I think it's the wording that gets people, at least me. The ability/potential to grow hair long is posessed by each. The techniques that have been devised to style and groom hair over the centuries (I am speaking more about the US) have been for type 1-2 hair, which is posessed in a larger percent by non-blacks. Techniques have also evolved and become popular to get hair types that are not the previously mentioned hair types (type 1-2) to resemble these types. Unfortunately, these techniques actually cause damage to the type 3-4 hair, resulting in breakage. It appears (I have no data on it) that a black person (AA, African, Latino, etc) typically posesses type 4 hair (yes, some of us have 1-3 too). Then you factor in the fact that, as previously posted and (I assume) a known LHCF fact, that each bend in a hair is weak point (therefore curls and coils are inherently more weak) and potential site for breakage AND sebum (each hair follicle is assoc w/this sack of oil) has difficulty traveling the length of a strand with bends in in it, type 3-4 has a greater potential for weakness/breakage.
Look, slavery ended less than 150 years ago (again, speaking more to AA). It wasn't like we got off the boat and there was a BSS that catered to our needs right there. Then, and y'all can debate this, as a matter of survival we tried to assimilate. In assimilation we attempted to resemble our captors, those who posessed predominately type 1-2 hair types. We adopted their grooming habits and invented our own which would help us achieve the look of type 1-2 hair with little regard to health of the hair. To me its like trying to wear a size 6 shoe, even though you wear an 8-eventually youll have terrible looking feet. If you had just worn the 8 your feet wouldnt be squealing, but you didnt know you wore an 8 until you were measured.
Even left to our own devices (slavery never happened) I am not sure if we had the DESIRE or knowledge to get our predominately type 4 hair long. Look at some of the insular tribes in Africa, with those who possess predominately type 4 hair (it appears). Do they have waist length hair? I welcome answers to this.
Type 3-4 hair can grow long with the right treatment. LHCF at least showcases this. Is it easier? I know people with type 1-2 hair that wash every day and never condition with hair to their waist (I also, to a lesser extent, see some w/breakage too). While I see a large number of long hair (>APL) type 4 who DC, PS, oil/seal, etc to get their hair long. Which seems easier?
There is NO gene for long hair, I think its how you treat (treatment varies by hair type, which includes density, porosity) your hair type that can allow it to grow long. Look at LHCF, hair 'twins' will try the same regimen with different results. Why? Each head of hair is like a snowflake, unique. The character of hair depends on genetics and how the person treats (has treated) their hair.
It's SUNDAY so let's see where this thread goes.
* I also think the typing (1-4) is very limited. I think straight is straight, but there are various types/degrees of curl and coils-at least in my head- so each strand is even more unique than the next. Making type 3- 4 heads even more variable than can be described by type 3abc/4abc. I do know there is another hair typing system that has a greater range, but LHCF loves 1-4.
ETA: I don't think modern day use of relaxers is an attempt at assimilation.
With the healthy hair regimen I have now, I know if I relaxed again I would treat my hair much differently than I did in the past. My relaxed hair would probably grow longer than APL.
Sent from my DROIDX