well nobody likes nappy hair, and lye was discovered by a black woman. Madame something??

Creamy crack is whack!!

Still not good for the hair though, thats why I went N-A-T-U-R-A-L!!!

Two comments! One, what’s happening here is the same thing that happens with any and all holidays/celebrations and that’s commercialization. As with MLK Day, when night clubs have parties in his honor or when department stores have an MLK sale, is the same thing Family Dollar is doing with this ad. Plus, so many people and/or companies have no clue how to help celebrate the holiday other than to show off the only products they have in stock that related to black people. Think about it, when you walk into Family Dollar, how many Black products do you see, toys, etc. So, it’s a poor attempt to engage in Black History Month, that’s it. I don’t even really think the point of the ad is for anyone to “celebrate” but for them to make money. However, there are those Black folks who will take Family Dollar up on their offer and take advantage of the sale, let’s keep it real, and won’t think twice about it.

Two, As for relaxer. I wear a relaxer and have gone back and forth as to how I would like to rock my hair, depending on how I’m feeling and the season. The way I view relaxer is, it depends on what you are using it for. If it’s to make your hair more manageable, whatever manageable means to you, in your mind, in order to make life easier so that if you are on the go, you are not spending alot of time on your hair, then, that’s fine. Also, if you work in a certain environment, like a corporation, where a certain traditional, conservative “look” is expected, then that’s fine as well. And, if you feel like you don’t look attractive (in your mind) with natural hair, or if you have tried to wear your hair (natural – I mean no relaxer or any chemicals), and you don’t like it (we do have that option not to like it, remember that, it’s our choice), then you don’t have to feel obligated to go natural just because. I tried it, didn’t like it and I’m okay with that, really comfortable and it doesn’t make me any less Black. I do my braids when I feel like it and I do my relaxer when I feel like it and I’m okay with that.

However, it’s when one chooses to sport a relaxer or the ever growing trend of hair weave, because you are trying to look like someone else, or trying to look white, or trying to pretend that your hair texture is not what it is, like wearing a “wavy weave” when you hair texture is clearly not wavy, then that, those kinds of tactics are a problem and scary.

Black women and hair are a serious matter and we create culture, trends, fashions that others want to follow and that transcend time. As long as you can embrace who you are and be comfortable in your skin and embrace your hair, however you choose to wear it, you will be fine.

damn and i was going to perm my hair this weekend

a can of royal crown hair-dressing and a hot comb can work wonders too!

CELABRATING PERMS IS LIKE CELABRATING THE RAPE OF ONSELF AND CELABRATING CRACK

TO THE HALF BREED DOWN BELOW

I LOVE AND PREFER SO CALLED NAPPY HAIR OVER WANNABE PERMING DOG HAIR

AFRAKAN WOMEN SPORT UR NATRUAL HAIR AND HAVE LOTS OF DARK N BROWN BABYS

ALSO BLACKPLANET U PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO BE SOME OF THEE MOST IGNORANT BASTARDS

TO PUT THIS AS A TOPIC TO BE READ

HOW ABOUT WE CELABRATE THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN SERIAL KILLERS AS WELL

I.D.I.O.T.S

NO MORE WILL SMITHS AND OBAMAS

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Well my ol lady and my moms got dreads and my grandma wear braids. So this wont help me unless they gone have mango-lime shampoo and aloe plants on sale.

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lmaooooooooooooooo@shango24….well stated!!!

Madam CJ Walker is her name. The first woman millionaire to earn the money herself.

I never understood this … black women use a chemical product with filled with TOXIC INGREDIENTS such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide. The possible health dangers are staggering which include scalp irritation, skin burns, permanent scarring, deep ulcerations, skin drying and cracking, dermatitis, irreversible baldness, eye damage including blindness and weak, dry, broken and damaged hair. Relaxers break the hair down and also deplete the hair of sebum (the oil your scalp secretes).

And I don’t wanna hear that “my relaxer doesn’t have lye in it” bulls**t either cuz relaxers, whether with or without lye, have a very high pH thus making it extremely caustic. Todays’ relaxer kits advertise “no lye” which leads women to believe these chemicals are much safer when in fact they are not any better. Even a biologist from the FDA has stated this so that should be a red flag by itself.

But then again who am I … SMDH

@BladeRunna79Exactly!!! Who are you??? If black women suck as myself want to use the hair crack we will. It’s addictive!!!

ooh.. ohh.. was this article aimed at the Al Sharpton Ad-banner I see in the top of my screen? You so wrong for this. lol
Who knew that in 2010, we’d still have black people who hate themselves so much that they have to escape their features. It really disappoints me.

What!? African Pride No-Lye Relaxer’s not on sale? WTF!
My hair might as well be relaxed, not much else is relaxing considering the State of the Union. Ya’ll know it’s got Hemp in it; Right?

DISGUSTING RELAXERS!!!

Nope its not. I relax it bc I hate doing my hair, and I can manage relaxed hair waaaay better than natural hair. A lot of non blacks relax their hair, does that mean they’re celebrating BHM too? Hair is a woman’s crowning glory and idc what people say or think about relaxers, since you’re not doing my hair or paying for me to get it done.

