Question for another board...

[ladybug71]

THis question was posted on another message board (mostly white) and I want to answer it the best way without trying to sound annoyed. What would be your response to this? TIA.

"now I'm curious - it makes sense that with dry hair, you should not wash it very often, but why do you have to braid your hair and not wear it down all the time? And why do you have to wear it wrapped at night or else it will fall out? Is that from the chemicals from the relaxing process?"

 

[pazyamor]

Hmm...diplomatically speaking, this is what I would say:

"Well, to answer your inquires, we (African American women) do not HAVE to wear our hair in braids or "wrap" it every night. Some women choose to, and some women don't; it's a personal decision. Because of our natural curl pattern, we are predisposed to having dryer hair, but with proper care, our hair is maintained-much like yours. Conversely, a Caucasian woman who does not take care of her hair will have the same breakage and other hair problems, but because of the smoothness of your hair cuticle, split ends and breakage are usually harder to spot. Hope that helps."

That pretty much covers all bases.

 

[ladybug71]

Hmm...diplomatically speaking, this is what I would say:

"Well, to answer your inquires, we (African American women) do not HAVE to wear our hair in braids or "wrap" it every night. Some women choose to, and some women don't; it's a personal decision. Because of our natural curl pattern, we are predisposed to having dryer hair, but with proper care, our hair is maintained-much like yours. Conversely, a Caucasian woman who does not take care of her hair will have the same breakage and other hair problems, but because of the smoothness of your hair cuticle, split ends and breakage are usually harder to spot. Hope that helps."

That pretty much covers all bases.

Thanks!

 

[moonglowdiva]

THis question was posted on another message board (mostly white) and I want to answer it the best way without trying to sound annoyed. What would be your response to this? TIA.

"now I'm curious - it makes sense that with dry hair, you should not wash it very often, but why do you have to braid your hair and not wear it down all the time? I have found this to be the opposite if it is dry as he!! it needs water (moisture) to survive else it withers. And why do you have to wear it wrapped at night or else it will fall out? In my case it is tradition, moms did it dranny did it etc. I don't have to sleep with my hair covered it really aide in styling because my hair isn't all over my head in the morning. Is that from the chemicals from the relaxing process? What about natural hair???"

I think someone particularly CAs are clueless and have bought into the BS that had been perpetuated down through the ages. Obviously here at this board there is an exception to that rule. I also believe that prejudice is the reason why someone would even post something like this. In the end hair is mostly protein no matter whose head it is on. The similarities are closer than you think.

 

[MizzBrown]

Hmm...diplomatically speaking, this is what I would say:

"Well, to answer your inquires, we (African American women) do not HAVE to wear our hair in braids or "wrap" it every night. Some women choose to, and some women don't; it's a personal decision. Because of our natural curl pattern, we are predisposed to having dryer hair, but with proper care, our hair is maintained-much like yours. Conversely, a Caucasian woman who does not take care of her hair will have the same breakage and other hair problems, but because of the smoothness of your hair cuticle, split ends and breakage are usually harder to spot. Hope that helps."

That pretty much covers all bases.

This is perfect! If they continue to say something ignorant after reading this then....

 

[Reinventing21]

I could be wrong but I don't find those questions offensive, and I'm pretty sensitive! It sounds more like someone who has spent time reading hair boards like ours and have picked up on how many women do some form of protective styling (I'm not one) such as braiding, wrapping, and updo's etc. and just wants to know why since perhaps the person who asked is as equally interested in haircare as the rest of us.

I guess I think that is becuz the questions were pretty specific. It wasn't to me like asking why doesn't black women's hair grow or why can't you have long hair. Maybe she was trying to figure out how to use the info to her benefit or the benefit of her child. You never know.

What do you think?

 

[cmw45]

I could be wrong but I don't find those questions offensive, and I'm pretty sensitive! It sounds more like someone who has spent time reading hair boards like ours and have picked up on how many women do some form of protective styling (I'm not one) such as braiding, wrapping, and updo's etc. and just wants to know why since perhaps the person who asked is as equally interested in haircare as the rest of us.

