Is The "Natural Hair Community" a Subculture?

[SND411]

Do you think natural hair is becoming it's own subculture?

Discuss

 

[Lynnerie]

Interesting question. I just think there are different options with natural hair just like with relaxed hair.
With relaxed hair you have
-Bone straight
-Texlaxed
-Texturized
-BKT

With natural you have
-Heat-trained or my new favorite term heatlaxed
-Henna'd
-Color treated
-BKT

Even though there may be sub-cultures created, it still doesn't change the fact that you are either relaxed or natural. People will fall into whatever category they choose to put themselved into.

 

[Lynnerie]

What happened to the days when natural meant you didnt have a relaxer?

 

[nikolite]

I think its become a subculture. You may not see it much here, but definitely at sites like Nappturality.

To me and a lot of other naturals, its more than just not relaxing, and a lot of naturals are also "natural" in general with other parts of their lives (i.e. using natural deodorant, hair products like shea butter, shopping at Whole Foods and the like). Its definitely a lifestyle. And a mindset.

But not all naturals fall into this category. There are also a good amount who simply don't relax, but might any second they feel like it, or are only natural to grow their hair long or because a relaxer caused scalp/health problems for them. And then of course there are those who are heat-straightened, who simply don't relax, but wouldn't fit the general idea of a natural in terms of "embracing one's natural self." All those above wouldn't be allowed on Nappturality either.

 

[nikolite]

What happened to the days when natural meant you didnt have a relaxer?

That's interesting because it never meant that to me when it first started gaining prominence in the 90's. I always thought it was about embracing oneself the way they are--a rejection of beauty standards that told black women they HAD to have straight hair to be beautiful.

I find that these days, natural simply means not relaxed and includes a whole bunch of people, which is why there's so much disagreement and in-fighting. Some women even think that natural means not wearing a weave. I've run into that idea quite a few times with relaxed women who swore they were "natural."

 

[Napp]

What happened to the days when natural meant you didnt have a relaxer?

people kept wanting to create new qualifiers to be natural. Intent,degree of curl pattern change,reversion factors,Faux chemistry etc.......

It has gotten very confusing.

 

[ms-gg]

In the online community, yes. I believe so. I think the whole online hair community is a subculture. I mean, we serious spend hours on here talking about hair every week. Doing various hair routines, our own lingo, online journals that we have been following for years....

If that isn't a subculture then I don't know what is....

 

[EllePixie]

What ms-gg said is absolutely correct IMO, but at the same time, in the "real world," I really don't think it matters. If I say the term BSS to a friend, they look at me like I've lost it.

And there are a LOT of so-called subcategories of "natural," too many to be relevant. There are some women who say you are natural only if you stick to conditioner and oil - no gel, no curl creams, no nothing. Some say the naturals mantra is always wearing your hair completely natural, meaning no twist outs, braid outs, or any of that - no altering of your natural texture, even if it's temporary.

I find it confusing, so I choose not to pay attention to it and just hope my hair keeps on growing.

 

[qchelle]

Most definitely. When I wear a bantu-knot out, women will come up to me and ask if I'm natural. I say no, I'm transitioning and we start talking like we know each other! And I'll do the same (walk up to someone who's natural...or looks like and start asking questions). Everyone has always been very nice and receptive to me. We're a very nice people lol. So I disagree that it's just the online natural hair community that has its own subculture. Many people who are trying to go natural/are natural are NOT on the hairboards.

 

[bride91501]

I definitely notice it. When I'm out and I see another natural, there's an immediate connection that's hard to explain. For black women, the decision to go natural, no matter your reasoning for it, is typically against-the-norm. As a result, it inherently creates a subculture of women who seek information, support and acceptance from one another.

I also think the effects are more far-reaching than we realize. I was speaking to my oldest daughter the other day about the thread I started on her, and she told me that some of her relaxed friends are regretting their decision to relax and want to "transition" back to natural. I know for a fact that this experience is pretty unique to her generation....I don't ever remember any of my 12 year old friends talking about "regretting" a relaxer.

 

[SND411]

I also think the effects are more far-reaching than we realize. I was speaking to my oldest daughter the other day about the thread I started on her, and she told me that some of her relaxed friends are regretting their decision to relax and want to "transition" back to natural. I know for a fact that this experience is pretty unique to her generation....I don't ever remember any of my 12 year old friends talking about "regretting" a relaxer.

