There’s been a bit of a movement over the summer to boycott Six Flags Amusement Park in Maryland because they “refused” to hire a woman due to her hair style choice.  The hair style choice in question was Dreadlocks.  This decision set off waves of protest throughout the African-American natural hair community who saw it as a civil rights infringement and an act of racial discrimination.  I have been on the fence concerning this primarily because from a personal point of view, Six Flags would not be a place I’d personally apply for employment whether I was natural or relaxed.  But being that I can’t assess a national movement based on my personal perspective, I held off on my opinion, and/or support, because I know it’s bigger than me and my hair per se.  However as the months rolled on and more naturals began to join the campaign I felt drawn to speak on it via comments on certain forums and posts.  I could not understand how this could be tagged as a racial issue, which I expressed at some length on this entry on Change.org’s Race in America Blog:

I am wondering, considering dreadlocks can be worn via more than just African-American hair types, is the rule strictly related to African-American women with locks or locks period?  While I understand there are a lot more African-Americans who wear the style than whites or other races, since other races are capable of wearing the style isn’t it somewhat pretentious to make this strictly about race?  It would only be considered racist if a person of another race was hired for the position while wearing locks and the African-American woman was not due to wearing them.  Honestly, locks are a style choice, not how African-American hair grows naturally.  Had the woman been denied employment for wearing an Afro that would be another argument altogether because that is how African-American hair grows and it’s not a style that can be authentically duplicated by other races. 

Quite honestly, we need to look at this for what it really is.  Six Flag and other corporate entities have a standard for the employees they wish to hire, and according to that standard they have a specific "grooming" preference for representatives of their enterprise.  This is not discriminatory, this is business, and while it may leave a select subset of society out of consideration when it comes to hiring, it is that companies right (especially if they are a private corporation) to hire who they feel looks the part.  This is no different than a physical dress code issue from my perspective.  I don’t understand how we can look at this as an infringement on the civil rights of an individual without also seeing it as an infringement on the right of the company to hire (or not hire) whoever they choose based on their standards.  Just as we have a choice to wear our hair however we want, companies have a choice to not hire us if our choice is outside of what they deem acceptable. *shrug*  This is not to say I side with the company but if I were in there position I know I definitely have a certain ideal of how I want my employees to represent me.

I say all this as a proud natural hair wearer who sports a blossoming TWA to my workplace ever single day and have never heard a peep from supervisors.  As a matter of fact, I interviewed with the exact style I wear every day and made sure more emphasis was place on the skill sets displayed on my resume than the follicles that sprouted from my head.  Quite personally, if I were faced with the same exact situation I’d take the denial as proof that I didn’t need to be employed by such a closed minded corporation in the first place because if the are petty enough not to hire me simply because of how I wear my hair then there is sure to be more drama than a little bit on the other side of the employment divide.

Call me a “race traitor”, revoke the Black card I already gave away many years ago and stop following me on all my social media mediums but, all I’m saying is, Mohawks are also forbidden at Six Flags… I don’t see anyone boycotting that as racist agenda.  Or maybe it’s just me. 

I don’t mean to belittle anyone’s feeling for this plight or to say fighting for it is a lost cause, but in my opinion the premise is a bit skewed.  I think we use the R-card a little bit too loosely.  Quite realistically the Six Flags policy is a bit antiquated but to call it racially discriminative is a bit unfair.

What say you?

Healthy Hair Wishes!

I’d heard mention of this somewhere in the hallowed halls of Facebook but didn’t really pay much mind to it, but seeing as I hadn’t noticed any other Blogs or naturals speaking on it I figured I’d check the story out and post it for the natural community at large.

Seems Australian scientists have discovered a “curly gene” and with that discovery comes the possible invention of an oral supplement which might do away with chemical and heat straightening methods once and for all.  As a December 2009 The Daily Mail reports:

Scientists who discovered the ‘curly gene’ are developing a treatment which could spell the end of hair straighteners.

It is hoped the breakthrough could lead to a pill to make hair straighter or curlier, rendering the must-have beauty accessory redundant.

The discovery will also make it possible to predict whether a baby will have straight or curly hair.

And it may even help police, with DNA found at the scene of the crime indicating how wavy a suspect’s locks are.

Researchers in Australia identified the trichohyalin gene as being mainly responsible for creating curls.

