Soliel185
New Member
I just showed two of my coworkers my length update pic and they were completely amazed.
Black girls have no hair ?!?
- Thread starter chocolatedoll18
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I just showed two of my coworkers my length update pic and they were completely amazed.
caribeandiva
Human being
Lack of knowledge is the main reason most blacks don't have long hair.
weaveadiva
Well-Known Member
i disagree
i think many of us settle for short styles because we (think we) can't grow our hair or damage it so much that it has to be chopped
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caribeandiva
Human being
Aireen
Well-Known Member
That is bold-faced ignorance and stupidity. If we had no hair we'd be bald. She should be more specific to save face. Now if she said that black girls have short hair, I'd walk off and do a hair flip because the mere fact that you were BSL means you had hair. If your friend had a high waist, her hair length isn't that much longer than yours. :\
Now I don't know about y'all but I'm gonna be growing my hair long and strong and if anyone comes with that racist, outlandish, utterly stupid remark about black people and hair that sounds offensive, I WILL make one back and I WILL be hair flipping.
Now I don't know about y'all but I'm gonna be growing my hair long and strong and if anyone comes with that racist, outlandish, utterly stupid remark about black people and hair that sounds offensive, I WILL make one back and I WILL be hair flipping.
nappystorm
Well-Known Member
One thing I've noticed about long haired women of other races is the amount of protective styling.
SingBrina
Active Member
silenttullip
Well-Known Member
I'm not going to blame relaxers because when used properly they're fine and MANY white women get their version of a perm which is a chemical and still do well with length retention I believe based on knowledge from this site and my own personal experience there's a few main reasons.
1. Our hair wraps around itself it's many of our pattern and it makes it difficult to retain length without breakage verses a 1-3b head being easier to detangle and retain.
2. Lack of moisture - if a healthy green is on a tree touch it one day. See how smooth and moist it feels? Now when fall and winter comes the environment changes, that leaf turns brown, feels rough, and breaks. Not calling our hair leaves but I think it's the same thing. So many of us were trained to believe water is evil lol and therefore our hair is so thirsty it just breaks.
3. Jealousy, I've seen in my own life and read on these boards about a woman's hair doing fine until she hits a salon. There are many good salons but ya'll know what I mean as my grandmother says if her hair doesn't look healthy she has no business looking at your hair's health. Many black women instead of asking what soandso does like we do on here helping each other and sharing ideas, many get envious and just go scissor happy.
4. The last reason (not saying other races don't get weaves or braids especially nowadays) but incorrect braiding techniques and weaving habits have a lot to do with it.
That's why I think when looking around you see what you see but thank goodness for LHCF
I personally never really thought about sls, deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing, and my hair grew fine but it wasn't healthy. Now I understand so much more
1. Our hair wraps around itself it's many of our pattern and it makes it difficult to retain length without breakage verses a 1-3b head being easier to detangle and retain.
2. Lack of moisture - if a healthy green is on a tree touch it one day. See how smooth and moist it feels? Now when fall and winter comes the environment changes, that leaf turns brown, feels rough, and breaks. Not calling our hair leaves but I think it's the same thing. So many of us were trained to believe water is evil lol and therefore our hair is so thirsty it just breaks.
3. Jealousy, I've seen in my own life and read on these boards about a woman's hair doing fine until she hits a salon. There are many good salons but ya'll know what I mean as my grandmother says if her hair doesn't look healthy she has no business looking at your hair's health. Many black women instead of asking what soandso does like we do on here helping each other and sharing ideas, many get envious and just go scissor happy.
4. The last reason (not saying other races don't get weaves or braids especially nowadays) but incorrect braiding techniques and weaving habits have a lot to do with it.
That's why I think when looking around you see what you see but thank goodness for LHCF
I personally never really thought about sls, deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing, and my hair grew fine but it wasn't healthy. Now I understand so much more
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davisbr88
Well-Known Member
ITA!
I was just at church the other day and saw 3 sisters. Two of the younger ones had twists put into two ponytails on the sides of their heads that were longer than shoulder-length even in the ponytails (they were maybe 6 and 8 years old), which means they most likely were probably at least BSL when straight. The older sister, who was maybe 13 clearly had a relaxer and had nape length hair that was broken really badly, so much so that all of her hair couldn't even gather into this tiny ponytail she had at the back of her head. I could barely pay attention to the sermon because I was so focused on how those 2 girls could have beautiful long hair, while their sister most likely went from similar hair to barely nape-length hair. It just hit me like a ton of bricks that black women truly seem to be more obsessed with having straight hair, rather than having healthy, natural hair. Not that relaxed hair can't be healthy, but you get what I'm saying. It was just heartbreaking to see what had become of her hair. Maybe I am wrong and she had always had short hair, but it was definitely unhealthy regardless, and it just kills me that people (even I am guilty before joining) will not realize how much of a toll we put on our hair until one day we look up and it's gone and we don't know what happened.