Who knew that in 2010, we’d still have black people who hate themselves so much that they have to escape their features. It really disappoints me, me too, i remember the war i had with my daughter’s school about her hair in plats, in the end i felt we moved forward when they had to backtrack on saying she could not come to school with plats, now it makes me think it was all for nothing and we have moved backwards with adverts like that,, where is black pride gone when we are only proud if we have hair like white people

http://www.TEACHBLACKHISTORY.com

SOME OF Y’ALL JUST SOME DAMN FOOLS. THERE IS NO DEFENSE FOR A BLACK PERSON TO RELAX THEIR HAIR…IT’S EASIER TO MANAGE,SOME PPL DON’T LIKE NAPPY HAIR. COONERY. DIE COONS DIE. SO BLACK FOLKS CAN LIVE. I AM THE LAST POET.

I still love perming my hair..my hair is just unmanageable if its not straightened..whether it is pressed (heat or humidity naps it right back up) I wouldnt mind putting my hair in braids or wearing it natural if I could afford braids or if i didnt rip my hair out trying to comb it natural..Everyone’s hair is different and i know mine..I prefer to not look like celiey from The Color Purple…no offense but im on my own out here I cant afford all the glam even with a degree LOL. I like my perms. Point Blank! My decision. Thank u!

The cream creak is very whack…I ditto that motion. That advertisement is some nigga sh!t fo’real.

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Although it’s deeply disturbing & saddening, it’s definitely not surprising to read the commentary of brainwashed black people (women) who r basking happily in their ignorance & delusions regarding perms. It’s clear that those who support perms substantiate their position by asserting their right of “freedom of choice” along with citing “womanly personal experience” to legitimizes the absurdity of their position. Absurdity? Really? Yes, ktibbs & others…to defend the use of sodium & calcium hydroxide & all of its damaging effects all in the name of false manageability & flexibility of style, adherence 2 corporate american standards &, through personal freedom of choice, going along to blend in? You would fair better & would be healthier 4 u 2 shave it off or shave it low. I doubt u & most others would do that bc of the socialization & conditioning u’ve experienced as children and adults. Apparently the way God made ur hair isn’t good enough. I guess God made a mistake, right? If u r not BORN w/ straight hair, STOP PRETENDING. Have the strength to realize ur denial & delusions. REMINDER: tightly coiled, kinky, nappy hair is not meant to easily comb through; STOP TRYING TO APPLY WHITE EURO-CENTRIC STANDARDS OF HAIR & OVERALL BEAUTY WITH WHAT GOD AND NATURE INTENDED FOR BLACK PEOPLE. It should be perceived as ridiculous 4 whites 2 grow locs afros and braids just the same as it should to see black people with with perms, weaves and extensions, but of course it isn’t because people are lost. They lose sight of the implications and subliminal messaging/imagery. @ktibbs …tell me how ur examples in point #2 are not one in the same of delusional brainwashing? One is trying to look white whether u r @ work or not, whether life is easier w/ perms, whether u r “on the go.” It is still unauthentic, processed, white hair endorsing an image that is not natural period. Perhaps the women who support perms have identity issues, low self esteem r ambivalent or just lack the strength & resolve 2 disengage w/ the standards of whiteness.

Ok..lemmie say that our women need to get thier sh*t together on this issue. The bottom line is Madam C.J. Walker, for all of her innovative thinking, was addressing a need to intergrate at a time when things were much different in America, but psychologically it was a need to look like a white person period. No excuses. See it for what it is. Now in 2010 we don’t need it. Black men USED to do it too, but we snapped out of that madness. Perming your hair is one of THE MOST OVERT DISPLAYSOF DEEP ROOTED SELF HATE black women express. Period. Trying to frame this argument any other way is fooling yourselves. The standard for black beauty has to be us, not them. No other race of women hate the way they look when they were born more than black women..yeah white chicks get lipo in the lips, curly perms etc.. but not like our triflin, excuse making women. The corporate excuse? pa lease!!!! in 2010 that just don’t jive and in my experience in corporate America I see PLENTY of women with natural hair of all styles…PLENTY!!!!! But they wear it strong and keep it neat…and handle your business in the workplace. Furthermore, if all black women changed the standard and wore thier hair as it was when they were born, what choice would corporate America have but to embrace it wholeheartedly?..if that argument holds any real wieght. Furthermore, you a punk as* weak woman if you can’t function and make money without them embracing you as you were born. This argument is so tired..and so are them women with these “I want to keep my perm” excuses. Your afraid to be yourself. Your natural hair is beautiful, but requires maintenance and some work..if you dummies were used to it then it wouldn’t seem so difficult and strange and would be a part of your regular routine. The argument of “I don’t like how it looks”… COMPARED TO WHAT STANDARD? If you were used to seing natural hair in all of its glory and mess, then, again it wouldn’t seem so strange. If you weren’t seeing white women with straight hair and stupidly, internalizing that beauty standard then you would probably see beauty and what “looks right” completely different. I know women who chose not to perm. They dealt with negative comments from family, friends, and mates..the process for them was hard to look at sometimes–until they got used to it–until other people got used to it, and they figured out how to style it. That process alone built character and real self love within them. To hear the same weak, lame excuses for hating the way you were born is borderline sickening sometimes. YOU ALL DO IT TO LOOK LIKE A WHITE WOMAN!! EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE OF YOU. either conciously or subconciously. Period. change it. Yes all black women should wear thier hair in the state God gave it to you in..not this grafted, altered state we keep seeing.

