UMM DON"T HATE ME FOR THIS BUT>>

[RegaLady]

I see women here who are very "non -threatening" with their natural hair. They have a pretty face and great style. I was wondering do people perceive natural haired beautiful women(all black women are beauties), then say, 'militant' kinda ladies? Please don't beat me up!

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

I see women here who are very "non -threatening" with their natural hair. They have a pretty face and great style. I was wondering do people perceive natural haired beautiful women(all black women are beauties), then say, 'militant' kinda ladies? Please don't beat me up!

To me a lot of natural hair has a softening effect to the face. It draws mroe attention to the eyes, and makes a lot of ladies have a natural glow. I think it's a very sensual hair approach instead of militant

 

[RegaLady]

I was curious how it may have been viewed. Not that anyone should care. Also if men found it intimidating. My husband LOVES it, but other man my be partial to it.

 

[dinaaike]

If you think of each culture as one big clique, then understand how some cultures see what is unlike them as less acceptable. From the perspective of some groups, yes, natural kinky hair isn't pretty and, since there is the option of making it straight and, thus, more likeable, they find this acceptable. Since straightened hair became so widely popular for so long, there is still a kind of suspicion that those who don't comply are trying to prove something or "making a statement". This viewpoint is waning some though, as kinky gains popularity.

 

[Traycee]

I think it depends on how it's styled......If its in a big afro ..I think of 70's or militant....or if it is in twisties or in a headband I usually perceive them as being laid back & fun...

 

[aja1121]

I get more attention from men with straight hair and more attention from women (just intrigued) when I used to wear twist outs.

 

[Country gal]

I get more attention from men especially black men when my hair is straight. It seems the women tend to appreciate the more textured styles.

 

[Poohbear]

I get the most attention, which is positive attention, from both men and women when I wear my hair in a fro. Some people have made sly comments by calling me Angela Davis or something, but it's no big deal. Don't be fooled... men love unstraightened natural hair...

But I think men love anything and everything unlike the common view of men only liking light skin, long haired women.

 

[Foxglove]

I definitely think some people find it threatening. I remember in my med school we had an extra curricular event one night in anatomy lab and a few of the AA ladies were wearing regular black BSS head scarves. Nothing out of the ordinary, but some of the white and the brown (Indian, etc) people were coming up to me (I had braids) and asking was there a reason why. Another time I came in with one and somebody said something about raising a fist. And to top it all off when I mentioned I was considering going natural in the future he also mentioned something about raising a fist. My guess is the last time people saw a majority of black women with their hair natural was in the 70s when everybody was protesting so seeing us with any symbol of natural hair brings back those images?

 

[Forbidden]

I get the most attention, which is positive attention, from both men and women when I wear my hair in a fro. Some people have made sly comments by calling me Angela Davis or something, but it's no big deal. Don't be fooled... men love unstraightened natural hair...

But I think men love anything and everything unlike the common view of men only liking light skin, long haired women.

I'm in 100% agreement with you! Folks seem to love the fro!

 

[Christa438]

No, I don't think of them as militant. I just think of them as naturals. The only ones that I see as militant are ones who seem to have a kinda political cause i guess (the cause is not really personal and hair health related).

 

[RegaLady]

I get the most attention, which is positive attention, from both men and women when I wear my hair in a fro. Some people have made sly comments by calling me Angela Davis or something, but it's no big deal. Don't be fooled... men love unstraightened natural hair...

But I think men love anything and everything unlike the common view of men only liking light skin, long haired women.

That is funny!There is always a stereotype when it comes to a black woman's beauty. Short hair is almost the same, I'm talking short relaxed hair. Women LOVE it, and I have found men who think it's sexy. And my hubby, well he prefers it kinky. In fact, I met him on the job, while I was wearing a twist out. While everyone was staring and making sly remarks, he was the only one who said that he loved my hair. He really wants me to go back to that. But, when I think of an upcoming job interview or something, the first think that comes to mind is, "what will they think." Stupid I know. But I am still a slave to this.

 

[Extremus]

Don't be fooled... men love unstraightened natural hair...

Where are these men?

I'm not saying I don't agree with you, but I have yet to see a man who loves, or prefers, natural hair.

No, I don't think of them as militant. I just think of them as naturals. The only ones

 

[Ms Lala]

I get more attention as a natural than I did w/straight hair. I have had several guys tell me they preferred my hair in it's curly state when they saw me w/it pressed out. You have some that prefer straight while others prefer natural. I think it depends on what works on the woman who is wearing it. Unfortunately the negativity I have gotten has been from Black men who are stuck on the relaxed look. I have had sooo many positive experiences w/Jamaican, Mexican, and African men (sorry to lump them all together but I'm not sure what country they were from), and men out here in the east coast (DC metro, philly, NY). My hubby is AA male and he loves my naps!

