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imami

Fri May-11-01 06:07 PM

  
"Why go natural?"


          

Hey everyone! I tend not to start things, unless there is a big reason behind it. So, I am going to ask the question...

WHY GO NATURAL?

I just have to ask because there seems to be a trend for women to start going natural with their hair. Is this just a fad or do you women really have a reason for doing it that deals with what they want or their individuality? Are these women just trying to play out the Afrocentric stereotype or are they doing this for themselves? Now that "natural" is popular, everyone wants to do it. Are they as bad as anyone else who follows trends?

These are just some serious quesions I have on my mind for the simple fact that I believe numerous women today are going "natural" because they are trying to emulate Erykah Badu, Jill Scott or anyone else who created their own style.

And while I am on the subject, can somebody tell me what in the world is "natural"? Is it the way you look according to a stereotype or just being yourself? Think about it. Who makes the definitions of what is to be considered natural and what is considered fake.

To me a woman with "natural" hair, afrocentric clothing, or any stereotypical image of being afrocentric is fake if they do not know who they are and why they do the things they do. They are just followers.

Let me know what ya think!

Thanks...

  

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Topic Outline
Subject Author Message Date ID
RE: Why go natural?
May 11th 2001
1
Here, here!!
imami
May 11th 2001
3
get the eff outta here
May 13th 2001
21
      What the eff are you talking about?
imami
May 21st 2001
149
this goes for men as well
SheRise
May 11th 2001
7
RE: Why go natural?
Gods Vessel
May 11th 2001
2
RE: Why go natural?
imami
May 11th 2001
4
lmao...
May 12th 2001
15
In my head..
May 11th 2001
5
Absolutely...
imami
May 11th 2001
6
been "natural" before they came..
Inta galatiK
May 12th 2001
8
RE: Why go natural?
May 12th 2001
9
RE: Why go natural? x( x(
May 14th 2001
28
      WHOAH!!!!
May 14th 2001
55
      RE: WHOAH!!!!
May 16th 2001
81
           I dunno...
May 16th 2001
82
           RE: I dunno...
May 16th 2001
84
                felt.
May 16th 2001
85
           400 Years W/out A Comb
May 20th 2001
120
      true
May 18th 2001
114
           OH YESSSSSSSSSS!
May 18th 2001
115
why i wear my hair the way i do...
May 12th 2001
10
RE: Why go natural?
May 12th 2001
11
I disagree
May 14th 2001
40
      hmmm...
May 14th 2001
42
      The Ancient Egyptian Society
May 14th 2001
44
           oh ok...interesting n/m
May 14th 2001
48
      the energy
May 15th 2001
76
           RE: the energy
May 20th 2001
128
           RE: the energy
msmalele
May 20th 2001
133
Why go to relaxer?
May 12th 2001
12
RE: Why go natural?
May 12th 2001
13
Beautifully said, sista!!!! n/m
May 12th 2001
14
currently in transition...
May 12th 2001
16
man...this subject is so tired...
May 12th 2001
17
      yeah it is...
May 14th 2001
23
RE: Why go natural?
May 12th 2001
18
Why believe in outward appearance?
May 12th 2001
19
lmao
May 14th 2001
32
RE: Why go natural?
lusciousDivya
May 12th 2001
20
RE: Why go natural?
sweetgirl
May 13th 2001
22
Why are people so tired...
May 14th 2001
24
RE: Why are people so tired...
sweetgirl
May 14th 2001
53
      Pork
May 15th 2001
64
           RE: Pork
sweetgirl
May 15th 2001
70
soooo...if i have a natural hair do that means...
May 14th 2001
25
You have to take it as far as YOU
May 14th 2001
43
      i don't if you missed it but this was my exact point...n/m
May 14th 2001
51
Beyond Tha Surface
May 14th 2001
26
RE: Beyond Tha Surface
May 15th 2001
60
On being natural....
May 14th 2001
27
Kinda glad its a fad...
May 14th 2001
29
DITTO DITTO DITTO!!!!!!!!
May 14th 2001
30
RE: Why go natural?
May 14th 2001
31
why do u care???
May 14th 2001
33
I know , this is like
May 14th 2001
35
      it's rather reminiscent of...
May 14th 2001
57
           Scurvy?
May 15th 2001
65
                str8 detroit baby
May 20th 2001
134
                     OoookAAAAY....
May 21st 2001
139
I noticed that...
May 14th 2001
34
RE: I noticed that...
May 15th 2001
74
      RE: I noticed that...
May 16th 2001
90
      White people's perms
May 20th 2001
132
....
May 14th 2001
36
It's the TRYIN' that matters....
May 14th 2001
47
      RE: It's the TRYIN' that matters....
May 14th 2001
59
           tryin' to be lobsters
May 15th 2001
63
                RE: tryin' to be lobsters
May 15th 2001
73
                     RE: tryin' to be lobsters
May 15th 2001
75
RE: Why go natural?
May 14th 2001
37
Also...
May 14th 2001
39
RE: Why go natural?
dallas32
May 14th 2001
38
sum of these natural need perms..
May 14th 2001
45
      sounds like my mom
May 14th 2001
49
           Oh good GRIEF!!!!
May 15th 2001
66
                yeah, basically
May 15th 2001
72
RE: Why go natural?
kflow
May 14th 2001
41
Wow!
May 14th 2001
52
takin care of yo heads???...
May 14th 2001
58
RE: Why go natural?
May 14th 2001
46
real simple for me
May 14th 2001
50
RE: real simple for me
Reese2000
May 14th 2001
54
Courage
May 15th 2001
68
If U don't know....
May 15th 2001
67
RE: Why go natural?
brwnsknldy
May 14th 2001
56
RE: Why go natural?
May 15th 2001
61
Is it just the hair?
May 15th 2001
62
Amen-ra
May 15th 2001
69
Weaves are ghetto.
foul mouthed kid
May 15th 2001
71
OK
May 20th 2001
121
      RE: OK
foul mouthed kid
May 20th 2001
126
           P Diddy The Caboose
May 20th 2001
130
           that attitude
May 21st 2001
148
so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?
SheRise
May 15th 2001
77
RE: so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?
May 15th 2001
78
      RE: so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?
SheRise
May 15th 2001
79
           y'all seem to be
May 16th 2001
80
           RE: so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?
May 16th 2001
83
           PLEASE enlighten us.
May 20th 2001
131
Cultural Identity
revelations
May 16th 2001
86
RE: Cultural Identity
May 17th 2001
91
      I love the "BOOO"s...lol
May 17th 2001
92
      RE: Cultural Identity
revelations
May 17th 2001
93
      Erykah
May 22nd 2001
167
RE: Why go natural?
May 16th 2001
87
Long Lives The 'Fro!!!
Ylana
May 16th 2001
88
Lemme point out that...
alienated
May 16th 2001
89
Eye dunno...
Ylana
May 17th 2001
94
      RE: Eye dunno...
May 18th 2001
95
Haki Madhubuti
May 22nd 2001
173
      right on! (lol) n/m
Ylana
May 22nd 2001
175
I'm really trippin on this
May 18th 2001
96
RE: I'm really trippin on this
May 18th 2001
97
Chew on THIS!
Ylana
May 19th 2001
119
      RE: Chew on THIS!
May 21st 2001
145
           RE: Chew on THIS!
May 21st 2001
147
                excellent questions!
Ylana
May 21st 2001
162
Don't perm if you're pregnant
May 18th 2001
98
I've heard both sides...
May 18th 2001
99
Old wives tale
May 18th 2001
100
      You are advised not to perm when pregnant
May 18th 2001
101
      RE: You are advised not to perm when pregnant
May 18th 2001
104
           are you a doctor?
May 21st 2001
146
                I could be a orthopedic surgeon and....
May 21st 2001
151
                     its widely known in the black community
May 21st 2001
152
                          THIS INDIVIDUAL
utamaroho
May 21st 2001
153
                               so let her be...
utamaroho
May 21st 2001
154
      skin = absorbent
May 18th 2001
102
      GREAT INSIGHT!
utamaroho
May 18th 2001
103
      going natural
igneous12know
May 18th 2001
112
      RE: skin = absorbent
May 18th 2001
107
      RE: Old wives tale
Blakdeity
May 18th 2001
106
           RE: Old wives tale
May 18th 2001
108
                is your hair natural?
utamaroho
May 18th 2001
109
                     Does it really matter?
May 18th 2001
110
                          like i thought
utamaroho
May 18th 2001
111
                               RE: like i thought
May 21st 2001
140
                               RE: like i thought
May 21st 2001
143
                                    REALITY CHECK
utamaroho
May 21st 2001
144
                                         RE: REALITY CHECK
May 21st 2001
150
                                              WHOAH!!!!
May 21st 2001
155
                                                   i know...
utamaroho
May 21st 2001
159
                                                        Angrily.
May 22nd 2001
168
Why indeed?
utamaroho
May 18th 2001
105
RE: Why indeed?
utamaroho
May 18th 2001
113
      interesting u say this...
May 18th 2001
116
           I SEE WOMEN
utamaroho
May 18th 2001
117
                I feel you....
May 19th 2001
118
                     Dreadlocks
May 21st 2001
141
                          thanks for the info n/m
May 21st 2001
142
I wish it would catch on here
HeyYoGirl
May 20th 2001
122
wtf?!?
utamaroho
May 20th 2001
123
God Don't Make No Mistakes
HeyYoGirl
May 20th 2001
125
      RE: God Don't Make No Mistakes
May 20th 2001
135
Okay PLAYERS I've read all the posts -n- I got more to say
HeyYoGirl
May 20th 2001
124
      don't do this...
utamaroho
May 20th 2001
127
RE: Why go natural? My personal reasons for going au natural
msmalele
May 20th 2001
129
RE: Why go natural?
May 20th 2001
136
RE: Why go natural?
May 20th 2001
137
      to me it's all about the health of your hair....
coolpoet26
May 20th 2001
138
      I still need help
Reese2000
May 21st 2001
161
      lemme try...
Ylana
May 21st 2001
163
      sorry, no links n/m
Ylana
May 21st 2001
164
      some links...
May 22nd 2001
165
           On Transitioning....
May 22nd 2001
169
                I HAD to cut mine...
May 22nd 2001
171
      Which island?
May 22nd 2001
170
      I used 2
May 22nd 2001
172
anything you do is natural.....you are from nature.
May 21st 2001
156
GO TO HELL!!!
May 21st 2001
157
      Earth = Hell.
May 21st 2001
158
ive always been natural.....
May 21st 2001
160
RE: Why go natural?
May 22nd 2001
166
RE: Why go natural?
philiagoddess
May 22nd 2001
174
:oP
May 22nd 2001
176

KOONTZILLA
Charter member
652 posts
Fri May-11-01 07:04 PM

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1. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

I FEEL THAT "NATURAL" IS NOT A LOOK, BUT A WAY OF LIFE.... MOST WOMAN MAY DO THEIR HAIR "NATURAL" BECAUSE IT IS LOW-MAINTENANCE, BUT TURN AROUND AND DO OTHER "UNATURAL" THINGS...... YEAH, I THINK IT IS A FAD, CAUSE THE SAME ONES THAT SAID "THAT GIRL NEED A PERM" YESTERDAY, ARE THE ONES DOING THE "NATURAL" HAIR STYLE TODAY..... MOST PEOPLE ARE ZOMBIES TO T.V. THEY DO WHAT THEY SEE DONE ON T.V.

"Niggas mad cause Ibrags about the cash I got, but I'm used to not havin alot, I'm from the gutter and ohh..."-Jay-Z

"Expensive shoes worn, Loui Viton see-through gone, CoChes, my face is like a coupon..."Jay-Z

  

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imami

Fri May-11-01 07:27 PM

  
3. "Here, here!!"
In response to Reply # 1


          

That is so true! I met many women with "natural" hair styles and consider themselves "natural" and they smoke, drink, do drugs, litter, don't care about the environment, use other chemicals, judge others and don't know who they really are. It is a shame that most people model their dreams, fantasies, desires and future after television. It is so frustrating...But I have another question for you. Do you have any ideas of how we can take steps to change the paradigm or the social construct? Where do we start?

Thanks again for you opinions and thoughts!!

  

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paragon216
Charter member
5565 posts
Sun May-13-01 05:48 PM

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21. "get the eff outta here"
In response to Reply # 3


          

this is the sickest gripe i've ever heard...
why does one have to have an excuse to be one's self
the whole purpose of gettin the perm in the first place is to follow a european standard of beauty
i salute any woman who has the courage to go up against that kinda societal pressure
and for your information it's not a new phenomenon
maybe it just caught up to you
it's absoulutely nothing wrong with a woman emulating someone that looks like her...i suppose the alternative is gettin a weave, dyin her hair blonde and only then wuld she be thinking for herself

i say you've been hoodwinked
bamboozled
run amuck
and led astray

wtf?? how come if (and i'm not promoting the consumption of alcohol) i get an afro i gotta stop drinkin and join some pan africanist militia??



"fool, Hip-Hop is what I say it is" -- Saul Williams

  

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imami

Mon May-21-01 09:33 AM

  
149. "What the eff are you talking about?"
In response to Reply # 21


          

Now, I am truly confused about what you are saying. First you have a no problem with people emulating others but you call that being their true self. Can you explain what you are saying? How can you be true to yourself when you spend your time trying to be something you are not or do not understand? I do not believe that people with the "natural" image have to be all natural and not drink, smoke, or do drugs. Yet this is the image they are trying propetuate to everyone else. Most people that I have observed try to act that they are rightous than thou and do the most immoral and messed up stuff. All I am saying is don't look down on someone else because you believe that your beliefs are the right ones. I am not trying to judge anyone, I am just posing questions to get people to think about what they are REALLY saying. Hypocrites are everywhere... Are you one? Are you really the one bamboozeled or hoodwicked?

The only thing constant is change!!

  

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SheRise

Fri May-11-01 11:30 PM

  
7. "this goes for men as well"
In response to Reply # 1


          

...most men keep their hair natural because thats is whats in now...there was a time when men were getting processed because that was the style. There are still regions of the country where men with permed hair is consider sauve. Women are not "victems" of this alone. Be it that the majority of black males in my area have natural hair and women with natural hair are in the minority of that movement. I see more males doing unhealty thing with natural hair then women.
The point is anyone doing unheathly things or with nasty attitudes are wrong...the texture of your hair and sex have nothing to do with it.

Why would God have given you in life a questioning mind if not to hand to you in death the blinding answers!!!

AIM Carmel3494 say ure okp

  

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Gods Vessel

Fri May-11-01 07:26 PM

  
2. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

Peace

Oh it is definately a fad yall. believe that. The fact still remains though that most females follow fads. I mean look at clothing.....(lets not exclude males) the majority of peeps out there follow fads and 'wuts in'. This spiritual movement goin on is creating more positive fads and i mean, i like the fact that women are goin natural actually,,,it's just the mindstate of some of them that i dislike. for example:
one female i tried to build wit had dreadlocks, the cowrie shells, and a nice skirt. she was bangin and i thought from her physical that she defined the word "queen" but i wuz wrong.
-HOw you doin queen?
--queen??
-yeah, is that not what you are?
--uh...nu uh. no, chile, dont even try to spit that LAME game
-i mean, i was just complimentin you yo.
--wuteva, i aint even got no time to be laughin at no scrub..psssh. bye niga, i'm fen to go to the club and find me a paid niga

like WO
. i wasnt even tryin to approach the woman like that. but it was all 'gravy' wut i assumed to be an hourglass was actually a broke timex .. lol
peace
GV




If you miss one, you miss many, but if you reach one, you reach plenty. -me

I just wanna innovate, stimulate minds...travel the world and penetrate the times -common

The ghetto is mad hot, we steppin on flames -black thought


  

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imami

Fri May-11-01 07:33 PM

  
4. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 2


          

I have to agree this is a very positive fad to follow, but my problem lies in your example. How do we change the way people think about themselves? Grated the woman had dreads and appeared to knowledgeable, but she was very ignorant and misguided by the images society puts up to be desirable. And a question to you, are you any better than her? You assumed because she look "afrocentric" that she would have something on her mind, that's an overrated stereotype. Would you have appoached a woman with a relaxer with the same respect? Would you give all woman the same respect? You too are a victim of society... Thanks again for your opinions and thoughts!!

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Sat May-12-01 08:47 AM

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15. "lmao..."
In response to Reply # 2


  

          

>but it was
>all 'gravy' wut i assumed
>to be an hourglass was
>actually a broke timex ..
>lol

now THAT'S comedy

lol



~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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Sudani
Charter member
631 posts
Fri May-11-01 09:53 PM

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5. "In my head.."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          


when i went natural there was NO Erykah and NO Jill. when i went natural i was at a time in my life where i was very tired of looking in the mirror and being displeased by what i saw. my features did not fit my permed head, and no matter how many compliments i would get, deep inside i felt it was not me.

i looked at the pictures of my mom when she had her hair natural in the early 80's. she was quite beautiful and i look like her. to me, movies like School Daze and other things also were brought to my consiousness although it would not be until much later that i would be brave enough to do what i felt needed to be done.

while i had a perm i would hear things like," you got that GOOD hair" while my girl who was struggling to achieve that look, just felt bad, AND would have looked better, as every woman would, with the hair she was born with, not a red weave.

I began to wrap my hair in some african cloth my best friend had when she was in Burkina Faso(spelling?), West Africa. She taught me how to wrap it and i did so most of the time. the LAST time i permed my hair was graduation. By Thanksgiving my perm had grown out and i cut it off. i haven't gone back since and i don't care to. i am muslim so no one but my friends and fam see my hair anyway and that it how i like it. it was my choice, not a fad, and you can't see it anyway.

now, about judging people based upon thier outward appearance is erronious. i have run into many a chicken-head in "consious"(lol!) clothing, and many a consious woman with a perm. it is one thing to just BLAST an individual while crying that everyone should be pleased and secure with thier natural state, and another thing to show compassion and consider the amount of programming many people have gone through.

Reveal to people in a CARING way what you know and have come to realize about the mentality...that everyone in the world feels fine about thier features BUT black folks. Don't think that you are better, think that you have been SPARED and teach others that they might want to at least reconsider thier positions. if they remain with a perm, so be it, the outside does not ALWAYS reflect what is on the inside, and there is a 50/50 chance that this is the case.

should every individual with a perm be looked over? do you not want to be "seen" with a mate who has a perm? do you NOT have the capacity to bring a sister up into the realm of caring for her spirit, body, and mind? if you look everyone "unnatural" over then what Help are YOU? you ain't changin' a thang.

the turn in fashion is still a good fad to me. maybe this will lead to them researching other avenues for the health of thier spirit, mind, and body.

a long post, I know.

Peace,

Sudani

  

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imami

Fri May-11-01 10:08 PM

  
6. "Absolutely..."
In response to Reply # 5


          

I totally agree with you. I feel the same way. What you said was truly insightly and interesting. Thanks alot, it gave me more ideas about the situation.

Peace and blessings....

  

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Inta galatiK

Sat May-12-01 01:42 AM

  
8. "been "natural" before they came.."
In response to Reply # 0


          

if anythyn thys is my rootz, y do i want to
destroy a part of my culture by str8-ing my hair?
ur right about thys becoming a "fad" but i rather see
sistahz wif natural hair then permed onez.


i reallign to vomit lines and
regurgitate worthless mindz~Axis

Can start big fight as there dicks get heard now
OHHHHHOHHH PPPPPlease I have my man~dbell

ur killin my day
~

(JAH)myyn
...uh?


  

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Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Sat May-12-01 04:14 AM

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9. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

This is a brother's perspective, so I must admit I am not an expert in female hair. But isn't going natural just not chemically altering your hair? What could possibly be wrong with that, even if you were the most unconscious person around?