[...] JUST CURIOUS: Is Relaxing Your Hair A Celebration Of Black History? [...]

People (both male and female) put the “nuclear waste into their hair. And for the sake of argument, this IS their prerogative. I think that if we, as black people, during the Black Power Movement of the 60′s and onward HAD INSTILLED “Say it loud, I’m black with my natural hair and proud” with the coming generations, MAYBE self-love would be more in evidence today.

Self-hatred? A little dramatic aren’t we? I have natural hair but used to perm my hair and I truly do not see any strong correlation with one’s hairstyle and their self esteem. I’ve always been a proud black women no matter what my hairstyle was. I wish we didn’t put such limits on ourselves and make such a big deal about a black woman’s hair. It is such a cop out because black people have serious REAL issues to deal with that don’t include the dead protein that comes out of our scalps. There are black women with perms who devote their whole lives to uplifting black people and there are black women with natural hair who don’t do squat. The only reason most black women have perms is because their mothers did it when they were younger and they were told to continue to perm it every six weeks or it will fall out. So that’s what they did. The invention of the perm is obviously based on a deeper issue but the use of the perm now is really not that deep. Just like black men don’t like to be judged by their clothes, I don’t think women should be judged by their hairstyles either. Can we please stop trying to create division amongst each other!

I recently read that Garrett A Morgan, the same man who invented the gas mask and traffic light (Yay Black History), invented the relaxer and not Madame CJ Walker, although she did develop many other beauty products. Anywho…. I didn’t realize there were men that felt so strongly about the issue. Where can I find one? Many of these posts have valid points.

But to argue that natural hair is less manageable is simply not true. It’s just that you have to re-learn how to manage it. Many of us began getting relaxers when we were young (I was either 5 or 6) and therefore didn’t really learn HOW to take care of it properly. Of course we’d think it was “unmanageable” if we’d never dealt with it on our own before. It requires a lot of patience, perseverance, and proper techniques (like not combing it while it’s dry, using a wide tooth comb, combing from ends to root to prevent tangles, etc.) It is possible and not as hard as you may think. Do your research first. There are several websites, discussion boards, and groups on social networking sites devoted to natural hair.

Saying it’s not acceptable in the workplace isn’t true either. An afro may not be appropriate, but there are other styles, such as braids and two-strand twists, that can be manipulated for a more professional setting. I think the REAL reason that many women feel they can’t return to natural is they’ve been fed negative messages about our hair, be it from the media, family, friends, or whomever, and won’t be accepted. In some cases, this does lead to “self-hate” or at least hatred of the natural naps we were born with.

When I decided to stop relaxing my hair last February, I got a lot of hell from my aunt, literally calling my hair nappy (what else did she expect?) and saying I needed a perm every single day. In the end, it made me stronger, and she has decided to go natural too. It’s one of the best hair decisions I’ve made; I’ve learned to listen to my hair and give it what it needs. Natural hair is so versatile; I can dye my hair without worrying about it getting weak/dry, braid it, twist it, straighten it, or just wear the fro. Basically, I love my natural hair. I encourage anyone who’s thinking about it to do a quick google search of “natural hair care.” The first 3 sites are excellent starting points, as is youtube.

That is a personal decision, i like my hair natural, but not everyone is fan of natural hair. Because someone relaxes their hair doesn’t mean they aren’t proud of themselves. Also BladeRunna79 i’m pretty sure you put harsh chemicals in your body too! If you drink soda thats high fructose corn-syrup which can induce your insulin secretion, which puts you at risk for type II diabetes

I get tired of black women saying that relaxed hair is more manageable…that’s total bullspit. My hair is natural and it’s VERY EASY for me to style my hair in various choices. It’s quicker,easier, and it’s MINE!!! What they need to do is actually let their natural hair grow, and learn how to deal with what’s theirs. I’ve never felt so healthy and beautiful in my life since I made the switch. Here is a link to my blog all about my natural hair journey. I hope this will help any females that’s considering making the transition from relaxed to natural.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=24431277&blogId=526758688