Where are these men?

I'm not saying I don't agree with you, but I have yet to see a man who loves, or prefers, natural hair.

 

[Extremus]

I get more attention as a natural than I did w/straight hair. I have had several guys tell me they preferred my hair in it's curly state when they saw me w/it pressed out. You have some that prefer straight while others prefer natural. I think it depends on what works on the woman who is wearing it. Unfortunately the negativity I have gotten has been from Black men who are stuck on the relaxed look. I have had sooo many positive experiences w/Jamaican, Mexican, and African men (sorry to lump them all together but I'm not sure what country they were from), and men out here in the east coast (DC metro, philly, NY). My hubby is AA male and he loves my naps!

If that's you in your avatar, I can see why.

@ the bolded, that's really good to hear I wish I can actually see this for myself (where I live) and hear this a lot more.

 

[cmesweet]

I get alot of attetion when I wear my fro out or wear a puff. Alot of men like naturally kinky hair. Just recently, a man came up to me and asked if I can give his daugter and his mother advice about their natural hair.

Most of the men that I meet, say that they wished most black women wore their hair natural. Now most (not all) of the younger boys say differently, I think they are most stuck on women looking like video girls 24/7.

 

[Extremus]

Now most (not all) of the younger boys say differently, I think they are most stuck on women looking like video girls 24/7.

 

[quasimodi]

1.) I get alot of attetion when I wear my fro out or wear a puff. Alot of men like naturally kinky hair. Just recently, a man came up to me and asked if I can give his daugter and his mother advice about their natural hair.

Most of the men that I meet, 2.) say that they wished most black women wore their hair natural. Now 3.) most (not all) of the younger boys say differently, I think they are most stuck on women looking like video girls 24/7.

1.) I get a lot of attention as well. I've noticed that I get a lot more when I'm wearing styles that show how "exuberant" my natural hair is, such as twist outs, fros, puffs, etc. Much more so than when I wore my hair relaxed.

2. & 3.) My boyfriend has a preference for natural hair, which I didn't realize until I started rockin' all of my natural styles. He says that in the 70s, black women were the most beautiful because everything about us was presented how God intended us to look (without chemicals, straighteners, etc.) and we looked amazing that way. *Disclaimer: I have nothing against women who prefrence relaxing their hair and take care of it properly as I've seen several women on LHCF with gorgeous relaxed hair.

I know I've come across a lot of older men, say men in their late thirties to fifties who really like the natural look. I agree that most younger men seem to be more attracted to the straight haired look, but I suppose that's to be expected. That's the look of the women they grew up with, so they're used to it.

 

[DDTexlaxed]

When I was natural, it seemed to draw attention. A lot of people loved it. I only got negative responses from AA men and women at my job. My hubby could care less. He just wants me to be happy.

 

[Nola Darling]

Where are these men?

I'm not saying I don't agree with you, but I have yet to see a man who loves, or prefers, natural hair.

My boyfriend likes my natural hair more. I've had other guys also tell me that they love the natural look better. LOL one day I wore a press to a concert and my hair was reverting and looking a HAM! One dude noticed and said he LOVED girls without relaxers. So yes, there are plenty out there.

 

[kweenameena]

My DH actually is the one who gave me the final push to go natural. There's an IT guy at my job who told me that he looks forward to walking past my office to see if I have my fro out. He's trying to get his wife to go natural. Whenever I straighten it he always harasses me about where it natural again.
Surprisingly I've gotten lots of compliments from AA women. Younger men don't look as much. Older men love my hair. And non-AA men break their necks to get a second look. I had a white guy say something that I won't repeat on here regarding my fro. Put it this way, it involved a sexual fantasy and my fro.

 

[issidoll]

I do not consider natural hair to be a militant look. My opinion would only change if there are political views attached to being natural and I would find that threatening, i.e. if someone was acting superior because they did not relax their hair and if they were condescending to those who chose to relax or mechanically straighten their hair. I have been on one site that speaks of the "flaming hot tool of hair torture" and the "chemical fire cream". Hmmm .
Each person is entitled to make their own individual choices about who they are and how they choose to live.
I have seen so many beautiful heads of natural hair but the real beauty is humilty and compassion.