Although it was known to play a role in the development of the hair follicle, Queensland Institute of Medical Research scientists have discovered its role in curliness.

SOURCE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1234012/Feel-like-straighter-hair-Just-pop-pill-developed-discovery-curly-gene.html?ITO=1490

In 2005 The Daily Telegraph posted a report on a similar discovery by researchers in Paris, with a hint that L’Oreal Paris has been working to develop a pill that will accomplish the curly to straight feat biologically as well a treatment that will eliminate the need for colour treatments.  So far these two articles seem to be the only “official” word on the topic and the responses have been mixed on both sides of the coin.

For many women who have lived with straight hair all their lives this discovery induces excitement about the prospect of being able to pop a pill to create texture and body.  For women with curlier grades, being able to achieve desired straightness without “chemicals” or heat would be considered a blessing.  Not surprisingly, most of these types of comments come from women of Caucasian heritage.  From the African-American natural hair community, the responses are much less positive.

“This is a hot mess but I bet it would sale like hot cakes to black women specifically,” Tafari, a loc’ed photographer, on Black Voices Hair Talk’s article on the subject. “I guess it’s great to have the option to poison your body from inside or outside in the name of European beauty.”

A few commenters have wondered about the side effects of such a treatment, which I personally think should be the real factor in deciding whether this is a good thing or bad thing.  All cosmetic aspects aside, altering the texture of your hair, from curly to straight or vis versa, involves changing certain parts of your DNA and there has to be some long term reactions to such a treatment.  There’s also the issue of how permanent the treatment will be or how often one would have to take the pills to have the desired effect.  I’m far less concerned with someone’s style preference because we all love to experiment with different looks, and I’m no stickler for the whole “you’re only truly natural if your hair is curly”.  What matters most to me is whether it’s a healthier option for hair and body than straightening methods already on the market.

So what do you think?

AFTER THOUGHT: With the advent of genetic hair manipulation, how do you think this will fit with women of colour who desire “curlier” grades of hair than what they are graced with?  How do you think it will be marketed?

Healthy Hair Wishes,

I have known today’s feature since we were both “freshies” at Miller Middle School back in the mid 80’s, and ever since then I’ve been in awe of her hair.  Dana Marie is of bi-racial heritage so on the surface she has what most would term “good hair”, but that was never really my reason for admiring her hair.  Growing up partially in Canada I was well aware of the differences in textures between my white friends and my own, but with Dana her hair seemed a direct expression of her personality.  Whether “stick straight” and bobbed or fashioned in a curly wet-set, Dana’s hair always broadcast her moods and her spirit.  At least to me.  When most think of bi-racial hair they think “easy to style”, “easy to manage” or “effortless to care for”, but little do most know, women with hair like Dana’s experience some of the same difficulties as women with hair like mine.  This became especially evident to both of us when she decided to go natural in February of ‘09, and here she shares how story with you.

AM: When did you start perming your hair and why?

DM: I started at 12 behind my mom’s back because of my friends and wanting to achieve super straight looks and certain “in fashion” styles.

AM: How did your mom take it?

DM: Well when I asked her if I could get a perm she just said “no”.  No explanation, no discussion, just “no”.  She always wanted me to wear my natural hair.

AM: I can imagine, because for as long as I knew your mom she always had long, beautiful natural hair.

DM: Yeah, for as long as I can remember too. *lol*

AM: Why did you decide to go natural?

DM: I got tired of being a slave to perms and constantly getting touch ups.  I was also tired of making a mess of my hair with breakage and split ends.  Then to, I began working out and knew it would be difficult to maintain a permed style.

AM: How did you do it?

DM: I tried to transition by growing it out but suffered too much breakage, so I decided to BC.

AM: Have you had to deal with any self esteems issues since BC’ing?

DM: Not really.  You know I’ve had my hair short before so it wasn’t really a bit thing.  It was either texturized or permed then though.  Now I feel freer.  I don’t feel a slave to style.

AM: So, of course our experiences with “going natural” are different because of our hair’s make up, but I know there are specific challenges when it comes to bi-racial hair in its natural state.  What have been some of yours?

DM: My hair does something different every day, even if I use the same technique and products as I did the day before.  When I first started perming I did it not to straighten my hair but so that I could have a fuller texture to hold styles.  So my challenge has been to find products that worked with my texture and to just go with the flow and let my hair do what it wants.