@hmmidunno: ur name seems appropriate in answering 2 questions: y do mothers perm their daughter’s hair as early as 4 & 5 yrs old, & y do u, as a male, perm ur hair anyway? lol. To save face, perhaps the gender u assign urself on ur page is that of a typo, & if so, I extend a “my bad yo.” However, If I am not wrong, well then, as far as the subject matter goes, u lose tremendous credibility as a man perming his hair b/c that is as asinine, if not more bizarre, as a black woman defending it. To try & legitimize the toxic process of perming or sewing synthetic or real human/horse/pony/donkey/zebra/sheep/mule/unicorn hair to achieve the illusion — the deception of long flowing white american/european hair only underscores the obvious self hatred when black women, in a shameful & desperate gesture, cover their real hair in hopes of gaining acceptance (being perceived less threatening) among whites socially & professionally. And u better believe perms (& weaves) promote social acceptance 4 black women at the expense of themselves by abandoning that repulsive & offensive appearance and pride of “natural african queen” that seeps out of their pores, right? WRONG!
Women talk of the “convenience” (lazy) factor which amounts to more unsubstantiated horse sh it that is forever snowballing down the mountain of ignorance. I don’t know what’s worse — the toxicity damaging the hell out of their hair follicles or the toxicity emanating from their mouths? Has the relaxer relaxed their sense of logic? Thanks 2 the normalization and influence of mass media & how they mind f u k k u like a slave mainly through imagery, as a result, ur identity awareness gets compromised & what should be obvious & logical becomes illogical. They reaffirm their absurdity that stems from blissful ignorance & complacency. Then, swiftly, the conversation gets redirected 2 a number of sub discussions such as “freedom of choice” or “preference” & “style manageability, even how white women perm/weave their hair but haters don’t criticize them, how people here could care less about this subject matter & y we all can’t just get along….or perhaps, talk about high fructose corn syrup in soda pop, kcs_sexy_ gemini. Keep on denying the real problem inherent in black women & disengage in an open & honest dialogue about self esteem, confidence , beauty standards regarding natural hair or the anti black values that are present within the sub-conscience. We can talk about how men eat so many potato chips w/ soda that the sodium intake from the chips is as bad as the fructose. I guess cuz we some corn syrup consuming, chip eatin mofos quick to point the finger, right? Let’s collectively get side tracked from the posted question while y’all lost womenfolk widen the gap & spend more money on buying someone else’s hair than u do on education (see good hair). Perpetuate the gross ignorance prevalent in the black community. The followers of the “just for me: lost identity” crowd, it is of no particular shock that they can’t make a connection between themselves & the beautician needing gloves to apply this poison to their scalp which will inevitably damage their scalp — if not irrevocably. Do y’all even know wtf sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid and ammonium hydroxide is? It is probable I’ll get a smart ass answer like, “ya, that’s that sh!t that knocks them naps out my hair straighter than a muh f u k k a, holla! lol” This would be indicative of supreme ignorance, self destruction and delusion and y’all fools will defend it to the death…in the name of free choice, convenience and manageability. Do those address the underlying problem of self image and self hatred? NO!

But u keep layering that lye on heavy like frosting to a cake see if y’all ain’t bald, burned or otheriwse adversely affected in a few months. What’s comical is that the implication of transitioning back into the natural, GOD given state of ur hair is somehow “risky business” & “gutsy” highlights the depth of the enslavement & brainwashing mechanisms/principles HARD at work. Shouldn’t the “risk” be the other way around? WTF? Doesn’t that sound MUCH more reasonable? WAKE THE F UP!! Next u’ll be defending lil kim sayin, “leave her alone, it’s her prerogative…she ain’t payin my bills so it don’t matter either way… imma do me…she do her.” And this is what little black girls coming up have to look forward to? That and white imagery & standards of beauty overshadowing everything else bc their mothers…and their mother’s mother’s mother keep endorsing bulls**t. This problem will be here in 3010 but who the fu kk cares , right? It’s just hair.

Google Theirry Baptiste or some other reputable natural hair designer/beautician…or check him on myspace or something, I think he has a fan appreciation page or something, I dunno. Even if u don’t like his styles of locs, it should clearly illustrate that the styles u can do with perms, u can do with locs. So that excuse of style & manageability is rendered ineffective & weak.

@ kcs_sexy_gemini
actually I am very particular on my diet and soda is something I DO NOT DRINK, I favor healthy and nutritious food/drinks such as fresh vegetable juice (carrots, spinach, beets and cuc**ber). So NO, soda is not in my diet sorry

@ahdrenalin

keep preachin’ dawg

DAAAAYYYYUUUUUUUUMM @ ahdrenalin

U went dead in

KUDOS
EXCELLENT REPLY

[...] JUST CURIOUS: Is Relaxing Your Hair A Celebration Of Black History? [...]

@ahdrenalin
I am a woman, obviously, I said I was a black woman in my previous comment. I was just logged in under my boyfriend’s account after he showed me this article. I am not defending perms, I think they are damaging to the hair but I highly doubt they are damaging to your health. As a woman who has had permed hair and now has natural hair, I think your assertions are unfair because you are generalizing. I have never had any self esteem issues with my blackness. I’ve never permed my hair to get the approval of white people. I don’t care about getting the approval of anyone. It is obvious that your dramatic conclusions and generalizations are due to the fact that you are a man so you do not have direct experience with the subject. You are not a black woman who grew up in a time where people just permed their hair. You cannot go into people’s minds and tell them what they experienced and how they felt. My mother did not perm my hair when I was 4 or 5 and none of my friends’ hair was permed either. When our hair was permed we did not think we looked like white girls and we weren’t trying to and we all loved being black. I love that everyone is going natural but I hate the idea of attacking people who have perms and accuse them of things you couldn’t possibly know about. I think its easy for black men to attack black women and it makes me sad. It could be easy for black women to attack black men as well but that is not the solution. We should try to be understanding to each other and not make accusations, our race has a lot of issues and attacking black women for their hair is just not the answer.

Also when women are talking about transitioning they are not saying its “risky business”, its just a long process or a dramatic change in appearance. If you transition without cutting your hair it takes about 1-2 years. If you cut it all off then its an instant dramatic change to go from having hair to having no hair at all. I love my natural hair, sometimes I wear it an afro and sometimes I wear it straight. It’s my hair and yes it is my perogative and it is JUST hair. And I highly doubt this will be an issue in 3010 because less and less people are perming their hair anyway.