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Ivonnovi
Well-Known Member
ITA with the 1st paragraph and added my "thoughts" (in red) to the rest of your statement.
Nix08
Relaxed, 4B
I am convinced it's because we just don't know better. The amount of information I have learned in the last month regarding our hair is astounding...for everyone on here and the generations after them, hair care will be second nature. It's up to us to spread the word to our fellow sisters and brothers. I look at my daughters hair and in the last month it has flourished. Even in my own head, I just realized today that I am 7 weeks post and my roots have never, never, never felt as soft and manageable as they do right now. Ignorance is bliss, but it also leaves to messed up hair
nikolite
Well-Known Member
In reality, our natural hair doesn't fall like theirs does--there's typically a curl pattern to it where you'd never see too much length anyway. Its just the way we're designed. We're better off embracing it.
For those that relax their hair (where you can see length), there are many that just don't take good care of it while trying really hard to live up to a beauty ideal, so they refuse to wear low mani/protective styles, constantly wear weaves incorrectly, and opt to flat iron daily and have their hair brush against their shoulders, where it will perpetually break.
Our hair structure is different so it either breaks easier through manipulating tight curls (for naturals) or it breaks easier because its in a much weaker state than everyone else (relaxers). Until we learn how to care for it in a way that is unique to us and not just follow the regimens that other races use, it will remain shorter. Still, even with absolutely perfect hair care, our hair is simply not built to get as long as Asian hair for example. (ie. a black woman with perfect hair care may get to hip length but an Asian woman with perfect hair care may get to floor length).
You could've just as easily said Mexi/white girls have no butts. It is what it is. They've got to do squats til kingdom come to get anything near like it, just like we have to wear protective styles. Its called diversity.
For those that relax their hair (where you can see length), there are many that just don't take good care of it while trying really hard to live up to a beauty ideal, so they refuse to wear low mani/protective styles, constantly wear weaves incorrectly, and opt to flat iron daily and have their hair brush against their shoulders, where it will perpetually break.
Our hair structure is different so it either breaks easier through manipulating tight curls (for naturals) or it breaks easier because its in a much weaker state than everyone else (relaxers). Until we learn how to care for it in a way that is unique to us and not just follow the regimens that other races use, it will remain shorter. Still, even with absolutely perfect hair care, our hair is simply not built to get as long as Asian hair for example. (ie. a black woman with perfect hair care may get to hip length but an Asian woman with perfect hair care may get to floor length).
You could've just as easily said Mexi/white girls have no butts. It is what it is. They've got to do squats til kingdom come to get anything near like it, just like we have to wear protective styles. Its called diversity.
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I think the main reason is: Lack of knowledge about proper haircare. Our hair suffers because of abuse of heat, abuse of chemicals, and/or waaayyy too much manipulation. I think if some of the other races treated their hair similarly, they would have problems too.
I also find that people don't want to invest the time to gain knowledge about proper haircare, especially when they KNOW their hair is messed up...that's what drew me into sites like this one....I wanted longer, healthier hair. I get compliments on my hair all the time, but no one asks what I did to get it that way.
I also find that people don't want to invest the time to gain knowledge about proper haircare, especially when they KNOW their hair is messed up...that's what drew me into sites like this one....I wanted longer, healthier hair. I get compliments on my hair all the time, but no one asks what I did to get it that way.
Our hair is weaker. It does not retain moisture as well and takes more conscious effort to take care of it. We need to realize that when your hair is dry, Blue Magic is not the answer! Also, we put more emphasis on style than care.
And I think our diet affects it as well. We're not nourishing our bodies with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to thrive.
And I think our diet affects it as well. We're not nourishing our bodies with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to thrive.
Renewed1
Well-Known Member
Honestly caring for my hair now is simpler and easier than it has ever been in my entire life. It's healthier too. Eventually more will start to come around.
I so agree with this statement. I tell my friend all the time, natural hair isn't difficult to take care of. Once you get into a routine, you don't even notice the time.
