Is hair texture the new paper bag test???

[Cali*Rocks]

I have noticed lately a lot of people focusing extensively on hair type. To me it isn't that serious and never will be. However for many others it's something that makes them better than everybody else. When my mother was in Jack and Jill the paper bag test was something VERY real and in order to be apart of the group you should pass it Do you feel some people will place extra emphasis on letting you know that their is a "3a or 3b or the elusive 3c" when you haven't even asked for that information? Or even lie about the TRUE textures of their hair to fit into a certain "Club" How do you feel about the issue?? Thoughts?

 

[maxineshaw]

Well, I wouldn't call it "new". My only opinion on the matter.

 

[SEMO]

Interesting topic. Definitely merits some thought, and I think there is a lot of truth in your supposition.

 

[Neith]

The good hair/bad hair thing has been around for AGES!

It's unfortunate, but let's hope that things continue to get better as time goes on.

 

[Whimsy]

New?
Not really, IMO.
Hair typing (and the loose curl / tight curl issue), has been goin on for ever

 

[BeetleBug]

I noticed the lying.

 

[CurlTalk]

My thoughts on the issue: insecurity is a huge thing for AA women, especially b/c of the years and years and years of being told by the media's portrayal (look at black dolls' hair and skin, and even the new Disney princess' hair) of 'beautiful' that certain things about us just aren't desirable (hair texture and skin color being the most prevalent).
Nearly all (if not all) women want to feel pretty, and loved, and it's only in human nature to assert the qualities we have that we feel will make us more accepted by others. That said, I don't find it surprising when people assert their looser hair texture, even when uncalled for, and frankly it doesn't bother me. We all want to be accepted and loved and wanted, and we all go about becoming so through whatever means we feel necessary/fit.

 

[Skiggle]

The higher you on the hair hierarchy
the better the ..........

Let's just say obvious curls
gets you alot of love.

 

[Supervixen]

I posted a picture here, and I was asked several times if I was TEXTLAXED even though I CLEARLY said I was NATURAL in the body of the post, and my siggy denotes my BC dates.

I'm darker, so it was a little weird, and made me wonder...but I'd never mentioned it; thanks for letting me vent. LOL.

 

[nikki2229]

This is really nothing new. I think we may be more aware of it because we are on a hair forum.
I really don't pay attention to it anymore because I am more focused on maintaining and learning about keeping my own hair healthy.

I think things may be changing on here. When I first came here, most of the highly praised threads were the 3c's and higher. Now, there has been a whole lot of BC's and the majority of the women have 3c/4a, 4a, or 4a/b combos. I think the rash of BC's, transitioners, and women growing their hair to wonderful lengths has allowed us to see the beauty in all of the different hair types.

In defense of the 3b's and higher, I have seen threads where it has been stated that those types of hair are boring, limp, etc. And while I am happy that people are becoming more appreciative and accepting of highly textured hair, I do think that those comments can be hurtful too.

 

[locabouthair]

I dont notice people lying about being a 3 something. But I do notice people claiming 4b and then I see a pic and they are clearly in the 3's. I think a lot of people calling themselves type 4 are really type 3's. It's not a big deal just something I notice a lot.

 

[Cali*Rocks]

Well, I wouldn't call it "new". My only opinion on the matter.

The good hair/bad hair thing has been around for AGES!

It's unfortunate, but let's hope that things continue to get better as time goes on.

New?
Not really, IMO.
Hair typing (and the loose curl / tight curl issue), has been goin on for ever

Yea, I know hair type isn't really new but it has come to attention on numerous occasions recently and I just wanted some feedback.

Interesting topic. Definitely merits some thought, and I think there is a lot of truth in your supposition.

I want to write a sociology paper about the subject and see what research I can find.

I noticed the lying.

I have too, which makes me wonder WHY? especially if you have a picture of your hair in your siggie and I can clearly see that it's not 3c then WHY LIE?

My thoughts on the issue: insecurity is a huge thing for AA women, especially b/c of the years and years and years of being told by the media's portrayal (look at black dolls' hair and skin, and even the new Disney princess' hair) of 'beautiful' that certain things about us just aren't desirable (hair texture and skin color being the most prevalent).
Nearly all (if not all) women want to feel pretty, and loved, and it's only in human nature to assert the qualities we have that we feel will make us more accepted by others. That said, I don't find it surprising when people assert their looser hair texture, even when uncalled for, and frankly it doesn't bother me. We all want to be accepted and loved and wanted, and we all go about becoming so through whatever means we feel necessary/fit.