 

[RegaLady]

I do not consider natural hair to be a militant look. My opinion would only change if there are political views attached to being natural and I would find that threatening, i.e. if someone was acting superior because they did not relax their hair and if they were condescending to those who chose to relax or mechanically straighten their hair. I have been on one site that speaks of the "flaming hot tool of hair torture" and the "chemical fire cream". Hmmm .
Each person is entitled to make their own individual choices about who they are and how they choose to live.
I have seen so many beautiful heads of natural hair but the real beauty is humilty and compassion.

Speak

 

[ImFree27]

i have recevied a lot of compliments being natural from other races, i think that some black people anot used to it yet, but some black men like it also,but it doesnt really matter as long as I like it, but I see more white men and women liking it, i guess because its different and they don't see it as often

 

[tocktick]

I do not consider natural hair to be a militant look. My opinion would only change if there are political views attached to being natural and I would find that threatening, i.e. if someone was acting superior because they did not relax their hair and if they were condescending to those who chose to relax or mechanically straighten their hair. I have been on one site that speaks of the "flaming hot tool of hair torture" and the "chemical fire cream". Hmmm .

i think NP is very open with its view on hair straightening and relaxed hair. the website is aimed at naturals and transitioners; i don't think it's a forum a woman not considering being natural can participate in. the owner is unapologetic about her views. i guess people can either adhere fully the philosophy behind the website or only some of it but respect the rest. i blow-out my hair sometimes and that isn't considered good there so i don't "glorify" it (e.g - starting a thread saying i blew out my hair and look how it turned out etc). it doesn't bother me that i can't. i know there are long-time members on the board that straighten but they don't speak about it there.

my point is that i see no problems with the "militant" tone of the website considering what it is about and the audience it mainly appeals to. now, putting some of the same threads and comments from that board over here or on bhm would be a huge problem. i love np & lhcf for a lot of reasons.

i don't think being natural automatically means you're "militant" or is perceived as such by everybody. i also don't think by being beautiful you won't get taken seriously if you are "militant". it's your attitude that will let people know you're "militant" more so than your hair. being natural may have symbolised some kind of militancy in the past but not so much any more.

 

[glamazon386]

It depends on how the person views natural hair. Men love my natural hair. I probably get more compliments on my own natural hair then I ever did on my relaxed hair.


ETA: Oh yeah and let me add the QUALITY of the men I attract definitely went up when I went natural.

 

[Caramela]

I was wondering do people perceive natural haired beautiful women(all black women are beauties), then say, 'militant' kinda ladies?

I think it comes from where (some) natural ladies put ladies with relaxers down, calling them "permies" and insulting their usage of relaxers - "creamy crack"... it's fine to want to go natural, but you don't have put down the people that choose to do so. So they come off as bitter or militant and that's where that comes from. Luckily all natural haired women are not like this... thank the Lord.

 

[Naemone]

I get the most attention, which is positive attention, from both men and women when I wear my hair in a fro. Some people have made sly comments by calling me Angela Davis or something, but it's no big deal. Don't be fooled... men love unstraightened natural hair...

But I think men love anything and everything unlike the common view of men only liking light skin, long haired women.

I agree, I am noticing this too!

Also, my husband came through from door from work one night, and all I can say is the look on HIS face said it all! I was just in a comfortable dress, nothing too sexy or spectacular, around the house in my afro with no headbands or anything in my hair, just out and neat. He came through the door with his eyes big and smiled ,as if he seen a beautiful side of me that he hadn't seen before! He walked over to me kissed me, I want to say on the neck can't remember for sure though, and told me how nice I looked. He kept smiling at me and was kinda following me around the house. I know it turned him on!

He tells me he thinks I am sexy, but sometimes his face says it all! I have to admit I did feel very comfortable and beautiful that day!

 

[gymfreak336]

I am not natural but my mother is and has been since 1969. She always got the most attention from men and women when she would wear her hair out in a fro.

I think it boils down to looking good period. Just as you can style your relaxed hair to look better with your personal features, the same goes with being natural. I don't think men are extremely picky, I just think they are very visual. If it looks good it looks good, if it doesn't it doesn't. With that being said, healthy hair regardless of state, always looks better than unhealthy hair.

 

[RegaLady]

I am not natural but my mother is and has been since 1969. She always got the most attention from men and women when she would wear her hair out in a fro.

I think it boils down to looking good period. Just as you can style your relaxed hair to look better with your personal features, the same goes with being natural. I don't think men are extremely picky, I just think they are very visual. If it looks good it looks good, if it doesn't it doesn't. With that being said, healthy hair regardless of state, always looks better than unhealthy hair.

HMMMMMM! At bolded remark. That is why some men react to a woman with one hairstyle, and not with another. My husband hate weave overall, but really now on me. He thinks it's just not 'me'. I agree that it has to go with your features.