I guess I think that is becuz the questions were pretty specific. It wasn't to me like asking why doesn't black women's hair grow or why can't you have long hair. Maybe she was trying to figure out how to use the info to her benefit or the benefit of her child. You never know.

What do you think?

I don't think the OP is nescessairly offended, she is just tryin' to nip the conversation in the bud (or at least push it toward the postive and "learning" not curiosity direction) before it gets ugly.

 

[MissTical]

I could be wrong but I don't find those questions offensive, and I'm pretty sensitive! It sounds more like someone who has spent time reading hair boards like ours and have picked up on how many women do some form of protective styling (I'm not one) such as braiding, wrapping, and updo's etc. and just wants to know why since perhaps the person who asked is as equally interested in haircare as the rest of us.

I guess I think that is becuz the questions were pretty specific. It wasn't to me like asking why doesn't black women's hair grow or why can't you have long hair. Maybe she was trying to figure out how to use the info to her benefit or the benefit of her child. You never know.

What do you think?

I agree with you... a lot of white women are trying to learn how to properly care for their adopted or biracial children's hair. Keep in mind that many of them try to find the best ways to ask questions because they want to make sure they're not coming off offensively. I am very sensitive as well and that question didn't seem malicious. Don't get ugly... I think that the Pazyamor's response should do.

 

[anon123]

Braids and tying it down cuts down on tangling, which naturally super kinky hair is prone to.

 

[clever]

Hmm...diplomatically speaking, this is what I would say:

"Well, to answer your inquires, we (African American women) do not HAVE to wear our hair in braids or "wrap" it every night. Some women choose to, and some women don't; it's a personal decision. Because of our natural curl pattern, we are predisposed to having dryer hair, but with proper care, our hair is maintained-much like yours. Conversely, a Caucasian woman who does not take care of her hair will have the same breakage and other hair problems, but because of the smoothness of your hair cuticle, split ends and breakage are usually harder to spot. Hope that helps."

That pretty much covers all bases.

.......

 

[Hair Iam]

Hmm...diplomatically speaking, this is what I would say:

"Well, to answer your inquires, we (African American women) do not HAVE to wear our hair in braids or "wrap" it every night. Some women choose to, and some women don't; it's a personal decision. Because of our natural curl pattern, we are predisposed to having dryer hair, but with proper care, our hair is maintained-much like yours. Conversely, a Caucasian woman who does not take care of her hair will have the same breakage and other hair problems, but because of the smoothness of your hair cuticle, split ends and breakage are usually harder to spot. Hope that helps."


Sound good to me

 

[Reinventing21]

I agree with you... a lot of white women are trying to learn how to properly care for their adopted or biracial children's hair. Keep in mind that many of them try to find the best ways to ask questions because they want to make sure they're not coming off offensively. I am very sensitive as well and that question didn't seem malicious. Don't get ugly... I think that the Pazyamor's response should do.

Yep! ITA

 

[Reinventing21]

I don't think the OP is nescessairly offended, she is just tryin' to nip the conversation in the bud (or at least push it toward the postive and "learning" not curiosity direction) before it gets ugly.

Yes, I believe you are correct. I just wanted us to stay positive as well!

 

[Nola Darling]

Hmm...diplomatically speaking, this is what I would say:

"Well, to answer your inquires, we (African American women) do not HAVE to wear our hair in braids or "wrap" it every night. Some women choose to, and some women don't; it's a personal decision. Because of our natural curl pattern, we are predisposed to having dryer hair, but with proper care, our hair is maintained-much like yours. Conversely, a Caucasian woman who does not take care of her hair will have the same breakage and other hair problems, but because of the smoothness of your hair cuticle, split ends and breakage are usually harder to spot. Hope that helps."

That pretty much covers all bases.

That is a good answer. And I don't think the lady was trying to be rude, she probably honestly wanted to know.

 

[Inches411]

hey op keep us posted on her response..