Wow. I wonder if your daughter could suggest some of her friends to look up youtube videos (with parental guidance) on natural hair or introduce them to kid-friendly natural hair blogs?

 

[Maracujá]

Interesting topic, subscribing!

 

[ms-gg]

What ms-gg said is absolutely correct IMO, but at the same time, in the "real world," I really don't think it matters. If I say the term BSS to a friend, they look at me like I've lost it.

And there are a LOT of so-called subcategories of "natural," too many to be relevant. There are some women who say you are natural only if you stick to conditioner and oil - no gel, no curl creams, no nothing. Some say the naturals mantra is always wearing your hair completely natural, meaning no twist outs, braid outs, or any of that - no altering of your natural texture, even if it's temporary.

I find it confusing, so I choose not to pay attention to it and just hope my hair keeps on growing.

Here is my thing:

The hip hop community is a subculture. And within that subculture you have conscious rap, gansta rap, female emcees, urgh, um....whatever it is that Soulja Boy and Wacky Flacky are doing , etc etc....

Same with the gang subculture. They all don't have to have the same beliefs and values to be a subculture, but they are a subculture because they deviate from the norms of society. That is what makes them a subculture...

 

[EllePixie]

Here is my thing:

The hip hop community is a subculture. And within that subculture you have conscious rap, gansta rap, female emcees, urgh, um....whatever it is that Soulja Boy and Wacky Flacky are doing , etc etc....

Same with the gang subculture. They all don't have to have the same beliefs and values to be a subculture, but they are a subculture because they deviate from the norms of society. That is what makes them a subculture...

Wait...I agree with this...What is your point? I never said they weren't subcultures I just was saying I don't care.

Wait again...I just read "Wacky Flacky..." You are a mess!

 

[Poohbear]

Some women even think that natural means not wearing a weave. I've run into that idea quite a few times with relaxed women who swore they were "natural."

This is what I thought before I ever came across online hair boards. I had relaxed hair and as long as I didn't have weave or a wig, it was natural. In this case, "natural" hair meant "real" hair, not fake. Also before discovering hair boards, I thought all black women relaxed their hair. I never knew of women not using relaxers.

So the word "natural" can have different meanings when it comes to hair and the context in which you are using the term.

 

[ms-gg]

Wait...I agree with this...What is your point? I never said they weren't subcultures I just was saying I don't care.

Wait again...I just read "Wacky Flacky..." You are a mess!

Oh my bad homey!

 

[qchelle]

^^^Meeee toooo! (oh, I was talking to Poohbear)

 

[EllePixie]

qchelle, you also had a good point about women IRL discussing hair. If I'm out and see a woman with natural we usually smile at one another or say hi, or sometimes they will ask me about my hair. Women who are currently relaxed do this as well and tell me they are thinking of transitioning and ask how long I've been natural...

On the other hand, haven't members on here said that relaxed women ask them about their hair too? So maybe it's an overall hair subculture?

 

[Vonnieluvs08]

Most definitely it's a subculture. I agree with most of the post so far.

Everything in life is a subculture. If it goes against a status quo then its a subculture. Vegetarians, vegans are a subculture; hip hop, grunge, goth subcultures; poor, homeless, street life subcultures.

We choose to partake in a hair subculture in the form of natural hair. There are different categories (loc'd, straight naturals, curly naturals, etc) within that subculture like previously noted but all in all those who do not use chemicals to straighten their hair are natural.

I think if you have a personal preference to how you wear your hair just fall in a different category within the subculture and will seek to "hang out" with like minded people. This becomes more apparent when talking about pros/cons of hair products, techniques, reggies, etc. Some things will cross over, but many will not.

I love talking about natural hair and it is definitely a convo starter no matter where I go. Having been on both sides of the fence (relaxed for 10yrs, now natural) and with the knowledge I get from here and blogs I can talk with relaxed people and natural people, because black hair in general is a subculture in and of itself.

 

[qchelle]

qchelle, you also had a good point about women IRL discussing hair. If I'm out and see a woman with natural we usually smile at one another or say hi, or sometimes they will ask me about my hair. Women who are currently relaxed do this as well and tell me they are thinking of transitioning and ask how long I've been natural...