MrJohnsonsRib
Active Member
I was very naive about hair care and saw my hair go from long as a child to slowly breaking off bit by bit til I was using weave to try and make it look longer. I finally got fed up with knowing there are black women with gorgeous hair (some natural) that I just said to myself. "I want my old hair back. The hair I had when I was 7 years old." Yeah it was constantly being washed, greased then pressed/braided at that time however it was okay because it was done in moderation and in a routine but I just got so obssessed with my hair being "trained" that I would relax,blowdry, flat iron then even curl it just to get that sleek look all the while killing my hair so I could be "normal". I got fed up when I saw natural heads of cute coils bouncing around and looking so perfect, like a perfect match to the women who owned them. My curiosity got the best of me so I of course Googled my way to the truth. We were once a humble people full of respect and honor amongst ourselves but somewhere along the line we've been tricked into thinking that we are somehow too good to model "our enslaved ancestors" only to find ourselves trying to come up with a "better" identity leaving us susceptible to the lies and the deception of politics and society...How foolish! Aint the Devil slick? He reversed psychologied us right into demise. Now we're just a bunch of people who think we know it all and hate to be told otherwise. This hair care thing starts with a change in our mental state. I'm speaking generally everyone so don't think I am calling us all i'gnant and snobby but we must admit- the abundance of those types of personalities in our culture makes it more demanding on us more decent ones to keep our true identity relevant. :/ I pity the fool....
This is how I feel about it.
This is how I feel about it.
KinkyGenius
Well-Known Member
I agree with most of what's been posted. I also think poor nutrition contributes to why our hair tends to be shorter and unhealthy as well. It's not that the hair is just short because full, thick neck length hair with blunt ends is gorgeous, but it's unhealthy to top it off.
DarkVictory
Well-Known Member
Another big contributor: the myth that all Black people's hair is the same. "OUR HAIR doesn't do such-and-such," or "You can't use whatsits on OUR HAIR," as if we've got one collective scalp.
Because we aren't taught how to find what works for us individually, we end up following bad advice, buying junk products, abusing appliances. It puts ladies on a cycle of desperately doing something to cover up the last thing that went wrong instead of moving towards making the best of what you have.
Because we aren't taught how to find what works for us individually, we end up following bad advice, buying junk products, abusing appliances. It puts ladies on a cycle of desperately doing something to cover up the last thing that went wrong instead of moving towards making the best of what you have.
motherpopcorn562
New Member
i would have had some nasty things to say and then went ahead and repented
Many people have given an answer as to why black women have abused their hair which I agree with and have done myself. I also believe speaking from my own experience that as a black female I never really believed that my hair could be long. Sad but true and I feel that many others feel the same. Unless you met someone who has really long hair then it doesn't seem real.
You have touched on something that I haven't really seen an answer to but I agree with. Why does it seem as though the other races have such long hair without doing anything. Even though we can grow long hair, the amount of hair care required is waaay more than those of other races. I mean they practically just wash and go and their hair grows.
It may be down to the amount of moisture we require to stop our hair from breaking. Another thing that I noticed before my hair journey is I would never dream of not using heat to dry my hair. I mean it just wasn't done, however most other races air dry from a young age, they just wash and go. These are the only differences I can think of. But really why does their hair grow with such little maintenance?
Great posts by the way!!
DrC
Well-Known Member
It also depends on whether the black community will take into consideration the educational information of Hair Care into their everyday life. No matter how much vital information you try to give in reference to black hair care, there will ALWAYS be the ones who:
1. Are lazy and refuse to put forth the effort of managing their hair. Which is ( oh I hate to say this) a lot of women. Not ALL but a lot.
Even when you try to tell some how to properly take care of their hair, they come up with exuses.
2. Stick to gluing a weave on their scalp for dear life (My siggy of Naomi tells all)
There are some serious issues going on if one takes care of a weave more than their hair.
3. Don't care about their real hair.
Because as long as everything is hidden under something, they could care less.
All hair types have pluses and minuses - several of my white friends envy the thickness of my hair - their hair tends to be thin and wispy. Asian hair is beautiful but very difficult to hold a curl.
The key to long hair is lack of manipulation and caring for it if chemically processed. I have seen some Asian and white women who chemically curl their hair and /or color it have hair that is in very bad condition, dry, breaking and not that long. The more you "do stuff" to hair, the more you really have to do extra things to take care of your hair to make up - and I think that goes for any ethnic group, but it is especially true for African American hair.
People with long hair tend to not manipulate it much - including african american people with dreads - most people I know who have dreads have very long hair.
The key to long hair is lack of manipulation and caring for it if chemically processed. I have seen some Asian and white women who chemically curl their hair and /or color it have hair that is in very bad condition, dry, breaking and not that long. The more you "do stuff" to hair, the more you really have to do extra things to take care of your hair to make up - and I think that goes for any ethnic group, but it is especially true for African American hair.
People with long hair tend to not manipulate it much - including african american people with dreads - most people I know who have dreads have very long hair.
Ivonnovi
Well-Known Member
Worth repeating a "couple" of times!!!
It also depends on whether the black community will take into consideration the educational information of Hair Care into their everyday life. No matter how much vital information you try to give in reference to black hair care, there will ALWAYS be the ones who:
Are lazy and refuse to put forth the effort of managing their hair. Which is ( oh I hate to say this) a lot of women. Not ALL but a lot.
Even when you try to tell some how to properly take care of their hair, they come up with exuses.