I feel like even if something is a fad, if it's good for the "followers" succumbing to it, that is positive. Is there harm in brushing your teeth if you do it only because everyone else does it? Extreme example, but you get my point. Even the part about Afrocentric clothing doesn't bother me in every way. It's already sad they don't know they're African, and maybe it is even sadder when they dress like they do know. But as trends go, consciousness is pretty preferable. If loving yourself is in, at least some people will go that extra step and actually love themselves. Would you rather ignorance was stylish?

  

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MISSMOE
Charter member
3091 posts
Mon May-14-01 05:02 AM

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28. "RE: Why go natural? x( x("
In response to Reply # 9


  

          

Why are we making such a big thing out of people going "natural?"
Do I wear my hair natural? Yes! Why, b/c I like it that way and it looks good. We need to stop assuming that those with a perm will fall for anything and that those natural will stand for a cause. If people are going natural simply to feel closer to those left behind in Africa that's fine but please note that hair weaving, make-up, dying, and different forms of hair relaxing started hundreds of years ago in Africa. I have worn my hair weaved, braided, permed, and wrapped. I have been respected in all forms simply b/c of the way I carry myself. From day one my parents and family taught me not only to respect myself but also to have knowledge of self. We need to look past hair and begin to educate eachother in the art of survival, success, and knowledge of self. If most Europeans have taken their style from Africans/African-Americans (hence: hair coloring, weaveing, tanning, etc.)and we label eachother as trying be more like Europeans then aren't we essentially trying to be more like ourselves?


"When the Revolution comes, Afros going to be trying to straighten their heads and straightened heads going to try to wear Afros"---The Last Poets


Wake up!!!!!!!!!- School Daze




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What would you do if you could not fail?

  

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Solarus
Charter member
3604 posts
Mon May-14-01 02:58 PM

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55. "WHOAH!!!!"
In response to Reply # 28


  

          


"If most Europeans have taken their style from Africans/African-Americans (hence: hair coloring, weaveing, tanning, etc.)and we label eachother as trying be more like Europeans then aren't we essentially trying to be more like ourselves?"

Are you serious?????

Come on now, that has to be one of the worst things (excuses) that I've ever heard.

But wait, I apologize for jumping to conclusions, this was a question...

So here's the answer:

NO.

PEace
Solarus

***Words of Wisdom***

"If it's not about NATIONBUILDING, it's not about ANYTHING."- Dr. John Henrik Clarke

"We are not the victims! We are just fighting forces that we cannot see!"-2001 Sankofa Conference

"You don't have the RIGHT to have free time from your children."-Kwame Agyei Akoto

"It is the worst feeling to hear the call of the drum and not be able to respond."-Solarus

On understanding Afrakan thought:
"it's like explaining astrophysics to a whino, the explanation can't be done like that. when people try to simplify it, they ask the other person to tailor the answers their cultural context. and trying to cater afrikan ideals to european understanding is a REAL sin."-utamaroho

____________________________
"the real pyramids were built with such precision that you can't slide a piece of paper between two 4,000 lb stones, and have shafts perfectly aligned so that you can see a tiny aperture through dozens of these mammoth blocks

  

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MISSMOE
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Wed May-16-01 03:30 AM

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81. "RE: WHOAH!!!!"
In response to Reply # 55


  

          

Well if you read and understood my entire response to the initial question you'd understand that the idea of natural vs anything else needs to be looked past. When white people get perms (to make their hair fuller)no one says they are trying to be black. The idea to educate are children and not make them feel bad b/c of the hair they have or b/c they have a perm but to get them to think about why they should get a perm vs keeping a natural. We need to educate and get others to understand what mentally has brought them to their current state.

how can we correct ourselves if we don't know who we are in the first place- Cee-lo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What would you do if you could not fail?

  

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LexM
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28342 posts
Wed May-16-01 04:00 AM

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82. "I dunno..."
In response to Reply # 81


  

          

> When white people
>get perms (to make their
>hair fuller)no one says they
>are trying to be black.

Maybe not in every situation, but if they are also getting (or want to get) collagen lip implants and tanning year round, that's suspect.

And have you ever noticed how curious white folks can be about black hair? I had some white folks fawn over my braids just recently. When I went to the Bahamas, white women were lining up to get their hair cornrowed. In college, at camp, everywhere. Seen Christina Aguilera lately?

I have a "everything-but-the-nose" theory. Black feautures are (secretly) desirable and attractive. Except for the nose. Nobody's rushing to devise surgery for that.


~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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MISSMOE
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3091 posts
Wed May-16-01 09:34 AM

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84. "RE: I dunno..."
In response to Reply # 82


  

          

you are so right. what i meant when i said that quote is that they do not use something like that to divide them. everytime we say my sister or brother is trying to dress white, talk white, act white, straighten our hair like whites, etc. the gap between us gets bigger and bigger. they feel they can do what ever they want to us to our culture simply b/c they still control both the politcal and financial power. in some instances we need to look past some of the issues like good hair vs bad hair, understand why we have such a mentality, teach our children to be proud whether kinky, straight, or wavy and educate in the game of survival and obtaining success in all realms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What would you do if you could not fail?

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Wed May-16-01 09:37 AM

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85. "felt."
In response to Reply # 84


  

          


~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Sun May-20-01 10:18 AM

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120. "400 Years W/out A Comb"
In response to Reply # 81


  

          

Is a movie which addresses this issue poignantly, and puts things in perspective for both adults AND children, who are equally as confused and ignorant about the whys and how-tos about Afrikan hair.


>The idea to educate are
>children and not make them
>feel bad b/c of the
>hair they have or b/c
>they have a perm but
>to get them to think
>about why they should get
>a perm vs keeping a
>natural.
> We need
>to educate and get others
>to understand what mentally has
>brought them to their current
>state.
>
>how can we correct ourselves if
>we don't know who we
>are in the first place-
>Cee-lo


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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earthsista
Charter member
4408 posts
Fri May-18-01 10:35 AM

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114. "true"
In response to Reply # 28


          

I cut my hair a month ago. Why? cause I was tied of trying to be something I ain't and dissatisfaction everytime I looked into the mirror, so off it went

I feel sooo great, It's the best thing I've ever done for myself because it's who I am and all it say's is " this is ME," almost like rediscovering yourself.

E

~sig~
When ppl show you who they are- BELIEVE them. ~Maya Angelou

  

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somoney
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2247 posts
Fri May-18-01 11:01 AM

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115. "OH YESSSSSSSSSS!"
In response to Reply # 114


  

          

man, i cut my hair off my senior year of college because ONE i was tired of chicks saying my permed hair was a weave TWO perms had given me severe dandruff and THREE i was going through some personal ish and needed to "cleanse" in some way. but those same chicks and "the naturals" were hating like i must have a texturizer because there is no way my hair is so curly. GENETICS MAN!

when i came to nyc to go to grad school, i permed my hair again because people were approaching me with some "my sista" ish handing me flyers to poetry readings like i was down just because of my hair. it sucked. i had to separate myself again. two years ago, i was messing with this guy who follows the teachings of dr. york and he bugged me about not getting a perm. so i cut my hair off and cut him off.

now, i don't straighten my hair because ONE my hair is cool like it is TWO it is too expensive to keep up with perms and trendy styles THREE i like to mess with people's minds on the passive aggressive tip. so having people trying to "figure me out" is key.

_______

"you came and opened me, now there's so much more i see" stevie wonder verse / that's what friends are for

"...sell crazy somewhere else, lady. we're all stocked up here." jack nicholson line / as good as it gets

"it took a while to get me here and i'm gonna take my time" gwen stefani / eve's -let me blow your mind-

  

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morpheme
Charter member
94867 posts
Sat May-12-01 04:58 AM

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10. "why i wear my hair the way i do..."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

frankly...is no one's business

u can {as an observer} choose to qualify what u think my reasons are based upon what appear to be current trends...have a heartfelt desire to "know"...feel as tho {still as an observer} that u are justified in correlatin my hairdo to my behaviour...but really...it's none of ur business






may oui it's prince!!!_____________
tell me baby...are we here alone???
~when we're dancin close & slow



don't slap me...i'm not in the mood
~bernadette cooper










































































































































































_____________
Kamikaze Genes
____________♌♀
goddess; small g.

  

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Brooklynite
Charter member
1087 posts
Sat May-12-01 05:25 AM

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11. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I definitely think that for some heads it's a fad. For others it's a change of hair style and just an attempt to try something new. I did the natural thing for a minute because i wanted a change of hair style and i permed my hair again, because once again i wanted a change of hairstyle. I think that if you're going "natural" for a genuine reason then i'm all for it. If you're going "natural" but yet you walk around toting a whole bunch of phony rhetoric and waving your finger in other sista's faces (this goes for the fellas too) telling them how "brain washed" they are because they wear a weave or perm their hair, then you need to get the fuck off of the soap box you're riding on. Hair is just some shit sittin on top your head, what's in your head is what's really poppin.

My .10

Peace

Black women have a motto "We Don't Give A Fuck" - Monique

((((( The Sig )))))
One year as a resident, deep in sentiment, they shout out GO BROOKLYN!! They representin it - Dante Smith (Brook doesn't do stage names).

I do this for the borough - me (eff that, Cam bit my steeze).

I'M A GIRL GOT DAMN !!! (now

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Mon May-14-01 08:33 AM

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40. "I disagree"
In response to Reply # 11


  

          

Hair follicles are ALIVE, and have nerve sensory endings in them Non-chemicalized hair(particularly locs) carry Spirit Energy in them. Hair on humans' heads is like antennas. One becomes much more perceptive psychically with natural hair. That is for those who open themselves up to that mindstate in the the first place.


Hair is
>just some shit sittin on
>top your head, what's in
>your head is what's really
>poppin.
>
>My .10
>
>Peace
>
>Black women have a motto "We
>Don't Give A Fuck" -
>Monique


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Mon May-14-01 08:42 AM

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42. "hmmm..."
In response to Reply # 40


  

          

>Hair follicles are ALIVE, and have
>nerve sensory endings in them
>Non-chemicalized hair(particularly locs) carry Spirit
>Energy in them. Hair on
>humans' heads is like antennas.
>One becomes much more perceptive
>psychically with natural hair. That
>is for those who open
>themselves up to that mindstate
>in the the first place.

where does that theory/belief system come from? Is it culture specific, or just general knowledge? I've heard it said, but never found the source of the statement.



~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Mon May-14-01 08:52 AM

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44. "The Ancient Egyptian Society"
In response to Reply # 42


  

          

>of KMT. There is a loctitian in the ATL who has the whole history about hair, and tells the(our) story from a metaphysical level. She is writing a book about it RIGHT now.





>Hair follicles are ALIVE, and have
>>nerve sensory endings in them
>>Non-chemicalized hair(particularly locs) carry Spirit
>>Energy in them. Hair on
>>humans' heads is like antennas.
>>One becomes much more perceptive
>>psychically with natural hair. That
>>is for those who open
>>themselves up to that mindstate
>>in the the first place.
>
>where does that theory/belief system come
>from? Is it culture specific,
>or just general knowledge? I've
>heard it said, but never
>found the source of the
>statement.
>
>
>
>~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
>carameldom@hotmail.com
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
>(((oh yeah...do us a favor &
>vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))
>
>"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like
>slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who
>got the flyest chains"
>~~Talib Kweli
>
>"you can't fool me! I'm too
>stupid!" (c) a random warner
>bros. cartoon character


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Mon May-14-01 09:04 AM

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48. "oh ok...interesting n/m"
In response to Reply # 44


  

          

~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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kec
Charter member
24829 posts
Tue May-15-01 02:56 PM

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76. "the energy"
In response to Reply # 40


          

hair whether relaxed or non relaxed holds energy sweetheart. it has nuthing to do with your hair being locked. your hair still grows and holds static etc....a perm and other forms of chemical cannot stop your natural hair from coming through..which is why u have to continously relax new growth or color etc. so i kinda hate when ppl start to spit how locs hold energy like on the real hair in general...how do u think your hair grows..when u stressed it breaks off, poor diet same thing...etc etc...



oNe
~kEc~
change is inevitable

http://illkec.wordpress.com/

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Sun May-20-01 12:36 PM

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128. "RE: the energy"
In response to Reply # 76


  

          

Permed and colored hair is DEAD, and cannot pick up things(energy) from the environment like natural hair does. I can attest to that with my own hair experience. True, new growh is alive, and carries Energy(static, or whatever else U choose 2 call it). Locs will even serve as antennas if one chooses 2 pay attention 2 when they stand up(alerting danger, or caution of some sort), and when they lay down.


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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msmalele

Sun May-20-01 05:45 PM

  
133. "RE: the energy"
In response to Reply # 76


          

Relaxed hair is too CHEMICALIZED to hold energy. Not unless you're referring to those big ol' sores one gets all over the head. :O

  

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Ailyha
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826 posts
Sat May-12-01 05:55 AM

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12. "Why go to relaxer?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

Well, I went "natural" with my afro is because the relaxers were taking my hair out. Since growing it out with nap and kink, it is less of a bother and it is less maintenance. I did it for personal reasons and I just wanted to see how I looked in a fro. Growing up, I saw my parents with fros and they were all militant and ish. I've grown up just the same, out being active with a cause. When I cut my hair off, Black folks were trippin but I don't buy into what they have to say. It's my hair, and its a little liberating to break away from the norm.
Relaxers just aren't for me.
peace
a

Please, just hurt my feelings a lil fuckin' more, okaybastard?

"All this racial idealism bothers me, because no one wants to keep it real! Wrote a poem about it, here it go..." - Spicy Mic Night 2001

If we had to depend on Black folks to support us, we'd starve to death - a paraphrase from mo' betta blues or some spike lee joint...

Anybody remember those black drat commercials?

Just call me Big Horny. Yeah, that's right!

All these mugmuckin' haters, got to shake dem off!

Serenity Now, Serenity Now! - Jerry Stiller

My Blog. Swing Phi Swing
http://swingbigphi.blogspot.com

My Mommy Blog. The Bourgie Baby
http://bourgiebaby.blogspot.com

"I bitch! Yooouuu Mooooaaaan....So I try another tactic..." --Jill Scott

  

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Nettrice
Charter member
61747 posts
Sat May-12-01 08:08 AM

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13. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

>WHY GO NATURAL?

Now doesn't that sound weird? Go natural. We were born natural, our hair was natural from the start, so what does going natural really mean?

Personally, I have been "natural" for eleven years. When I was a child my hair was pressed and permed. As a teen I had a "carefree" curl and in college I had a friend shave my processed hair off. Why? Because it made no sense for me to put chemicals in my hair. Then, I grew with my hair, learned to love my textures and I learned to twist and braid my hair. It has been a decade-long love affair with my natural hair.

When I first shaved off the processed hair, my relatives were shocked. My aunt said it was ugly. But that was down south. I lived in New York City, so I didn't stick out. It was not a fad and since I have braiding/styling skills, I was always able to do my "do" like no one else. I am always styling my hair in ways that no one else does and that makes me feel like an individual.

Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and others have hair that looks like my hair. The fact that they were their hair natural speaks to their creative and individual selves. I am sure this has inspired many Black woman to go back to natural. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

What's even more beautiful are the Black girls inspired to forego perms to express their individuality because they have seen other women they respect doing it. That's like passing our heritage and legacy along to the next generation.

It can start with hair and then with how one values themselves as a whole.



"Know thyself"

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you". So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
-- Hebrews 13:5,6

"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path"
--Morpheus in "The Matrix"

"It's our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"- Dumbledore to Harry Potter "Chamber of Secrets"

<--- Blame this lady for Nutty.

  

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Ailyha
Charter member
826 posts
Sat May-12-01 08:25 AM

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14. "Beautifully said, sista!!!! n/m"
In response to Reply # 13


  

          

Please, just hurt my feelings a lil fuckin' more, okaybastard?

"All this racial idealism bothers me, because no one wants to keep it real! Wrote a poem about it, here it go..." - Spicy Mic Night 2001

If we had to depend on Black folks to support us, we'd starve to death - a paraphrase from mo' betta blues or some spike lee joint...

Anybody remember those black drat commercials?

Just call me Big Horny. Yeah, that's right!

All these mugmuckin' haters, got to shake dem off!

Serenity Now, Serenity Now! - Jerry Stiller

My Blog. Swing Phi Swing
http://swingbigphi.blogspot.com

My Mommy Blog. The Bourgie Baby
http://bourgiebaby.blogspot.com

"I bitch! Yooouuu Mooooaaaan....So I try another tactic..." --Jill Scott

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Sat May-12-01 09:00 AM

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16. "currently in transition..."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I can say that, for me, it is not a fad. The more I grew mentally and spiritually, the more I wanted my hair back. Plain & simple. My diet & outlook on life is also undergoing a gradual change. I didn't decide on this overnight, and I've tried before & given up.

I haven't permed my hair since August. I'm trying to keep it braided until the "inbetween" phase passes.

I agree w/ everyone who was saying that it's important not to diss permed/texturized/weaved sistas. There are very few of us that have had afros and kinks our whole lives. Most of us have had to make the transition in one way or another.

Bottom line is, I'm still the person I always was, perm or not. What's really sad is that people who may not have looked at/respected me before probably will once they see me w/ some twists in my head.



~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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lightyeargroover
Charter member
2493 posts
Sat May-12-01 09:53 AM

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17. "man...this subject is so tired..."
In response to Reply # 16


          

do what you want with your hair...if you're concerned with the meaning behind it, then maybe you're the one that needs to look within yourself-rather than what someone else is doing.

i'll shave it
i'll braid my hair
i'll perm it
i'll add extensions
i'll dye it
i'll let it go natural
i'll loc it

it's my muh'funkin' hair and i'll do whatever the hell i feel like with it. How can you judge someone on their hair style? YOU'RE OVER IT ALREADY.

"i'm the one who's got to die, when it's my time to die. So let me live my life...the way I want to."-Hendrix

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Mon May-14-01 02:40 AM

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23. "yeah it is..."
In response to Reply # 17


  

          

but I figured the author asked for a reason, so I responded...

but just out of curiosity...are u a man or a woman? sometimes it's easier for men to say "get over it" than it is for women to actually do just that.

feel me?


~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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cued
Charter member
1748 posts
Sat May-12-01 10:00 AM

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18. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

First off, I'm a male.

Second off, I'm not here to bash... but to discuss.

Many of you have touched on this, but seriously, men are affected by this, too. I mean, we all know _why_ perms, but we don't really talk about it. How perms are related to age-old self-hate towards our naturally curly hair in a white society afraid of difference, afraid of anyone who doesn't look like them and while we can't change our skin color... we can change our hair...

All of us are affected by this. I remember watching my family (of women) straightening and perming their hair every Sunday. I must admit, this is linked to some of my most content memories... and also some of my worst because they got to come together and bond over their hair... what did I get, besides being a voyeur? I got to go to a barber shop... believe me when I say that doesn't compare.

I started... putting chemicals... in my hair as soon as I could argue sufficiently to my mama that I should. For more "managable" hair, for hair the "girls would want to touch." And although I'm gay, don't think that didn't mean when I was younger. I wanted girls to touch my hair and tell me I had that "good stuff". I just realized... how the two go hand in hand...

Anyway, I have finally cut all that nonsense out and I am trying to just grow it out because it doesn't feel right to have short hair anymore. It seems.. short hair... the badge of a boy and I'm no boy, but a man.

Finally, to be free from coloring, perms, relaxers, Dukes... I have found that the beast I thought of as my hair isn't so scary after all. In fact, I really like it, even more than when I was locking it and dying it so that it would have red tips (this didn't work anyway and I am glad it didn't... my hair wasn't ready... maybe it will be this go around, but I am not thinking fashion, but thinking me... loving and liking me... for all that I am... nappy hair and all). It looks good. It frames my face best. And it thanks me for taking care of it by making me pause in the mirror for a second look... I didn't know I looked so good. Really, I didn't.

I talk to the women here and listen in whenever they are talking about hair to learn a little more about my own.

