Why do African-American women feel that it is necessary to relax their hair?

Question

Are they trying to emulate white ppl or are they ashamed of their nappy hair?

Remove the kinks from your mind not your hair!!!

Um Christa thanks for the essay. I think I will read it again to help me sleep. A bit off subject though.....

Gemini, sorry swearthaert a person can have nappy hair and look professional. I have worn my hair naturally for a total of ten years. I work 6 of those years as an administrator at a bank and 4 in administration at a college. My hair has been locked for the last three years. Once again, Remove the kinks from you mind, not your HAIR!!!

Answer 1

They do it for the same reason other people with curly hair straighten theirs. They're trying to conform to the current standard for beauty which happens to be straight hair. Most ethnic features aren't considered the standard, therefore people of minority groups usually torture themselves in order to look like the standard.

Answer 2

hi :p even although i'm quite mixed my hair is relatively thick I advise thick yet i do no longer relax my hair each and every of the time I basically get it braided so it may improve and stuff. and that i'm no longer ashamed I happy I relatively have a mixed historic past and what African good factors might that be the great butt? the frizzy hair the lips? plus maximum Africans in African are Muslims(different than 4 the tribal ones) which fits back way until eventually now Jesus' time plus back then ladies have been understand 4 donning wigs and making use of hair dyes I DONT understand the place THEY have been given IT FROM lol . yet I CANT answer 4 maximum BLACK ladies. Peace :p Lil

Answer 3

I think that African American women feel it necessary to relax their hair because straighter hair seems to be easier to manage and style. Aside from that it seems to be more acceptable in the work place etc etc...For the most part I don't believe that many african american women are ashamed of their nappy hair, although there may be some who exist that are. I do think that the roots of all of this may stem from the fact that many African American women are trying to emulate white people...there is always that possibility.

Answer 4

I don't think it's that necessary. Most black women I see just put lotion in their hair, put their hair up, or cut it a certain way and they look really great. But I guess hair-straightening is okay if it's done safely. I knew of a girl years ago who was temporarily blinded after she had a bad straightening chemical put in her hair and it dripped down into her eyes when she was sweating. I'm white, but my hair is naturally wavy and I just use a boar's hair brush to keep it in control. Those things work wonders, and are worth the price.

As for the racial side of this, though, I don't think that hairstyle is a top priority in the debate over racial equality. I know I'm a silly suburban white girl and all that, but when I went to school and learned about the Civil Rights Movement I didn't hear any lectures on hair-related racism. Segregation, Jim Crow and Martin Luther King were discussed a lot, but not hair. I think it's just a style thing, and not to be taken seriously. There are more important things in life.

Answer 5

NO, I'M NOT TRYING TO LOOK OR ACT WHITE. I'm tried of adding heat to my hair. Heat cause your hair to dry out and break off. I prefer to add a relaxer, so I can roll it up nightly, and take a shower without me hot combing the edges in the morning. Never ashamed of nappy hair, but you cant work in an office with a $400 suit on and your hair look nappy. That does not look right, or professional.

Answer 6

Speaking as an African American woman I relax my hair because I like it straight not because I am ashamed of nappy hair or am I trying to be something I am not.

Answer 7

For the same reason other races change their hairstyls. Black women are not the only ones who get weaves, perm or color their hair. infact all races do it. I have a white friend from Finland who told me she relaxed her hair at a black salon and people were making a big deal about it. Think about how many natural blondes you know or how many nonblack celebrities have fake hair. I perm my hair sometimes but it doesnt make me any less black , it is just my personal decision.I am proud of who i am and my occasional fro.

Answer 8

I think its because African Americans dont like nappy hair. They see what their hair is capable of and they go for it. Regardless of the risks. Perms for African Americans can really damage growth, especially if its given at a young age. So I guess thats my answer.

Answer 9

Several people believe they absolutely have to get perms so it will make their hair more manageable and silky-like. My hair is natural thick curly hair and i love my hair texture, if i want it straight or more wavy than curly--I use a little heat. My hair is easy to comb and style because i know how to take care of it and i use the correct conditioners, detanglers and moisturizers. Our hair will never be that silky-silky texture though when we relax or flat iron our hair, it is our version of silk hair. I am growing my hair out long and I am not trying to emulate white women. Black women (like any woman of any other race in this world) can have long hair to if they correctly take care of it and let it grow. It's nonsense for people to think that women and our race can't or should not have long hair just because white women have long hair so it means we don't love ourselves or something. White, Latino, Mexican, spanish, Asian women and even women in africa have hair down their backs after years of growth and maintenance. I have friends form different cities in africa and most of them have long, wavy hair down their backs--a couple maintain short hairstyles unless they get braids. My sisters still relax their hair though and it's not about emulating white women. They feel that's the best method for controlling their hair the easiest way. Some women do have pretty looking relaxed hair that is healthy and strong with a nice sheen to it. Personally, i do believe that if you can't comb through your hair or it's matted together...it's not right. God gave black women beautiful hair too and whether we wear it relaxed or natural, long or short--it's vital that we take care of it (conditioning and moisturizing) and keep it strong and healthy. Unlike my sisters, I take a little longer to detangle or comb my hair of course. I have pride in my natural hair. They have pride in their relaxed hair--and i don't think anything is wrong with either. It's my choice and it's their choice.

Answer 10

If you take great pride in your natural hair - great! I wear my hair natural; I love the texture and the fact that I can't comb my hair. Many people are envious of the fact that can have totally different hairstyles each day because of what the texture allows me to do.

Some black woman can't deal with it. They simply want to be able to put a comb through their hair. That's not wrong, that's just personal preference.