NY Times article about "Going Natural"

[Honey Bee]

@honeybee I'm not sure how you regarded a product being described as caustic as putting down black women...maybe you should look up that definition? They were describing the action of the product not the action of women using the product....if you have some type of internal conflict with your choice maybe you should work on that....I stand by my statement..I liked the description, I'm sorry you did not.

Glad you liked my second point...smile

@omegachick31, Wow, you went in, huh? You might actually want to look up "ad hominem." It's Latin.

Anyway, the issue I have is with black women, once again, being divided into opposing camps. Words have meaning and power. I seem to recall a certain word that really makes some naturals angry and we all go out of our way not to use it. I don't have to, but to do otherwise might unnecessarily hurt somebody's feelings, so I heed their wishes. Civility helps sustain a pleasant atmosphere.


eta: In case folks missed it, I asked whether the NYT also refers to (hair) bleach as a "caustic paste," or is this just for us. Again, not asking what the pH of my relaxer is, I have the strips.

 

[Calia001]

Awww look at us!

 

[omegachick31]

Your condescending remark was not really necessary... All she meant was the article didn't have to throw shade at being relaxed, which it did.

But anyway...congrats to the ladies featured.

Condescension would imply that I felt some form of superiority over/in regards to Honeybee and that was certainly not the case but I appreciate your attempt to defend her and to improve my comprehension of her remarks.

 

[omegachick31]

@omegachick31, Wow, you went in, huh? You might actually want to look up "ad hominem." It's Latin.

Anyway, the issue I have is with black women, once again, being divided into opposing camps. Words have meaning and power. I seem to recall a certain word that really makes some naturals angry and we all go out of our way not to use it. I don't have to, but to do otherwise might unnecessarily hurt somebody's feelings, so I heed their wishes. Civility helps sustain a pleasant atmosphere.


eta: In case folks missed it, I asked whether the NYT also refers to (hair) bleach as a "caustic paste," or is this just for us. Again, not asking what the pH of my relaxer is, I have the strips.

@honeybee Sorry your feelings were hurt, maybe I was unintentionally caustic.

 

[H4irHappy]

Plese don't take offense. If a chemical has the ability to destroy tissue the term 'caustic' is applied to it-either a strong base or acid. Relaxers, even soda, can fit that definition. Have you seen the enamel on some chronic soda drinker's teeth?

Sent from my DROIDX

I never said I was offended by the "caustic" reference. I know what people think of relaxers and I am well aware of how they work. I was responding to another post.

Condescension would imply that I felt some form of superiority over/in regards to Honeybee and that was certainly not the case but I appreciate your attempt to defend her and to improve my comprehension of her remarks.

I never saw where Honey Bee said she was having any internal conflict over being relaxed. I felt that part of your reply was unnecessary.

Again, I'm very happy for the ladies mentioned in the article and wish them continued success as well as any other Black women who are doing the same.

 

[allmundjoi]

I never said I was offended by the "caustic" reference. I know what people think of relaxers and I am well aware of how they work. I was responding to another post.



I never saw where Honey Bee said she was having any internal conflict over being relaxed. I felt that part of your reply was unnecessary.

Again, I'm very happy for the ladies mentioned in the article and wish them continued success as well as any other Black women who are doing the same.

Sorry, my comment was NOT for you, although you may be the originator of the comment that I quoted. It was in response to honeybee's response to the word caustic-she bolded the word when she quoted it. I am glad you are aware of how relaxers work, of course that will be they key to successful hair growing-knowing your hair products. HHG!

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[Cherokee-n-Black]

Glad "going natural" is getting the attention (at least in the media) it deserves. I'll probably start another thread about this, but I'm just dismayed that so many cosmetic companies are marketing toward us, but not researching and developing toward the needs of our hair. Some of these hair products for naturals on the market are just a joke--and a bad one. If nothing else, I hope this article will get the attention of manufacturers who will start putting less emphasis on relaxed hair care and more on the natural.

However, I do agree with pp's that this portrayal of black women as doing such "irrational" things to their hair for the sake of achieving the "white ideal" is just straight devil's work. Chris Rock did not do us any favors with "Good Hair" where he could have done so much more. Its mention in this article indicates the reporter's bias, which is what I think Honeybee et. al refers to. Why not say "chemical relaxers" instead of "caustic paste." Do you think an article on million of bottle blondes suddenly deciding to cut off their blonde ends and be brunette would be focused more on the chemicals, or the fashion statement?

And that's my final point. Even though it is evident in magazines and ads (not for hair products), that natural hair is becoming fashionable, mainstream media is still struggling with this concept. I love the fact that people are now rocking "natural-textured" weaves (granted, not usually their own natural-texture). I'm all for natural hair for its own sake, but it doesn't hurt that it's also being associated with fly-ness now

 

[kryolnapps]

Finally, a positive article about black women! It was a great read, thanks for posting!

 

[OriginalMe]

Yes, ITA. "Caustic" is a property of any chemical with a high pH level. Relaxers have high pH levels. It comes in a cream form, ergo "caustic cream". No slight whatsoever on users of relaxer.

ITA. I don’t see a problem with using the term caustic. The NY Times is primarily read by YT people, most of which I am sure are not aware of the properties of relaxers. Using the word caustic is a way to concisely explain the property of relaxers and why they not the healthiest choice for hair, without having to go into a whole spiel explaining the scientific properties of it.

 

[Missigirl]

Great article. The best thing about going natural now is there is so much information about it and these wonderful ladies have done a great job getting the word out. Even better going natural is not something that can be sold because we all have individual curls to get acquainted with.