Anything that CANNOT be safely ingested into your body through your mouth should not be applied to your body at all. Since you have pores everywhere, you are basically eating every beauty product you use. Look it up and realize that you’re eating this s**t and it’s all in the name of self hate. Love your hair as it grows out of your head and stop using excuses for doing otherwise. 50% of health problems comes from a poor diet. 50% comes from products you apply to your skin. 100% comes from ignorance and this willingness to take someone else word for it instead of using your own due diligence to get the facts. Most Sister’s been brainwashed so bad that it’s blank now. Dudes too because texturizers are still on the market, that means someone is buying that crap.

Wasnt relaxers invented by a black woman???!! Geez lighten up!!

hmmidunno? first: you doubt if they are “harmful to your health”? Shame on you for posting on here without knowing what you are talking about. Your skin is the body’s largest organ..scalp skin included. Would you pour those chemicals on your lungs? heart?…. c’mon sis, you seem smarter than that.

My point was that black women need to be checked on this issue..sorry if I didn’t pull any punches, but this one is long overdue. Furthermore at least concerning my post, I said a few key things..I mentioned DEEP rooted self hate, so no, I would not expect you or any other woman to acknowledge it on a surface level(conscious?) and you guys would not be aware of it on a sub conscious level..hence the term SUB conscious…..
I frame it like this: we don’t call ourselves colored(except the naacp–but thats another debate) or negro any more because those terms did not suit us anymore..we evolved away from them and most of us would find it offensive to be called colored or a negro. So to me the perm thing is a similar issue..ya’ll need to collectively grow out of that mess. Period. Now. not tommorrow, no ramp up, now. I know what the cultural differences can be even between black men and women, but this is (to me) an issue of principal..sometimes we have to say “we just don’t do that”. and yes miss, SELF HATE..the same self hate that drives black men to kill each other, to commit domestic violence against black women, to sell drugs in our communities is the same self hate that is manifested when you alter your natural state in the way, degree and intent that black women do. Also, I get angry because it is often a genuine hate or extreme dislike of “nappy” hair i hear expressed more often than not from black women. See, that is some BULSH*T, and again points to hating the way you were born. We were taught not to love ourselves, and some of that conditioning still riegns supreme even in 2010.
Also How come when black women get checked on stuff by us–black men, with the most right to be critical and the most at stake–it gets called an attack?
huh?!!?
thats corny.
ain’t nobody attackin nobody—you ever hear of the term “steel sharpens steel”? if not..look it up.

and its not JUST hair, or you would still have a perm, hmmmidunno. It wouldn’t be a multi-BILLION dollar industry. Say “its just hair” to that aisian guy that owns the beauty shop in your community, see what he says.

@hmmmidunno: u r lost…as I wrote, “Do y’all even know wtf sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid and ammonium hydroxide is?” WTF LOL. Do this for me…1) go in a bathroom, get a f u k k i n TIN or plastic cup (or something similar) an pour some sodium hydroxide in it 2) make sure u have consumed ALOT of water to the point where u need to relieve urself. 3) Make sure u pour that sh!t BEFORE u relieve urself…then go pee and WATCH WHAT THE CUP DOES BEFORE U FINISH RELIEVING URSELF. Then tell me if i’m overly dramatic. U need to re-register for that remedial training that talks about black pride & natural beauty — & get the real facts about this subject before u open ur mouth. Seeing that u will have some time 2 answer the above question, additionally, if u so “choose,” look up the percentage of how many U.S of A (untrained sistas of ammonium hydroxide) black women have perms, weaves, extensions & compare that number 2 women who have natural hair –locs or variations of afros, fades & the like. U can even use this site of blackplanet.com as a microcosmic reference for reinforcement. I should have known u were a woman…u sound as misinformed about this subject as creola1977. It is amazing that in TEN words, she can showcase how incredibly conditioned she is –that is skillful lol
@hmmmidunno, Ur commentary fits into the bullsh!t sub discussion nonsense I have already described. U want to bring it to man vs woman? Accusing me of making false & unfair accusations? CLASSIC BULLSH!T smh. How does my masculinity & u hiding ur “femininity” on ur page (wink wink) address the very serious & destructive self hatred/assimilation ideology of perming hair?? Going through that rigorous & dangerous process JUST TO PUT IT UP IN A SWINGING PONY TAIL OR AN UPSIDE DOWN BANNANA CLIP (I know u remember those days lol) I find HILARIOUS. Jheri curls r n abomination!! THEY should be illegal…anyone caught w/ 1 should be subject 2 an onsite fade & have penciled in some sort of design that says “my jheri got buried just now”. That’s JHERISprudence right there!! lolol
U say “transitioning” if done instantly is a dramatic change? It is only a “dramatic” change if ur mind is still “relaxed” –if ur consciousness doesn’t match the deed itself, or else u might take that maroon Oster Classic 76 (or Andis clipper) to that scalp yourself! Again, the notion that u need 2 “adjust” by taking 2 years to remove the poison from ur head is pathetic? wtf? I guess it is truly like crack…creamy crack…y’all will go through withdrawal & sh!t…and it makes u delusional. U can achieve body, volume, length, style and PROMOTE HEALTHY HAIR WITH AFROS, AFRO TWISTS, LOCS, SISTER LOCS, BRAIDS WITH YOUR REAL HAIR, ETC ETC, WTF. Tell me, would u gradually take 2 years to rid ur body of sodium hydroxide if u ingested it orally or if u poured it on ur skin, u asinine ammonium hyroxide ambassador u lol?? Seriously. U want 2 assert ur prerogative 2 permanently damage & visibly scar urself? And u think that is dramatic? LOL
hmmmidunno..u say “It could be easy for black women to attack black men as well but that is not the solution. We should try to be understanding to each other…” but, as u say, by “attacking black men” the “attack” would have to be relevant to the topic at hand which is hair & the destructive, self hatred/assimilation oriented nature of perms {weaves & extensions bc the majority of women by STRAIGHT extensions). And if u were 2 keep it about hair & perms, u argument would seem silly & flawed bc black men perming (who r also lost, dumb asses 4 doing it) represent a small percentage compared 2 the majority (75%) of black women who willingly ruin theirs. Furthermore, this kind of reaction about black men who perm their hair would amount to a silly & ineffective distraction attempt & would be deemed as childish escapism foreplay — analogous to sticking ur head in the sand –an obvious denial tactic. And by the way hmmidunno, that excuse of not having grown up as a little black girl is weak…y is it weak? Bc y’all women folk r grown a s s women now supposedly w/ the fortitude to ascertain what’s dangerous, counter-productive & what isn’t. And if u know this, then Y the F U K K R U INFLICTING PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DANGER UPON URSELVES & UR DAUGHTERS AT 4,5,6,7, & SO ON!!! U DAMN RIGHT THIS HATRED WILL BE AROUND IN 3010. IF IT’S BEEN AROUND FOR THE LAST CENTURY… U THINK THIS SICKNESS WILL BE ERADICATED? LOL
ALL Y’ALL WHITE GIRL HAIR LOVERS BETTER RELAX YO MIND AND LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE FREE and get down to the sounds or RBG lol.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all I was not giving my personal opinion about the dangers of permed hair. This is based on research. No research has proven that relaxers damage your health. They may damage the scalp and the hair if done improperly but not your health. Here is one study: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/17/health/webmd/main2821787.shtml As far as transitioning, I was saying that it takes 1-2 years for your old hair (relaxed hair ) to shed and for all your hair to be natural once you stop perming it. That’s why its called a transition. Or you could cut off all your hair and then you will be bald and just wait for the natural hair to grow in. So yes going bald is a dramatic change. Im not really sure why you, ahdrenalin are so hyped up and cursing and being insulting. I was just trying to correct some of the untrue statements you were making. I will attribute it to the fact that maybe you are a young man. To WillBrodie, I don’t have a perm anymore because natural hair is prettier. Multi-billion dollar industry or not it is still just hair, there to keep your head warm and compliment your face. Also I don’t know what kind of black women you know, but all of my black female friends love natural hair even the ones with perms.

