they feel that way. Yes some of the negativity should roll off your back, but remember that people are afraid of the unknown.

-How did you go natural?

Surprisingly, I was a short term transitioner. I actually had planned to transition for 12 months…but it ended up being like 8 months. I actually chopped it all off last minute. Lol. It was November 2008 before Thanksgiving. I had braids in for like two and half months and wanted them out! Well, despite the advice I was given, my hair still did not play right (natural and still permed). It got knotted up and I had no choice really.

After I BC, I begin using s few CD products, Lisa’s Hair Elixir and the Rosemary Mint Shampoo…really good products. It wasn’t until now, that I really started to hone in on a set of products that worked for my hair. KBB is a good product line to use as well. I totally decided that I want to use all natural products from now on…period!

-How would you describe this experience?

Honestly I wasn’t sure how I would react to the natural me. I wanted to do something different, but it hadn’t really hit me on what I was actually doing. With taking a longer time to transition, I wasn’t fully committed and I could jump ship as needed. Lol. While that sounds bad, it can be scary embarking on this journey. I’ve had ups and downs about my new look and how it fits into my overall appearance. We all have a standard for the way we want to look, but sometimes that can be unrealistic. Initially I was so frustrated and honestly contemplated if I had made the right decision. End the end, it worked out well. I love my hair and can’t want to see what the future lies for this kinky relationship!


-Transition routine and products used

First, I continued to go see my permed stylist. She used the same products (that are good for permed hair) and would blow dry and straighten for me. I did this for like 2 months. Next, I got weave for the summer months. Again, I went to the permed stylist to clean and restyle. After the weave was removed, I found my current natural hair stylist who would dry or wet twist my hair. She used the Jamaica lime wax to twist and set my hair. While having the weave, I used your random braid and weave oil to keep my hair moisturized. For the twist, I would create my own concoction that included shea, jojoba and other essential oils. This was used strictly to moisturize my hair. Satin scarves and caps are a must as well.

The most often style I used was twisting. Whether it was a dry (when they blow out your hair then twist it) or wet finger twist, I kept my hair twisted to prevent breakage, but to also embrace my new look. My whole life I had long luxurious hair (silky mane)….so having short hair was new and fun to me.

As for products, this is where the Lisa’s Hair Elixir came into play. I made sure that I my hair was moisturized at all times. I didn’t necessarily have to do this daily, but I would do daily scalp and end checks. I also had my stylist trim the ends as needed. I was fortunate, for I don’t easily develop split ends. I was a nut…lol…I was afraid that I would damage my hair going natural, but my hair is actually stronger than I thought. As long as I took care of it, it would take care of me. …and to this day it holds true.

-Why did you choose to go natural?

There came a point in my life were a change needed to be made and with turning 30, I wanted to start a new healthier holistic chapter in my life. Along with embarking on a natural hair journey, I also was traveling down a weight loss path as well. So choosing to go natural was not just about my hair but about my life. The way I thought of myself, the people I associated with, the words that came out of my mouth, what I put into my body, etc. The new chapter was to grow as a person in all aspects of life AND learning to love myself for who God made. So the hair was just one prong of the many that was all being transitioned over the last year and half.

I’ve always had a nice healthy grade of hair (prior to being natural). Even with a perm, my hair never broke off, or thinned, etc. So with wanting to be natural (no chems, heat, etc) I was convinced that I would be even happier with my kinky coils. While I had frustrations (never regrets) in the beginning, the support of this blog and other natural sistas have given me more confidence and excitement with having my hair. Now I’m natural and loving life!!!

I’m actually documenting all my journeys in several places if your followers want to follow along:
• Twitter – efficient1 (username) (well….you are a witness that you never know what you may get with me on this. Lol)
• Blog – http://www.theorakale25.blogspot.com/ (naturality, weight loss, current events, randomness, etc)
• Fotki – Silky25 (username) – mostly where my hair journey is being documented

Before

Transitioning

After BC

Antrenette C. HairStory!!!

1. How long have you been natural?

My last relaxer was August 2008 and I recently cut off the remainder of the relaxed hair about three weeks ago, May 8th to be exact.


