What is the big deal anyway? This natural hair thing? Many women consider the hair they grow out of their head to be natural. But then there is another explanation: chemical and weave or extension free, natural hair. This is a Big Deal!
Because of the many stereotypes of wome who choose to wear their naturally curly, or afro textured hair, it has been long frowned upon to accept a woman such as this in public, especially the work place. Women were thought to be dirty, unkempt, unprofessional or militant at the site of a large, fluffed out afro. It was intimidating and misunderstood time and again.
Down through the years, even African American women turned their noses up at the thought of living without chemical straighteners, until this new wave of technology has changed the perspective of what natural hair is and what it really means to an individual.
What IS natural hair today? Natural hair, is considered as hair that grows from the scalp, unaltered by any chemcial curl loosener, straightener or synthetic color. Natural hair can be fluffly, coily, kinky, wiry, soft, fine, wavy, puffy, or springy. The many ways we can describe natural hair is as many textures that are represented from head to head around the world. There are no 2 heads of hair alike, although there may be similarities when viewing photographs.
Although some bloggers may not be too keen or calling this natural hair thing a "movement", it truly is a shift from what natural beauty was and what now is. Even celebrities like Raven Symone, Kim Coles and Janet Jackson have chopped their straight tresses and removed waist-long weaves to reveal a head of waves, swirls, and twirls,all their own.
Women are moving toward a healthier lifestyle, incorporating exercise and changing their diets. They are embarking on journeys to remove toxins and hormone filled, processed foods from their system and along with that, often comes the decision to forego applying chemcials to their hair.
Even though the decision to do this has been often linked to the desire to live a healtheir lifestyle, the preparation for lopping off past the shoulder length, relaxed hair and walking around with soft tufts of coils is beyond the scope of their vision. Making the decision to do it and actually going through with it are two different things, and one choice can come much faster than the other. Therefore, it is very important to get educated before going through with the decision to go natural. It can be a shocking experience that can thrust the undereducated back into the cycle of straightening their hair with harsh, skin penetrable chemicals. Once enough research has be performed, the decision and the act of going natural is made easier.
There are many ways one can learn about going natural like searching web blogs, youtube and other social media tools. There are also many books available at local libraries and stores like Borders, which may have good deals now considering that they are now going out of business. You can also find ebooks online and radio shows to learn and discuss natural hair and attend meetups that are being held in various locations locally, and around the nation. On Thursday, August 4, 2011, Thekitchensalon.com will be hosting a Live Open Forum about Transitiong to Natural Hair and Doing The Big Chop (aka, The BC). From 9:00pm until 10:30pm, Thekitchensalon founder, Yasu, will be moderating the discussion as afronistas and curious ones will join together to talk about the process of going natural and to learn tips as to what to do after the Big Chop.
The Open Forum will allow people to ask questions about the process, the act of, the maintenance and the issues surrounding going natural and staying natural. It's a Haute Topic that even the inquisitive won't want to miss!
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