Is hair texture the new paper bag test???

[Cali*Rocks]

Umm...what if they WERE Indian. Why such bigotry?

Yes there are some who are and there are some who say that to make themselves feel better than everyone else. Not bigotry just an observation. Thanks for your input

 

[Leesh]

No one wants to be that person who to tell someone "Your hair looks stupid". Especially here? People come back here on a regular basis and no one wants to be branded as that person who tries to make other people feel bad about their own hair.

On the other hand, the YouTube person isn't here. It's like how we'll criticize a celebrity vs. someone we see every day. I may make fun of Tammy Faye Baker's make-up, but I wouldn't say those things to someone I have to interact with every day.

Maybe it's cowardice? I don't know. I'm certainly guilty of it. I know for a fact that if I showed up one day and told someone "Dang, that twist out looks busted" I'll get attacked for that. It's best to just keep quiet on certain things.

I must say that I disagree, I feel like, in order to learn or move forward with Your Healthy Hair Practices, You need Constructive Criticism, If your answers to questions are always Sugar-Coated then how will You ever know if what Your doing is working, I understand a Person may not want to be the "Meanie" here, but there is a way to say things without coming off as mean, but I do know, when I am looking for true answers, I Hope and Pray that You Ladies are being honest, or really there is no reason to even be a member here, what would be the purpose. I could look in the mirror and lie to Myself.

 

[LiberianGirl]

This is my last post in here b/c I can see where this is going (accusing people of lying about their hair type). I just want to say that you (in general) can't claim that the good hair/bad hair myth needs to change and then continue behaviors that perpetuate it.

 

[LadyRaider]

BlackMasterPiece sure has some purty hair. What is her "type?"

And the paperbag test just means whether you are lighter or darker than a paperbag.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

@ this thread. Topic is old as the hills.

Girl this topic is old as the Rock of Gibralter!

 

[Neith]

I think those are the same people who will be like oh my great-great grandma was Indian

I don't get how admitting you have a small bit of a different texture means that you are trying to claim that you have "good" hair. If I claim type 4, very coarse type 4 at that... what am I trying to prove?

Wow, I REALLY got that "good" "mixed" hair because a little bit of the hair in my nape is looser and finer.

WTH?

It's funny to me that anyone would believe in or accuse people of believing in that FOOLISHNESS.

Wow, just wow.

 

[jamaraa]

Yes there are some who are and there are some who say that to make themselves feel better than everyone else. Not bigotry just an observation. Thanks for your input

You're welcome, but you can get answers w/o going down that road. Frankly, it's unworthy of us. Do you realize how freaking bizarre, not to mention dysfunctional, it is to argue w/ a complete stranger about THEIR ancestry? Are Black folks really THIS insecure? Seriously?

 

[anon123]

Can't brow beat people from lusting over something they personally deem beautiful by making them feel guilty about it. Ever. Its like trying to make a gay person not gay. You just like what you like. No explanation should be needed.

Not one word can fall from your mouth or type with your fingers will ever make a hill of beans difference. It is what it is.

I know what you mean, but I do want to emphasize the positive effect standing up to this type hierarchy can have.

Before the hair boards, I never thought of my hair as beautiful. I didn't think it was ugly, though I knew I didn't know how to style it. I just didn't think much of it. After much praise here, I now feel my hair is beautiful. Outside affirmation is important to me and to most others, and it does effect how you view yourself. I think it can change our perceptions, not quite as hard as trying to make a straight person gay or anything like that.

Admittedly my hair is thick and not very short, so I know this is part of the reason I get so much positive feedback. But still, I've even had people complement my texture. That was a new one for me.

 

[Irresistible]

I don't get how admitting you have a small bit of a different texture means that you are trying to claim that you have "good" hair. If I claim type 4, very coarse type 4 at that... what am I trying to prove?

Wow, I REALLY got that "good" "mixed" hair because a little bit of the hair in my nape is looser and finer.

WTH?

It's funny to me that anyone would believe in or accuse people of believing in that FOOLISHNESS.

Wow, just wow.

All this hair type Paranoia and others obsessing over what another does with their hair is mind blowing

it breeds hate and division

why is anyone all up in someone else's head anyway?

never understood it! never will!

 

[Irresistible]

You're welcome, but you can get answers w/o going down that road. Frankly, it's unworthy of us. Do you realize how freaking bizarre, not to mention dysfunctional, it is to argue w/ a complete stranger about THEIR ancestry? Are Black folks really THIS insecure? Seriously?

YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

Why don't we all just shoot each other now, that's basically what we do all day long anyway

this is sick, sad and sick

petty and pathetic

 

[ceebee3]

You're welcome, but you can get answers w/o going down that road. Frankly, it's unworthy of us. Do you realize how freaking bizarre, not to mention dysfunctional, it is to argue w/ a complete stranger about THEIR ancestry? Are Black folks really THIS insecure? Seriously?

Yes they are.

 

[Supervixen]

Yes they are.

I think it's insecurity from both aspects. It also seems insecure that you have to go back 5 generations to point out one relative that wasn't black, and THAT'S why you have one "desirable" trait.

It's definitely NOT worth arguing with a stranger though, I do agree.

 

[AsianAfricanPrincess]

I think it's insecurity from both aspects. It also seems insecure that you have to go back 5 generations to point out one relative that wasn't black, and THAT'S why you have one desirable trait.

It's definitely NOT worth arguing though, I do agree.

Who said it's "desirable", though? And "desirable" to whom?

EDIT: Also, a little off-topic, but why not say it's "desirable" or "pretty" anyway? It's like out of guilt, people with non-4 textures shouldn't be regarded as having "pretty" or "cute" hair? Why is it okay to say that to a 4 texture, but if you say it to a 3 or 2 texture, it's demonized?

I guess I'm just thinking out loud here...the answers are obvious to me.

 

[Supervixen]

Who said it's "desirable", though? And "desirable" to whom?

Thus I edited to put desirable in quotes.

 

[Irresistible]

Telling people they can't claim who and what they are, the very blood running through their veins is not a far cry from putting them through a paper bag test!

Same principle ......really

 

[LaToya28]

You're welcome, but you can get answers w/o going down that road. Frankly, it's unworthy of us. Do you realize how freaking bizarre, not to mention dysfunctional, it is to argue w/ a complete stranger about THEIR ancestry? Are Black folks really THIS insecure? Seriously?

Unfortunately, we are! And I'm not sure if we'll ever "get over it" as they tell us.

 

[jamaraa]

If that's the case, it's too bad cuz folks are many who are no longer so willing to pretend to be what they aren't to make others feel good about themselves. Desparation is ugly. There's used to be a saying for folks who chose Black over their more obvious ancestries.."voluntary Negroes". People like WEB Dubois, John Hope, Walter White and the like proudly claimed to be so, but have we now stooped so low as INvoluntary Negrohood? That's a regression way more serious that I expected even on so sticky and unpleasant a topic as this one. Dag man...

 

[Irresistible]

Who said it's "desirable", though? And "desirable" to whom?

EDIT: Also, a little off-topic, but why not say it's "desirable" or "pretty" anyway? It's like out of guilt, people with non-4 textures shouldn't be regarded as having "pretty" or "cute" hair? Why is it okay to say that to a 4 texture, but if you say it to a 3 or 2 texture, it's demonized?

I guess I'm just thinking out loud here...the answers are obvious to me.

Hair type paranoia

geesh this is getting old

and it's plain ugly

 

[Cali*Rocks]

First of all, I'm not trying to argue with anyone about what texture they have on their head. I asked a valid question and got SOME valid answers. All the baiting into an argument is not for me, so take that elsewhere.

 

[LadyRaider]

This seems to be a pointless issue. No one on this board who is showing off pictures should be ashamed of their texture of hair.

In this day and age, there are enough relaxers, extensions, wigs, etc. that if you feel insecure about your hair, then you can do something about it.

I don't think anyone here is THAT insecure about their hair. I think people here are PROUD of their hair. Otherwise they wouldn't show it off.

 

[jamaraa]

I think it's insecurity from both aspects. It also seems insecure that you have to go back 5 generations to point out one relative that wasn't black, and THAT'S why you have one "desirable" trait.

It's definitely NOT worth arguing with a stranger though, I do agree.

What if it's the truth? If people INSIST that to know where you got your trait and you tell them the truth, why is this considered a fault? If they didn't ask, I hear ya, but people ask and often. I've literally seen people insist here that someone IS mixed even when they say they aren't...so what's the solution?

BTW, genetics isn't as selective about where it asserts itself as the one drop rule! One gen or 5...genetics can throw curve balls whether society can deal or not!