Another reason to go natural...

my mother's hair is falling out. I am certain that it is from the years of perms. She has this pockets of pus on her hair and is using $200 medicated shampoo. Out of concern for her, I told her that she should go natural. She looked at me (and my mom is not an old woman... she's 41) and said, "I want you to ask your sisters (on my Dad's side) and your girlfriends to go natural and see what they say. Then after they curse you out, come back so that I might finish."

Her hair is falling out, y'all. And she still can't break her chains.

I think it has less to do with being afrocentric and more to do with our unique history as Afro-Americans -- that slavery histroy we so like to ignore. So when I see a sister with her hair natural, and fellas with their's natural, inside, I feel a tiny flame flare and I think of my own hair and the many taboos that surround it (especially when job hunting and I know that I should have the short, well-kempt style white America likes on good black boys) and know that I am on my way towards breaking some of this down and showing my Ancestors how I am learning for their myriad examples.

Peace,

Q


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^*********^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Uplifting thoughts:

"We are the end result of our ancestors prayers as they died. We you are the sum total of their answered prayers."

"I am because we are; we are because I am."

"falling in love with somebody's soul...their essence their personality their walk their talk the way they speak and smile...no matter what the physical outer body is..male or female...is a temptation i hope i am never foolish enough to resist." - Hot Damali



____________


"When the revolution comes, "faggots" won't be so funny." - The Last Poets

** Most people mis-read this line. I don't think he is being homophobic. I think he's making sure you folks know, within our communities, those of you who laugh at

  

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Solitayre
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8114 posts
Sat May-12-01 11:59 AM

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19. "Why believe in outward appearance?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I know MAAD heads with dreads who hustle hard and NEVER refer to women as "queens", or even "sistahs".

Then again I know mad deep cats who rock ice with something to say on global politics...

I even seen a girl with a fro that was actually proud to have her hand around a man that said he was pimpin her and her friend, chick just cheesin hard...
"I luv you boop boop."

Whassup with "natural" chickenheads, ya'll be approaching with all that queen nonsense.

Stop believing what you see...

i even seen this big gul with her afro cut bald in the back discussing getting played by a nigga for her sex, in th terms of love. AIN'T no love.

_____________________________________________
DOWNLOAD THE HELLO EP Spit by yours truly!
http://www.zshare.net/download/80520753aae60df7/
Just a PSA

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Mon May-14-01 05:41 AM

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32. "lmao"
In response to Reply # 19


  

          

oh so true...

but my question is, why does everyone assume (or why is everyone assuming that people assume...follow?) that appearance = attitude??

granted, people are going to categorize in some way/shape/form. It's a psychological phenomenon; how we make sense of the world.

still, nobody ever told me (nor did I feel) that every sista w/ a natural/dreads/headwrap was "deep." Nor did I consider myself "selling out" because I had a perm.

*shrug* I'm confused...


~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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lusciousDivya

Sat May-12-01 12:21 PM

  
20. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

natural is being yourself. that should answer the question. i cant even begin to count the numerous times someone has judged me based on my appearance. it is ridiculous. going natural is one of the more positive trends, but then again, trends are (usually) merely physical, external. we have choices on how we want to live, and we make these choices to our liking. i have the choice on whether or not i want cotton candy pink hair, and others have the choice on whether or not they will respect me. if i did dye my hair, it isnt out of self hate, but out of the wanting to do something weird. being natural is being yourself, respecting youself; if others dont respect who you are then....

  

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sweetgirl

Sun May-13-01 06:30 PM

  
22. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 20


          

Everytime this topic comes up I cringe...Why do we always have to justify our hair? I wear dreads, and now there are all types of people trying to test my blackness.
Everyday we learn more about ourselves, and wearing Afrocentric styles is a good first step...following other natural women is better than ruining your hair to look like the European ideal.

  

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Nettrice
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61747 posts
Mon May-14-01 04:03 AM

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24. "Why are people so tired..."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

...of people discussing what it takes to be natural (or free) in the society we live in. People love to go on and on about how other people are living, what people are doing to us or others and why we live the way we do (as Black people). Seems to me that being natural is a step towards getting free from the crap that keeps us down and we need to get open about it, as often as possible.

Being natural is more than a hairstyle. It's part of a lifestyle and I think that it's fair to say that people half-step by going natural with hair without changing their lifestlye.

Before I even cut off my processed hair I was a non-smoking, non-drinking, baby vegetarian. I decided that I could never get free by doing what my folks were doing so I took another path. Keeping my hair natural was a logical next step.

Hey, I'll never get tired about being natural and sharing with others what I have experienced (if they want to know). In fact, it's suspect why people are so tired of talking about it.


"Know thyself"

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you". So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
-- Hebrews 13:5,6

"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path"
--Morpheus in "The Matrix"

"It's our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"- Dumbledore to Harry Potter "Chamber of Secrets"

<--- Blame this lady for Nutty.

  

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sweetgirl

Mon May-14-01 10:52 AM

  
53. "RE: Why are people so tired..."
In response to Reply # 24


          

I'm only tired of being prejudged, people walking up to me making assumptions about my beliefs, my diet, etc...that is suspect. I seldom get to converse about the beauties of nappy hair, I usually have to defend myself and show that I'm not being self-righteous.
And, if I eat pork, am I a fake natural? Does being vegan make you a better or holier natural? Who cares?? I'm not looking to be judged or labeled by any man.

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:21 AM

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64. "Pork"
In response to Reply # 53


  

          

Eating pork with unpermed hair does NOT mean U are natural. It just means U wear u're hair natural. I've seen men with locs in the club drinking. Does that mean THEY are natural? No. It just means they are Brothahs with locs. for some, it is just a hairstyle. Nothing deeper than that.



"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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sweetgirl

Tue May-15-01 09:46 AM

  
70. "RE: Pork"
In response to Reply # 64


          

EXAAAACCTLY!!!

  

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Divine Sheba
Charter member
16971 posts
Mon May-14-01 04:10 AM

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25. "soooo...if i have a natural hair do that means..."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I have to burn incense, rock earth tones and eat nuts & berries?? that's bullshit...I rock my hair natural because that's the way god intended it to be that has no connection to the way I dress or think and it shouldn't...I know plenty of women with perms and what have you that are vegens, don't smoke, drink, etc...their hair has nothing to do with their lifestyle...nor does my hair have anything to do with mine other than I was born this way, it looks beautiful, and that's the way I like it...(rambling) I rock jordan's, polo and guess jeans, would I be seen as a perpatrater of the "Natural" lifestyle?? or am I just a girl who likes the way God intended her hair to be AND likes the latest fashions (and eats meat, and drinks on occasion, and never burned incense a day in her life)?? I'll take the latter, thank you...peace

---Real Sheba Quotes---

"fuck y'all, i'm soulful" (c) Binlahab

"If truth shall be my companion through the FAH-LAAAMES!!!...then so be it..." (c) Jade (Vanessa Williams "Cosby Show")

"Arrest him!! for impersonating a man!" (c) Jade

"...u just can't be any ol kinda way doin any ol kinda thing & be like "RESPECT ME NIGGA...I'M A QUEEN!!!" (c) Morpheme

MYRIAM NSALU VITA LUYEYE
Feb. 8, 1959-Jan. 14, 2001
"Everything I do is a monument to you and your memory..."

AIM: AFROdite529

okayoungins- giving you true youthful musical wisdom since 2000.


throwback.

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Mon May-14-01 08:50 AM

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43. "You have to take it as far as YOU"
In response to Reply # 25


  

          

can comfortably take it. If you are a TommyGirl, or whomever, then yes, you would not qualify to be a Natural Girl. You are a Sistah with Natural hair is all. If that is who you need to be, then be that person! This is not a contest people. Everyone is not extremist enough to go around burning incense and candles. I praise those who are, and accept and embrace those who arent. That's what being in the family known as the Black community is all about.


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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Divine Sheba
Charter member
16971 posts
Mon May-14-01 10:02 AM

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51. "i don't if you missed it but this was my exact point...n/m"
In response to Reply # 43


  

          

---Real Sheba Quotes---

"fuck y'all, i'm soulful" (c) Binlahab

"If truth shall be my companion through the FAH-LAAAMES!!!...then so be it..." (c) Jade (Vanessa Williams "Cosby Show")

"Arrest him!! for impersonating a man!" (c) Jade

"...u just can't be any ol kinda way doin any ol kinda thing & be like "RESPECT ME NIGGA...I'M A QUEEN!!!" (c) Morpheme

MYRIAM NSALU VITA LUYEYE
Feb. 8, 1959-Jan. 14, 2001
"Everything I do is a monument to you and your memory..."

AIM: AFROdite529

okayoungins- giving you true youthful musical wisdom since 2000.


throwback.

  

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HashimAbdulKhaliq
Charter member
751 posts
Mon May-14-01 04:46 AM

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26. "Beyond Tha Surface"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

This is a Ill subject.

My take on all this is the fact that "WE" put too much into looking at whats done outward. We are too concerned with how a person looks, how they dress, and even the the way they talk.

This makes it easy for a person to look a part and fool others. My question is: Just because a woman wears a afro does that mean that she has to be positive?

What warrants the positive behavior?

The challenge is to clean yourself inside. Would you drink from a glass that you know is clean on the outside and dirty on the inside? I wouldnt. Would you investigate the inside of the glass before you drink it ?

My advice is to look beyond the surface of people and situations.
My advice is to also clean yourself up inside. Cleaning up your appearance is easy.

One example of apperance is COMMON. He wears Kufi's. I'm a muslim so I wear kufi's too. Now people say that I'm trying to be like Common. I've been wearing Kufi's since I became Muslim in 1992. People also think that Common is now Muslim. They thought the same thing when Erykah Badu first came out. To my knowledge neither of them are Muslim. Many Muslims are offended by this. If you ask me the first steps to positivity or consciousness is done in actions and deeds done in public or private. True consciousness is GOD-consciousness. Allah(GOD) created us so who better to learn from about us then from All-mighty god Allah. This is the BEST way to obtain knowledge of self. Then whats inside is naturally displayed outward.

You can rock a Afro, beeds, kente cloth, kufi's, khimars.....whatever. This means nothin if you dont clean up inside.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenship
into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword.

It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind.
And w

  

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Sudani
Charter member
631 posts
Tue May-15-01 02:29 AM

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60. "RE: Beyond Tha Surface"
In response to Reply # 26


  

          

We R ---->here<----

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Mon May-14-01 04:50 AM

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27. "On being natural...."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

>Hey everyone! HEY YOURSELF. I tend not to
>start things, unless there is
>a big reason behind it.SO WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR "THIS" POST? OH, YOU STATE THAT BELOW, SO I'M COMPLY WITH YOUR REQUEST FOR ANSWERS:
>So, I am going to
>ask the question...
>
>WHY GO NATURAL? EVERY PERSON HAS THEIR OWN REASONS FOR DOING SO. I'LL JUST SHARE MINE.
>
>I just have to ask because
>there seems to be a
>trend for women to start
>going natural with their hair.FOR SOME IT IS JUST A TREND, FOR OTHERS, IT IS A LIFESTYLE.
>Is this just a fad
>or do you women really
>have a reason for doing
>it that deals with what
>they want or their individuality?IN MY CASE, IT HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT, AND I CHOSE TO STICK WITH IT. MY HAIR WAS DAMAGED FROM WEARING EXTENSIONS TOO LONG, AND IT WAS TOO WEAK TO HOLD MORE EXTENSIONS, AND MY SCALP WAS TOO RAW FROM PULLING THE EXTENSIONS(AND SOME OF MY HAIR) OUT. SO I HAD TO WEAR MY HAIR, FOR SIX MONTHS, WITH NO TOUCH-UP, AND NO EXTENSIONS. I WAS TERRIFIED. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I'D DO WITH MY HAIR. SO I PLAITED IT. I WORE IT WRAPPED ALOT. I EXPERIMENTED WITH CORNROW STYLES. IT GREW OUT SOME, WITH ABOUT FOUR INCHES OF PERMED HAIR ON THE ENDS. IT LOOKED FUNNY. I GOT TIRED OF WEARING HATS OR HEADWRAPS ALL THE TIME THOUGH, SO I JUST STARTING WEARING IT WITH THE HALF-PERMED, HALF NATURAL PLAITS. I WAS MADE FUN OF BY FRIENDS, BUT I LEARNED NOT TO CARE. ONCE MY SIX-MONTH (GROWTH) PERIOD WAS UP, AND I COULD GET A PERM IF I WANTED TO, I NO LONGER WANTED TO. I LIKE MY HAIR WITH NO PERM IN IT. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED MY HAIR WITH NO STRAIGHTENER IN IT OF "SOME" FASHION BEFORE. MY MOTHER STARTED RELAXING MY HAIR WHEN I WAS EIGHT. BEFORE THAT, IT WAS STRAIGHTENED WITH A STRAIGHTENING COMB EVERY SUNDAY, WHICH WAS NIGHTMARISH.
>Are these women just trying
>to play out the Afrocentric
>stereotype or are they doing
>this for themselves? I AM AFRI-CENTRIC, AND I AM MOST DEFINITELY NOT TRYING TO FIT SOME "STEREOTYPE". I AM NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT. AFRI-CENTRICITY IS A WAY OF THINKING, A LIFESTYLE. IS "THAT" WHAT YOU ARE NAMING "STEREOTYPE"?
Now that
>"natural" is popular, everyone wants
>to do it.NOT TRUE. I AM THE ONLY ONE OUT OF MY FRIENDS WITH NATURAL HAIR. GOING NATURAL IS AN OUTGROWTH OF WHO YOU ARE, AND SEEING SOMEONE ELSE DO IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU WANT TO DO IT, UNLESS YOUR SPIRIT WAS ALREADY "SPEAKING" TO YOU TO DO IT ANYWAY. Are they
>as bad as anyone else
>who follows trends? AGAIN, I DID NOT GO NATURAL BECAUSE OF ANY TREND, BUT IF BEING WHO ONE REALLY IS IS A TREND SOMEONE FOLLOWS, THAT IS A LOT BETTER THAN FOLLOW A TREND WHICH EXHIBITS SELF-HATRED, LIKE COLORED CONTACTS, BLEACHED HAIR, SURGICAL ENHANCEMENTS, ETC.
>
>These are just some serious quesions
>I have on my mind
>for the simple fact that
>I believe numerous women today
>are going "natural" because they
>are trying to emulate Erykah
>Badu, Jill Scott or anyone
>else who created their own
>style. SO WHAT? THEY ARE GREAT WOMEN TO BE EMULATED. IF THOSE SISTAHS ARE INSPIRING OTHER SISTAHS TO STOP PERMING THEIR HAIR, AND TO NOT FEEL THE NEED TO SHOW THEIR BODIES IN ORDER TO ATTRACT A MAN, SO BE IT! HOPEFULLY, BY DOING SO THEY WILL BE LEAD ON A PATH OF SELF-INTROSPECTION WHEREBY THEY EVENTUALLY DEVELOP THEIR OWN "STYLE", AND NO LONGER NEED TO EMULATE ANYONE ELSE. GOING NATURAL IS "ALWAYS" A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TOWARDS MENTAL FREEDOM, AND LETTING GO OF THE NEED FOR OTHERS TO APPROVE OF YOUR APPEARANCE.
>
>And while I am on the
>subject, can somebody tell me
>what in the world is
>"natural"? HAVING "NO" CHEMICALS IN THE HAIR. WEARING LITTLE OR NO MAKE-UP. EATING A STRICT VEGETARIAN DIET, FREE OF CHEMICALIZED OR PROCESSED FOODS. WEARING CLOTHES MADE OF NATURAL FIBERS. MAKING LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT ARE EARTH FRIENDLY, SUCH AS COMPOSTING(IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN BACK YARD). NO SYNTHETIC NAILS, AND CONTACTS. JUST PRESENTING YOURSELF TO THE WORLD JUST LIKE GOD MADE YOU, AND ENHANCING THAT PACKAGE WITH OILS, OR HAIR HIGHLIGHTS THAT ARE OF THE EARTH(LIKE CLAY AND HENNA FOR HAIR DYE, INSTEAD OF CHEMICAL DYES). Is it the way
>you look according to a
>stereotype or just being yourself?IN MY CASE, IT WAS A WAY FOR ME TO BE WHO I REALLY AM, LIKE ME, OR NOT.
>Think about it. Who makes
>the definitions of what is
>to be considered natural and
>what is considered fake. WE AS WOMEN KNOW IF OUR HAIR IS PERMED OR CHEMICALLY DYED, IF OUR NAILS ARE FAKE, OR IF OUR EYES ARE REALLY GREEN. ALL OF THAT IS FAKE. MANY SISTAHS FEEL THEY NEED SUCH ENHANCEMENTS TO BE ATTRACTIVE TO MEN, OR TO LOOK MORE EUROPEAN, SINCE THAT IS THE STANDARD OF BEAUTY OF MAINSTREAM CULTURE. OTHER SISTAHS HAVE RELEASED THE NEED TO APPEAR ACCEPTABLE TO BLACK MEN BY LOOKING LESS BLACK, AND HAVE DECIDED TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE WITHOUT CHEMICALLY ENHANCING OURSELVES, OR LIMITING THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE DO SO. FOR ME, THAT HAS BEEN A MENTALLY, AND PHYSICALLY LIBERATING EXPERIENCE. HAS IT TURNED BLACK MEN OFF? SOME. SOME FIND IT BEAUTIFUL. EITHER WAY IS FINE WITH ME, BECAUSE I DID NOT DO IT WITH MEN IN MIND. MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT IF I STOPPED PERMING MY HAIR, I'D NEVER GET A MAN. THAT HAS TURNED OUT TO BE UNTRUE. EVEN IF IT "WAS" TRUE THOUGH, IT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED MY DECISION TO STOP PERMING MY HAIR. I HAD A NEED TO BE WHO I AM REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE ELSE THOUGHT, AND THAT INCLUDED BEING NATURAL. I PERSONALLY WILL WEAR MAKE-UP EVERY NOW AND AGAIN. MY HAIR IS HIGHLIGHTED WITH CHEMICAL DYE(WHICH I "DON'T" RECOMMEND BTW). I WEAR LEATHER, WHICH SOME SAY IS NOT TRUE TO A VEGAN/NATURAL LIFESTYLE. BUT EVERYONE HAS TO MAKE CHOICES ACCORDING TO WHAT WORKS FOR THEM, NOT BECAUSE SOME DOCTRINE SAYS THEY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO IT.
>
>To me a woman with "natural"
>hair, afrocentric clothing, or any
>stereotypical image of being afrocentric
>is fake if they do
>not know who they are
>and why they do the
>things they do. They are
>just followers. MAYBE ONE NEEDS A LEADER INTO A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIVING UNTIL ONE FINDS THEIR "OWN" PATH. WHAT IS WRONG WITH "THAT"?
>
>Let me know what ya think!
>
>
>Thanks... YOU ARE WELCOME.


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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Tami2shoes
Member since Oct 21st 2002
0 posts
Mon May-14-01 05:07 AM

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29. "Kinda glad its a fad..."
In response to Reply # 0


          

When I was in Jr. High, I begged my Mom for a perm. All of my friends had one, my family was pressuring her to perm my hair, and I fell in line with everyone else. My mother did not wear a relaxer, but my family proceeded to tell her that I did not have "good hair" like her and that I needed a perm. My mother was determined not to ruin my hair. She taught me that my natural hair is beautiful.

Anyway she never did take me to get a relaxer. I tricked my father into taking me to a salon though, and guess what? I went bald. All of my thick kinky hair had been overprocessed and it fell out. Now, all of the girls that had talked about me for having nappy hair were now talking about me for being bald.

Well, when my hair grew back, I continued to have it processed because I wanted to fit in. I will admit, there are some fly permed styles and all, but they were never me. In high school I dreamed of having an afro or dreads, but I just wanted to fit in. I watched as girls cut off their relaxers and were ridiculed for wearing afros. I envied them. I always wanted to go natural again.

