Curl-ism

[MadArtLang]

Yep I know plenty of non blacks that deal with curlism, but I feel it's different in the black community because nappy hair is the hardest to manage, I say put it to the pen test. If u put in a pen in ur hair and can't shake it out u nappy if u can shake it out u just curly and I do get bothered by ppl who claim to have kinky hair when it's just curly and tangled cuz it's not the same problems, similiar but not the same.

[MadArtLang]

totally agree with this when I went to the DR everyone straightened their hair but plenty of ppl there aren't naturally like that. My family's hair was nappy curly heck looked just like my mother's in the morning, would they dare go out with it that way no sir! My hair was like an enigma there, some kind of concept ppl cudn't wrap their mind around, a lot of ppl thought I was Haitian because of it.

[Papillonmuscogee]

First of all Sis, this is your channel, and you don't have to issue a disclaimer on your faith in the our Creator, Next, I have seen this curly issue with whites as well. I work with elderly women, and they are always trying to make their hair lay down, add water to smooth it, etc. It's interesting. Also, I've seen it with a white coworker, she wears her hair pulled back, to not dispay the curl, and she uses a flat iron to str8ten it. I'm like, tisk tisk.

[1214sheryl]

I don't necessarily think we are against curly hair- I feel that it is more about here in america not empowering our girls to feel comfortable within their own bodies- from their weight to the hair- i had straight bone hair as a child i got a curly perm as a teenager and it totally changed my curl pattern- now its curly all the time and i have relaxed it other things- everyone with straight wants curly- if you got curly you want straight- it the lack of teaching differences and acceptance

[redeemed2bfree]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm wasn't familiar with Beth Moore's bible studies. I've seen her on television a couple of times, but now that you mention it, I may see if I can find her at Half Price Books. Thanks for sharing.

[Godsflame1]

It was more so of not knowing what to say. but, since when does having wavyish poofy hair makes it nasty? I've always admired naturally curly hair, before I knew mine was! lol. If we all love our selves it will force other people to love you as well. (to a certain degree : )

[Godsflame1]

I know I"m late on this discussion, but you are right. I have noticed that people of other races that I work with begin to freak out if their straight hair starts to go wavy or poofy? One of my co workers told me that when humidity hits her hair it begins to get puffy, and it looks nasty?? I didn't know how to feel because, being natural of course, my hair is naturally poofy? )

[Papillonmuscogee]

@Godsflame1 Exactly!

[Tamcheeks]

I hear that the people in Europe struggle with the issue of curly hair as well. I am always looking on youtube for different hair styles, and I come across them a lot. I was watching just this morning, that there is community of black curly haired women in England in a some kind of meeting on curly hair I think the meeting got a little heated as well. I cant remember any of it because I was in and out of the video, but they had some really good points. I love your videos.

[oooop95]

I love watching those round table type discussions too it's so telling about how we think. Thanks for the post :)

[Proverbs318to9]

You are awesome. Beautiful woman. God Bless.

[happy3929]

What are you up too with your hair?. and how is the adoption going?.

[msnoirepetite]

who is Beth Moore?

[BumbleMissy]

definetly americans. In europe every one is walking around with a curly perm! Trust me I lived there and Ive been there last september/09 and nothins changed every one in europe wants curls. America's got issues lol

[BlueScalyCool]

Bottom line, no matter how self-esteemed a person could be, some part of themselves desires something they don't have.. So from natural sheer will, we find ways to manipulate what we have into something else.

[seun0203]

here in britain i think its the same as many black girls straighten their hair and others straighten hair aswell,but i think its more serious in the black community like evryone expects you to get a perm and if u dont its seen as weird by other black ppl but other races like my hair i will look at the bible study book

[TotallyDebtFree]

I have noticed, whites, blacks, and yes even asians straighten their hair. But I never thought of their hair as being forced into some confined standard of beauty. Thanks for the insight.

[TheStarbaby8]

hey there- yes very interesting. you know i have to say i wonder if the curliness is just a little too close to kinkyness...in America African beauty has been maligned for centuries....also I wonder if it's the strength of the kink, the curl...women are still presented as soft and flowly and liquid...perhaps the strength projected is too threathening...no answers, just questions...great vid!

[sldeyo]

love beth moore. intersting. thanks for sharing. I'll stay tuned for the Wen review. love ya girl. I love curls and tell my daughters who also have ringlets that they are beautiful.

[walkamileinmine]

LOL

yes Europeans struggle with the same thing Black and White

[KimichiSu]

thats a great story

actually a few days ago

i got my first compliment from a stranger

and it was a little random he hovered over me a little bit an said he liked my hair and left. i did'nt catch his face but i felt really good cause its my first compliment from a stranger usually my family just raves about how beautiful my natural hair is never a stranger.i love my hair 10 times more then when i was younger

[neekie5235]

wonderful story!!!! love it!

[miscellaneousable]

Your videos are always so insightful. Thanks for sharing. I'm in the same boat.....went natural to show my girls that curly can be beautiful.

[downinmn]

Def. not just a black issue - my best friend is white and she and I have had this conversation. My other friend has super straight hair and she longs to have any type of curl.

[newnappydew]

I loved it! Great info! Thanks for that!!!

[chubbi44]

i love your hair!

[caracara011]

Love Beth Moore!

