Do we, as women of color, suffer from Pocohonatas syndrome?

[tastesosweet]

I figured I'd pose this question just to see what you ladies think. I think that most women of color do, simply because it has not been as easy for us (or at least it has been thought) to get as much length as quickly as our white counterparts. I'm not placing a judgement on the situation--I think its neither a good or bad thing--it just is what it is.

What do you ladies think?

PS: It's Pocohantas--fingers moving too fast

 

[pink_flower]

I dont understand the question. What exactly is pocohontas syndrome?

 

[Isis]

White women can be just as hair length challenged as women of color can be. (see www.longhaircommunity.com) We're all learning as much as we can about hair care.

 

[tastesosweet]

I dont understand the question. What exactly is pocohontas syndrome?

Pocohantas syndrome is simply the desire for long, flowing hair. The name comes from the legendary Native American character Pocohantas, who is usually depicted as wearing two long braids. http://www.melungeons.com/articles/images/pocahontas.jpg

 

[tastesosweet]

White women can be just as hair length challenged as women of color can be. (see www.longhaircommunity.com) We're all learning as much as we can about hair care.

Thank you Isis for adding that perspective. It challenges the idea that women of color are alone in their quest for long hair and that white women don't have such concerns.

 

[Poohbear]

White women can be just as hair length challenged as women of color can be. (see www.longhaircommunity.com) We're all learning as much as we can about hair care.

Hey Isis! I was just about to post a response like this. Right on!

 

[pink_flower]

Pocohantas syndrome is simply the desire for long, flowing hair. The name comes from the legendary Native American character Pocohantas, who is usually depicted as wearing two long braids. http://www.melungeons.com/articles/images/pocahontas.jpg

Gotcha! I thought thats what you meant. LOL @ the pochontats link. I've seen the Disney movie

Anyways, I can only speak for myself but my desire for long hair is purely superfical. Doesn't go any deeper than that for me. I think long hair is very pretty and feminine.

 

[tastesosweet]

Gotcha! I thought thats what you meant. LOL @ the pochontats link. I've seen the Disney movie

Anyways, I can only speak for myself but my desire for long hair is purely superfical. Doesn't go any deeper than that for me. I think long hair is very pretty and feminine.

I agree with you pink flower. Sometimes I feel so brainwashed for liking it, but its just what I like.

 

[Poohbear]

Me too. I have that same desire for long hair.

 

[Cheleigh]

Nah, I don't think that women of color suffer more from it. Women (or people) in just about every culture and ethnic group has some interest in long hair. The only thing is, IMO (only IMO) that a majority of black women's hair is not going to go down before it grows out in its natural state. As such, we realize that if we want our hair to look like "Pocahontas' hair," we might need a heat or chemical treatment. I think from that perspective, that standard of beauty is not OUR standard of beauty, since our hair rarely will show full length in its natural state. I would expect it to be the beauty standard of ethnicities whose hair, honestly, doesn't do much more than show length well--no texture, no thickness, no big hair, etc. But it cannot be MY standard.

After my BC, I still evenutally want below shoulder length hair to APL hair. The only difference is that now I'm willing to accept that my hair may never LOOK shoulder or armpit length without a press. And that's okay with me.

 

[hottopic]

I just want to see if I can do it. I seen that it can be done and I rather try to grow my own instead of having to buy it all the time....LMAO. Seriously, I think women with healthy hair (long or short in it's natural or relaxed state) is very pretty and feminine, like pink_flower said. It just says alot about the woman, meaning that she takes the time to take care of herself.

 

[baglady215]

Yeah, mine is curiosity as well. I want to see just how long my hair can grow. I'll probably end up chopping it off after all is said and done.

 

[WomanlyCharm]

I've had hair at brastrap and cut above my ears...and I just like the way I look with long hair. Nothing freuedian about it, I just like how it frames my face. And it does make me feel more feminine.

Here's the funny thing...my BF loves short hair. Go figure.

 

[blueabyss333]

I think that we do. Typically growing up, retaining long hair is a lot more difficult for women of color than any other race. It takes us a lot more effort and we grow up thinking that "we cannot have long hair." In most circumstances, we will do anything to have long hair. Hence the reason why so many of us wear weaves.