2. Why and how did you go natural? (Did you transition? What products and styles did you use?)

I originally went natural for two reasons….Initially it was because I was working out every day and my relaxed hair was NOT holding up. In the past, I have stopped working out because I didn’t want my hair to mess up, nor did I want to put heat in it every day. So, I started putting rods in my hair and I said I was going to hold off on getting relaxers just until I reached my weight goal and then I was going to revert back. As soon as I made that decision, I ran into an old friend who was natural and her hair was GORGEOUS!!!! The rest is history. The entire 9 months I wore flexi rods in my hair and I used Kera Care and Olive oil.


3. How would you describe this experience?


I honestly was so against the whole natural idea at first because I didn’t want my hair to look "nappy". I wasn’t educated about natural hair and I hadn't been exposed to all of the different styles that having natural hair provides. I was so narrow-minded and caught up in how long my hair was and what people would say about me. However, when I finally made the decision, I truly began to realize what India Arie meant by her song, I am not my hair. It has truly been a liberating experience and it has caused me to dig deeper to define what the word "Beautiful" really means to me. During this process I have also completely dismissed the sayings, "Good hair vs. bad hair". There is no such thing.


4. What was others response to your naturality?


Most people LOVE it!!!!! I was so afraid that the people at my job would frown upon it, however, they have been the most receptive. My boss told me NEVER to change my hair because she likes the natural look so much! I have some family members that preferred my hair the relaxed way, but I've come to a point (in this process) that I respect other people's opinions, but I value and respect MINE more!

Before

Transitioning

Two Weeks Post BC

Newly Natural-Antrenette C.

Janine M. HairStory

1.I have been completely natural since May 2008 (10 mos). Last relaxer was August 2007.

2.Actually I never made the choice to “go natural”. Once I was natural I just decided to “stay natural”. See in August 2007 I got a relaxer and then 2 weeks later I got micro braids. Kept them in all the way until December around Christmas break (way way to long lol). Bewtween weavings I usually go to relax my hair but for some reason I just did not have the time this time.For the 2weeks my real hair was exposed I just kept it tied up and did not really care to look at it . I put new micros back in my head for another 4-5 mos (also these braids where so convenient for school and I never wanted to take them out). Now it was May and desperately time to take my braids out. School was out so I had time to focus on me and pay attention to myself. After I take the braids out, washed, dried and looked at myself in the mirror I for the very 1st time took notice on a head full of NATURAL hair. I was amazed. I had never seen my hair in such an unfamiliar texture. I had about 2 inches of relaxed ends though. My natural hair outweighed the relaxed hair. At that moment I immediately got scissors and cut those ends off. Which is what I now know today was my actual “big chop” And today I know that the 10 mos of braids was actual “transition”. Around this same week I still had plans to get a relaxer but still just simply never got around to it. I now believe it was the love I had developed for my natural hair. I made the choice to just “stay natural”

3.This experience has taught me to love myself. The real me the way that God made me. I don’t need a chemical out of a box to be beautiful. I feel unique. I’ve had relaxers since the age of five and never gave the real me a chance. After decideing to stay natural I had to go online and learn learn learn because I had no idea what I was doing. It was a real eye opener. I had only knew how to work with relaxed hair. Also might I had my relaxed hair was going nowhere. It was fragile, boring, and unhealthy from heat and relaxer. And it NEVER grew (well you know it would grow from the root, but break on the ends, so still pointless). I never saw my hair grow until I started being natural. Natural hair is springy, fun, and so much more me. I wish I had been natural all my life. I hope relaxers fade out and all black women can see their natural beauty. Also seeing girls who have been natural longer and know a lot about what they are doing (like tamara) has been such a huge inspiration to motivate me to continue this journey.

4.As far as other’s responses, I got mixed opinions. From family and friends. I can understand though. Having long weave one day than walking in with a twa/wanna be puff can be suprising. Noone was directly negative but some people took other routes. I got responses like “wow girl you brave I could never do that” and “so when you gonna go get your next perm”. My mom ( a permie girl) actually told me that my hair looked like cotton lol. I really had to keep my confidence up. But over time as I learned how to take care and style my hair and with more growth I got lots more compliments and have even got’n some girls to consider going natural. I love being natural and would not have it any other way.

(4 mths after bc)

(6 mos, hairline damage from braids)

( 8 mos)

Ashely P. Hairstory!

1. How long have you been natural?

I've been ALL natural since July 19th, 2008 when I got my B.C. So that makes 7 months and 12 days. But I offically got my last perm December 8th, 2007. So that makes 1 year, 2 months and 23 days from today. (3/3/2009) Whichever you want to go by is fine with me.