There are some serious issues going on if one takes care of a weave more than their hair.
peachykeen
New Member
While I wholeheartedly agree that there are tons of myths about afro textured hair, my understanding of our hair's nature suggests (to me at least) that our hair is inherently more fragile than other hair types. Afro textured hair is oval, or elliptical shaped, whereas Asian and Caucasian hair types are round. The shape of hair in and of itself does not cause fragility, but manipulation of the hair does. Imagine you had a slinky that you stretched out frequently, or even every day. Eventually it will become weak and likely would break. Not only that, but if I remember correctly, afro textured hair does not have the thicker, stronger cuticle layer that other hair types have.
Someone feel free to correct me if I have recalled any of this information incorrectly.
So in conclusion, I do feel that there is a lot of misinformation about our hair and far too many of us buy into the idea that it simply can't grow. Of course many of you ladies have proven this idea to be false and I think that many more women could do the same, if they'd put a little effort into it.
I agree the bottom line is most of "our" hair is just flat out more fragile. Most of "us" have a unique texture of hair that requires different things then the mainstream. And, lets be honest "our" needs have not exactly been at the top of the priority list of most hair manufacturers or beauty articles. The advice that was given was heeded only problem was the advice didn't pertain to black women. The products and advice made available catered to a different texture of hair.
However, with the proper hair care and right information about how to care for "our" hair we know it can grow. When we debunk the myths and deal with facts about our hair it gets better. But, the entire problem is not just laziness and lack of hair care. No group of women have put more energy or spent more money on trying to grow their hair then black women. Black women are not a stupid group of women. There was just simply not enough good information out there about our 'fragile hair' needs.
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MrsHdrLe
Well-Known Member
. Most of "us" have a unique texture of hair that requires different things then the mainstream. And, lets be honest "our" needs have not exactly been at the top of the priority list of most hair manufacturers or beauty articles. The products and advice made available catered a different texture of hair.
Interesting this reminded me of the thread a long while back which asked who among us useed "white hair care products". Perhaps those companies new more than we gave them credit for, b/c "black hair care products" have seemed to keep a lot of us betwee el and apl for years. While many have touted the used of product "for those others" and our hair is/has flourished. hmmmmm *off to ponder this more*
Interesting this reminded me of the thread a long while back which asked who among us useed "white hair care products". Perhaps those companies new more than we gave them credit for, b/c "black hair care products" have seemed to keep a lot of us betwee el and apl for years. While many have touted the used of product "for those others" and our hair is/has flourished. hmmmmm *off to ponder this more*
lovelexi
New Member
I think the main reason is that We do to much to our hair! In between relaxers, slathering on grease and other products, hair spray, shine spray, heat, combing and everything else we are just doing to much. I remember back in middle school some girls walked around with rat tail combs constantly fixing their hair. TOO MUCH!!!
lovegymnasts
New Member
I have to disagree somewhat. How many of us have been asked how we have gotten such healthy hair and as soon as we respond, eyes glaze over or we are told that is too much work or we have been poo pooed on when providing the most basic of information? The information is available, people just have to want to find it and use it instead of wishing for a miracle in a bottle or jar.
Also, what is most of "our" money being spent on? It's weaves, extensions, relaxers, and salon visits. If complacency and lack of effort is not a main issue, why do so many women not wash their own hair or know how to wash their own hair? Until last year, I never realized how many black women do not wash their own hair! Also, why do so many women go to the salon weekly or every other week?
Complacency, acceptance of the status quo, the deep rooted belief that black hair does not grow, and the belief that our hair is so difficult that it requires a "professional" to care for it.
I have had people (black and white) ask me what salon I went to for my 2 strand twists, braid-outs, and twist-outs. Why is it so difficult to believe that I did my own hair? What is so difficult about my hair that I can't style it on my own? All those are really basic styles.
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peachykeen
New Member
I see your point. But, I am not really talking about whether or not we should use white products or not. I am referring to how many companies fooled black women into thinking that certain products were for them. They didnt sell WHITE women "Grease" with the label Doo Gro.
They were not trying to cater to us by putting in shea butter for naturals or extra protein for the relaxed heads. They were making products such as, Sleek Serum for straight hair or Golden Highlights for blonde hair. Not to mention all of those beauty articles that said your hair wont grow unless you trim your hair once a month and how to use brush to sleek back your hair. And the articles surely were NOT talking about protective styles.
peachykeen
New Member
LMBO! I understand what you are saying. I have gotten the glazed over look, that says I am talking too much about hair. For me its one thing to not know(I think many black women still fall in this category). But, its another thing to get the information and then ignore it.
I think some black women have been led down the wrong path for so long they are just apathetic. I think at this point, some black women just feel like it's too much work. And they just simply dont want to change.
And for me, if they like it, I love it.
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