 

[Supervixen]

Telling people they can't claim who and what they are, the very blood running through their veins is not a far cry from putting them through a paper bag test!

Same principle ......really

Someone along in the family tree a century ago was white and another was native american, you think I should go on with saying I'm CauBlaNativeAmerican?

People can claim WHATEVER they want, others don't have to believe it! However, it IS pointless to argue, and it DOES seem insecure to reach back centuries and generations to self-describe. But, if you want, that's you.

 

[AsianAfricanPrincess]

This topic smacks with insecurity to me...some interesting insights, but mostly insecurity and wild accusations and the same old, tired "accusing someone else of my own insecurities".



YAWN


Peace sisters...on to more interesting LHCF fare...

 

[Irresistible]

Someone along in the family tree a century ago was white and another was native american, you think I should go on with saying I'm CauBlaNativeAmerican?

People can claim WHATEVER they want, others don't have to believe it! However, it IS pointless to argue, and it DOES seem insecure to reach back centuries and generations to self-describe. But, if you want, that's you.

Don't apply to me cause I'm first generation everything I claim

but like you said , I come solely from the camp, people can do what they want

I aint too much worried about what others do

 

[Supervixen]

What if it's the truth? If people INSIST that to know where you got your trait and you tell them the truth, why is this considered a fault? If they didn't ask, I hear ya, but people ask and often. I've literally seen people insist here that someone IS mixed even when they say they aren't...so what's the solution?

BTW, genetics isn't as selective about where it asserts itself as the one drop rule! One gen or 5...genetics can throw curve balls whether society can deal or not!

How do we know that that trait is from them? We just had a discussion on this here LHCF about how for years, so many black people thought they had high cheek bones from their Native American ancestors. However, genetics proved that it was actually from Massa 'nem. Some posters even went on to say many Africans have high cheek bones, so it could just genetics from our African ancestors.

Genes DO throw curve balls.

 

[jamaraa]

Someone along in the family tree a century ago was white and another was native american, you think I should go on with saying I'm CauBlaNativeAmerican?

People can claim WHATEVER they want, others don't have to believe it! However, it IS pointless to argue, and it DOES seem insecure to reach back centuries and generations to self-describe. But, if you want, that's you.

Some people don't believe in gravity either....doesn't change the FACT that it exists!

OK so how will ethos this apply to the changing Black Community? The BC ain't what it used to be. More and more Blacks are NOT of 1st generation American ancestry at all. So are we still in disbelief that there are actually Blacks in England? I'm just curious to know if this sort of "disbelief" only applies to Blacks in general, Black Americans, or all people who don't conform to the "one drop rule" or American ancestry. This really fascinates me because the days of "you don't wanna be Black" are getting far more difficult to call given how complex the BC is becoming. What exactly IS Black anymore?

 

[jamaraa]

How do we know that that trait is from them? We just had a discussion on this here LHCF about how for years, so many black people thought they had high cheek bones from their Native American ancestors. However, genetics proved that it was actually from Massa 'nem. Some posters even went on to say many Africans have high cheek bones, so it could just genetics from our African ancestors.

Genes DO throw curve balls.

If you're talking about another's ancestry, there's a better chance THEY know where it comes from that you would, right? Nobody knows anything fo sho...mama's baby...papa's MAYBE!

 

[aegis]

At the end of the day you must learn to validate YOURSELF. I don't notice different textures being lauded over others because LHCF is NOT my fullyime job. It simply isn't. I am here to draw inspiration from other women, mainly 4bs.

Do I have my own biases? Most certainly. But some women need to stop getting hurt over what nameless women on a forum think about your hair texture. How do you possibly live constructive lives if you're so sensitive?

 

[Leesh]

I have read thtough this entire Thread and have come to the conclusion that, The Texture thing is absolutely irrelevant to Me, I have never known My Hair Texture, could care less about knowing, and have never really thought about it, all I know is I want one Texture and thats the "HEALTHY" Texture. erplexed

 

[happylife]

whew! didnt know there were so many strong feelings over this subject or that there was a silent/quiet storm brewing over hair types til now.

is there a happy medium we can all reach ? can we all agree that:

a. we are all beautiful !!!

b. for the sake of culture, all are welcome

c. no one is perfect

d. to make mistakes goes with the territory of being human

e. a lack of others clicking thanks to your post does not mean your input has a lesser value or was not appreciated.

f. we all have something wonderful to offer.

g. your hair does not define how awesome of a person you are.