Great post!! I guess my awareness of the issue has been heightened because I belong to a hair forum, but the I have been thinking about the subject for days on end.

The higher you on the hair hierarchy
the better the ..........

Let's just say obvious curls
gets you alot of love.

I have noticed that as well, which made me hesitant to post my BC pics because of the obvious 300+ responses for 3's and highers versus those in the 4s. I actually find it disgusting.

I posted a picture here, and I was asked several times if I was TEXTLAXED even though I CLEARLY said I was NATURAL in the body of the post, and my siggy denotes my BC dates.

I'm darker, so it was a little weird, and made me wonder...but I'd never mentioned it; thanks for letting me vent. LOL.

Wow and just Wow that makes me

This is really nothing new. I think we may be more aware of it because we are on a hair forum.
I really don't pay attention to it anymore because I am more focused on maintaining and learning about keeping my own hair healthy.

I think things may be changing on here. When I first came here, most of the highly praised threads were the 3c's and higher. Now, there has been a whole lot of BC's and the majority of the women have 3c/4a, 4a, or 4a/b combos. I think the rash of BC's, transitioners, and women growing their hair to wonderful lengths has allowed us to see the beauty in all of the different hair types.

In defense of the 3b's and higher, I have seen threads where it has been stated that those types of hair are boring, limp, etc. And while I am happy that people are becoming more appreciative and accepting of highly textured hair, I do think that those comments can be hurtful too.

I agree, I remember a thread where a member said that because someone had 3b hair, then they couldn't tell her about hair because "Her hair was easy to deal with"

 

[poookie]

i agree with Neith; it's been going on for a while, and i hope it does get better over time.

it's got to have some truth to it: why else do people in the 3s get 100s more "thanks" in their BC threads than type 4s?? it's almost as if a 4a/4b'er has to have long hair before her hair can be recognized by all as beautiful.

the change has to come from within, & i think subconsciously for a portion of posters here, they're still under all the good hair / bad hair beliefs they were taught before finding LHCF.

 

[Cali*Rocks]

I dont notice people lying about being a 3 something. But I do notice people claiming 4b and then I see a pic and they are clearly in the 3's. I think a lot of people calling themselves type 4 are really type 3's. It's not a big deal just something I notice a lot.

Usually I notice it being the other way around. It doesn't really bother me because you can call your hair 2a if that makes you happy. I just wonder the mentality of a person who clearly has 4b hair saying their 3b.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

in puerto rico they used to do a fan test. the paper bag or feature test didnt work cause you can have some one dark with very european features and some one light with very black features. so they would have a fan set up in certain establishments and if your hair blew in the wind then you have enough european in you to get in, if you hair didnt move, you were too black...

so yeah, its been around for a minute...

 

[Cali*Rocks]

i agree with Neith; it's been going on for a while, and i hope it does get better over time.

it's got to have some truth to it: why else do people in the 3s get 100s more "thanks" in their BC threads than type 4s??

the change has to come from within, & i think subconsciously for a portion of posters here, they're still under all the good hair / bad hair beliefs they were taught before finding LHCF.

I agree 100% it does need to come from within . And to the bolded it makes me feel erplexed a certain way about the forum.

 

[locabouthair]

Usually I notice it being the other way around. It doesn't really bother me because you can call your hair 2a if that makes you happy. I just wonder the mentality of a person who clearly has 4b hair saying their 3b.

I never notice this but I dont understand people who want to pretent their another type than what they are. I know I'm 4z aint no denying that

 

[Pretty Star]

Well, I wouldn't call it "new".