When I went away to college and I was away from the family pressure, I decided to let it go. It was hard, but seeing more natural hair in the media has made it more acceptable everywhere. I am not trying to cop the style of Erykah or Lauryn or Jill or anyone else, I'm just glad that if not forever, today black women can embrace the natural texture of their hair. If it takes a bit of a fad to make it happen, so be it. I am hopeful though that most of us that have gone natural will have done it because they have decided to embrace their coils, kinks, and curls.

The real tragedy of it all is that I worry everyday about my career because it is still somewhat taboo for women in certain social arenas to wear an afro. I worry that my twists, afro puffs and blow outs might not fit into the world I'll enter when I finish law school. That's what concerns me. I don't want to have to sue everybody that thinks my hair isn't conventional. The more sistahs out there go natural, the more acceptable it will become and brothas and white men won't have the option of bitchin about not liking it. It seems to me that the only people out there truly complalining about the whole natural hair "fad" are the black men that don't want to be seen with a nappy-headed woman. I've heard that shit tooo many times. "What happened to your hair?" "You would be so fly if you..." or the line from my ex-boyfriend, "Your hair would be really long if you relaxed it huh?"

But I know that many just see it as a hairstyle.

  

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Hot_Damali
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8959 posts
Mon May-14-01 05:32 AM

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30. "DITTO DITTO DITTO!!!!!!!!"
In response to Reply # 29


          

Did I say ditto?

Underground Railroad w/Jay Smooth
WBAI-FM 99.5 NY
Sat 12-2am
www.hiphopmusic.com

  

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Zesi
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Mon May-14-01 05:37 AM

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31. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

cuz it's MY hair.
that's why. And to me, it's a little freedom.

Plus, even if you assume the hairstyle for superficial reasons, other people may read it as a threat to them...like at work and stuff...may not hire you, promote you, etc... so i mean, there are consequences for doing it.

It just BES that way sometimes.

Yabbadabbadoozilla! (c) Bootzilla
http://www.funkknots.com
http://www.cartoonista.com
http://www.pocho.com

"Men lied about that ---
Some of them cried about that ---
Some of them died about that ---
But everything fightin' about a spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that ---
It could be a spoonful of water
Saved me from the desert sand
But one spoon of them forty-five
Saved you from another man" -Howling Wolf

"You might as well pay attention/ you can't afford free speech" -George Clinton

"People need to stop saying that there is one way to be--and then the issue will disappear." Ntozake Shange-interview in _Mother_ _Jones_


  

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morpheme
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Mon May-14-01 05:48 AM

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33. "why do u care???"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

may oui it's prince!!!_____________
tell me baby...are we here alone???
~when we're dancin close & slow



don't slap me...i'm not in the mood
~bernadette cooper










































































































































































_____________
Kamikaze Genes
____________♌♀
goddess; small g.

  

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Shelly
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15886 posts
Mon May-14-01 06:28 AM

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35. "I know , this is like"
In response to Reply # 33


  

          

why do you have a perm ? I don't care either way. You wear your hair the best way for you ! I judge people on their action and not their looks.

Shit happens

  

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morpheme
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Mon May-14-01 05:14 PM

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57. "it's rather reminiscent of..."
In response to Reply # 35


  

          

askin someone color'd to give u the "blk experience"
i'm one blk woman
in america
w/out a perm

don't be playin me scurvy w/no follicle questions


















































































































































_____________
Kamikaze Genes
____________♌♀
goddess; small g.

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:22 AM

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65. "Scurvy?"
In response to Reply # 57


  

          


>
>don't be playin me scurvy w/no
>follicle questions


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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morpheme
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94867 posts
Sun May-20-01 06:02 PM

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134. "str8 detroit baby"
In response to Reply # 65


  

          




















































































































































_____________
Kamikaze Genes
____________♌♀
goddess; small g.

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Mon May-21-01 04:04 AM

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139. "OoookAAAAY...."
In response to Reply # 134


  

          

"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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joey2fingers
Charter member
214 posts
Mon May-14-01 06:21 AM

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34. "I noticed that..."
In response to Reply # 0


          

a lot of the women who DO decide to go natural are mixed women, light skinned women, latinas, white women with curly hair, or just black women with "natural curly hair"...is it because it's an easier transition?

  

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comment
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Tue May-15-01 02:27 PM

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74. "RE: I noticed that..."
In response to Reply # 34


  

          

How on earth does a white woman with curly hair "go natural"?
Since when do white women put perms in their hair?
I think you're a little confused.

"Got a vegeterian dreamin of microwavin pigs" - saukrates

  

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joey2fingers
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Wed May-16-01 07:21 PM

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90. "RE: I noticed that..."
In response to Reply # 74


          

there's some that do...truuuust me, go to the salon...I'm referring specifically to white women w/ real kinky, curly hair (Jewish for example)

  

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ya Setshego
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4259 posts
Sun May-20-01 12:54 PM

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132. "White people's perms"
In response to Reply # 74


  

          

Jheri curls were created in response to a fad for White women with straight hair to get curly perms. White women with thick, tangled hair can get straighteners put in their hair, to thin it out. They'll deny this when U ask them, but it's true.


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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paperdollpoet
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2238 posts
Mon May-14-01 06:59 AM

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36. "...."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

and if natural is a style...does that take away from anything?

isn't blond still in for blk women?
isn't weave still decorating the crowns of many?
aren't perms still buring scalps across the nation (and perhaps beyond) ?
aren't brandnames still etched acorss too tiny or too big titties?
aren't asses still trying to fit in "catch me fuck me" shorts?
aren't those gladiator heels still cutting off circulation of brown legs from clubs to grocery stores?
isn't MAC making its fortune?

why can't blk people have variety?!?!

why can't there be sum blk girls who wear gap and some who wear salvation army? why can't be "skaters" or "hippies" or "grunge" or "preppy" or "retro" or different or normal..and still be considered one.

and why can't independent choose be respected and regarded as independent?

do i tell every blond blk woman i see that she's trying to be Mary j Blige?

do women grip about blk men w/ DREDS? Or do those same ones that discredit "natural women" lust for those "natural brothers"?

why not venture outside of your regualr style?

why not get an afro for a month?

wear a headwrap for a nite?

rock a kufi or african print?

i don't see the problem.

i think people put more emphasis on "natural" then there needs to be.

just b/c you have weave doesn't make you fake.

just b/c you have dreads doesn't make you revoultionary.

WE SHLD KNOW THIS BY NOW.

so why expect those people to change b/c they chose a diferent hair style.

stank people go natural too.

i know crack heads that don't have perms.

i know meat eaters with dreads down to their ass.

don't go by what they look like...go by what they do...

just as (if you aren't sporting a naturl style) if sumone was to label you ignorant or of the "masses" b/c you have a perm..thats upsetting..so why contribute to the utter bullshit of small minds and big mouths?


why do we concern ourselves?


sidenote: we are crabs trying to be lobsters.


keep the motion
paperdollpoet
----

SPITFIRE|june 28th|the rebirth of hip hop.

www.sheflypaper.com

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Mon May-14-01 09:01 AM

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47. "It's the TRYIN' that matters...."
In response to Reply # 36


  

          

Meanwhile, we can just fake it , 'til we make it, as Iyanla would say!



>sidenote: we are crabs trying to
>be lobsters.
>
>
>keep the motion
>paperdollpoet
>----
>
>SPITFIRE|june 28th|the rebirth of hip hop.
>


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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paperdollpoet
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2238 posts
Mon May-14-01 06:30 PM

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59. "RE: It's the TRYIN' that matters...."
In response to Reply # 47


  

          

crabs in barrels
tryin to be
the main dish

thats what i meant...


keep the motion
paperdollpoet
----

SPITFIRE|june 28th|the rebirth of hip hop.

www.sheflypaper.com

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:19 AM

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63. "tryin' to be lobsters"
In response to Reply # 59


  

          

denotes the same thing, no?


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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paperdollpoet
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2238 posts
Tue May-15-01 01:37 PM

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73. "RE: tryin' to be lobsters"
In response to Reply # 63


  

          

in a sense..

not "fake it til you make it"...

but folks who pull other people down(crab) to feel (or wanna feel) greater.

keep the motion
paperdollpoet
----

SPITFIRE|june 28th|the rebirth of hip hop.

www.sheflypaper.com

  

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comment
Charter member
2828 posts
Tue May-15-01 02:34 PM

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75. "RE: tryin' to be lobsters"
In response to Reply # 73


  

          

What about crabs all in the kool-aid and don't know the flavor?
no?
Or what about crabs with no legs trying to get down?
no?
Maybe crabs with no claws, talkin bout "make it snappy"?

Sorry...at least I tried.

"Got a vegeterian dreamin of microwavin pigs" - saukrates

  

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knumskul
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1038 posts
Mon May-14-01 07:09 AM

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37. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."
-e.e. cummings

It's normal (and common) for YOUNGSTERS to try to "fit in", find their identity, be independent. My niece (age 14) doesn't see how beautiful she is yet. She's still struggling with her hair, watching television, wanting to look like everyone else. I can't wait until the day she comes to realize just how lovely she really is. When you accept yourself and respect yourself (straight, nappy, curly, wavy, kinky, whatever) it's liberating. I want her to be strong enough to love who she is and not look outside herself for validity, acceptance. It's a battle, definitely. I still find myself fighting it from time to time. But ultimately, I'm happy with me. A lot of people haven't reached that mark of loving themselves unconditionally. Personally, I don't knock anyone for their individuality. I just can't respect those who do things because they feel they should or because they want acceptance from others. People tend to envy those strong enough to be themselves. Jill and Erykah wearing their hair natural (or bald in Erykah's case) are sorta giving people permission to be free, be themselves. Sure, it's a fad for SOME folks (sadly, those folks are still followers), but it's a good one in my opinion. I want my niece to see just how comfortable and lovely Jill is with her hair and hopefully get the courage to be herself as well.


y'all *really* think" that you're tricking somebody into something don't you? what you don't realize is that most women decide within the first 5 minutes of meeting a dude whether or not they'll sleep with him. all your "game" is merely entertainment. - H

  

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knumskul
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1038 posts
Mon May-14-01 07:22 AM

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39. "Also..."
In response to Reply # 37


          

...If my niece ultimately decides to straighten her hair, as long as she does it for HER and not for anyone else, I'll be bubbling with joy. I, too, straighten mines from time to time just for the hairstyle. I wear it natural, too, just for the hairSTYLE and manageability. Just for a change. I could care less what anyone thinks of my hair or me.

y'all *really* think" that you're tricking somebody into something don't you? what you don't realize is that most women decide within the first 5 minutes of meeting a dude whether or not they'll sleep with him. all your "game" is merely entertainment. - H

  

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dallas32

Mon May-14-01 07:15 AM

  
38. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

I'm a guy..and i feel both your points...alot of people want to live up to an image..you have to be yourself..cause in the end it will always surface..I aint got no problem w/women who go natural..regardless what they doin it for b/c we all emaulate somebody..by the way we dress to the way we cut our hair..we all like certain styles...everbody has seen somethin somebody has got on,whether it be sneakers,shirt,jeans, to jewelry...you aint copying you just like it and you'll put it together with your own style.. to me its all about preference..and what you like..having a natural should not perclude you from drinking,smoking, wearing Sean Jean, or anything..the hairstyle dont make the person the person makes the person...if yuo fake then you fake not b/c of no hairstyle..Jill Scott smokes weed..I disagree w/her choice to smokes...but thats Jill it aint me..I dont know...thats decision that she made not JayLee...Stereotypes are a bitch b/c they hols a ounce of truth in them..they are never completetly true but never completetly false...Personally naturals dont look good on most women...to me that is..Some of these naturals need to PERMS..but again thats personal preference..it looks good on some and on others is doesnt...wear wig somethin.....just a guys opinion...my definition of style
Style:is a unique conglomaration of other styles to fit one's own person

  

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paperdollpoet
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Mon May-14-01 08:52 AM

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45. "sum of these natural need perms.."
In response to Reply # 38


  

          

if you found out that perms cld damage the brain..

wld you still recommend dark and lovely?

keep the motion
paperdollpoet
----

SPITFIRE|june 28th|the rebirth of hip hop.

www.sheflypaper.com

  

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LexM
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28342 posts
Mon May-14-01 09:06 AM

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49. "sounds like my mom"
In response to Reply # 45


  

          

(seeing a model in a magazine w/ natural hair)

Mom: "that doesn't look right on her..."

Me: "it's her hair...how doesn't it look right?"

Mom: "I don't know. It's just not her. Maybe if she permed it..."




~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:23 AM

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66. "Oh good GRIEF!!!!"
In response to Reply # 49


  

          

>(seeing a model in a magazine
>w/ natural hair)
>
>Mom: "that doesn't look right on
>her..."
>
>Me: "it's her hair...how doesn't it
>look right?"
>
>Mom: "I don't know. It's just
>not her. Maybe if she
>permed it..."
>
>
>
>
>~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
>carameldom@hotmail.com
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
>(((oh yeah...do us a favor &
>vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))
>
>"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like
>slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who
>got the flyest chains"
>~~Talib Kweli
>
>"you can't fool me! I'm too
>stupid!" (c) a random warner
>bros. cartoon character


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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LexM
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28342 posts
Tue May-15-01 09:55 AM

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72. "yeah, basically"
In response to Reply # 66


  

          

.

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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kflow

Mon May-14-01 08:39 AM

  
41. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

I'm witcha when ya right.

This is a very disturbing trend, I hate to see my sisters with there heads all tore up like that. Whoever said that this was "cute" or "trendy" or "fashionalble" was "WRONG" what is wrong with taking care of your hair sistas? can somebody tell me what is goin's on!?

  

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Tami2shoes
Member since Oct 21st 2002
0 posts
Mon May-14-01 10:25 AM

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52. "Wow!"
In response to Reply # 41


          

I can't believe we still say things like this. Mind you there is a difference between hair that is maintained and hair that is wild and unkempt, but that does not necessarily mean permed v. natural hair. I assume that you do not dig the natural texture of African American hair. That is a shame, a huge shame. I hope you understand that on some level this measures as self-hate. I'm not saying that every style fits every person, but the fact that you feel that natural hair is unacceptable should be reviewed.

  

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morpheme
Charter member
94867 posts
Mon May-14-01 05:23 PM

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58. "takin care of yo heads???..."
In response to Reply # 41


  

          

i haven't not had a perm in...o 20 months...& i bet u i shampoo my hair more often than the majority of women w/perms who may look to "dis"...my ends are trimmed...i know what my hair FEELS like...because i am always massagin my scalp...i sleep on satin pillow cases...i deep condition as needed...i don't let anythin that i wouldn't die or go blind frum ingestin or comin in contact w/touch my head/hair/scalp...i don't have dandruff or dry flaky scalp...u can get a comb/pick/brush thru my hair...it's all one color & not the result of overprocess &/or botched colorin...along w/the eyebrow raises i get ppl crossin rooms to compliment it {the perm'd & un perm'd}...it smells good...it doesn't fail me in the rain...it maintains itself in due heat...*wait a minute...havin a hands-on 'love my hair moment'*...it allows me to be on even unscrutinizable par w/my brothers...i am at the beginnin & i can begin again & again or morph into whatever state of "bein" i choose

u can't BE ME
& u can't belittle me or be me bigger






may oui it's prince!!!_____________
tell me baby...are we here alone???
~when we're dancin close & slow



don't slap me...i'm not in the mood
~bernadette cooper










































































































































































_____________
Kamikaze Genes
____________♌♀
goddess; small g.

  

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Monox
Charter member
121 posts
Mon May-14-01 08:55 AM

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46. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

My wife went natural right after we got married three years ago. I prefer her natural look, but there were some other good reasons for her to go natural.

Personally, I like women with all lengths of hair, but my wife likes long hair and she wanted her hair to grow. She had a perm since she was five years old (because she was tender headed like the rest of us, but forcing a comb through her naps was a battle that her mother decided not to fight)

Well anyway, as an adult my wife decided to go natural just to make her hair more healthy and to encourage growth. She always had problems with breakage when her hair was permed. Now her hair is growing as she likes. Its very thick and healthy. She likes her hair and I love her hair the way it is.

One...

  

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rgv
Charter member
4556 posts
Mon May-14-01 09:37 AM

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50. "real simple for me"
In response to Reply # 0


          

ive been permin my hair since i was ten, bleaching it since i was 16

a little before my 19th burthday i woke up, and i had hair on my fkin pillow

??????????

it was falling out, so i cut it off and began to twists it.

its shoulder length now

i agree w/ whut ur saying for the most prt, i do believe it has become a fad,

in the same way, there are no african masks in my home b/c i dont know whut half that shit means or stands for

ppl need to read up, and know whut theyre getting into

thats how i feel.

thats anotha reason why i wont get dreads, for sum ppl its a religion, not a fashion statement

shits now kewl.

u dont just throw on a dashiki and sum cowry shells, and pop in sum erykah, too many ppl are trying to prove their blkness, & prove whuteva else

i dont have time for that bullshit.



"u cant see ahead w/ ur head down" - qua'ran tauheed {my baybee sister}

i just want chu to know
how i feel
how i feel

  

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Reese2000

Mon May-14-01 01:43 PM

  
54. "RE: real simple for me"
In response to Reply # 50


          

I have a totally diffrent problem.

I have always loved natural hair, but no one else did.
at 11 years old perm was slapped up side my head; at 12
all my hair was gone-- except for the top. I looked like I had on a TUPae (you know the hair thing) with no hair on the sides or back. Braids became my new friends for the next 3 years until my hair grew back I wore it press and curled . when I was high school I couldn't be natural then because I was ridculed so much I wouldn't even want to go.
Every one had the gel schalacked to their head and i was still running around with a mushroom. My family hated it and peers teased me and finally when I could no longer find a person to press and curl it, relaxed again.
I hate this relaxer but now I am grown and even at my work place, if my "retouch" appointment is one week late they let me know it. It even goes so far as My co-workers won't even talk to me. I mean I really want to go "natural" but the society that I am in will ostrasise me. Think about the at least six month transtion period. this sucks.
}> :'(
But I am going to do it any way. I Love running my fingers through my "Nappy" hair. Any suggestions on how to do it?



"If ya don't know, now ya know"

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:33 AM

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68. "Courage"
In response to Reply # 54


  

          


It's all about courage, Sistah. The courage to grow into who U need to be. If u're workplace consists of ignoramuses who will not accept u're natural hair, maybe u need to work on finding a better, more enlightened workplace to settle into. MEANwhile, u're hair. I'm not sure where U live, but contact the following hairstylist by mail, and hopefully she will be able to advise u:

Taliah Wajiid
5110 Norman Boulevard
College Pk., GA 30349

Good luck! The transition period doesn't have to be all that bad. Just braid and oil u're hair a lot. Go to a natural haircare specialist if u can, and mentally ward off all the -Energy Blackfolk will try 2 give u because of their own ignorance and fears. Refuse 2 accept it. And be free 2 be u! U will b amazed at how much freer u will feel once u're hair is completely natural. It's an amazing, and beautiful thing.


talk to
>me. I mean I
>really want to go "natural"
>but the society that I
>am in will ostrasise me.
> Think about the at
>least six month transtion period.
> this sucks.
> }> :'(
>But I am going to do
>it any way. I
>Love running my fingers through
>my "Nappy" hair. Any
>suggestions on how to do
>it?
>
>
>
>"If ya don't know, now ya
>know"


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:27 AM

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67. "If U don't know...."
In response to Reply # 50


  

          

a good place to start u're reading is Afrocentricity by Molefi K. Asante & Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery by Na'im Akbar. I understand U not having time for B.S., but U have time to read, don't U?




