Why do some people think that black people can't grow long hair?

Question

That's actually me in the pic and that's all my natural hair ("dread"locks). I can't count the number of times people of all races asked me "is that your hair" or they would ask what are you mixed with.....as if fully black people can't grow hair. I'm from the virgin Islands a lot of my family and friends wear their natural hair it's very long, so I don't understand.
For instance look at the people in these pictures on myspace:
http://a940.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/58/l_532679fa64f212bf635fdb923080208b.jpg
http://a166.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/13/l_b6df865e86f048db69e210c1f96e242d.jpg
http://a271.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_fa4cc9409d6d0e3b4cafe4b4383ac516.jpg

I'm not saying that black people should dread their hair...I'm just showing that our natural hair can grow long. Also you can grow a long afro or long relax hair.

Thank you people!!!

Answer 1

Its probably bc many blk women wear weaves & extensions. Even tho white women do too, proportionately its probably more black women. Plus, chemicals in hair products keep other blk hair short. Most blk women I see/know with natural hair are always talking about how fast it grows. When I wore my hair in cornrows, it grew like crazy!

Answer 2

Why do you care what others think? YOU know that black people's hair can grow just as long if not longer than some other races. So why even ask a silly question like this? The length of people's hair and their growth rates depend upon a person's genetics and then on that individual's own personal hair maintenance process. Those who don't believe that the black race can not grow their hair long are probably ignorant and already have negative stereotypes of the black race. In that case, who cares what they think! Not trying to be funny but it seems like you only asked this question so you could draw people's attention to the fact that YOUR hair is long. I'm guessing your hair is a great source of your pride. Well, if it makes you feel better, congrats on no hair breakage! Lol

Answer 3

They dont open their eyes; they are busy worrying about themselves...I have my natural hair and my mom always jokes that I have "Hair like a boy" which means, since most black men dont put much in their hair; it grows fast. I hate it when ppl think were just some short haired species...Is that your in the avatar btw; ur pretty!!!
I remember when I was fifteen and this arabic guy asked if my hair was real...Im glad he gave me a reason to smart mouth an adult! LOL! I hair was short then, but my hair has a certain texture (I guess, not a BLACK texture) and it turns red and brown...

Answer 4

I can't tell you how many white people and some blacks that actually touch my hair and claim it's fake and my hair is just to my shoulders. I find it insulting. My mom has long hair and my sister's hair is in the middle of her back. I seriously just roll my eyes because white girls, especially, always say my hair is so beautiful and if it's mine. I answer politely it is my hair and then I'm secretly thinking what a pitiful moron they are. It has been proven that black hair grows slower than white hair because our hair is brittle and breaks easily but we can still grow long beautiful hair.

Answer 5

Well the thing is that most black people do not have completely natural virgin hair (I am assuming you do, and its lovely). Black peoples hair requires more maintenance then others and we tend to over process our hair starting at a very young age.

I see alot of your post. Where do you live? The people seem a little ignorant. Come to New York, the people are a little more cultured.

Answer 6

Because too many people have felt to afraid to ask. As a white parent with girls who hated having their hair messed with....I seriously wondered how blacks could get their little ones to stay still enough to braid and add beading and everything. It was so cute. You'd have had to club mine to unconsciousness to do that. I didn't want to copy it....just some helpful advice. I was told it was "racist" to ask. Yet my eldest daughter works in a day care and the black girls love to just play with her hair. Ends up they like theirs better once the know the difference. But like with any little girls....they like to play. That was just one of many questions that was taboo to ask. You can't know if you're not allowed to ask. Might be obvious to you but it's not to everyone....and their interest isn't always because of a negative nature. Simple curiosity. People claim they want communication but you can't communicate if you can't ask a question without someone being offended.

Answer 7

I don't know. Ever since I stopped relaxing my hair and started wearing braids, my hair has grown by leaps and bounds. A lot of people, including many Blacks, are ignorant about our hair.

Answer 8

definite you may! Any nutritional deficiencies can slow hair develop or stop your hair from transforming into. Your hair finally reflects the typical concern of your physique. in the adventure that your physique is healthful and properly-nourished, your hair would be your shining glory. in case you're having any well being issues or plagued by any nutritional deficiencies, your hair could stop transforming into or tutor harm or exchange into brittle. in the adventure that your physique is in good well being, you may maximize your genetic develop cycle with the aid of taking the right combination of amino acids and B-supplements. it is likewise substantial to comprise B-6, biotin, inositol and folic acid interior the supplemental software. this is been stumbled on that particular minerals consisting of magnesium, sulfur, silica and zinc are additionally substantial in the direction of protecting healthful hair. Beta-carotene is likewise substantial to hair develop through fact beta-carotene is converted to nutrition A through fact the physique desires it, helps shield common develop and bone progression, shielding sheathing around nerve fibers, besides as merchandising healthful epidermis, hair and nails!

Answer 9

It depends on how it is cared for. When we try to keep up with the Eurocentric idea of beauty, we damage our hair. Natural hair is healthier and chemicals stunt the growth. Many of us damage our hair with relaxers, color, and heat which makes it difficult to grow. Often black women who want the Western look without damaging our hair opt for weaves because they can be styled without damaging the hair, but the weaves themselves damage the scalp which also stunt growth. So its no win. It isn't fair for society to judge us though, because it is human nature for people to desire to keep up with the dominant culture. That is the American standard of beauty and every woman wants to be beautiful. I am sure if the American standard of beauty was dreads women of all races would be wearing them. BTW you are very beautiful.

Answer 10

Yes. I have my hair in a natural stule as well. And I am tired of it being touched, stared at, poked , asked about. Whew!!

It is exhausting being black. Good thing it is so rewarding.

BTW...your picture is stunning!!

Answer 11

Unfortunately, it's become routine for black women to permanently damage their hair from dangerous chemicals found in your everyday relaxer. It's next to impossible to get your hair to grow that long when you're continuously breaking down its structure to make it appear straighter (which normally just ends up looking like scarecrow after a while).

I think dredlocs are beautiful. I am growing out my natural hair and I am looking into getting sisterlocs, which are just thinner dredlocs. I can't wait to grow my NATURAL hair out naturally, fully, and beautifully.