Exactly. There's nothing new about it. At the same time they were doing paper bag tests, they were also doing comb tests. They'd leave a comb on your door step, if you couldn't get it through your hair in 1 pass, you didn't make the cut. Hair texture has always been an issue in the black community. It's nothing new.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

Usually I notice it being the other way around. It doesn't really bother me because you can call your hair 2a if that makes you happy. I just wonder the mentality of a person who clearly has 4b hair saying their 3b.

maybe they're confused... i say i'm a 3b not cause that's what i want to be but because i think that's the best group i fit into. some one told me i was a 3a and i was like "what?! shut you're face!"

i personally love 4a hair and wish i had that texture. i think it looks better to me. but then i dont know if its a solid 4a that i love so much. some 4a's look too loose and some 4a's look tighter... in fact this whole system confuses me cause my hair never looks like the 3bs listed lol

 

[Transformer]

Hair texture has always been part of the "paper bag test." Actually the-comb test was preferential to the bag---if you had "good hair" that meant that you were obviously mixed.

Today...I'm seeing more and more YOUNG men desiring fairer skin women. I guess relaxers have taken hair textures down a peg. If you have long hair regardless of texture...men tend to notice.

With women...I think they do give a bow to women with straighter textures. So I think the texture test applies more to women.

 

[Esq.2B]

in puerto rico they used to do a fan test. the paper bag or feature test didnt work cause you can have some one dark with very european features and some one light with very black features. so they would have a fan set up in certain establishments and if your hair blew in the wind then you have enough european in you to get in, if you hair didnt move, you were too black...

so yeah, its been around for a minute...

Oh SNAP!

 

[CurlTalk]

I have noticed that as well, which made me hesitant to post my BC pics because of the obvious 300+ responses for 3's and highers versus those in the 4s. I actually find it disgusting.

I've noticed this too, and it is kinda sad that this pattern of oohing and ahing at looser textures happens in 2009. like i remember being in elementary school, when the prettiest girl in class never had type-4 hair...things haven't changed, and thats sad.
the good thing is: we can teach our daughters and nieces to love themselves, and to appreciate the diversity of beauty, and, in time, trust that the situation will get better, and ALL types of hair will be admired.

 

[locabouthair]

i agree with Neith; it's been going on for a while, and i hope it does get better over time.

it's got to have some truth to it: why else do people in the 3s get 100s more "thanks" in their BC threads than type 4s?? it's almost as if a 4a/4b'er has to have long hair before her hair can be recognized by all as beautiful.

the change has to come from within, & i think subconsciously for a portion of posters here, they're still under all the good hair / bad hair beliefs they were taught before finding LHCF.

Yep. I remember a member saying "4z hair ain't cute". Some naturals on this board still practice the good hair/bad hair thing.

I dont mean to be negative. But the good/bad hair thing will always exist. I think it will get better because I have seen more women rocking fros and embracing their natural texture but it seems like most people have a disdain for type 4 hair. I still remember the comments I got when I was natural.

This reminds of when I was in the elevator today and there was girl with 4b hair. It was a TWA and it was colored. It looked so nice on her.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I do notice the obsession on here and other sites, especially from ladies out of the grouping.

 

[Almaz]

When will it ever end

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

I do notice the obsession on here and other sites, especially from ladies out of the grouping.

what do you mean by out of the grouping? (seriously, i dunno)

 

[ceebee3]

I noticed the lying.

That was funny! I don't think people are lying all the time though. The hair typing thing is too confusing and we all need to back away from it.

No one on this planet has Ceebee3 hair but me, so I'm going to learn how to best care for my hair while sharing and enjoying everyone else's progress at the same time.

 

[CurlTalk]

what do you mean by out of the grouping? (seriously, i dunno)

i think she was referring to posters without type3 hair

 

[LadyRaider]

I'm just asking. Could the same be said for people with long hair vs. us short haired people? I see more oooh and ahhh over long hair than hair texture. Hair texture-- who cares? If you don't like yours relax it.

I don't have a dog in the hunt. People tell me I can't tell my hair texture until I cut off my relaxed ends which I'm not doing for a while, so I have no idea what mine is. My momma said I had good hair though. ETA: And if everyone's momma had told them the same thing, we'd all be better off.

 

[brownbean96]

wow, are you serious. that's crazy.

in puerto rico they used to do a fan test. the paper bag or feature test didnt work cause you can have some one dark with very european features and some one light with very black features. so they would have a fan set up in certain establishments and if your hair blew in the wind then you have enough european in you to get in, if you hair didnt move, you were too black...

so yeah, its been around for a minute...