 

[mommatide]

it's hair, simply hair...and i don't look in the mirror and think i want a white womens hair. i know what's looks good on me, and if i can acheive a hairstyle that is long, i will go for it as long as it's healthy. the real thrill is that it's my own hair. and then, when people compliment your hair and asked for tips, it's great because then you can share what you have learned about taking care of our hair no matter if it's natural or relaxed.

I've noticed that everytime i read comments referring to black women wanting long hair like/or referring to white women come from women with natural hair. these are the women that have embraced there natural hair and love it, so why so much concern about ladies with long hair or those that desire it? i have a coworker whose hair is dreaded and down to her butt. does she have pocohontas syndrome? her hair is natural and it's really long, and gorgeous

 

[Poohbear]

it's hair, simply hair...and i don't look in the mirror and think i want a white womens hair. i know what's looks good on me, and if i can acheive a hairstyle that is long, i will go for it as long as it's healthy. the real thrill is that it's my own hair. and then, when people compliment your hair and asked for tips, it's great because then you can share what you have learned about taking care of our hair no matter if it's natural or relaxed.

I've noticed that everytime i read comments referring to black women wanting long hair like/or referring to white women come from women with natural hair. these are the women that have embraced there natural hair and love it, so why so much concern about ladies with long hair or those that desire it? i have a coworker whose hair is dreaded and down to her butt. does she have pocohontas syndrome? her hair is natural and it's really long, and gorgeous

I'm sorry but I have to ask you this question... do you have something against natural hair??? I've recently seen a few of your posts in regards to this issue... has someone been bothering or pressuring you to go natural or something???

 

[caligirl]

I figured I'd pose this question just to see what you ladies think. I think that most women of color do, simply because it has not been as easy for us (or at least it has been thought) to get as much length as quickly as our white counterparts. I'm not placing a judgement on the situation--I think its neither a good or bad thing--it just is what it is.

What do you ladies think?

PS: It's Pocohantas--fingers moving too fast

I know what you're getting at. I (a black woman) want long, straight hair. Heck, I wouldn't mind looking like Pocohantas. But my hair is not naturally straight so I have to go thru a lot of effort for it to look that way. I wouldn't mind having long and super curly either. I just don't personally like how my hair grows into an afro (without any manipulation). And while we're at it, I wish I had naturally silky hair instead of coarse. So I dunno, maybe I have Pocohantas syndrome.

 

[baglady215]

I know what you're getting at. I (a black woman) want long, straight hair. Heck, I wouldn't mind looking like Pocohantas. But my hair is not naturally straight so I have to go thru a lot of effort for it to look that way. I wouldn't mind having long and super curly either. I just don't personally like how my hair grows into an afro (without any manipulation). And while we're at it, I wish I had naturally silky hair instead of coarse. So I dunno, maybe I have Pocohantas syndrome.

Nothing wrong with that. I know some are going to say you should love what you have and blah blah blah, but there are things that we all want but don't/can't have.

 

[mommatide]

#16

Today, 08:52 PM
Poohbear

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Re: Do we, as women of color, suffer from Pocohonatas syndrome?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommatide
it's hair, simply hair...and i don't look in the mirror and think i want a white womens hair. i know what's looks good on me, and if i can acheive a hairstyle that is long, i will go for it as long as it's healthy. the real thrill is that it's my own hair. and then, when people compliment your hair and asked for tips, it's great because then you can share what you have learned about taking care of our hair no matter if it's natural or relaxed.

I've noticed that everytime i read comments referring to black women wanting long hair like/or referring to white women come from women with natural hair. these are the women that have embraced there natural hair and love it, so why so much concern about ladies with long hair or those that desire it? i have a coworker whose hair is dreaded and down to her butt. does she have pocohontas syndrome? her hair is natural and it's really long, and gorgeous



I'm sorry but I have to ask you this question... do you have something against natural hair
not at all, but i do have a problem with people that feel that relaxed /long hair on black women is there desire to be white. it's just so silly. like we can't have long hair or something! that's one of the ideas this forum is based on. but yes, i have received those vibes and i know i'm not the only one. i am simply sharing my take on it, my own experience. that's still allowed i hope.

 

[Poohbear]

not at all, but i do have a problem with people that feel that relaxed /long hair on black women is there desire to be white. it's just so silly. like we can't have long hair or something! that's one of the ideas this forum is based on. but yes, i have received those vibes and i know i'm not the only one. i am simply sharing my take on it, my own experience. that's still allowed i hope.