"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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brwnsknldy

Mon May-14-01 03:24 PM

  
56. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

It is definitely a fad. And I disagree with whoever it was who said that women with perms are trying to emulate European standards. Some tribes in Africa straightened their hair with grease hundreds of years ago, even before slavery. It is a cosmetic choice. "Natural" looks have been made popular now, just as they were popular in the 70s. But then, some of the women who wear locks and naturals also wear makeup. Is that natural? Personally, I don't see the point of wearing makup because you are then hiding behind a mask. So I tell people, when they ask me how can I talk black pride and wear a perm, Am I trying to go by the European standard of beauty? I ask them are they trying to go by the clown standard of beauty? I really agree that some of these women who are now "natural" wearing the dreds, and 'fros and dashikis and what not are really followers, looking for themselves.
And I think that as black women, we are fortunate to have this type of hair. We can do so much with it! I love my nappiness (even though it is permed), I love my thick lips, My clean face, my large eyes, my wide nose, and the list goes on and on. Just because I have a perm, one would definitely not be mistaken for trying to be European!

  

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loi
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538 posts
Tue May-15-01 03:15 AM

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61. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

Ok, last time I checked the definition of natural was "existing in or produced by nature." My hair is natural because I don't do anything to change the hair texture that God gave me. Natural hair is not a way of life. It's however your hair is without chemicals. I think it's wacker for someone to make an assumption based on how you wear your hair. Why would anyone make a character judgement based on the external. Why would anyone expect that someone with natural to be a certain way, not to drink etc. I hate it when people walk up to me, thinking that I'm a certain way because of my hair. Why would you think that Erykah and Jill were original? Because their stars? I shaved my head bald last year, but Erykah is original-BOO!!!!!
My hair is a huge curly afro now because I like it that way! It's easier to do, less expensive, and healthier! It's the way my hair is naturally and it needs no further explanation.

  

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Nettrice
Charter member
61747 posts
Tue May-15-01 04:45 AM

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62. "Is it just the hair?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

Before I shaved off my processed hair in a radical step to go natural, I was thinking a lot about my life style. I was 17 and I wanted to be 'real', to represent as Nettrice: young, Black, visionary and individual. I needed to follow the beat of my own drummer and not do what everyone else did.

I grew up where it was proper for some to drink beer every meal, put salt on everything, eat any kind of meat, and suffer the consequences. My generation (and my mother's generation) was having babies at 14, 15, 16, and so on. Weed was a staple for people in my community and I knew more drug dealers than I knew preachers. Folks were suffering and I did not want to suffer like that. High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cancer were more common than colds but most people never broke the cycle. This was unnatural.

The same people I grew up with had a problem with my natural hair and I began to think that I was on to something positive for myself. A few years earlier I got flack for going vegeterian but I was the only one doing it so there was no fad. What I was doing was breaking a cycle of unnatural habits and finding myself in the process.

I love being natural, living natural, and I believe I can improve my life if not prolong it. Hair and outward appearances is only one part of it. Taking a leap of faith and standing firm behind what I value is a bigger part. There are no dashikis here but I am beginning to know what it's like to be free within and how to treat my body & mind like a temple or spiritual vessel.

"Know thyself"

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you". So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
-- Hebrews 13:5,6

"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path"
--Morpheus in "The Matrix"

"It's our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"- Dumbledore to Harry Potter "Chamber of Secrets"

<--- Blame this lady for Nutty.

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:37 AM

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69. "Amen-ra"
In response to Reply # 62


  

          

I am beginning
>to know what it's like
>to be free within and
>how to treat my body
>& mind like a temple
>or spiritual vessel.
>
>"Know thyself"



"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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foul mouthed kid

Tue May-15-01 09:52 AM

  
71. "Weaves are ghetto."
In response to Reply # 0


          

Any black woman who dies her hair blonde, and wears a weave is ghetto in my book. I'm sick and tired of seeing fights between loud mouthed, ignorant bitches and watching their weaves fall out. It's nasty and ghetto.

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Sun May-20-01 10:20 AM

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121. "OK"
In response to Reply # 71


  

          

Now Y U gotta refer to the Sistahs as b****** just because they are behaving in ways that don't reflect their true Greatness. Show more respect, and less judgment, and maybe U could influence Sistahs to conduct themselves in a more upstanding manner by being an example of such Urself.


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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foul mouthed kid

Sun May-20-01 11:50 AM

  
126. "RE: OK"
In response to Reply # 121


          

>Now Y U gotta refer to
>the Sistahs as b****** just
>because they are behaving in
>ways that don't reflect their
>true Greatness. Show more respect,
>and less judgment, and maybe
>U could influence Sistahs to
>conduct themselves in a more
>upstanding manner by being an
>example of such Urself.
>
>

I'm not referring to "sisters" as bitches. I'm referring to ignorant ones as bitches. And so, if the title fits... use it.

And as for influencing sisters to conduct themselves in a more upstanding manner by being an example, this cannot happen. Simply because ignorance is innate, and they will never change. Until then, I steer clear from certain types of black women.


  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Sun May-20-01 12:44 PM

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130. "P Diddy The Caboose"
In response to Reply # 126


  

          

The history of Black women on the face of this Earth, and really in the United States alone should exempt them/us from EVER being called a b**** EVER again. EVEN at our lowest points, which are those U described. If U choose not 2 interact w/ them, that is understandable. But please, donot judge them. It is extremely difficult to be a Black woman in America, and everyone cannot be strong enough to conduct themselves w/ Dignity 24/7 in the face of societal pressures and community pressures thrust upon us. Do we deserve to be judged and called out of our names when we lack that needed strength to maintain our compusure? I think not. Leave them be. Uplift them. Tell them how beautiful they looked BEFORE the weave and blonde dye(Which would have TREMENDOUS impact, BTW). Do anything but judge them/us, and equate any kind of Black women with the term b-i-t-c-h. I mean, even Puffy said those days were over. I figured he was bringing up the rear in making that realization.



"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Mon May-21-01 09:21 AM

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148. "that attitude"
In response to Reply # 126


  

          

>And as for influencing sisters to
>conduct themselves in a more
>upstanding manner by being an
>example, this cannot happen. Simply
>because ignorance is innate, and
>they will never change. Until
>then, I steer clear from
>certain types of black women.
>

ain't gonna help shit.

I say take ya's advice and try paying a sista a compliment. I'm telling you--and I'm speaking from experience--she may cuss you out right then, but I guarantee she'll think about what you said later on and it will spark thought. She may not change overnight, but it's a start.

But all that negativity is only perpetuating the bullshit. For real.



~~~SPITFIRE (NEW DATE): AUGUST 23, 2001~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote here: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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SheRise

Tue May-15-01 04:48 PM

  
77. "so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

...What many Black people exclude from "Afrocentric" is waaay out of wack. If you'd ever studied African hair styles you'd see that for centuries Africans have dyed their hair
by adding pigment, added hair pieces, worn wigs, and used many other processes to mold, style and shape their hair into probably thousands of styles. By the standards of some of the people above, the originators of the styles they mimic
would be considered "unnatural" and therefore some how inferior.
Seems to me the "natural" people are just as lost as the "perms". With the mentality the I've seen from many "natural" people, women especially, Black people will never get free.
Blackness is more deep then a hair style.
Blackness is not something that needs to be proven and if it could be proven it wouldnt be by something as superficial as the
protein that comes out of your scalp. You either are Black or you are not and if you are then you are my brother/sister. END OF STORY!

scuse me typos
Why would God have given you in life a questioning mind if not to hand to you in death the blinding answers!!!

AIM Carmel3494 say ure okp

  

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Sudani
Charter member
631 posts
Tue May-15-01 07:55 PM

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78. "RE: so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?"
In response to Reply # 77


  

          

>...What many Black people exclude from
>"Afrocentric" is waaay out of
>wack. If you'd ever studied
>African hair styles you'd see
>that for centuries Africans have
>dyed their hair
>by adding pigment, added hair pieces,
>worn wigs, and used many
>other processes to mold, style
>and shape their hair into
>probably thousands of styles. By
>the standards of some of
>the people above, the originators
>of the styles they mimic
>
>would be considered "unnatural" and therefore
>some how inferior.
>

Our BRAIDING is one thing that we DID carry from Africa. They cannot be considered inferior because if you have ever seen may photos of people from different countries and cultures, you would see that the styles that are worn by many are very normal.

Also, the people who do love thier OWN hair and choose to wear it as such are MIMICING THIER OWN, they are NOT like MOST black women straightening thier hair because of a CULTURE of SELF-HATE and this is MOSTLY the case. Go to a SALON and ASK these women about the Africans they are mimicing, THEY will tell you that they ARE NOT.

Don't throw everyone in the same pot by calling one more lost than the other when your point is very weak.

The point is that although YOU may be aware of African traditions, EVERYONE else are less likely to be. To say that Africans did it is weak when you know that these Africans here in this country are perming thier hair for another reason, cause they ain't got that "good" hair...

peace






  

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SheRise

Tue May-15-01 10:52 PM

  
79. "RE: so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?"
In response to Reply # 78


          

>>...What many Black people exclude from
>>"Afrocentric" is waaay out of
>>wack. If you'd ever studied
>>African hair styles you'd see
>>that for centuries Africans have
>>dyed their hair
>>by adding pigment, added hair pieces,
>>worn wigs, and used many
>>other processes to mold, style
>>and shape their hair into
>>probably thousands of styles. By
>>the standards of some of
>>the people above, the originators
>>of the styles they mimic
>>
>>would be considered "unnatural" and therefore
>>some how inferior.
>>
>
>Our BRAIDING is one thing that
>we DID carry from Africa.
>They cannot be considered inferior
>because if you have ever
>seen may photos of people
>from different countries and cultures,
>you would see that the
>styles that are worn by
>many are very normal.

I think youve missed the point here. weaving, extentions and using hair pieces is a form used all over the world by many different cultures including Africans and goes much farther then
just adding hair for braiding. According to the people some of the people on this board have who have natural hair act as if adding hair to ones own or even coloring is automatically "self hate" and some how very "unafrican" when its far from the truth.
Everyone want to say "I'm more enlightend cus my hair is natural and your's is not!" Sometimes I wonder if people go natural just so they can feel "enlightened".
>Also, the people who do love
>thier OWN hair and choose
>to wear it as such
>are MIMICING THIER OWN,

are they really...keep on reading...

>are NOT like MOST black
>women straightening thier hair because
>of a CULTURE of SELF-HATE
>and this is MOSTLY the
>case. Go to a SALON
>and ASK these women about
>the Africans they are mimicing,
>THEY will tell you
> they ARE NOT.

Ask most natural haired people which africans they are mimicing
or the meaning and history behind their styles and they cant tell you much about it either. I know many a brother with locs who dont know a damn thing about why its be done. I know many a fro wearing sista who dont know a damn thing about where that came from either. I refuse to admonish someone because they dont know the africans they are mimicing because if I did I'd be hatin on 99% of black people.


>
>Don't throw everyone in the same
>pot by calling one more
>lost than the other

That's what I'm asking you to do!
I didnt call one more lost the the other...
...I call us all lost! The fact is most people dont know the heritage behind their hair be it straight or nappy. People always think because they do this or that somehow that makes them better or more "aware". B.S. I say!

>
>The point is that although YOU
>may be aware of African
>traditions, EVERYONE else are less
>likely to be.
My point exactly. Those "natural" brothers and sisters who are not aware of african tradition behind their own hair shouldn't go on the blacker then thou crusade that I often see on this board and other places because they are just as ignorant on the topic as the permed are. We're all equally black.


To say
>that Africans did it is
>weak when you know that
>these Africans here in this
>country are perming thier hair
>for another reason, cause they
>ain't got that "good" hair...

Not all black people who do perm or straigten automatically fall under the catagory of "self hate". Are there some? Yes. But to make the sweeping generalization that all of the permed people hate their own hair is ridiculous. Just like it's idiotic to think all natural people are some how down for the cause.
We all have issues of self hate...weather it be about weight, height, looks, hair. everyone has something they dont like about themselves 100%. To judge others and look down on them because you don't have problem with the same issue they do is silly.

My mother wore and afro for 10 years then braids then straighten, then natural, then straight, then weave, and now is going natural again. she clearly doesn't hate her nappy hair she wouldn't to for such long periods of time with a huge puff ball on her head or cornrows when it wasnt yet popular again and yet if you saw her walking down the street now with straight hair you'd assume you knew all about her and her "self hate" ...when you know nothing of her self love or history!
Don't judge a book by its cover you might just miss all the loverly text inside

When people realize there are revolutionaries with perms and thugs with afros,black people will be better off.
>peace

...for the record...I'm nappy as I wanna be.

Why would God have given you in life a questioning mind if not to hand to you in death the blinding answers!!!

AIM Carmel3494 say ure okp

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Wed May-16-01 02:31 AM

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80. "y'all seem to be"
In response to Reply # 79


  

          

fighting the same battle.

from where I'm sitting, both of you are saying you can't judge everyone by their hair, whether they're straight/nappy/whatever...you're just saying it in slightly different ways.

so let's just have a hug & forget the whole thing, hm?






~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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Sudani
Charter member
631 posts
Wed May-16-01 04:06 AM

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83. "RE: so you say you're afrocentric cus your hair is nappy?"
In response to Reply # 79


  

          




i think you missed the point, it is not WHAT you do, but WHY you do it. like I said before, you can say what you want but I have kept the company of several sista's in my life and I can say that only about 5% of them were comfortable without upholding the tradition of straight hair as adopted by African Americans back in the day to be Accepted into this racist society. They did not want to be "pikaninnies"... http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/News/jimcrow/picaninny/three.jpg or mammies http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/News/jimcrow/mammies/more/lbj.htm

the black male musicians followed this trend so that they could resemble black women who straightened thier hair so they could perform in front of white women and look "harmless". That is why little richard wore so much make-up. later it became a fad...


>natural and your's is not!"
>Sometimes I wonder if people
>go natural just so they
>can feel "enlightened".
>

see post 5







  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Sun May-20-01 12:52 PM

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131. "PLEASE enlighten us."
In response to Reply # 79


  

          

Ok well obviously U feel U know something about natural hair, be that a fro, or locs that the rest of us DON'T know. Break it down. Tell us what U know about the origins of the styles, so that the 99.9% of us will no longer be ignorant about our own natural hair.


I know many a
>brother with locs who dont
>know a damn thing about
>why its be done. I
>know many a fro wearing
>sista who dont know a
>damn thing about where that
>came from either. I refuse
>to admonish someone because they
>dont know the africans they
>are mimicing because if I
>did I'd be hatin on
>99% of black people.
>

"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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revelations

Wed May-16-01 09:48 AM

  
86. "Cultural Identity"
In response to Reply # 0


          

Just because black women choose to wear their hair natural meaning chemical free does not mean that we forget where we came from. I can remember wearing my hair relaxed for years and not wanting to go outside if it rained or it it was humid for fear that my hair would get frizzy or go flat. I can also remember not wanting to go swimming because I didn't want to mess up my newly permed hair. When I decided to wear my hair chemical free I was able to experiment with an array of styles that I would have never considered trying if my hair were still straight.

As for me I was wearing my hair natural long before I ever heard of Jill Scott. Most black women are dissatisfied with their hair because we continue or have continued to try and make it do things that it is not meant to do.

For some people it may be a trend but for others it is simply Black Pride! How can you question someone for dressing or wearing their hair in a way that makes them identify with their culture? If black sistahs want to follow behind the likes of Jill or Erykah or Lauryn Hill that is wonderful! Because we have been conditioned to follow behind the trends of white women for far too long (ie: blonde hair weaves and blue contact lenses)and for those who choose not to go the "natural" route, that's all good too.

  

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loi
Charter member
538 posts
Thu May-17-01 02:22 AM

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91. "RE: Cultural Identity"
In response to Reply # 86


          

>Just because black women choose to
>wear their hair natural meaning
>chemical free does not mean
>that we forget where we
>came from. I can
>remember wearing my hair relaxed
>for years and not wanting
>to go outside if it
>rained or it it was
>humid for fear that my
>hair would get frizzy or
>go flat. I can
>also remember not wanting to
>go swimming because I didn't
>want to mess up my
>newly permed hair. When
>I decided to wear my
>hair chemical free I was
>able to experiment with an
>array of styles that I
>would have never considered trying
>if my hair were still
>straight.
>
I couldn't agree with you more! I just wake up, jump in the shower and roll!

>As for me I was wearing
>my hair natural long before
>I ever heard of Jill
>Scott. Most black women are
>dissatisfied with their hair because
>we continue or have continued
>to try and make it
>do things that it is
>not meant to do.
>

Again, I agree! Personally I don't think Jill or erkyah have anything to do with the situation even if it is a trend, I would to so far as to say that they are jumping on the trend. Erkyah had fake dreads before she shaved her head bald! I shaved my head bald last year and it's sickning to think that people look at me like "she's copying"-BOO!!! I always wanted to go natural and when I relocated to a new state I just did it! I was so tired of my permed hair, it was long, full, etc., but I was tired of it! So I walked into a barber shop and said shave it off! No big production, except that some guy in the shop said "girl you walked in here with all that long preety hair fine as hell, only ugly girls go natural"-BOO!

>For some people it may be
>a trend but for others
>it is simply Black Pride!
> How can you question
>someone for dressing or wearing
>their hair in a way
>that makes them identify with
>their culture? If black
>sistahs want to follow behind
>the likes of Jill or
>Erykah or Lauryn Hill that
>is wonderful! Because we
>have been conditioned to follow
>behind the trends of white
>women for far too long
>(ie: blonde hair weaves and
>blue contact lenses)and for those
>who choose not to go
>the "natural" route, that's all
>good too.

WORD!!!!!!!

I personally love natural hair and I think it brings out our beauty, but it's a personal decision, just like anything else. I do think that dreads as opposed to simply natural are two different things and concepts. I am not growing dreads but I am growing my natural hair out long, and people make assumptions based off the fact that I have alot of hair now. They think I'm trying to make some sort of statement and that's wack. It's my natural hair for crying out loud! Shouldn't natural just be normal! Nobody asks white girls why they grow their natural hair out, and nobody should be questioning black women. Imagine somebody asking a white women "So why do you have long straight hair?" That's just how it is! Same principal applies!
The fact that people feel a need to question black women, speaks volumes to the history behind assimilation. If your not relaxing then you must be making a statement, because what's natural for you is still not really accepted, why not just get a perm and stop perping like your different-BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

I think that sista's with naturals make others uncomfortable and the assumptions they make about our reasons are just reflections of their own insecurities.

Anyways, I wrote alot, but I just wanted to say WORD!!!!


  

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LexM
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Thu May-17-01 03:03 AM

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92. "I love the "BOOO"s...lol"
In response to Reply # 91


  

          


~~~~
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http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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revelations

Thu May-17-01 04:21 AM

  
93. "RE: Cultural Identity"
In response to Reply # 91


          

>>
>>
>I couldn't agree with you more!
>I just wake up,
>jump in the shower and
>roll!
>
There is nothing like it. Like you I have always had very thick and full hair. I can remember spending over an hour curling or rather burning off my hair each morning before going to school. Now I wear my hair twisted I do it every 2-3 weeks and every morning I just get up and go. The only reason that I have not cut it all off or locked it yet is because I act and the fact that my twists are not permanant gives me more versatility as an actor, but once I make a name for myself you best believe it will be short or locked.
>

So I walked into a barber
>shop and said shave it
>off! No big production,
>except that some guy in
>the shop said "girl you
>walked in here with all
>that long preety hair fine
>as hell, only ugly girls
>go natural"-BOO!