ummm, wtf?

Um…hold up…u r calling me a young man considering I am in the same age group as u or ur ‘boyfriend’/person in ur head or whomever u claim 2 b? U r calling me a young man bc of my swearing? If I am a young man, doesn’t that make u a cougar who is helping urself 2 the ‘yungins’, Stella? And um…I’m not sure, but did I suggest or say that perming ur hair or burning ur scalp is bad 4 ur health? In my first reply to ktibbs, I believe I said “…you would fair better & would be healthier 4 u 2 shave it off or shave it low.” <—That, 2 u, translates 2 general health? Really? What is the inference that u can draw from that sentence & from that entire comment posted? Furthermore, where in that entire paragraph do I speak of perms in relation to general health? Or any comments posted 4 that matter? Am I talking about overall health or HEALTHY HAIR (or the lack thereof) ? It WOULD be healthier for u 2 shave ur hair off or shave it low IN COMPARISON 2 PUTTING LYE IN UR HAIR & RISKING BURNING UR SCALP & PERMANENTLY RUINING UR HAIR, YES. It would also behoove u 2 read more carefully. Even in my 2nd entry, I talk about physiological/psychological effects perms/white standards have on black women in addition 2 promoting healthy hair.

I don’t think u need pictures illustrating this bc I’m sure in ur lifetime, once having permed ur hair, u have experienced burning/scarring/damage or know someone who has. What does lye do 2 the actual hair follicle? Does Webmd address that? Hmmidunno :) That would benefit everyone who loves 2 fry & dye. It might make ‘em say my my my…or why why why LOL. Wishful thinking.

Perhaps u just ran out of steam & concocted ur own plan as contrived justification 4 posting the webmd link — an attempt 2 contradict something I never said. *shrugs* Good effort; I will say that at least. I will also say that these pesky “opinions & generalizations” I have are well doc**ented & well supported from a sociological, psychological & cultural perspective along w/ a historical & financial context as reinforcement. I welcome anyone, especially u hmmidunno & ktibbs 2 disprove that. Perhaps it would have been more favorable 4 u 2 drop ur webmd “load” at GoinabilityINC’s address, yes? Mull it over, give urself some time 2 recover & lemme know what u think…
peace

Ahdrenalin…I WAS responding to WillBrodie and GoinabilityINC when I was talking about perms being bad for your hair and not you health. If we were having a one on one I would have said your name first like I am doing now. *sighs* Also I have no idea how old you are I just assumed you might be young. Im bored with this. Take care.

