[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Miss. Mocha:
Ideal08

I think that if you had read my post clearly,
you would have noticed that my post referred to the idea that relaxed hair symbolized a lack of acceptance of heritage.

While I wish you much success in your personal transformation, I don't believe that relaxing black hair is a statement about a person's commitment to their heritage.

You can have relaxed hair and be proud of your heritage, or you can wear your 'natural' hair as your badge of "black power", and sell crack in our communities.

I don't believe in the propoganda that we spout to each other about not being "black enough".
Do this and you're not black enough. Do that and you are. That's a load of crap.

I agree that self image and self hate have a great deal to do with the problems in our community. There is no denying that, but deciding to wear your hair au naturale isn't going to combat our issues ( be it a nail in the foundation. I personally think it's more like paint on the walls, but that's just me. You can live without paint).

Your points are well taken, and I'm glad that you have the courage of your covictions, but saying "self hate, and self image is part of reason that we're getting AIDS at a higher rate." is cool, but let's move past identifying the "reason" and pouring so much time and energy into the "reasons' and work towards solutions.

Constantly saying that slavery is the reason for broken black homes, and white people's systematic rape of our history is a reason that black women hate the way that they look isn't helping a thing.

We need to stop tearing each other down over inconsequential things, (like whether or not somebody else relaxes their hair), and start building each other up!!! If one beautiful black sister prefers her hair natural, great, but don't put down the beautiful black sisters who don't. That's all I'm saying.

We, as a race, tend to get sidetracked, and sent off in ten different directions, and neglect to take care of larger issues.


Now, I'm off my soap box, and this is just one beautiful black woman's opinion

Miss. Mocha

I agree with much of what you are saying, Miss Mocha, but unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the reasons that some things happen. You can't attempt to solve a problem or come up with a solution until you recognize that there is a problem. Not everyone recognizes that there is a problem, so coming up with a solution is impossible. While I do agree with you that we should pour an equal amount of time and energy into finding solutions, I disagree with doing away with conversations about the reasons. That is how we educate. We have been silent for so long, and that's how things get misconstrued and misunderstood. It is impossible to find a solution when you don't know what the problem is. Communication is key.