What an ignorant brother to say something like that. That just goes to show you where his head is at. His comment should have just confirmed for you the fact that you made the right decision.
>
>

>>I personally love natural hair and
>I think it brings out
>our beauty, but it's a
>personal decision, just like anything
>else. I do think
>that dreads as opposed to
>simply natural are two different
>things and concepts. I
>am not growing dreads but
>I am growing my natural
>hair out long, and people
>make assumptions based off the
>fact that I have alot
>of hair now. They
>think I'm trying to make
>some sort of statement and
>that's wack. It's my
>natural hair for crying out
>loud! Shouldn't natural just
>be normal! Nobody asks
>white girls why they grow
>their natural hair out, and
>nobody should be questioning black
>women. Imagine somebody asking
>a white women "So why
>do you have long straight
>hair?" That's just how it
>is! Same principal applies!
>
>
I FEEL YOU! My roommate wears an afro and some of the things that people say to her are unbelievable! For example "Can I touch your Afro?" or "You know you look like Jill Scott right?" Which she doesn't, Jill is beautiful don't get me wrong but they do not look alike. Someone even tried to joke and called her "Macy Scott" once The sad thing is that these are other black people saying these thing


>The fact that people feel
>a need to question black
>women, speaks volumes to the
>history behind assimilation

It's a shame that people do think it is a "statement" and that is why some sistas are fearful of going "natural" because of what others will think. I think that people put entirely too much emphasis on Hair!




>



  

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ya Setshego
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Tue May-22-01 06:16 AM

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167. "Erykah"
In response to Reply # 91


  

          

I admit that I cut my hair AFTER Erykah Badu shaved her head, and was inspired 2 finally do so by HER act. I am not ashamed of that. She is an inspiring artist, and seeing her do that gave me the courage 2 really go against what I was reared 2 believe(a woman's hair is her beauty, and should NEVER be cut) and I freed myself from having 2 carry around a lot of thick hair for awhile. I was DETERMINED not 2 cut my hair when I 1st stopped perming, which is why I wore my hair half-permed, and half-natural. Once I grew tired of having long hair, I wanted 2 cut it, but never did. Finally when Erykah shaved her head, I felt like I could go 4th w/ MY version of that, and release myself of the need 2 have long hair in order 2 feel beautiful. Hey, one day I may cut it even shorter than I originally did, but I do feel freer. What is wrong w/ being influenced by someone else 2 do something that helps U 2 evolve into a better version of U? Emulating or mimicking a celebrity in positive behavior is no different than emulating one's girlfriend when SHE does something U like, so U decide 2 do it 2.


>I shaved my head bald
>last year and it's sickning
>to think that people look
>at me like "she's copying"-BOO!!!
>Anyways, I wrote alot, but I
>just wanted to say WORD!!!!
>


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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nappiness
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Wed May-16-01 09:54 AM

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87. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

really, i don't think natural hair, locs, and head wraps are as en vogue as we seem to think they are. even if u r shedding your relaxer for a fashion statement, that is a hellava statement. black people are still addicted to the perm, nappy is still considered nasty-unkempt-ugly-African. also hair length is still an issue.
--------sig-----------
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Ylana

Wed May-16-01 06:48 PM

  
88. "Long Lives The 'Fro!!!"
In response to Reply # 0


          

It makes my stomach turn to read the comments made by some folks in this thread that claim to be african-american (males in particular) condemning sistas for choosing to wear their hair as Mothernature intended. It is certainly a dayum shame that igginz are so wrapped up in what the next woman got on her head that they don't recognize the unique and beautiful mane that sprouts from their own scalps. The fact that no other group on earth can naturally grow a 'fro should be something to be proud of in itself. But as always, igginz cower in shame from anything that invites them to take a peek in the mirror...White/Asian/Latino men are not begging or forcing their women to alter the natural state of her tresses--in fact it is "The look that gets the touch" (Tresseme' commercial?). Black women, on the other hand, have been trained so well to despise and attack her own mane that I swear with all that (years, years and years of) chemical processing, summa that shyt done seeped into folks brains and drove 'em mad. It's always amazing just how deep african people (everywhere) have been slashed and burned. Those old nasty wounds are still oozing. Long Live the Afro...'Fro on Sistas!!!

"We live the now for the promise of the infinite" --Mos Def

"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes unknown to man, woman or the most agile of birds" --yours truly

"your people first. a quiet strength. the positioning of oneself so that observation becomes reaction, where study is preferred to night life, where emotion is not seen as a weakness. love for self, family, children and extensions of self is beyond the verbal"
--Haki R. Madhubuti

  

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alienated

Wed May-16-01 07:21 PM

  
89. "Lemme point out that..."
In response to Reply # 88


          

there are plenty folks out there with the 'fros that are some of the biggest damned fools there are, just as there are some of the most likeable individuals around with 'fros as well...wearing a 'fro shouldn't be associated with being natural, down to earth, or any of those other assumptions. It's a hairstyle; bottom line. Just another one of society's widely accepted stereotypical assumptions, such as dudes with braids? They're ALWAYS a THUG according to the popular ticket; even though this obviously isn't true it's a common misconception amongst all races.

-alienated
jmh2@mil.utexas.edu

  

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Ylana

Thu May-17-01 02:34 PM

  
94. "Eye dunno..."
In response to Reply # 89


          

if that post was truly meant for me or not but I never made an argument for afros making people more intelligent or spiritually connected. My gripe is with people who question a sistas motives for wearing and growing her hair naturally (as opposed to expensive chemical treatments). The question should be "why are you continuously using harsh chemicals on your hair?" and "why do you want to alter your hair's natural state in the first place?" This question should be posed to black women ages 6 and up. I'm sure the answers would be astounding.

"We live the now for the promise of the infinite" --Mos Def

"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes unknown to man, woman or the most agile of birds" --yours truly

"your people first. a quiet strength. the positioning of oneself so that observation becomes reaction, where study is preferred to night life, where emotion is not seen as a weakness. love for self, family, children and extensions of self is beyond the verbal"
--Haki R. Madhubuti

  

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loi
Charter member
538 posts
Fri May-18-01 02:21 AM

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95. "RE: Eye dunno..."
In response to Reply # 94


          

>if that post was truly meant
>for me or not but
>I never made an argument
>for afros making people more
>intelligent or spiritually connected. My
>gripe is with people who
>question a sistas motives for
>wearing and growing her hair
>naturally (as opposed to expensive
>chemical treatments). The question should
>be "why are you continuously
>using harsh chemicals on your
>hair?" and "why do you
>want to alter your hair's
>natural state in the first
>place?" This question should be
>posed to black women ages
>6 and up. I'm sure
>the answers would be astounding.
>

I couldn't agree with you more! How could someone ask "why go natural?" I think the answer is already embedded in the question, because it's just natural! People make statements with their beliefs, views, etc. If your hair is natural as a direct result of your views on the world, then yeah! Everyone should live up to the standards that they set for themselves, but people shouldn't assume that a natural state of being has anything political embedded within the curly lock!
>
>"We live the now for the
>promise of the infinite" --Mos
>Def
>
>"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes
>unknown to man, woman or
>the most agile of birds"
>--yours truly
>
>"your people first. a quiet strength.
>the positioning of oneself so
>that observation becomes reaction, where
>study is preferred to night
>life, where emotion is not
>seen as a weakness. love
>for self, family, children and
>extensions of self is beyond
>the verbal"
>--Haki R. Madhubuti



  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-22-01 09:18 AM

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173. "Haki Madhubuti"
In response to Reply # 88


  

          

My favorite quote by Haki:

"My wife is BRILLIANT! That's why she married me." 2001 Rap on Race Conference, Fisk University
>
>"your people first. a quiet strength.
>the positioning of oneself so
>that observation becomes reaction, where
>study is preferred to night
>life, where emotion is not
>seen as a weakness. love
>for self, family, children and
>extensions of self is beyond
>the verbal"
>--Haki R. Madhubuti


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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Ylana

Tue May-22-01 04:42 PM

  
175. "right on! (lol) n/m"
In response to Reply # 173


          

"We live the now for the promise of the infinite" --Mos Def

"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes unknown to man, woman or the most agile of birds" --yours truly

"your people first. a quiet strength. the positioning of oneself so that observation becomes reaction, where study is preferred to night life, where emotion is not seen as a weakness. love for self, family, children and extensions of self is beyond the verbal"
--Haki R. Madhubuti

  

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mermaid
Charter member
6917 posts
Fri May-18-01 05:39 AM

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96. "I'm really trippin on this"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I read the question and most of the responses given and for the life of me I can't understand why people are trippin on how folks wear their hair. It's ridiculous to me. No person is more connected to their African heritage than another simply because of the way they choose to style their hair. Damn! Is this what knowledge of our heritage has come down to these days...hair? For me I KNOW it's much deeper than hair and for those of you that believe people who style their hair with chemicals are denying their heritage...get real and stop frontin' for the masses!

I mean seriously it's been said many times throughout this thread, on these boards, and in many discussions on this topic that you can't judge a book by its cover. In essence saying that just because a person relaxes their hair or chooses not to does not mean that they are more or less "conscious" of anything!

EVERYTHING lies WITHIN love of your heritage and if you TRULY understood this as much then you wouldn't be so caught up on the preaching of displaying this on the outside with the likes of hair and clothes! That's why people have encounters with others they think "fit the part" because they're caught up on image and when they actually speak to the person it turns out they aren't really what they appeared to be. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not in any way saying that I'm against people expressing themselves in whatever way they choose, but don't think that just because you wear your hear chemical free that you're automatically linked to Africa. That's the biggest myth ever sold and I bet if any of you ever got the chance to visit or live in Africa you would see that its all about love and not about your hairstyle!

You can fake the outside, but the inside is TRUTH! Believe that!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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mermaid
Charter member
6917 posts
Fri May-18-01 05:43 AM

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97. "RE: I'm really trippin on this"
In response to Reply # 96


  

          



>EVERYTHING lies WITHIN love of your
>heritage


Excuse me that should read "everything lies within INCLUDING love of your heritage".

That is all

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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Ylana

Sat May-19-01 07:34 AM

  
119. "Chew on THIS!"
In response to Reply # 96


          

The reality is that black people are the only folks on this earth who even have these types of discussions. And the reason is because our hair/skin is unlike anyone elses. Think about it--There are only a small percentage of White/Asian/Latina women who chemically process their hair (to alter its texture), for black women it is the other way around. Does this not seem odd or backwards to you? I am so tired of people pretending as if a perm is a style "choice" for black women. We have been bombarded with the notion (since early childhood) that at some point it would be MANDATORY for you to straighten your hair. It has been so embedded into our subconsciouses (centuries in the making) that NATURAL has become UNNATURAL and vice versa. A woman who wears her hair naturally (Jill, Lauryn, Badu) has an "alternative" look and is subject to scorn and ridicule??? WTF...hello? When Catherine Zeta, Lucy Liu and Gwenyth Paltrow are being praised for wearing their hair naturally straight??? Black folks need to get it together--it goes beyond bobs, and shags--believe that.

"We live the now for the promise of the infinite" --Mos Def

"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes unknown to man, woman or the most agile of birds" --yours truly

"your people first. a quiet strength. the positioning of oneself so that observation becomes reaction, where study is preferred to night life, where emotion is not seen as a weakness. love for self, family, children and extensions of self is beyond the verbal"
--Haki R. Madhubuti

  

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mermaid
Charter member
6917 posts
Mon May-21-01 07:42 AM

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145. "RE: Chew on THIS!"
In response to Reply # 119


  

          

>The reality is that black people
>are the only folks on
>this earth who even have
>these types of discussions. And
>the reason is because our
>hair/skin is unlike anyone elses.
>Think about it--There are only
>a small percentage of White/Asian/Latina
>women who chemically process their
>hair (to alter its texture),
>for black women it is
>the other way around. Does
>this not seem odd or
>backwards to you?

I'm not sure if you are disagreeing with or even addressing what I said ealier, but to address your points...of course we may very well be the only ones is discussing this topic, but that's simply because we are the only ones that have so many options when comes to styling hair. And what's odd or backwards about these options? Nothing in my opinion.



I am
>so tired of people pretending
>as if a perm is
>a style "choice" for black
>women. We have been bombarded
>with the notion (since early
>childhood) that at some point
>it would be MANDATORY for
>you to straighten your hair.
>It has been so embedded
>into our subconsciouses (centuries in
>the making) that NATURAL has
>become UNNATURAL and vice versa.

A relaxer is a choice. I was never bombarded with anything and I have never felt that way either...not saying you said that I was.

>A woman who wears her
>hair naturally (Jill, Lauryn, Badu)
>has an "alternative" look and
>is subject to scorn and
>ridicule??? WTF...hello? When Catherine Zeta,
>Lucy Liu and Gwenyth Paltrow
>are being praised for wearing
>their hair naturally straight??? Black
>folks need to get it
>together--it goes beyond bobs, and
>shags--believe that.

Who's praising the caucasian and asian women for their hair? I've always believed that everything is about individual perception. Who's scorning these women for having their individual style? Certainly not me and for me that's enough. And generally speaking their styles are "alternatives" to wearing weaves, a relaxer, wigs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Mon May-21-01 09:10 AM

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147. "RE: Chew on THIS!"
In response to Reply # 145


  

          

>of course
>we may very well be
>the only ones is discussing
>this topic, but that's simply
>because we are the only
>ones that have so many
>options when comes to styling
>hair. And what's odd or
>backwards about these options? Nothing
>in my opinion.

It's not about "options" when we have that distinct separation between "natural" and "processed" hair. Everyone has countless styling options. But Black women are the only women who, in DROVES, chemically alter the makeup of their hair in order to make it "easier to manage" or more "presentable". And that begs the question "why?".


>A relaxer is a choice. I
>was never bombarded with anything
>and I have never felt
>that way either...not saying you
>said that I was.

Maybe you haven't. But you have to ask some questions. How old were you when you started perming (if you do)? Why did you continue to do it? Why was it done in the first place? Where are you from? Is "natural" hair stigmatized there? Accepted? What are your family's/friend's attitudes about "natural" hair? etc.


>Who's praising the caucasian and asian
>women for their hair?

A whole society. How many beauty/fashion/glamour mags do you see w/ a nappy headed sista in them (Essence doesn't count)? Things are changing now, but try finding them 10--even 5--years ago.


>I've
>always believed that everything is
>about individual perception.