2. Why and how did you go natural? (Did you transition? What products and styles did you use?)

I decided to go natural for a couple of different reasons. One of the main reasons was that I had a lot of insecurity issues growing up. I had a hard time trying to find myself. The real Ashley. So going natural was a big step for me. I was always known as the black barbie with long hair. But having long hair never made me feel any prettier and I was always curious to know what my natural hair really looked like without all the chemicals.Transitioning was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done because I didn't know of anyone who had done it already or knew how to transition. So I just kind of tried to stick it out I guess. I tried going natural several times, but because it was all new to me. I got a perm after going 8 months then again after going 6 months. The final time, I stuck it out and now here I am. ALL NATURAL!!! For the first few months I just let it grow out, so I would wear a pony tail often or a donut (yea I know, but I had to bring it back). Then after about 4 months I decided to get a sow-in for the first time in my life of ever wearing a weave (it really wasn't so bad). Then at about 5 and 1/2 I got kinky twist until the 7th month. Then I got my B.C. As far as products go, I really didn't use anything different until I got my B.C. I just made sure I conditioned and moisturiezed my hair a lot.

3. How would you describe this experience?

This experience has been a life changing one for me. Since I've been natural I've found new ways to love me for me because what I've realized is that this is the way God created me. Nothing extra, nothing altered.

4. What was others response to your naturality?

At first a lot of my friends doubted me because I had tried so many times, but once I got my B.C. they loved it and were very supportive. Every now and then one of them will ask me when I'm getting a perm, but I know its all in good fun.

Natalie B. HairStory!!!

My Natural Experience

have been natural for almost 8 months. I wanted to go natural for years, but honestly, I was scared of how people would look at me. I know it is sad, but I really did think I would look silly with no hair, LOL. But finally, in January 2008, I said F' it & I said I would never get another perm ever...& I didn't. I wanted to go natural b/c I just wanted to be real. I would see women who had natural hair & I couldn't believe how BEAUTIFUL it was. Then I started looking at childhood pictures of myself & I thought, "man, I could have a huge pretty afro if my mama never permed my hair." All I wanted was a big afro! I think being black & having nappy hair is sooooo gorgeous!

So, I did transition. I started transitioning in Feb. 08 & I wore braids for about 5 months. I would just keep it braided in different styles b/c I really couldn't manage it (I hate saying & hearing that, but now I'm good with it. I had to learn how to treat & deal with my hair & it was tough at first, but I never got discouraged.) I didn't use anything but hair grease while transiting, but after becoming natural, I only use raw shea butter, which makes my hair really soft & pretty.

I would describe my natural experience as refreshing. I feel so pretty & so real. Not everyone can do to their hair what I can do with mine & its not even long. Its real nappy & I absolutely love it! LOL But I understand that we are conditioned to believe that nappy hair is bad, but I think that changes at least just a lil bit every time someone tells me how pretty my hair is. I think other black women & black girls can look at me and see that there is nothing wrong with the hair that God gave us.

Almost everyone I know didn't take me going natural well, but I didn't care. My family said absolutely nothing...one of my uncles even said to me "where is all your pretty hair?" I pointed to my head & said, "its right here!" My dad didn't like it & said gay girls would be after me. (so stupid!) My mother said it was cute & my boyfriend said he was proud of me because he didn't know anyone who would actually cut all their hair off...it was a bold move. Being a good boyfriend J He said I looked beautiful & that he was happy for me.

When I got my "Big Chop," I immediately took a picture & put it up on FB the same day. Most of my friends that commented said "whats wrong with you, & "what nigga done messed over you?" It was sad & it engendered a lot of thoughts in me about our culture & our society...which has MADE me start to write a book. LOL.. I just couldn't/can't believe how conditioned we are how we're taught to hate ourselves. It makes me wonder about black women & who we are in our society, which I am now exploring. Nevertheless, I LOVE my natural nappy hair & Almost Everyone comments on how pretty it is now. I have never felt this pretty because I am 100% natural & I know this is the way God made me; & I know he made me beautiful inside & out. I don't need to buy anything to look good, all I do is wake up! (& sprits some water on my hair & pick it out...LOL)

Before

After the BiG ChOp

Oct. 08 (3 Months after)

Today (Mar. 1, 2009)