AM: When you made the decision to no longer chemically straighten your hair did you have any trepidations?

DM: Yeah, a bit.  Since I work in a salon there was at least once beautician there who had a somewhat negative reaction.  I wore my hair curly one day and she asked if I was going to wear my hair like that and you could tell it wasn’t a GP type of question.

AM: Toledo doesn’t seem to be a place that support natural hair very well.  I remember when I was there and first started wearing my hair out, this chick at Sally’s made a snide remark about me really needing to be in the beauty supply store.  It’s not like Detroit.

DM: No, Toledo is not the place for natural hair.

AM: So have you gotten the same reaction from all stylists or just that one?

DM: Actually the white stylists where I work like my curly hair better than when it’s straight.  They say it looks more natural.  But I think the reaction is more based on the stylist’s regular practice… Whether they’re primarily used to working with natural hair or hair that been relaxed.

AM: What have you learned about your hair since you stopped relaxing it?

DM: I now know that my hair is thicker than what I thought and that I actually have a lot more hair.  I already knew my texture but I have learned to do more with it now and what products work to achieve certain styles.

AM: Do you use a lot of product?

DM: Yes, but only to achieve curl definition.  Without product all my hair does is frizz and it ends up looking like a cotton ball.

AM: What’s the difference in the products you used when you first went natural and now?

DM: I used to think I could just wake up and go with water and conditioner because of how my hair is.  That is far from the truth.  Now I go for products that are designed for curly hair specifically.

AM:  What are the products you use the most?

DM: For styling I use CHI Pliable Polish Weightless Styling Paste which give me control, especially around my edges.  I also use Redken Ringlet 07 which keeps my curls separate and defined without making my hair hair like some gels do.  For definition of my ends I use Carol’s Daughter’s Kizzy Stay Put Pomade…

AM: I’m mad at that name! *lol*

DM: I know right! *lol*

AM: What do you use for cleansing and conditioning?

DM: Mixed Chicks Shampoo and Deep Conditioner . I also use their Leave-In Conditioner.

AM: What’s your regimen?

DM: I wash every two to three days, condition every day and apply the leave-in every day.

AM: That seems like a lot of washing.

DM: Well my hair has the tendency to become very oily so I wash often and use very little oil based anything.

AM: What styles have you experimented with or would like to try?

DM: I’ve done wash ‘n go’s and had it straightened.  I couldn’t wait to wash my hair to get it back to being curly though.  I would like to try Bantu Knots, various braid styles and flat twists with a ponytail.

AM: What advice would you give to natural newbies, with either bi-racial hair or with typical African-American textures?

DM: Be willing to do a lot of research to find what products and styles work for you.  Don’t be afraid to play with products and styles and learn your hair

~@~

Dana Marie’s Progress in Pictures

(click each image to enlarge)

Would you like to hear more from Dana? You can contact via her Facebook page, or if you are in the Toledo, OH area and are in need of some top notch nail art, call Shear Designs Image Studio for an appointment.

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Dana Marie, it has been a pleasure featuring you, and it’s been a looooooooong time coming since I can be such a slacker. *lol* Best of luck with the rest of your journey and I can’t wait to see where you and your curls go from here.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

Wow!  It’s been a months since I updated because I really haven’t been feeling the whole “natural hair thing” much lately.  All the pomp and circumstance and ceremony and making life revolve around products and styling just became too much to want to deal with.  And the energy in some of the “communities” is just draining with the on going debates of what is natural and what isn’t or who is more natural than who and the cult-like following of what celebs are jumping on the natural bandwagon.  We all “go natural” for our own reasons, and I don’t want to be the one to say one person’s motivation is more “worthy” of note than another’s but… Well… I didn’t want to be a part of the superficiality of it all.  My life is about more than just the kinky mop that sits atop my head and I was ready to break out of the box.  In tandem with that, I really wasn’t feeling as if I was paid much attention to anyway, outside of a handful of my nappy peers (yeah I’m looking at you Sistah Chick, Chele, Njemile, Laquita, Dawn and Jaye!) so I figured i wouldn’t “waste” the energy anymore.  Of course those aren’t the only reasons for my “break”.  There were more than a few pressing personal matters that needed my full attention more than this Blog or my Examiner column did, so I had to step away.  And that meant stepping away from all aspects of the phenomenon, including Twitter, the Napturalite Radio Community and Facebook.  Even my Email account was getting the shaft.  I just didn’t want to deal with it anymore.