Yes and no. Societal pressures are a bitch. Either you're glossing over that because you fit the mold, or you're one of the few that have surpassed that thinking. If you do fit that mold, you have to step outside of it to see where the author of the post was coming from.




~~~SPITFIRE (NEW DATE): AUGUST 23, 2001~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote here: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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Ylana

Mon May-21-01 05:28 PM

  
162. "excellent questions!"
In response to Reply # 147


          

this post should be copied and distributed (lol)!!!
I plan on answering the questions myself after the poster it was initially intended for.

"We live the now for the promise of the infinite" --Mos Def

"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes unknown to man, woman or the most agile of birds" --yours truly

"your people first. a quiet strength. the positioning of oneself so that observation becomes reaction, where study is preferred to night life, where emotion is not seen as a weakness. love for self, family, children and extensions of self is beyond the verbal"
--Haki R. Madhubuti

  

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nahymsa
Charter member
1734 posts
Fri May-18-01 06:08 AM

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98. "Don't perm if you're pregnant"
In response to Reply # 0


          

That's what your doctor tells you. Don't dye your hair if you're pregant.

Clearly perming & dyeing is toxic & potentially harmful to the fetus. Clearly that probably means its harmful to the user too. Yet they routinely advertise perms for children under 7 and we USE them on our children.

90% of black american women perm...that is more than a fashion statement, its an indication of how we feel about our hair & ourselves. Braiding, extensions, locs, etc do not harm & are not toxic to the body. Braiding, weaving, locs, etc. are a continuation of our cultural heritage...the main premise being nappy hair.

What are we telling our children when we so completely alter our hair and encourage them to alter theirs too, without even knowing the affects these chemicals have on our bodies & our minds.

  

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LexM
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28342 posts
Fri May-18-01 07:58 AM

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99. "I've heard both sides..."
In response to Reply # 98


  

          

some doctors/people will tell u it doesn't matter, some will say it does. I'd have to do my own research.

Personally, I don't plan on perming my hair again, so it's a moot point. But even if I was, I don't think I'd take the chance.

Just one of those things...



~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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mermaid
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Fri May-18-01 08:03 AM

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100. "Old wives tale"
In response to Reply # 98


  

          

I've never heard of that before and there isn't any scientific or medical proof of relaxers doing internal harm to the body. How could it unless you're ingesting the products???? LOL

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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nahymsa
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Fri May-18-01 08:35 AM

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101. "You are advised not to perm when pregnant"
In response to Reply # 100


          

Chemicals can enter a person's system through the pores. This is why you wear gloves/clothes with some chemical agents even though they do not burn or cause obvious harm to the skin.

Perming can & often does burn the scalp. It also leaves plenty of users feeling lightheaded, etc.

  

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mermaid
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6917 posts
Fri May-18-01 08:52 AM

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104. "RE: You are advised not to perm when pregnant"
In response to Reply # 101


  

          

>Chemicals can enter a person's system
>through the pores. This
>is why you wear gloves/clothes
>with some chemical agents even
>though they do not burn
>or cause obvious harm to
>the skin.
>
>Perming can & often does burn
>the scalp. It also leaves
>plenty of users feeling lightheaded,
>etc.

Oh sure, scalp and skin burns are the obvious hazards of relaxers, but the amount (if any) that could enter pores is negligible at best and I still can't see how that would affect a pregnancy. If you clean your face (which contains pores) with cleansers while you're pregnant are you putting your pregnancy at risk too?

I believe people where protective clothing with chemicals because they will cause harm to the skin. If it didn't they wouldn't have a need to wear them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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nahymsa
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1734 posts
Mon May-21-01 08:44 AM

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146. "are you a doctor?"
In response to Reply # 104


          

Like I said, many doctors suggest that women refrain from perming & dyeing while pregnant. That is not an old wives tale as you suggested, it is actual medical advise from people trained to give it. The fact that you can't see how it could be harmful doesn't mean that it isn't. Many people don't clean their faces with certain cleansers either while pregnant (and if you read the labels on some cleansers they suggest that you don't). Women aren't supposed to touch kitty liter either when pregnant.

Chemical agents that harm the skin clearly have caustic affects which can affect the system as a whole. My point remains...perming is not healthy nor is it necessary. It is a fashion statement at best. This fashion statement can be dangerous to small children & parents are being pushed to alter the state of their childs hair thru a chemical process that breaks the hair down.

Not only can it be potentially dangerous (ie cancerous...possibly developed with repeated use) but it sends a negative message to children. Ie, their hair as God created it is is bad.

  

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mermaid
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6917 posts
Mon May-21-01 10:35 AM

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151. "I could be a orthopedic surgeon and...."
In response to Reply # 146


  

          

it wouldn't make a difference in this conversation. Being a doctor in this case does not invalidate my words.

>Like I said, many doctors suggest
>that women refrain from perming
>& dyeing while pregnant. That
>is not an old wives
>tale as you suggested, it
>is actual medical advise from
>people trained to give it.
> The fact that you
>can't see how it could
>be harmful doesn't mean that
>it isn't.

I don't doubt that a doctor has told his/her pregnant patient this. Maybe "old wives tale" was the wrong choice in words, but if it were as harmful then why isn't it a widely known fact, or is it even a fact?


>Many people
>don't clean their faces with
>certain cleansers either while pregnant
>(and if you read the
>labels on some cleansers they
>suggest that you don't). Women
>aren't supposed to touch kitty
>liter either when pregnant.

Cat litter and cat scratches are widely known facts that most women seeking prenatal care are told about...black or white. Noxzema, a typical facial cleanser, I doubt will cause a problem. And of course not "CERTAIN" cleansers, especially not those that contain chemicals that will cause obvious harm.

>
>Chemical agents that harm the skin
>clearly have caustic affects which
>can affect the system as
>a whole. My point remains...perming
>is not healthy nor is
>it necessary. It is a
>fashion statement at best. This
>fashion statement can be dangerous
>to small children & parents
>are being pushed to alter
>the state of their childs
>hair thru a chemical process
>that breaks the hair down.
>
>
>Not only can it be potentially
>dangerous (ie cancerous...possibly developed with
>repeated use) but it sends
>a negative message to children.
>Ie, their hair as God
>created it is is bad.
>
Great stick to your point.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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nahymsa
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Mon May-21-01 10:50 AM

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152. "its widely known in the black community"
In response to Reply # 151


          

that you shouldn't perm your hair while pregnant and many of us do not. In fact, its typical for black women to braid and/or weave or hotcomb while pregnant...ask around.
You said it was an old wives tale not to perm & that is not true. All my friends & family that have perms were specifically told not to continue that process until after pregnancy by their obstetrician. Some were advised to wait until they stopped breastfeeding also.

The fact that you are not aware, does not make it unknown medical advise. It just means that you are uninformed..as are many people about various health issues that sometimes would seem to be common knowledge. The reason they keep giving public announcements about the cat litter thing is because plenty of people DON'T know.

Are you black?



  

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utamaroho

Mon May-21-01 11:01 AM

  
153. "THIS INDIVIDUAL"
In response to Reply # 152


          

has a classic case of "forensic dependency" i.e. the need to argue/debate/discuss without involving ones personal views into the conversation...and which group of people love this approach? that's right westerners! why? because when their hypocrisy between ideology and reality are exposed they have nothing!

  

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utamaroho

Mon May-21-01 11:02 AM

  
154. "so let her be..."
In response to Reply # 153


          

this is directed towards mermaid...


(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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LexM
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28342 posts
Fri May-18-01 08:37 AM

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102. "skin = absorbent"
In response to Reply # 100


  

          

if you get a rash, you rub cortisone into it & it makes it better, right? LSD can be placed on the skin and absorbed, making you high as hell...and those are just a couple of examples.

like I said, I would have to do some more research before I accepted it as truth, but it IS possible the chemicals could be harmful.


~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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utamaroho

Fri May-18-01 08:42 AM

  
103. "GREAT INSIGHT!"
In response to Reply # 102


          

(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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igneous12know

Fri May-18-01 10:13 AM

  
112. "going natural"
In response to Reply # 103


          

i usually just read the posts, but this time, i decided to put my two cents in. i noticed that many of the sistas that have responded have worn their hair "natural" for many years, and that is something that i truly praise and respect. i have worn my hair natural for less than a year now, and i did not do it for a fad. truthfully, as a college student, i am very lazy. i have had many different styles (most of them with permed hair), and most recently wore it in a very short permed style. after going away, i realized that the style was very high maintenance and i had no one to do it for me. so, i went home to my stylist and told her to cut it all off. i was terrified, but at the same time, felt liberated. on a college campus where wigs, weaves, and over-priced clothes are a must have for many of the black students, i didn't know how people would react to my hair. to my surprise, everyone loved it(except my parents, because my hair used to be shoulder-length). my hair has grown considerably since then, and i find it to be very versatile. did i do this because of a fad? no. did i expect to become an "enlightened revolutionary?" no, but a very strange thing happened. when my hair underwent such a drastic change, so did my thoughts/beliefs. i became more interested in the "black experience" through our history and present. i am reading more, and more interested in making positive changes in our community. i am grateful for this change, although it is a very slow process, and i am nowhere near where i want to be. i often get the "who are u supposed to be, jill scott?" question, but i pay it no mind. i had no intention to copy her or the other famous "natural sistahs" simply because of a fad. but i realize that people relate everything to what they see in the media. what do i like most about my hair? the fact that it looks good on me.

  

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mermaid
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6917 posts
Fri May-18-01 09:03 AM

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107. "RE: skin = absorbent"
In response to Reply # 102


  

          

>if you get a rash, you
>rub cortisone into it &
>it makes it better, right?
>LSD can be placed on
>the skin and absorbed, making
>you high as hell...and those
>are just a couple of
>examples.
>
>like I said, I would have
>to do some more research
>before I accepted it as
>truth, but it IS possible
>the chemicals could be harmful.

Oh mos definitely the skin is absorbant, but relaxer isn't applied directly onto the skin like a cortisone...at least it's not supposed to be. So that's not a good example. And yes some gets on the scalp, hence the burns, but who would deliberately put relaxer directly on their scalp?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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Blakdeity

Fri May-18-01 08:59 AM

  
106. "RE: Old wives tale"
In response to Reply # 100


          

Well, I'm sure that using a chemical on your scalp every month of every year from the prospective age of 6 to adulthood has to do some sort of damage to your body.
As with anything, the long-term usage of a product causes it to be absorbed in the body. So, it is harmful. An old wives tale? I think not.
However, I've been reading all the posts, and I must say that I believe the majority of persons felt that learning to love yourself is the most important issue here. I'm a black woman. I love myself. And we as Black people are fighting an inner battle as well as an outward one with a society that fears and oppresses us.
That's why all being "natural" is important. It's a symbol of honor to one's self, one's history. It's a shame that some olks only see it as a fad, but I'm gonna project my inner beauty outwardly because it's imperative to show the world other aspects of life as opposed to what's ugly what' destructive about human nature. We are bombarded with those images everyday.
I feel that people get frightened by other people professing pride for themselves because they see "separatist" notions underlying that pride. I just see love and appreciation for others. I'll love you if you love me--and even if you don't love me. That's all we should practicing.
So, it's imperative that you wear an afro? Well. it's the healthier choice. And a healthly person is a stronger person. So, I promote health to all people.
But is it more important that you love yourself and project humanistic values of love and respect to other people? Definitely.
















  

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mermaid
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6917 posts
Fri May-18-01 09:32 AM

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108. "RE: Old wives tale"
In response to Reply # 106


  

          

I agree. There are many healthy choices to be made in life, but there are many many more choices that are much deeper and are life saving or threatening than the one choosing to wear your hair chemical free. But it's all relative upon the individual.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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utamaroho

Fri May-18-01 09:36 AM

  
109. "is your hair natural?"
In response to Reply # 108


          

(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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mermaid
Charter member
6917 posts
Fri May-18-01 09:43 AM

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110. "Does it really matter?"
In response to Reply # 109


  

          

Is the answer going to add or take away any validity in what I've expressed as my beliefs?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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utamaroho

Fri May-18-01 09:53 AM

  
111. "like i thought"
In response to Reply # 110


          

Separated "self" from the very "idea" or "concept" being adressed is...western thinking at best. much like how anthropologists will stand off a far distance and observe a culture and say they "KNOW" that culture. It is far more beneficial to "involve/immerse" oneslf in whatever it is being discussed. That way the intimacy and spirit of one's individuality is added into the interaction. To not "want" to say whether you do or not have a natural crown is what is important to me. Whether you do or not, I could care less. Your ideas on the subject are, to me, elementary and when I deal with them in reality, they easily get dismantled. Maybe i'm too tired now...but lemme go let my locks get some sun now. be right back.


(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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ya Setshego
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4259 posts
Mon May-21-01 04:17 AM

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140. "RE: like i thought"
In response to Reply # 111


  

          




lemme go let my
>locks get some sun now.
>be right back.
>
>
>(((((PEACE)))))
>________________________________________________________________
>"Adversity causes some men to break,
>others to break records." -Anonymous
>
>
>"Pain is weakness leaving the body."
>-A Navy SEALS Saying
>
>"Fall seven times, stand up eight."
>-Japanese Proverb
>
>"The conciousness of self is the
>greatest hindrance to the proper
>execution of all physical
>action." -Bruce Lee


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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mermaid
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6917 posts
Mon May-21-01 06:51 AM

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143. "RE: like i thought"
In response to Reply # 111


  

          

>Separated "self" from the very "idea"
>or "concept" being adressed is...western
>thinking at best. much like
>how anthropologists will stand off
>a far distance and observe
>a culture and say they
>"KNOW" that culture. It is
>far more beneficial to "involve/immerse"
>oneslf in whatever it is
>being discussed. That way the
>intimacy and spirit of one's
>individuality is added into the
>interaction. To not "want" to
>say whether you do or
>not have a natural crown
>is what is important to
>me. Whether you do or
>not, I could care less.
>Your ideas on the subject
>are, to me, elementary and
>when I deal with them
>in reality, they easily get
>dismantled. Maybe i'm too tired
>now...but lemme go let my
>locks get some sun now.
>be right back.


Comical...at best! What I find elementary is the desire or need to break down to my individual components in order to make your point...now where's the western thought process? Stating whether my hair resembled Angela Davis's, Aaliyah's, Whoopie Goldberg's, Lisa Nicole Carson's or Alec Wek's is pointless..."set don't change"(c)lil bow wow. The only thing that matters is the fact that I'm black, everything else is irrelevant and fluff. My thought processes and beliefs aren't dictated by my hairstyle so again I ask you what would that piece of information add or take away from what I've said thus far?. What you're seeking is a foundation for what you want to say, and I say to you if you feel your words have any merit within themselves let them stand alone without crutches.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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utamaroho

Mon May-21-01 07:08 AM

  
144. "REALITY CHECK"
In response to Reply # 143


          

sooner or later my book will come out on American Arguments and Thought Processes BUT until then...

>>What I find elementary is the desire or need to break down to my individual components in order to make your point

read through this board and find out i'm the last one to push a reductionist type ideology and am more inclusive and wholistic (afrikan) in thought than i am western...my "argument" is not founded on what your hair is like, but for anyone to separate their characteristics or essence OR better put, "their place and personal staus" within a discussion is PURELY WESTERN. only the philosophie of the west try not to take into account the fusion of "thought,word,deed" in every manifested action. I need not use that aspect to help my point because what i'm saying appeals to the core of this whole issue. That point is that the personal choices of a certain group of people "may not be their own" and at the same time "may not even be recognized by them". With you in particular, there is no argument, just an identification of someone wanting to separate themselves and position from the discussion...something those playing devil's advocate do...or those too cowardice to stand behind their own actions. it' not like you'll tell me your hair is fried and i'll attack you...that's unnecessary and pointless.

REAL RECOGNIZE REAL, AND EVEN MORE THAN THAT THE FAKE, THEY REALLY REALLY RECOGNIZE REAL- BLACK THOUGHT




(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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mermaid
Charter member
6917 posts
Mon May-21-01 10:12 AM

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150. "RE: REALITY CHECK"
In response to Reply # 144


  

          

>sooner or later my book will
>come out on American Arguments
>and Thought Processes BUT until
>then...

Congratulations and good luck...

>read through this board and find
>out i'm the last one
>to push a reductionist type
>ideology and am more inclusive
>and wholistic (afrikan) in thought
>than i am western...my "argument"
>is not founded on what
>your hair is like, but
>for anyone to separate their
>characteristics or essence OR better
>put, "their place and personal
>staus" within a discussion is
>PURELY WESTERN.

Read through the board and find out? Why am I not finding out right now if you truly believed thought,word and deed were manifested in every action? I'm not disagreeing with the "zen/eastern" concept at all, however, I'm just asking because from perception you seem to be a walking oxymoron. First you say that you are "inclusive and wholistic" in thought then in the next breath do the elitist move and categorize your thought as "Afrikan." But anyway, I haven't separated my obvious relevant characteristics and essence from this discussion. I am Black discussing Black hair. Where's the conflict?

You haven't answered my question because you understand that there is no need to categorize yourself in order to hold an intelligent discussion about a topic where both participants are familiar....or do you? Just because you have indentified yourself as one with locs does not add or take away anything from this conversation. It does not add any creed to your words than it would had you not disclosed that. In fact I did not ask nor did I care to know because I understand that it's not relevant information. If you have to cloud and fill your words with fluff then there must not be much substance.

Whatever...I see that this discussion is going nowhere fast. My initial point was that there is no point in getting all caught up in how someone wears their hair. It's all image and what's important is what's on the inside, hence my reason for not needing to know your hairstyle or revealing mine. If you can't comprehend that, then...

Hair is not going to make you into some different person just because choose not to put chemicals in it. You are still going to be you regardless. I also don't think that anyone has the right to judge someone or say that they are denying heritage simply because they choose to relax their hair. It's absurb because doing so places prejudices upon your own that would so adamantly criticize another race for doing.

Good day.

>only the philosophie
>of the west try not
>to take into account the
>fusion of "thought,word,deed" in every
>manifested action. I need not
>use that aspect to help
>my point because what i'm
>saying appeals to the core
>of this whole issue. That
>point is that the personal
>choices of a certain group
>of people "may not be
>their own" and at the
>same time "may not even
>be recognized by them". With
>you in particular, there is
>no argument, just an identification
>of someone wanting to separate
>themselves and position from the
>discussion...something those playing devil's advocate
>do...or those too cowardice to
>stand behind their own actions.
>it' not like you'll tell
>me your hair is fried
>and i'll attack you...that's unnecessary
>and pointless.

Your perception is your reality. Frivilous and unsubstantiated things need not be addressed. Good day.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i got my season tickets to watch my favorite team...where are yours?

  

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Solarus
Charter member
3604 posts
Mon May-21-01 11:19 AM

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155. "WHOAH!!!!"
In response to Reply # 150


  

          

"I'm not disagreeing with the "zen/eastern" concept at all"

*mouth open*


"First you say that you are "inclusive and wholistic" in thought then in the next breath do the elitist move and categorize your thought as "Afrikan.""

*frowns*



"Hair is not going to make you into some different person just because choose not to put chemicals in it."

*laughs"



Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying...

PEace
Solarus

***Words of Wisdom***

"If it's not about NATIONBUILDING, it's not about ANYTHING."- Dr. John Henrik Clarke

"We are not the victims! We are just fighting forces that we cannot see!"-2001 Sankofa Conference

"You don't have the RIGHT to have free time from your children."-Kwame Agyei Akoto

"It is the worst feeling to hear the call of the drum and not be able to respond."-Solarus

On understanding Afrakan thought:
"it's like explaining astrophysics to a whino, the explanation can't be done like that. when people try to simplify it, they ask the other person to tailor the answers their cultural context. and trying to cater afrikan ideals to european understanding is a REAL sin."-utamaroho

____________________________
"the real pyramids were built with such precision that you can't slide a piece of paper between two 4,000 lb stones, and have shafts perfectly aligned so that you can see a tiny aperture through dozens of these mammoth blocks

  

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utamaroho

Mon May-21-01 12:30 PM

  
159. "i know..."
In response to Reply # 155


          

my expression: perplexed (is this person real?) and how would this discussion go face to face?


(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-22-01 06:34 AM

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168. "Angrily."
In response to Reply # 159


  

          

how would this
>discussion go face to face?
>
>
>
>(((((PEACE)))))
>________________________________________________________________
>"Adversity causes some men to break,
>others to break records." -Anonymous
>
>
>"Pain is weakness leaving the body."
>-A Navy SEALS Saying
>
>"Fall seven times, stand up eight."
>-Japanese Proverb
>
>"The conciousness of self is the
>greatest hindrance to the proper
>execution of all physical
>action." -Bruce Lee


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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utamaroho

Fri May-18-01 08:58 AM

  
105. "Why indeed?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

It's just a fad and will soon pass. When the next one comes around, you'll see who the real and who the fake are. Time exposes all.

From the lips of a modern griot, COMMON:

"Out of everybody I met, who told the truth? Time did"

..and from the one and only himself, BLACKTHOUGHT:

"REAL recognize REAL, and even more than that...the FAKE, they REALLY, REALLY recognize REAL."

Nuff Said.

(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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utamaroho

Fri May-18-01 10:16 AM

  
113. "RE: Why indeed?"
In response to Reply # 105


          

cracking nuckles, stretching neck...

OK, first off, looking at american culture (western culture) for ieas/opinions/thoughts on what is natural is just wrong. the track record is just not there, so discussing this within the american context, i.e. natural hair among african-american negroes is a waste of time (at least for the afrikan thinkers out there). thus the argument of natural styles being a "fad" fts well into the underlying ideological flow of the american cycle of style and as such, natural heads can very well be a style and should be among african-americans, "i mean what do you expect?"

secondly, the argument of natural crowns having any meaning within the american context is inconsequential because anything considered a "style" is based on the same superficial ideas as the type of car one drives in relation to income. even getting into the whole "i've seen dreaded brothers and sistas doing this and that..." argument is pointless because they're all americans within the same circle, and should be treated as such.

thirdly, african-american negroes are some the MOST LOST if not THE MOST LOST people on the planet when it comes to identity, so even in the realm of "hairstyle" one must look at them with that data included. first they are americans...let me say it again...THEY ARE AMERICANS! As stated above, to ask an american about ideas of what is natural is not wise (at least coming from an afrikan point of view).

To me perming can be likened to when Tommy Davidson and Savion were putting blackface on in Bamboozled...At first it was cool, but as time went on, it became unnerving and eventually they had to see the light. Same thing with women frying their hair. Eventually they grow old, grow bald (oxymoron i know) and then mentally grow out of it when they're too old to care about appearances. They invest in weave, wigs, and cheap clothing and jewelry to give themselves artificial self-esteem, and later on perpetuate this behavior to the youth KNOWING the physical pain they inflict upon themselves. I wont even contest the whole mental shackling to a "non-natural" image...or challenge the "accepting anothers' image of beauty" because after all we are talking about AFRICAN-AMERICAN negroes.

Unfortunately all i usually have to do is take my crown off and scratch my head, exposing my shiny healthy head of hair and black women all around start "wishing" and "admiring" and "begging for advice" when they have the solution right on top of their head but choose for whatever reason not to engage something that really works and is healthIER for them.

For my people out there who have to deal with this on the daily like i do, and watch our people do this to themselves, stay strong... and peep the Black Thought quote above this post...They know the deal...

(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Fri May-18-01 01:11 PM

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116. "interesting u say this..."
In response to Reply # 113


  

          

>Unfortunately all i usually have to
>do is take my crown
>off and scratch my head,
>exposing my shiny healthy head
>of hair and black women
>all around start "wishing" and
>"admiring" and "begging for advice"
>when they have the solution
>right on top of their
>head but choose for whatever
>reason not to engage something
>that really works and is
>healthIER for them.

Since I started growing my hair out, I've been noticing how many sistas are walking around with badly damaged hair. It ain't even about bein "natural" or "conscious" or whatever. Some of us just need to let it go for the sake of our heads!!

Don't even get me started on the horror stories I've heard/seen at the braiding salon.

Right before I cut it, I'd noticed that my hair had begun to break off in a couple of places. And everyone (including my hairdresser) was always saying how "pretty" and "healthy" my hair was...

But for real (I know, utamoroho...I'm just sayin'), if you're gonna perm your hair, you'd better have a damn good hairdresser.


~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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utamaroho

Fri May-18-01 01:20 PM

  
117. "I SEE WOMEN"
In response to Reply # 116


          

with even the so-caled "best" perms and their hair looks dead in comparison to the locks i see on some sistas, healthy natural locks have a "glow" about them that just brings a smile to your face and grabs attention from afar. one reason the malcolm x festival is important to me, so i can see my people in natural forms gathered together...damn, i hate living in this empty/wasteland of suburbia right now...

i wish i could show the pictures of what happens to permed womens' hair. some of it is just sad, just as bad as blackface if you ask me...


(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Sat May-19-01 03:11 AM

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118. "I feel you...."
In response to Reply # 117


  

          

I'm still debating on whether or not to lock mine. Probably won't until I'm in my late 20s-30s. I have to do some more research & talk to some people before I do. Are there any reading/resources you would suggest?


~~~SPITFIRE: 6/28/01~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Mon May-21-01 04:25 AM

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141. "Dreadlocks"
In response to Reply # 118


  

          

I'm not sure who wrote it. There is a sistah on the cover with blondish locs. That would be a good place 2 start.


