Before making my decision to transition, one of my trepidations about sporting natural hair was not being taken “seriously” for my efforts.  As most of us on the journey know, the process of “going natural” is a transformation not just of your hair, but of your mind and spirit as well, and it is a very serious undertaking.  But my basic concerns stemmed from the just how seriously a lot of naturals take not just their process, but the natural process as a whole.  Perusing the various natural hair forums I noticed that there seemed to be so many (unofficial) rules and regulations attached to it all.  Don’t use these products or don’t try this style.  Loc immediately or don’t you dare loc until you know the historical/spiritual reasons behind it.  And of course never, ever, ever, in any type of weather use heat to style or dry, and straightening your hair by any means is punishable by death!  And along with those “rules” came the rule enforcers, known as Hair Nazis, who picked up the naptural baton and ran with it so tough, they manage to mow down anyone who challenge the established Nappy Commandments.  Apparently to them, there is a definite right and wrong way to go natural… and woe to those who find themselves on the “wrong” path.  If you have ever encountered a brother or sister of the NHN variety, you can understand how intimidated they can make a natural newbie our searching for the way that’s best for them. It was almost enough to make me turn tail and forget “going natural” altogether.  Luckily, I didn’t.

When I finally made my decision I followed certain HN rules to the letter.  I ran from any product using mineral oil, I adopted the terms “creamy crack” and “chemical fire cream” into my lexicon, and in solidarity with my brothers and sisters going through the struggle, I (secretly) scoffed at any person of colour who took the chemical relaxer/texturizer route.  It was what I felt I had to do to fight the bill of being “natural.”  Because there are so many politics connected to African-American hair, and it is used as a definer of what it means to be “black”, there are many passionate opinions about how we wear our hair and what it says about us.  In the beginning, straight was the way of the hair world, and anyone  who did not “conform” to this view was seen as ignorant, unkempt and low class.  But as we came into our own and began to embrace the tresses G_d gave us, it seems the tables have turned.  Now it’s the nappturals who are looking down their noses at users of relaxers, claiming that because they choose to alter their hair selling out or self hating.  Seems a hypocritical turn of events to me, even when I was exhibiting such behaviours, but because “going natural” is such a passionate endeavor, it’s easy to understand how quickly one can become a Hair Nazi, and maintain that position throughout their journey.  But is it fair?

In the past year and a half I have relaxed a lot of my blanket opinions on the subject of hair.  As I’ve said, the natural process — no matter how you go about it — if a very personal one that will bring up self image issues you never thought you had.  As you learn your hair, you learn yourself and begin paying closer attention to just what your whole body (mind and spirit) need to be whole and authentic.  It is also a very time consuming undertaking with its search for just the right product or style and maintenance regimen, and can sometimes take over the lives of the undertaker.  And once they have found their very own Holy Grail of hair care and are loving their hair and yourself completely, it’s very easy for to take the enlightenment they’ve gained and try to apply it to everyone else who is walking the path “with” them.  The excitement bubbles over, and they are just sure what works for them is then end all, be all of the natural journey… totally forgetting that the natural process is a personal one, all across the board.  Not just because each of us has a different “grade” of hair sprouting from our scalps, but also because each of us has our own thoughts and feelings about what it means to go natural.  Even more, all of us have different thoughts and feelings about hair period, whether it be relaxing for manageability’s sake, texturizing for styling purposes or allowing it to exist in its natural state.  In that respect, who can really say which is the “right” way to wear your hair, or which is the “wrong” way to go natural?

In the realm of the natural journeyer specifically, because cultivating natural hair is such a personal practice, each person deserves the opportunity to experience it in a way that is best for them and them alone.  Incidentally, there is no right or wrong way to do this, there is only what works for their particular hair type, lifestyle and personality because all are as different as our hair composition.  Contrary to popular belief, not all of us are poetic songwriters, not all of us are uber Pro-Black and anti-establishment, not all of us desire locs or Afros, and sometimes some of us like the versatility of our hair temporarily straightened.  Furthermore, when it comes to products, many commercial items that contain those “no no” ingredients most HN’s sneer at work just fine for natural hair and have been for the entire journey of some, so they feel if the routine ain’t broke they shouldn’t fix it.  I agree with them.  If you have found the path that fits you, that is wonderful.  Now allow others to do the same.  Offering advice here and there when a question is posed to you is helpful, but providing a dissertation of just why you swear by Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding and why anyone who uses any other product is going to Black Hair Hell in a hand basket is not a good look.

I guess, in conclusion, what I’m really trying to say is… live and let live and recognize that another person’s hair choice is as much their right as your’s is your’s.  All you’re doing with your judgments and blanket evaluations is repeating what the world has done to “us” concerning our natural hair for centuries, by telling others that they’re “living wrong” if they don’t fit into your preconceived box.  If it was wrong for society to do it to us, what makes you think you’re justified?

Just my buck fiddy.

Not sure whether you’re a Hair Nazi or not?  Well Urban Curlz has put together a “You Might Be a Hair Nazi” list that might help.  Or at least give you a few laughs.

Healthy Hair Wishes,