Lol Obama is not a god.. racism won’t just HALT because he’s in office… and white people aren’t the only race of people that have straight hair :|….. *just makes me wanna gouge my eyes out*

http://www.theblacklabelsociety.com

I know this is getting to be a bit much..but in case hummidunno ever comes back to this debate, I just have to post this in response to her post…its funny how you referenced this article, but left this part out or maybe you didn’t read so :

“Because hair relaxers are more widely used by younger African-American women than they are used by older African-American women, a connection with increased risk of breast cancer in younger women seemed possible,” says Rosenberg. “Also, millions of African-American women use hair relaxers, and substances that are used by millions of women over a span of many years should be monitored for safety.”

HERES THE IMPORTANT PART:
Researchers say hair relaxers can enter the body through cuts or lesions in the scalp, but these products are not fully monitored by the FDA. Since manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients (some are considered to be trade secrets), they say there is the potential for harmful ingredients.

The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, followed nearly 50,000 African-American women who participated in the Black Women’s Health study from 1997 to 2003.

so I see the point you were trying to make, my point only was that there is no reasonable excuse for perms anymore .. not for black women anyway. Personal choice is just that..but in the African tradition we had things like the Principles of Maat which were codes of conduct set FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. They set rules for things that should be, and things that just should not be– for example, from concepts like Know Thyself to really practical things like Do Not Pollute the Water. We need to get back to that for some things..this issue is one of them–I agree that there are more pressing issues, but that kinda makes my point.. dealing with this issue of identity and beauty standards is LOOOOONG overdue with black women. There needs to be a real, tough love centered discussion and trending towards changing this..I just wish you all in a general sense had the courage to make the change and force the Western world to embrace you as you were born. Thats all.

OMG… SOME OF THESE COMMENTS… YOU PEOPLE ARE EMBARRASSING!

FIRST OF ALL, HELL NO! NOT ALL WOMEN HAVE A RELAXER. I SURE AS HELL DON’T AND NO I NEVER HAVE AND I DONT WEAR WEAVES EITHER.

@CHI-B***H – UHM NO WHITE PEOPLE ARE *NOT* THE ONLY RACE WITH STRAIGHT HAIR.. LAST I CHECKED SO DID THE INDIAN, AND THE ASIAN AND HELL, EVEN SOME BLACK PEOPLE.

@CREOLA – ACTUALLY, HER NAME IS MADAM CJ WALKER AND NO SHE DID NOT INVENT PERMS, SHE INVENTED THE PRESSING COMB AND CURLING IRON – THE NATURAL WAY TO STRAIGHTEN HAIR BY USING THERMAL HEAT. SHE WAS THE 1ST FEMALE MILLIONAIRE IN THIS COUNTRY…

ITS DAMN SHAME ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY… DO NOT EVEN KNOW THE TRUE HISTORY (SMH) BUT WANT RESPECT. THIS SHT HAS GOT TO CHANGE.

Did you know some whites have nappy hair? Instead they call it tangled. Hair is hair no matter what race you are you will never like how it is. Unless you are confortable with who are and what you got. We tend to think what someone else has will be better than what we have. Hair is beauty to some, even if we have a little or a lot, it what makes some women feel complete and pretty. Some men are shallow and they would rather date a woman with a press and curl than an afro. It’s all what we are willing to subject too. But hair goes beyond trying to look white or mixed, it’s fashion, what’s in and the actual truth gets lost amounst the younger generation because they are desprately trying to belong or fit in.

Historically, we had a woman make our hair products for our hair.
Her name was Madame C.J. Walker. On top of that, she was the FIRST African-
American millionaire and one of the co-founders of the N.A.A.C.P!
She made hair care products because of what she endured throughout her
childhood, involving her own hair. She made pomades, hair straightening
combs, and even opened hair salons geared toward the African-American
woman. She even had a form of “Avon” type of business, where women would
sell her products and make money not only for Madame C.J. herself, but to
show that they could also have some financial freedom as well. She made
hair products for ALL times of the year, not just Black History Month.
Family Dollar needs to stop playing! They should be doing other things to
make Black History Month a success, not just sell us their damn hair
relaxers! Let me just say: The African-American is the BIGGEST Buyer in
the United States! We spend more money, no matter how cheap or expensive!
So… go ‘head, Family Dollar with your “Black History” promos!

[...] JUST CURIOUS: Is Relaxing Your Hair A Celebration Of Black History? [...]

[...] JUST CURIOUS: Is Relaxing Your Hair A Celebration Of Black History? [...]

Whoever wrote this article obviously does not know that Black people did not put Obama in the white house…If every Black person in America voted for him (which of course you know didn’t happen) he still would not have won. Blacks only make up about 14% of the U.S. Population while whites make up 66%….therefore White people put Obama in the White House not us.

That ad is funny to me! Anything for the old mighty dollar! They’re using Black History Month to push their products… “Can’t knock the hustle for real” …but they didn’t need to use Black History as an angle! Black folks would buy those products regardless, if that’s what they want to buy!
As RedBone241 stated, we’re the biggest consumers in the USA!

I don’t think relaxing one’s hair is a celebration of Black History Month. I think it’s just a preferred thing that those who choose to use perms do. I think anknowledging Madam C. J. Walker is celebrating Black History Month, because she is a legacy in our community!

This commercial is outragreous. Many Black women are choosing alternate methods for wearing their hair. In the summer, I wear braids and in the cooler months I wear my hair pressed. Never again will I put chemicals in my hair. I was bald headed once from perms. Never Again! but in answer to this article, whatever turns you on, but don’t use Black History Month to sell products! As usual, blantant use of Blacks for profit!

