Natural hair has become more than a household topic of discussion. It has segued the African-American community into one of the biggest hair movements of the 21st century. The natural hair movement has caused many women to leave behind their love for relaxer and embrace its original coil as is. But with this natural hair revolution, myself and many of the brothers used to running their fingers through silky smooth tresses, have begun to question why women are running to transition from relaxed to natural? Is it simply a fad or is this more about self-empowerment? Is it possible that natural hair is causing women to redefine the definition of “beauty”? Could natural hair be the demise of the relaxed hair industry and the surge of natural hair care products? Maybe the answer is a combination of each of these thoughts. With stars like Solange becoming the spokesperson for Carol’s Daughter Natural Hair Care Products, I am excited for what this movement will bring and I support any woman in pursuit of this journey.
Jill Scott recently took the plunge and cut off her permed ends, affectionately known as “the big chop”, and happily showed off her new hairdo at her Summer Block Party concert in Washington, DC. However, when I did my big chop I was indifferent about my hair. I did the big chop after 6 months of new growth and for the first time, I questioned whether men would still find me attractive with a TWA (teeny weeny afro). I had worn my hair short before but my hair was relaxed. This new, natural hair, made my new look all the more unfamiliar.
After chopping off the familiar, permed hair, I had to take a 15 minute walk just to digest what I had done. I realized how a part of my identity as a woman was linked to my hair. Specifically as a black woman, my hair being straight and permed was the mold for what I thought was beautiful. Suddenly, my big chop made me see how women can define their beauty through their long luscious hair and if that is taken away, we can sometimes feel less than attractive, less desirable. My chop was my decision to break away from social guidelines that I was introduced to at a young age and deciding on my own how I want to present myself as a black woman. India Arie had already made this declaration in 2005 when she released “I Am Not My Hair”, and I was happy to have finally seen the light.
Joining the natural hair movement has been more than a reality check for women, but a journey of self-acceptance. I happened to be searching for empowerment on the internet from my fellow natural divas and I stumbled upon a blog entitled “Black Girl With Long Hair”. Support was necessary at this stage in the game because I needed the extra encouragement to stand by my choice. Besides, a movement wouldn’t be a movement without the support of like-minded individuals right?! So, as I continued to observe the blog I was introduced to a woman named Portia from California and began to read her interview. Her interests and reason for going natural all resonated with mine. But there’s one thing she said that truly made me burst out into tears:
“I just want to tell all of the African American women (who aren’t natural) reading my interview to stop worrying so much about going natural. It is JUST hair and I promise you that it will be beautiful and grow if you take care of it. Kinky, curly, and wavy is exactly the way God wants our hair to grow. If He didn’t, He would have made it straight.” â Portia
The revelation became all the more clear to me as to why I made the decision to go natural. It was as if this woman was speaking directly to me and every other woman that was or is in the transitioning phase. Natural hair is truly a process but it is most importantly about growth in more than one facet. Yes, there will be people who won’t understand, may make a mockery of what you look like, or simply don’t like your natural coif. But in spite of the negative backlash, a friend once told me, “The most beautiful thing about hair is that it grows.” She was right. Thank you.
Have you ever felt like the beauty standards of society weren’t made for you? That no matter how hard you tried, it was difficult to fit in? This is a common feeling among African Americans. The phrase “Happy To Be Nappy” has been used since 1999 to promote self-love and celebrate natural Black hair textures. It’s an empowering mantra that encourages everyone to embrace their unique identities and find pride in who they are.
In this article, we’ll explore what “Happy To Be Nappy” means and why it matters today more than ever. We’ll discuss how it serves as a tool for fighting against biased ideals of beauty set by Eurocentric culture, while highlighting the importance of loving one’s natural features regardless of race or gender identity. Finally, we’ll touch on some inspiring stories from people around the world who’ve embraced the phrase and found strength and confidence in themselves through its message.
So if you’re ready to learn about celebrating yourself for who you are, then come along with us on our journey into Happy To Be Nappy: The Beauty Within!
What Is ‘Happy To Be Nappy’?
Have you ever heard of the phrase ‘Happy to be Nappy’? It’s a term used for natural hair-care, specifically related to African American women and their unique hairstyles. The phrase is an empowering statement that celebrates being comfortable with your own appearance and embracing one’s culture.
To understand what this phrase means, we need to take a look at its history and origins. This expression was popularized in the late 1990s by Chescalocs, a musical group from Oakland, California. Their music celebrated the beauty of having curly or kinky hair as opposed to conforming to traditional Eurocentric standards of beauty. Since then, it has been embraced by many black communities around the world who are proud of their natural locks.
The goal of ‘Happy to Be Nappy’ is not only to promote self-love but also cultivate body positivity among individuals regardless of race. By encouraging people to accept themselves as they naturally are, it helps foster respect between different cultures and promotes healthy relationships within our society. In short, this phrase provides us with an opportunity to embrace all kinds of diversity while still celebrating our differences!
Embracing Natural Hair
Embracing one’s natural hair is a powerful statement of self-love and pride. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our differences, rather than trying to conform to someone else’s idea of beauty. There are so many ways to express yourself with your hairstyle – whether it be letting your curls run wild or rocking a sleek top knot. And by doing so, you can show the world that there is no single definition of beauty.
The ‘Happy to Be Nappy’ movement has inspired many other forms of body positivity, such as embracing all shades of skin color, wearing clothing that makes us feel comfortable in our own skin, and celebrating unique physical features like freckles or birthmarks. This encourages people from all backgrounds to value their individual identities without feeling pressured into changing themselves for anyone else’s opinion.
This concept gives us permission to be true to ourselves regardless of how we look or what society tells us about ‘beauty’. Everyone should have the freedom and confidence to embrace who they are without fear of judgement or criticism. We should never forget that beauty comes from within, not from outward appearances!
Conclusion
I’m so happy to have embraced my natural hair and become ‘Happy to be Nappy’. It has been a major source of empowerment for me, as it gives me the freedom to express myself without being judged by societal beauty standards. I now understand that there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” hair – all hair is beautiful in its own way!
Having this newfound appreciation for my unique curls helps me feel more confident about myself every day. I actively make an effort to share this message with everyone around me; when someone compliments my hairstyle, I use it as an opportunity to talk about the importance of self-love and acceptance.
We all should take time out of our lives to appreciate ourselves and those around us – life is too short not to do so! Whether you choose to wear your hair straightened or curly, long or short, remember that we’re all incredibly valuable just the way we are. Let’s celebrate each other’s differences and keep striving towards greater body positivity!
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