Another Response to a Curly Nikki Post...Not Natural Enough

I have been natural the majority of my life. I ventured into relaxers at different points and for different reasons (tired of the frizziness, wanting it bone-straight for the bob cut I had, etc.) but I always grew it out and went back to what was natural for me. When I got relaxers, people always asked me, "Why did you get a relaxer, you don't even need it." But it was what I wanted to do and met my needs at the time. That's the beauty (or should be) of being a black woman. I can do whatever I want and with time, always come back to whatever it is that makes me happy. After having off and on relaxers and growing them out over the years, I decided to Big Chop a year ago. It was something I had never done before but I was so encouraged and influenced by the YouTube Natural Community that I just jumped off the porch and did it! A year later my hair is longer than it was then, all "natural" and the healthiest it's ever been! My mother and sisters swore me off when I cut my hair but I trusted myself and what I had researched and am better off because of it. One of the comments posted above touched upon dark skin women who get questioned..."How did you get your hair to curl like that?" as if our hair cannot have that 3b/3c curl naturally. Well I do and I should not have to explain myself because of other people's preconceived notions about who should have looser curl patterns. You wouldn't believe how often I get questioned as if my texture is somehow "better." But TRUST ME that I have issues still. I can't rock a twist out nearly as beautifully as another with 4a/4b texture. I get so envious! But nothing is perfect and to the well-organized mind, the grass is green all around and on every side! You just have to appreciate who you are, what you are working with...and keep it pushing!

Okay I'm off the soapbox now...LOL

http://www.curlynikki.com/2010/11/not-natural-enough.html