I recently did the big chop and I love it! I refuse to ever get a perm again I was given a perm in my younger years by a foster parent and I finally took that step to get back to my natural roots. I don’t think that a perm that strips your hair of it’s strength should be a part of black history as a good thing. I hear that perms were actually discovered by slave masters punishing their slaves by dipping their heads in sodium hydroxide and saw that it made their hair straight but severely damaged. It’s so sad to see so many black people wanting to strip themselves of everything that makes them who they are skin lighteners,straight lifeless hair and this blonde hair trend on black women omg! I love my heritage it’s just sad that my own people hate themselves while the whites are getting tanned and getting curly perms to look more like us smh. We were inventors, keepers of knowledge, strong and independent once until we just threw it all away and now what we are only being acknowledge for entertainment purposes and are killing each other off. We become a bunch of little Willie Lenches!

Hahaahhaahah, this is a celebration of how much $$$$$ producers made off of black people with those s**ts……

I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, THEIR ONLI CATERING TO BLACK FEMALES LOW SELF ESTEEM ABOUT HAVING KINKY HAIR LIKE AFRICANS. ITS REALLI NOTHING NEW IF ANYTHING IT PLAYS AS A MIRRIOR FOR BLACK FEMALES TO SEE THEMSELVES FOR WHO N WHAT THEY HAVE BECOME. EUROPEAN JUST AS THEY WANT.

in the 60s & 70s your pride was in your hair we wanted to look good wash your hair puff it out no relaxer we were black and we were proud but years past we forgot our blackness our pride got to look like the white girl but what about our skin it still black no celebration here men cut off all there hair some men look good but not all funny looking heads maybe it turnning gray or falling out so that why they cut it off?

in the 60s & 70s your pride was in your hair we wanted to look good wash your hair puff it out no relaxer we were black and we were proud but years past we forgot our blackness our pride got to look like the white girl but what about our skin it still black no celebration here men cut off all there hair some men look good but not all funny looking heads maybe it turnning gray or falling out so that why they cut it off? not to many african use relaxer

You see a relaxer is more than straightening, it also has to do with us as black women being insecure about our hair, not realizing that not only is it causing damage, but we’re also living in a denial complex where we believe that having straight, flowing hair is a way of us being accepted into a society where “long and beautiful hair” is the norm, get what I’m saying?

I have to admit though, when I was younger I would always get a perm, but know that I realize what it’s doing to my hair, I refuse to get another one. My natural hair is nappy and hard manage, but it is apart of my heritage, it is who I am, and I cannot hide or change that. At the end of those 3 months, your hair will go back to the way it’s naturally supposed to be either way.

And do you notice that adding fake hair draws back your hair line? I have a cousin who’s hair line is so far back on her head that it’s ridiculous.

Great point. Its definately not. Its just one of the things Black women do because they have no clue how to do their hair natural and have been getting perms forever. wHAT COMPANY CAN WE WORK FOR AND HAIR NATURAL HAIR OUT TO HERE
>

OMG! This is too much…I don’t know if I should laugh or cry..

Some spanish women perm their hair also….so whats the point…everything is blame of black,black,black..

YOU GOTTA BE F**KING KIDDING,

OK NIGGRRS TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH LETS ALL RELAX OUR HAIR!

YOU F**KING KIDDING ME?

what an ignorant post whether it comes from a person of color or not.
If anything people should celebrate it by learning about the contributions that black people have made to America.

Williams, Daniel Hale, 1858–1931, American surgeon, b. Hollidaysburg, Pa., M.D. Northwestern Univ., 1883. As surgeon of the South Side Dispensary in Chicago (1884–91), he became keenly aware of the lack of facilities for training African Americans like himself as doctors and nurses. As a result he organized the Provident Hospital, the first black hospital in the United States. In 1893, Williams performed the first successful closure of a wound of the heart and pericardium

First black Major league baseball player: Jackie Robinson, 1947, Brooklyn Dodgers.

If any thing black history month should be a testimony of Black history, how far we’ve come , and motivate us to strive for excellence.

Now that what Im talking about!

All I can do is shake my head. When will we be proud of the way God made us? Why can’t we appreciate the fullness of our lips? The roundness of our noses? Our chiseled cheek bones? Our deep-set almond shaped eyes? The tight curls of our hair and the varied hues of our skin – from deep onyx to pink? Why must we alter all of it from over the counter products to a surgeons scalpel? Why do we victimize our selves and allow other to do the same and turn a profit at that?

It’s all so confusing – Caucasians spend billions tanning (cause they don’t want to be pale) and collagen (cause they want fuller lips and butts)! Why can’t we love who God made us to be? Asians (known for having poker straight hair – get perms for texture) while we spend billions on straighteners, lighteners and SEW/GLUE other people’s hair on our head to look like them. What is going on?!?!?!?

Yeah, why not celebrate Black History by not be happy to be nappy, yeah let’s lighten our skin complexion too and wear blue contacts! And don’t forget to dye your hair blonde and by blonde weave for the “all American” look too! This is a joke!

[...] JUST CURIOUS: Is Relaxing Your Hair A Celebration Of Black History? [...]

[...] JUST CURIOUS: Is Relaxing Your Hair A Celebration Of Black History? [...]