But a funny thing seems to always happen when I want to step away.  A random reader contacts me with “news” that makes it all worthwhile again.  I’d gotten a notion to check my Email to see if anything inspiring had floated my way and indeed it had, in the form of a reader writing to let me know that JB2M was featured as one of Spa Beauty Schools’ Top 50 Hair Blogs.  In addition to that, Mireille Liong-A-Kong had contacted me about a paid opportunity to contribute to Going Natural Magazine.  Kinda gave me a Michael Corleone type sensation but both Emails where just the perk-me-up I needed to become motivated again.  Seems the Universe is reminding me that I do have something worthy to contribute amidst the natural hair madness and there are people out there who look forward to it.  Even if I never really see it.  So I guess that means I gotta pick up the virtual pen again and get back in the swing of things, which I will do with pleasure!

So what’s been up with me lately?  Well… As you can tell from the above pic my hair is almost back to pre-BC length, which I would have never realized had I not had the inclination to press it a couple of days ago.  That there is ~5’of new growth from the ~1’ in started with back in September of ‘09, and ~2’ from where I was in February of this year:

All together I’m looking at ~6’ from root to tip all the way around.  This discovery actually shocked me because I had no idea I’d gained that much growth in such a “short” span of time.  On average, hair growth at a rate of 1/4’ per month so the gain proves my hair grows way faster than average.  I’ve had people comment that my hair grows fast, to which I pretty much said “peeshaw”. *lol* But to actually see it with my own eyes is utterly amazing!  And to think, I was on the cusp of performing another BC because my growth had changed the “pattern” of my curls and WNG’s weren’t working as well for me anymore.  As much as I don’t like to do the “heat” thing, I’m glad I gave in to the urge to press my hair or I may have never really known how much was up there. *lol* My routine has stayed pretty much consistent with me alternating avocado-coconut milk conditioner washes with shampoo’ing and conditioning using Kinky-Curly’s Come Clean and Knot Today, spritzing every morning with water and Yonnea’s Natural Beauty’s Honey Hibiscus Leave N Condish and finger styling with a bit of Going-Natural’s Silky Shea Aloe Butter.  Every now and again (maybe once every other week) I’d oil my hair with Yonnea’s Natural Beauty’s GPS Oil (review coming soon) and smooth my edges down with Going-Natural’s Herbal Styling Gel, but other than that I’ve pretty much kept my product usage to a bare minimum.  The only time I applied heat to my hair were on the two occasions documented in the pictures here and my style has been WNG’s.  I really haven’t trimmed my ends very much at all since doing the BC but did so when I pressed my hair both times and I have experienced very little shedding (well, no more than usual) and absolutely NO split ends.  Can’t really say any of this was a magic combination or anything but I can say a key element was keeping my hands out of my hair as much as possible. *lol*

So it’s almost been a year and I can honestly say the whole process was enlightening.  In the past ten and three quarter months I have learned what my hair likes, doesn’t like, how it grows, my curl pattern and what products work as it grows.  I’ve also learned a lot about myself and my perception of beauty which dispelled a lot of myths in the “long hair signifies femininity” department.  So it’s been an experience in self discovery from the inside out and I’m glad I mustered up the courage to undertake it.  It is a leg of the journey I highly recommend if you are so inclined.

What’s on the horizon for my natural hair “career”?  Well along with the features I plan to do, I still need to do a review of Chris-Tia Donaldson’s “Thank God I’m Natural” as well as a review for Lori Johnson’s “A Natural Woman”.  For my Examiner column I have an article featuring Minister Theresa Cloud Eagle’s Divine Essentials® Aromatherapy & Empowerment Tools on deck, will be covering the Nappturally Me Meetup Group’s one year anniversary as well as changing of name (they are now known as Ohio Naturals) format and organizers, can hopefully start an article about the Natural Sistas in Ohio Meetup Group, and just maybe, now that I have a job and can afford to see a stylist, can produce an article about the Synergi Salon experience.  I also may be revamping the Blog’s look and Twitter page as well as the CNHE Facebook Page.  So there’s big things in the works and I hope you all stick around for it all!

Healthy Hair Wishes!