On the other hand, haven't members on here said that relaxed women ask them about their hair too? So maybe it's an overall hair subculture?

Really? I didn't know that. When I was relaxing, random women never stopped to speak to me about my hair nor did I stop and ask other women about their relaxed hair. That's probably because my hair was short. Maybe people stop and ask relaxed women questions if they have long hair?

 

[JDenni81]

I definitely think there is. Although I've been relaxer free for 2 years, I still don't quite feel a part of the Natural culture bc I wear my hair straight. At first (and 2nd and 3rd) glance, it hard for most people to even tell that I'm natural bc I don't have an afro, or twists or curls. ahh well.

 

[EllePixie]

Really? I didn't know that. When I was relaxing, random women never stopped to speak to me about my hair nor did I stop and ask other women about their relaxed hair. That's probably because my hair was short. Maybe people stop and ask relaxed women questions if they have long hair?

I think so...I know that women used to ask me about my hair color when I had a relaxer too, but not length (I had a bob). So I think the top subculture would be hair, and then it would branch out. Wow, that would make a very large org chart...

However, in terms of "depth" I think there is more in the "natural community" like nikolite referenced above about NP.

 

[sungtongs]

I'm gonna subscribe to this, this is an interesting topic.

A friend of mine in college said she was eating in the dining hall and a Natural Hair club asked her to join because she'd recently BC'd. That in itself was surprising.

 

[SND411]

I'm gonna subscribe to this, this is an interesting topic.

A friend of mine in college said she was eating in the dining hall and a Natural Hair club asked her to join because she'd recently BC'd. That in itself was surprising.

I'm starting a club too!

 

[Creatividual]

What ms-gg said is absolutely correct IMO, but at the same time, in the "real world," I really don't think it matters. If I say the term BSS to a friend, they look at me like I've lost it.

And there are a LOT of so-called subcategories of "natural," too many to be relevant. There are some women who say you are natural only if you stick to conditioner and oil - no gel, no curl creams, no nothing. Some say the naturals mantra is always wearing your hair completely natural, meaning no twist outs, braid outs, or any of that - no altering of your natural texture, even if it's temporary.

I find it confusing, so I choose not to pay attention to it and just hope my hair keeps on growing.

Totally agree with this 100%. I think it's really an online thing b/c IRL, most don't even understand what we're talking about. for them it's way more simplified. You relax or you don't. But online, all these subcultures, categories and hierarchies have been created and instituted. I choose to ignore all b/c I could give a crap. Hair is hair. Do with it what you want. Your hair will not solve your self worth or esteem issues. It may give you a boost but it will not get to the root of the problem. I'm on the live and let live train. Do you.

 

[SND411]

I mean, think about it, within the Natural Hair Community, we have our own "celebrities" like Kimmaytube, NikkiMae, Taren, LongHairDon'tCare.

 

[SND411]

because black hair in general is a subculture in and of itself.

Interesting quote. That is why I believe this whole "Movement" is more than "just hair." Many people claim hair is just hair, but when you think about it, several human societies have attached hair to many spiritual, religious, and symbolic ideologies that represented the many aspects of the human experience. Just like skin color. Skin color is just melanin, but obviously we understand that because skin color has been essentialized to signify other things (ie beauty, economic status, social class, race, geography, even intelligence etc) it has transformed, at least in the United States, itself into becoming "subcultures" as well.

 

[Creatividual]

I guess I just feel like we're finally in a day and age, where hair can really be just hair if we let it be. All we have to do is adjust our way of thinking. Cultural norms, rules and traditions are changed all the time.

I wouldn't mind the subcultures if I didn't feel the sting of self righteousness or exclusivity they sometimes carry with them. I'm a part of the natural hair community simply because I enjoy it, not because I think I'm better than those that relax or whatever. I sometimes feel the natural hair subcultures and categories are a gift and a curse. In one way they help many who are seeking knowledge and support on how to care for and style their hair, but in other ways some people go to the extremes with it and use it to try to compensate for their personal issues by excluding certain people/groups or thinking their category is better. That's my take on it.

 

[Poohbear]

^^^Meeee toooo! (oh, I was talking to Poohbear)

What did you say to me?