If you know me, you know just how much I absolutely hate to hear people refer to natural hair as either “good hair” or “bad hair.” And calling 4C hair “bad hair” or ugly pisses me off.
Growing up, adults always called curly-haired girls and boys beautiful, due to their looser hair texture. It was not uncommon to hear that so-and-so had “good hair.”
And it didn’t matter if the kids looked like a rat-skunk hybrid, they were considered beautiful because of the texture of their hair.
Meanwhile, kids who had tighter, coily/kinky-textured hair – basically 4C hair, were often berated for their hair or told that they had “bad hair.”
They were also told that their hair needed to be straightened of texturised in order to be “softer” or “more manageable.”
Listen carefully when you hear those words. Ordinarily, those are innocent words. But, when used in the context of “bad hair” it’s downright offensive.
Why do I say that? Well, why does someone care if my hair is manageable or soft if it’s not on their head. And who says I or other people are unable to manage their own hair?
4C hair is a lot of work, but once you know how to care for it, it’s easy.
Where Did Our Hatred For 4C Hair Come From?
Hundreds of years of slavery definitely did a number on black people.
It has been ingrained in many of us that our hair is ugly, less desirable and something that should be hidden. It started with scarves. Women slaves were ordered to cover their hair in the fields.
But, being the creative people that we are, we turned those scarves into fashionable accessories that brought out our beauty even more.
Today, we are covering our hair with weaves, wigs and relaxers.
This is not to say that every woman who has a weave or wig or relaxes her hair, hates her hair. That is not the case at all. Some women simply want different styling options. And they are well within their right to do that.
However, when they turn to those options because they are unhappy with the way their hair looks or they feel their hair is ugly, then that’s where problems ensue.
Natural 4C Hair Is Seen As Unprofessional
Of course, it doesn’t help that many employers view 4C hair as unkempt and unprofessional.
Many women and men have been forced to manipulate their hair in order for it to be more accepted.
Women relax their hair and men shave it down.
Some Black Women Refuse To Go Natural
I have friends and former colleagues who have personally told me that they would never go natural because it doesn’t “suit” them. That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.
Others say their boyfriends/husbands wouldn’t accept them because they don’t like natural hair. These are black people saying this mess.
Honestly, I wish more people would truly practice self-love.
I recently did a YouTube video on this very thing. I was proud to know that some men agreed with me when it came to my disgust over the derogatory term, “bad hair.”
What do you think? Tell me all about it in the comments section.
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