Oh okay. Now I understand where you're coming from. I'm sorry you are having this experience. Just know that NOT ALL black women who have relaxed hair or want long hair are aspiring to be white. It not really about trying to be a white person, it's more in line with this ideology or social conditioning of "whiteness" or "privelege" or whathaveyou. I know when I was relaxed, I wasn't trying to be white. My mom just one day up'ed and relaxed my hair when I was a child. Then I decided to go natural on my own. Don't let those ideologies affect you in a negative way. See it from a more individual standpoint rather than a collective standpoint. Not every relaxes their hair or tries to get long hair to be white. People may have certain thoughts about straight hair being more acceptable and such, but not everyone thinks the same way. If you ever see generalized statements about such things, realize their naivety and move on. Just know where you stand in regards to all of these issues about black hair. Hope that helps.

 

[Recherché.Beauty]

l0l actually Pocohonatas wasn't real l0l...just wanted to put my 2 cent in l0l

 

[tastesosweet]

Nah, I don't think that women of color suffer more from it. Women (or people) in just about every culture and ethnic group has some interest in long hair. The only thing is, IMO (only IMO) that a majority of black women's hair is not going to go down before it grows out in its natural state. As such, we realize that if we want our hair to look like "Pocahontas' hair," we might need a heat or chemical treatment. I think from that perspective, that standard of beauty is not OUR standard of beauty, since our hair rarely will show full length in its natural state. I would expect it to be the beauty standard of ethnicities whose hair, honestly, doesn't do much more than show length well--no texture, no thickness, no big hair, etc. But it cannot be MY standard.

After my BC, I still evenutally want below shoulder length hair to APL hair. The only difference is that now I'm willing to accept that my hair may never LOOK shoulder or armpit length without a press. And that's okay with me.

Well said!

 

[poetist]

I've noticed that everytime i read comments referring to black women wanting long hair like/or referring to white women come from women with natural hair. these are the women that have embraced there natural hair and love it, so why so much concern about ladies with long hair or those that desire it?

I think Tastesosweet was just posing a question and not trying to make a distinction between women with long hair and women with natural hair. If you look at her album, she is natural AND she also has LONG hair. So I seriously doubt that she was trying to attack long haired women or women who desire to have long hair.

But I think in general, the Pocohontas syndrome exists. If I were to generalize, I think most men and women across racial groups, admire long hair.

 

[tastesosweet]

I think that we do. Typically growing up, retaining long hair is a lot more difficult for women of color than any other race. It takes us a lot more effort and we grow up thinking that "we cannot have long hair." In most circumstances, we will do anything to have long hair. Hence the reason why so many of us wear weaves.

I agree blueabyss, which is why I started this thread. Its interesting to me that we as women of color try so many options to achieve a "look"--and like someone else stated in another post, it isn't always reflective of our "natural" standard of beauty, but yet it is one that I believe we feel pressure to adhere to. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mommatide]

thanks poohbear,you are on point.
this is what get's me.....we are sitting hear discussing this hair thing among ourselves, but do you think white women look at us, long or short, strait or natural and say"oh, she's trying to be like me". i don't think so. if anything, there trying to be like us. so why is it such an issue with us as black women still to this day, this whole natural/relaxed/long/straight thing.

when i found this hairboard, i was like "cool" there is something for everybody. but then these type of debates come up, and i'm like whoa, it's still there...........................peace

 

[tastesosweet]

it's hair, simply hair...and i don't look in the mirror and think i want a white womens hair. i know what's looks good on me, and if i can acheive a hairstyle that is long, i will go for it as long as it's healthy. the real thrill is that it's my own hair. and then, when people compliment your hair and asked for tips, it's great because then you can share what you have learned about taking care of our hair no matter if it's natural or relaxed.

I've noticed that everytime i read comments referring to black women wanting long hair like/or referring to white women come from women with natural hair. these are the women that have embraced there natural hair and love it, so why so much concern about ladies with long hair or those that desire it? i have a coworker whose hair is dreaded and down to her butt. does she have pocohontas syndrome? her hair is natural and it's really long, and gorgeous

I was waiting for a response like this--yes I am a natural, though once a permed and pressed black woman. And truthfully its not so much "concern" as it is curiosity--having gone natural forces one to embrace what their hair does on its own, and even still, going natural for me did not eradicate my desire to grow my hair long. Honestly, one has nothing to do with the other. The choice to go natural was economic based, the desire for long hair has been with me since childhood, though I can't say for certain what started it. More than likely, its because I've been taught and shown that long hair is feminine and beautiful.