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Mon May-21-01 06:12 AM

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142. "thanks for the info n/m"
In response to Reply # 141


  

          

~~~SPITFIRE (NEW DATE): AUGUST 23, 2001~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote here: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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HeyYoGirl

Sun May-20-01 10:36 AM

  
122. "I wish it would catch on here"
In response to Reply # 0


          

I'm a new poster to this board( but I have been lurking) and I haven't read all the replies yet. But I had to reply to the topic.
I live in the South and in my town few young people wear 100% natural hair (i.e. afros, barber cuts, two-strand twists, locs ect...) and very few beauticians know how to style of it. Most women in my city perms or weaves. The men wear braids and fros but the women don't.
I went natural in 1999 becaues I was sick of perms that didn't last, getting my scalp burned, and I wanted to wear a low fro. When I first went natural all my friends thought I was nuts and told me to go smack a perm in my hair. Now my fro is full and my friends see people like Jill Scott, so they have accepted it more.
Natural is not a fad for me. I like my naps, knots and kinky hair texture. I believe all hair is good, including the nappiest, toughest hair to comb on the planet. Sometimes I like straight hair, so I'll put on a wig. But my heart and my head will always be nappy!

  

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utamaroho

Sun May-20-01 11:18 AM

  
123. "wtf?!?"
In response to Reply # 122


          

I believe all hair is good, including the nappiest, toughest hair to comb on the planet. Sometimes I like straight hair, so I'll put on a wig. But my heart and my head will always be nappy!

no words...

  

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HeyYoGirl

Sun May-20-01 11:50 AM

  
125. "God Don't Make No Mistakes"
In response to Reply # 123


          

There is beauty in everything including nappy hair, beady beads, ect... I never hear any one complain about straight hair.

  

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QweenFiyah
Charter member
8326 posts
Sun May-20-01 06:34 PM

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135. "RE: God Don't Make No Mistakes"
In response to Reply # 125


          


> I never hear any
>one complain about straight hair.

Actually thats not true. There are plenty of white women out there with stick straight hair that want perms..perms to them means having curly hair.

Everyone seems to want what they werent born with..we need to wake up..foreal. No as a fad/not becuase its what we see others do but we need to have a sense of self.
My hair has been natural since 94 and it has been more healthy than it has in my entire life..because all i can do is think about my Moms relaxing my hair and my scalp burning and me eventually being bald in some spots..Nah..i will never go back to that.



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Youre just a big brick of babbling bullshit aren't you?"-Larry David

"If i say 'Hey asshole' and you turn around; is that my effin fault?"- me
----------------------------------------
get ta yippidy & yappin about the mouf:
aim=QweenFiyah
yahoo=kisszion

http://members.blackplanet.com/ZionzFire
________________________________________
OkayPoets In the Heeezey
http://www.welcome.to/okaypoets/

  

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HeyYoGirl

Sun May-20-01 11:46 AM

  
124. "Okay PLAYERS I've read all the posts -n- I got more to say"
In response to Reply # 122


          

1. Most of the black people I know got nappy hair unless they are mixed with white, indian, spanish, ect.
2. I heard someone say they think black women look better with perms. WHY?? Most black people were not born with relaxers.
Do most straight haired white women look better with curly hair.
3. NO body needs a perm?
4. It's just hair. However a person wants to wear their hair is their business. Your hair don't have nothing to do with what is in your brain.
5. I agree. How can you "go natural" if you were born with naps?
6. Natural hair is not low-maintaince hair. You still have to wash, condition, trim your hair.
(now I'm going off on a tangent)
7. Why do people ask when am I gonna "do" something with my hair? I usually feel like saying: I have done something with it... When are you going to "do" something with your bald hair line that has been overprocessed from perms?
8. Why don't natural men get teased, but natural women get picked on for their choice. I know because I've been through it?

OKAY... I'm done exhaling
Peace!



________________________
... and I write poetry too. visit my homepage at
http://members.tripod.com/shespeaksnc

  

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utamaroho

Sun May-20-01 12:02 PM

  
127. "don't do this..."
In response to Reply # 124


          

>>Your hair don't have nothing to do with what is in your brain.

unless you HONESTLY believe in the validity of this statement, don't make arguments like this, they are easily countered and silenced...

...analyze the perspective from which this statement comes then re-phrase it or run with it, but know that the foundation upon which it is built can be dismantled...

...soon to come, brb


(((((PEACE)))))
________________________________________________________________
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." -Anonymous

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." -A Navy SEALS Saying

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"The conciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action." -Bruce Lee

  

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msmalele

Sun May-20-01 12:39 PM

  
129. "RE: Why go natural? My personal reasons for going au natural"
In response to Reply # 0


          

I admit it is not so unrealistic to say that "going natural" could be more of a fad for some people over others. However, since I am a natural sista(been one for 5 years)if it can help my fellow queens(and kings too, but there is not much of a stigma placed on black men who ditch the texturizers and the hair clippers)see one can be BLACK and BEAUTIFUL and NATURAL too then by all means let them experience this through a fad. Maybe one day this "fad" will turn into a LIBERATING FEELING that one does not have to conform to WESTERNIZED STANDARDS of beauty which have OPPRESSED us for way too long. For me, going natural was at first a very scary experience. At that stage of my life I was still bound by the generational effects of PSYCHOLOGICAL BRAINWASHING that the oppressor has placed on virtually ALL people of the AFRIKAN DIASPORA. So eventually I went back to CHEMICALIZING my hair. After a while I TRULY WOKE UP and saw that I just wanted to please the people around me who had not yet become(and still haven't)comfortable with their own natural BeYOUty. Now I'm happily nappy and LOVING IT.

Jah Bless,


msmalele




"MANCIPATE yourself from MENTAL SLAVERY none but ourselves can free our minds.""Redemption Song" Bob Marley



"Don't remove
the kinks
from your hair.
Remove them
from your brain." Marcus Mosiah Garvey

* * * * * * * * * * *



NATURALLY

Naturally
is what I prefer to be
not PERMED or PROCESSED
to satisfy she or HE
but me
only. . .
'cause you see
the kinks, coils, nap or whatever you
may call them
are a JAH-given gift
not a curse
not something negative
But something to uplift. . . my culture via the Motherland
Obviously it's my choice
if I decide not to take a hand
and stick it in a box
pulling out some straightener
to tame my natty locs
For love of myself can't be gained chemically
It comes from within
quite naturally.


Copyright ©2000 By "me"
* * * * * * * * * * *
NATURALLY


By Audre Lorde


Since Naturally Black is Naturally Beautiful
I must be proud
And naturally,
Black and
Beautiful
Who always was a trifle
Yellow
And plain though proud
Before.

I've given up pomades
Having spent the summer sunning
And feeling naturally free
(If I die from skin cancer
oh well-one less
black and beautiful me)
Yet no Agency spends millions
To prevent my summer tanning
And who trembles nightly
With the fear of their lily cities being swallowed
By a summer ocean of naturally woolly hair?

But I've bought my can of
Natural Hair Spray
Made and marketed in Watts
Still thinking more
Proud beautiful black women
Could better make and use
Black bread.






  

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Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Sun May-20-01 07:03 PM

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136. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I wonder if imami realized how much response this post would get. The discussion is still interesting. I think that I've come to a conclusion about the matter for myself (not that it matter much, since I'm a guy).

I don't have to deal with the issues that come with your hair, so who am I to say "You need to be natural" when all you really want is to make it less of a job to take care of?

But.

If it is not for the sake of "manageability", please question yourself. God gave you beautiful hair. Dig deep and ask yourself whether what God gave you seems ugly to you; whether you find long, straight hair to be aesthetically more pleasing; whether the more African it seems, the less positive you feel about it.

Like my girl India Arie is saying, c'mon and love yourself.

  

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Chike
Charter member
32916 posts
Sun May-20-01 07:06 PM

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137. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 136


  

          

In Spike Lee's "Crooklyn", the main character watches and sings along with an Afro Sheen commercial. A beautiful woman with an Afro sits on a couch. The deep-voiced announcer speaks of her as an African queen, calling her hair her "crown".

Makes me nostalgic for a time during which I wasn't alive.

  

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coolpoet26

Sun May-20-01 07:43 PM

  
138. "to me it's all about the health of your hair...."
In response to Reply # 137


          

Hello to all the readers,

I think what I have to say has already been said, and I am pleased by all the responses that I've read. I applaud all the women who have posted their ideas on both permed AND natural hair. My whole perspective is having healthy hair. Your body is God's temple and it should be healthy. That means your hair too. I used to advocate going natural for all black women, but you know what? Everyone has a different experience and has a right to do whatever the heck they want to do.

I will leave an excerpt on here from my website that I've written on tips for growing dreadlocks, and would suggest anyone to check it out for some advice on starting with locks.
Here is the link for the full article, pictures and more advice:

http://www.geocities.com/coolpoete/dreadlocks.htm


Black Women: Appearance vs. Health
----------------------------------
On a final note, I would like to address the black woman in particular. Now, I know nothing of what it is like to go through the struggles of being a woman. My word of encouragement to you is to simply take a look at why it is many of you struggle with the idea of going natural. I have spoken to many black women who ask me about my hair, and I will be completely honest with what I think of women who complain about having a perm. If you want good healthy long natural hair, you have to be ready for the maintenance. Most black women don't want to put the effort into taking care of the hair naturally, so they alter it. By altering I simply mean changing the way your hair looks naturally by removing the curl. Dying, perming, relaxing, blow-drying, hot-combing, whatever you want to call it. One way or the other, when you add something foreign to the hair that un-curls the natural tight curl, it goes against what your hair wants to do. Doing that is just not good for your hair in the long run. Yes, I recognize the fact of the pressures society places on black women to look a certain way for all of its reasons. And thus, the black woman is forced to improvise. Perm for 6 months, go natural the next. Or the switching of hair products over short periods of time. My point is not to recommend that all black women wear locks. Neither do I have a "wonder-product" that is going to make your hair straight without doing damage to it somehow. For some textures and grades of hair, many women have found products that they can adjust their lifestyle to.

To those that are struggling because their hair is suffering: reconsider your premonitions, preconceived ideas and notions about going natural. You do have options. If your hair is that important to you, taking care of it won't be a chore, but a delight. If he don't like it like that, then maybe he doesn't like you for the right reasons. What about the workplace? That's your decision. If a perm is what they want, and you want what they have, then you have to make that decision, but realize that you do have options! Besides that, the workplace is changing as the years go by. In life there are sacrifices to be made, and none of them are easy. If you think that the (African) cultural lifestyle of short hair is not for you then that's okay, but don't look down on it as being primitive or unsophisticated. God doesn't make mistakes. Take a look at nature, and how odd and ugly some elements seem individually. But put it all the single ugly elements together and you will never see anything else that is more beautiful on the planet! So what can I do you ask? Take the time and energy, find a natural hair salon in or around your area and talk to them. I'm guaranteed they will have a solution for you


I hope this was beneficial to you all, by the way, I'm a 26 year old dredlocked black male from the Islands.!

-CoolPoetE
http://www.geocities.com/coolpoete

  

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Reese2000

Mon May-21-01 01:13 PM

  
161. "I still need help"
In response to Reply # 138


          

I read the very inciteful link on dreads that was posted above,

but I need help with the transition from perm to "natural"
Does any one know where on the Web I can find it.



"If ya don't know, now ya know"

  

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Ylana

Mon May-21-01 05:46 PM

  
163. "lemme try..."
In response to Reply # 161


          

folks i know (including myself) made the transition of growing out natural hair with braids (cornrows,extension,etc). Many people simply cut the perm off and wear fades to start the growth process. Others grow their natural hair (using the methods mentioned above) and cut off the permed edges. It could also help to speak with a local beautician (even though sumuvem might try to talk u into stickin' with the perm $$$).

"We live the now for the promise of the infinite" --Mos Def

"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes unknown to man, woman or the most agile of birds" --yours truly

"your people first. a quiet strength. the positioning of oneself so that observation becomes reaction, where study is preferred to night life, where emotion is not seen as a weakness. love for self, family, children and extensions of self is beyond the verbal"
--Haki R. Madhubuti

  

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Ylana

Mon May-21-01 05:48 PM

  
164. "sorry, no links n/m"
In response to Reply # 163


          

"We live the now for the promise of the infinite" --Mos Def

"I'm tryin' to soar to altitudes unknown to man, woman or the most agile of birds" --yours truly

"your people first. a quiet strength. the positioning of oneself so that observation becomes reaction, where study is preferred to night life, where emotion is not seen as a weakness. love for self, family, children and extensions of self is beyond the verbal"
--Haki R. Madhubuti

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Tue May-22-01 02:35 AM

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165. "some links..."
In response to Reply # 161


  

          

http://www.nappyhair.com (hair styles, moral support, etc. also, check out the links section for more natural hair sites)

http://www.carolsdaughter.com (all natural products--excellent for keeping your hair in good shape during the transition phase)

http://www.naturallycurly.com (may have some product info, but the main focus isn't Black hair)


These are some sites I found when I first started growing out my perm. I'm about halfway there (last had a perm in August). Just be patient and you'll make it through

peace

L.

~~~SPITFIRE (NEW DATE): AUGUST 23, 2001~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote here: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-22-01 06:44 AM

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169. "On Transitioning...."
In response to Reply # 165


  

          

>http://www.nappyhair.com (hair styles, moral support, etc.
>also, check out the links
>section for more natural hair
>sites)
>
>http://www.carolsdaughter.com (all natural products--excellent for keeping
>your hair in good shape
>during the transition phase)
>
Just be
>patient and you'll make it
>through
>
Patience is a problem for many Blackfolk. We can't deal w/ transitions, which is why we go ahead and get that touch-up when the fear of more new growth coming in is too unbearable, or we take the drastic measure of cutting down to the new growth, for uniformity. Not cutting my hair at first was a good lesson in patience for me, and a lesson in transitioning, and the time it takes to do so. I would suggest a book from Oprah's Book Club:

What Looks Like Crazy on Any Other Day-Pearl Cleage. It touches on the topic of Blackfolk and transitioning very poignantly.

peace.


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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LexM
Charter member
28342 posts
Tue May-22-01 08:48 AM

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171. "I HAD to cut mine..."
In response to Reply # 169


  

          

...couldn't deal with the dual texture anymore...and I was afraid it would start breaking off. and it started to look a little strange; even when I straightened it, you could tell I "needed" a perm. In March, I cut it to just below my earlobes.

I gained a lot more patience, after I cut half my hair off ...the texture is more uniform & it's easier to twist/style, etc. Pressing was an option, but last time, I burnt a little patch of hair off. I decided then just to keep it in twists/braids until it's totally grown out.


~~~SPITFIRE (NEW DATE): AUGUST 23, 2001~~~
carameldom@hotmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bmore-Okayplayers
(((oh yeah...do us a favor & vote here: http://www.geocities.com/bmorestreetwise/flyers.html)))

"cats pop champagne/over misery and pain/like slaves on the ship/talkin 'bout/who got the flyest chains" ~~Talib Kweli

"you can't fool me! I'm too stupid!" (c) a random warner bros. cartoon character

~~~~
http://omidele.blogspot.com/
http://rahareiki.tumblr.com/
http://seatofbliss.blogspot.com/

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-22-01 06:48 AM

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170. "Which island?"
In response to Reply # 138


  

          

>
>I'm a 26 year old
>dredlocked black male from the
>Islands.!


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-22-01 09:13 AM

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172. "I used 2"
In response to Reply # 137


  

          

LOVE that commercial! My sister tried 2 put our hair in afros one summer vacation, but our hair would not stand up. I now realize that was due to over-processing, and weekly straightening. Our hair had been beaten down in2 submission! : (


>In Spike Lee's "Crooklyn", the main
>character watches and sings along
>with an Afro Sheen commercial.
> A beautiful woman with
>an Afro sits on a
>couch. The deep-voiced announcer
>speaks of her as an
>African queen, calling her hair
>her "crown".
>
>Makes me nostalgic for a time
>during which I wasn't alive.
>


"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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666
Charter member
484 posts
Mon May-21-01 11:27 AM

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156. "anything you do is natural.....you are from nature."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

_my work here is done_

||| my work here is done |||

  

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Solarus
Charter member
3604 posts
Mon May-21-01 11:32 AM

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157. "GO TO HELL!!!"
In response to Reply # 156


  

          

}> }> }> }>




____________________________
"the real pyramids were built with such precision that you can't slide a piece of paper between two 4,000 lb stones, and have shafts perfectly aligned so that you can see a tiny aperture through dozens of these mammoth blocks

  

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666
Charter member
484 posts
Mon May-21-01 11:44 AM

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158. "Earth = Hell."
In response to Reply # 157


  

          

Yin & Yang. Be natural for you can't be any other way. Free Will.

_my work here is done_

||| my work here is done |||

  

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mika_muyo
Charter member
21389 posts
Mon May-21-01 12:54 PM

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160. "ive always been natural....."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

and ive been getting shitted on about it for the last 9 years of my life...ive never had a perm and now everyones on this 'natural' thing if youve been doing it for your whole life its not a fad fuck fakers and wannabes...keep it right instead of real.
peace
MIk


****http://members.blackplanet.com/mika_mik/****

->Nore:"I'll sneeze in your food/To show you I'm rude."
that's shit is so absurd it's classic
Courtesy of DonKnutts

No clit clutching please.(c) L_O_Quent

'i dont get many compliments/but i am confident' Talib Kweli

'i rather die with my dignity before i bow to my enemy'-Fred Hampton Jr.

'some people try to front like 'i aint feelin it really'/but thatz silly cuz how the fuck you cant feel me...' BT

'WHAT GOES WITH PIE?! MILK MILK!!! WHAT GOES WITH BEANS?! MILK MILK!!!' milk commerical

'now thats the real'me

It was like, I aint know whether to clap or be offended, so i clapped with a frown...- Geah

  

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ya Setshego
Charter member
4259 posts
Tue May-22-01 05:08 AM

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166. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

http://www.okayplayer.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=376&forum=DCForumID1&archive=yes



"Don't Hate the PLAYA Boy...hate the GAME," Granddad Freeman of the Boondocks(7-11-99)

*Twenty-three percent of women are "autoerotic singles" — they prefer to achieve sexual satisfaction alone(source-bet.com)

*If U have won a Grammy, one of two things are at play: 1. Your shit is TIGHT
2. U are white
-(Me)

"'Cuz U answer the phone 'peace' that means U not a freak?"-The Questions(c) Common


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oooo baby I like it raw. Oooo baby I like it RAAAW!(c)ODB- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

  

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philiagoddess

Tue May-22-01 10:47 AM

  
174. "RE: Why go natural?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

i've been wearing a natural since '91 and i did it for a number of reasons.....i was tired of scabs and burns on my scalp.....i was tired of waiting at the 'shop' for three hours before they even touched my head (yall know how we do, remember make u wait beauty salon on the Chris Rock show, hillarious)......i was tired of having to get a perm every three weeks and having the stylist use a half a tub of extra-strength no-lye relaxer to get my thick bush of new growth straight (me: its starting to burn, stylist: well it ain't straight yet, me: well when it gone be straight, stylist: in a few more minutes) by the time i got to the shampoo bowl, my stylist was putting out a bush fire....the fine men i get to watch and sit next too at the barber shop (just trippin' but they be fine tho').....but wearing a natural has its challenges.....since my features and build is very strong, i get hit on or stared at by other women and not just gay women, straight women have flirted/stared at me also; and men tend to be standoffish, they just don't know how to approach me......and in my opinion black women who wear naturals tend not to be considered feminine and their sexuality always seem to be in question.....so wearing a natural has taught me to be secure in my sexuality and feminity, which is constantly being challenged by the media and other people.......i've known women who have gone back to a perm, because they are just tired of having to overcome the challenges that wearing a natural poses....a woman actually told me that she went back to a perm, because she felt she could get a man that way and she was tired of women hitting on her.....and i felt her pain....because i have to deal with the same drama all the time......but if women find me attratctive, because i am being my truest self, so be it......and if men can't handle the fact that i am being my truest self, so be it......all i can be is who i is.....i believe for me that wearing a natural has forced me to deal with and define my own feminity and sexuality....and for that i will always wear and be forever greatful to my natural....

peace in love,
philia

  

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blakgirl
Member since Oct 27th 2002
307 posts
Tue May-22-01 07:26 PM

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176. ":oP"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

i read through all the post and both sides are . . . bleh.

make yourself happy. love and respect each other's differences.

blak.

to new to be right.

blak.

i'm baaaaaaack.

  

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