Who are the true naturals?

#TBT

So yesterday, I heard about a massive sale on virgin hair by a big retail hair store in Lagos. Being the cheap person that I am, my attention was drawn to the word SALE. LOL.

So, I thought to go have a look; if the price was right I would get me some exotic virgin hair.

I did find something that was good for my wallet. I got two bundles and closure 10 inches natural color, which was made into a wig.  I wanted to have it colored to a light brown but story changed when I asked how much that would cost. (I can color my hair myself! MTCHWEE)

Feeling content, I showed my boyfriend my new acquisition and he said “but are you not natural, why do you need this human hair stuff?" And I said “because I have natural hair doesn't mean I can't wear other types of hair. His response was “NO! That doesn't make you a true natural". We had a long conversation about the matter and we agreed to disagree. 

Our conversation brought to mind an argument I saw online once within the natural hair community. There was #teamnaturalwithoutanyextensions, #teamnaturalwhowearextentions #teamnaturalwhodonotGAF (I made up the hashtags)

My hair is not a trend

If you live in Lagos and like most parts of the world, all you need is but one eye to see how mainstream natural hair has become. In Lagos you can't go anywhere without spotting a few young fashionable natural haired ladies. This "trend" has become so widespread that the brothers know how to spot the different kinds of hair. Even in my family; more and more relatives of mine are either natural or transitioning. 

I have been natural since the middle of 2011; I transitioned for six months then I big chopped in the beginning of 2012 and big chopped again in 2013. For me, natural hair was an escape from the damage I had done to my hair with relaxers, hair dyes, straighter and a general lack of proper care. At the time going natural seemed like the next logical step to take due the breakage and lack of growth I was experiencing. My hair is quite soft and silky even in its relaxed state I figured being natural wouldn’t be such a bad idea. 

A letter to natural sisters

Arit Okpo: A Letter To My Sisters of The Natural Hair Persuasion

By Arit Okpo

 

I thought long and hard about writing this letter dear Sisters, because I was sure (am sure) that at least one person will hopelessly misunderstand my comments and turn this into the very thing I am trying to avoid.

Sometime in October, as I prepped for my weekly trip to the salon, I decided to cut my hair. Yup, I would cut it, do a BC and start from scratch. In 4 years, I would have a healthy, fabulous fro as well as a new look. Pleased with my decision, I called my mother. Her answer was simple “Go ahead and cut it dear; just don’t come home till it’s the length it was when you left” My sister announced that her blood pressure was spiking and my younger brother who never calls me, called to ask why I wanted to spoil the family name. Upset with their reactions, I decided to hold on till the 31^st of December and if I felt the same way, I would cut it.