The sista with locks down to her butt would have to answer that question for you herself--none of us can speak for each other or say why any of us makes the choices that we do in regard to our hair. But I love the fact that we have forums like this where we can discuss these types of ideas and be honest about it, versus feeling defensive about our choices. Much respect Mommatide and I appreciate your perspective.

 

[tastesosweet]

Nothing wrong with that. I know some are going to say you should love what you have and blah blah blah, but there are things that we all want but don't/can't have.

So true. And I know sistas on the other side with the silky straight stuff that envy my kinks and curls for the styles that I am able to retain that they can't. I guess its human nature to be curious about another's experience and also to never be satisfied.

 

[Poohbear]

thanks poohbear,you are on point.
this is what get's me.....we are sitting hear discussing this hair thing among ourselves, but do you think white women look at us, long or short, strait or natural and say"oh, she's trying to be like me". i don't think so. if anything, there trying to be like us. so why is it such an issue with us as black women still to this day, this whole natural/relaxed/long/straight thing.

when i found this hairboard, i was like "cool" there is something for everybody. but then these type of debates come up, and i'm like whoa, it's still there...........................peace

You'd be surprised how common this is among our counterparts. It's really not just a black hair thing... other races deal with this issue of hair as well. There are non-black women who alter their hair... there are non-black women who transition too, whether they are growing a perm out or color out. There are non-black women who've done the BC! Check out that site Isis posted... The Long Hair Community is a predominantly white hair site, and they discuss similar issues regarding growing and wanting their hair long, certain hair products, etc etc etc. There are non-black women who struggle with growing long hair too... not just us. I think since we are Black and participate in discussions about hair often (whether online or in real life) it just SEEMS like it's more of an issue with us.

 

[tastesosweet]

#16

Today, 08:52 PM
Poohbear

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Re: Do we, as women of color, suffer from Pocohonatas syndrome?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommatide
it's hair, simply hair...and i don't look in the mirror and think i want a white womens hair. i know what's looks good on me, and if i can acheive a hairstyle that is long, i will go for it as long as it's healthy. the real thrill is that it's my own hair. and then, when people compliment your hair and asked for tips, it's great because then you can share what you have learned about taking care of our hair no matter if it's natural or relaxed.

I've noticed that everytime i read comments referring to black women wanting long hair like/or referring to white women come from women with natural hair. these are the women that have embraced there natural hair and love it, so why so much concern about ladies with long hair or those that desire it? i have a coworker whose hair is dreaded and down to her butt. does she have pocohontas syndrome? her hair is natural and it's really long, and gorgeous



I'm sorry but I have to ask you this question... do you have something against natural hair
not at all, but i do have a problem with people that feel that relaxed /long hair on black women is there desire to be white. it's just so silly. like we can't have long hair or something! that's one of the ideas this forum is based on. but yes, i have received those vibes and i know i'm not the only one. i am simply sharing my take on it, my own experience. that's still allowed i hope.

As the starter of this thread, I just want to clarify that at no point did I equate the Pocohantas syndrome with a desire to be white. If anyone gets that from my initial question, you've misread. To further clarify, my point was that I feel we as women of color have this desire because we've believed for so long (and have been told) that we could not grow hair as long and as quick (emphasis on the word quick) as our white counterparts. Any further clarification needed, feel free to PM a sista.

And of course, this is the internet so free speech is allowed and encouraged. Feel free to speak your mind.

 

[tastesosweet]

Oh okay. Now I understand where you're coming from. I'm sorry you are having this experience. Just know that NOT ALL black women who have relaxed hair or want long hair are aspiring to be white. It not really about trying to be a white person, it's more in line with this ideology or social conditioning of "whiteness" or "privelege" or whathaveyou. I know when I was relaxed, I wasn't trying to be white. My mom just one day up'ed and relaxed my hair when I was a child. Then I decided to go natural on my own. Don't let those ideologies affect you in a negative way. See it from a more individual standpoint rather than a collective standpoint. Not every relaxes their hair or tries to get long hair to be white. People may have certain thoughts about straight hair being more acceptable and such, but not everyone thinks the same way. If you ever see generalized statements about such things, realize their naivety and move on. Just know where you stand in regards to all of these issues about black hair. Hope that helps.

I guess I should've scrolled down and kept reading. Well said.