I can remember when my daughter was younger, she wanted a long, straight swinging pony-tail. When she saw the "princess" Disney movies, most of the characters have long flowing hair. It is our responsibility as parents to shower our daughters with affirmations about their own natural beauty and intellingence and not let the world dictate what the standard of beauty should be. thanks for sharing! You look great also!

[TekoaG]

They say knowledge is powerful, but so is ignorance. Ignorance of appreciating what we were born with has caused a lot of harm, but I think we're coming out of the darkness. Whether we're we're curly, or short, or dark-skinned or too pale, we're all slowly beginning to learn to love who we are. Thanks for the video.

[AKASMILE]

I did the BC in May and work mostly with Caucasian women. One of them who has beautiful red curls told me that her sister used to relax her hair and had recently decided to stop for the same reasons I did. I was so amazed that she was able to relate to my decision and to realize how ingrained the ideal of straight hair is.

[tober1387]

in my opinion, i've always found curly hair more beautiful. When i was relaxed (most of elementary, all of middle and all of high school) i always found myself staring at thick curly hair. Silly me, i figured i could straighten my hair and could then get it to curl like that...never worked. but it's really sad that anyone with curly hair would think themselves ugly because of it. especially little children.

[deltadiva35]

First of all let me say that you look sensational Soror!! I thought that the whole situation was interesting. I am sooo glad that I am on my journey to finding out who I truly am and loving how God uniquely created and gifted me. Thanks for sharing. It is soo sad how society has defined what is beautiful. God is the only judge in my life. Be blessed!!

[kiwi856]

Five stars! fabulous video...fabulous mind....fabulous discussion. I'm so glad your enjoying your journey...stay strong and stay positive sistah!

[Coneshag]

Thank you for sharing! I felt the same way about my hair and I remember having to hide my hair with weave because it was so damaged by the chemicals and I didn't know what to do with it. That was about 4 1/2 years ago and now, I just cut all of my locs off because I miss my fro.

[krystalball72578]

very great vid!!

[msfashionmyworld]

I love you vlogs they are so real!Here in Europe since i did my BC people think I am like the hottest thing sine slice bread it is great cause it takes a lot to go out some days. I just miss the versatility, I can not wait for more growth.

[vitak72]

This is sooooo true! Many of my caucasian friends straighten or keep their hair short to avoid the curlies~

[Uniquelise3]

Yes indeed curlism extends to Europe as well. It also extends to men (caucasian). I actually work with a man who has naturally curly hair. He confessed that he actually tried to straighten it twice using a relaxer and it broke his hair out. I couldn't believe it! LOL He said he finally had to come to terms with his naturally curly hair and just embrace it! So it's kinda cool he knows what I'm going through as far a transitioning. Great vid!

[Averil07111]

I am South African and yes the struggle is world-wide. Sad but true. I lived in Europe for a while as well and it is a problem there as well... A lot of women in Europe also have curly hair as well but yup...they straighten. It is a mindset... I have decided that I cannot change everyone..but one person at a time..if I can. I love my curles and happy that I went natural..Will post a pic of myself at some time. God Bless....Good vid..

[Lstlouis777]

This is such a great video. =) I did the big chop several months ago and I wouldn't say that I'm struggling with my curls. What I am definently struggling with is the length of my hair. My heart hurts everytime I think about even going out in public with my newly natural hair. This video touched a sensitive spot and hopefully soon I will be able to have the courage to embrace the new me. Thanks for the video. =)

[sisterboyd]

When you look at this subject spritually you will see that the attack on our self-esteem starts early and this attack is across all racial lines. What better way to get in our heads and hearts that we are less than, ugly, and not worthy of love because of our hair - we don't look normal. When I went natural I had to really see myself through the eyes of Christ and the beauty in His creation in me. He created me with these beautiful curls! I am beautiful! I am normal! Great video!

[mynamesnotalice]

great video! you're very cool and your videos are very honest.

[NaturalHairGirl]

I know this lady that has two daughters that have curly hair and the moms hair is straight. The mom has a hard time doing their hair ... my guess is because she has straight hair and just doesn't know how to care for curly hair. Well the girls hate getting their hair done and want their hair straight and it breaks my heart because I can see already that they are starting to hate their curls. I just want to tell them "love your curls"

[TheSupasweet]

First, it's awesome that you are a practicing Christian (I am too) and I'll check out Beth Moore for sure.

Second, I have run into anti-curl bias in white women and I wondered what was up with that. I'm not sure if it's about not wanting to look "ethnic" or if there is some other reason for it, but yeah, there are white girls spending 30 minutes with a flat iron daily to achieve "pin straight" hair.

The only group that cherishes curls is Asians. The grass is always greener....I guess. *shrug*

[richeau]

Great vid! You have me wondering also if this is an American thing...hmm I want to find out. I'm glad my mother liked my natural hair, when I got a perm she was like "Aww, it's not as thick anymore!" and joked that I shouldn't get a relaxer anymore. Now when I wear it twisted she raves to everyone that I do it myself lol

[ChicagoCoils]

Straight hair is a type of elitism - Since straight hair is associated with beauty(regardless of race) those of us with curly hair fall outside the accepted standards of beauty - unfortunately even little girls. There are white women who spend hundreds of dollars for a hair straightener that keeps their hair straight for weeks. - something akin to our perms.

[curlmebella]

lol. you are too funny. Yes I think curl-ism extends beyond just us. I blog im a member of posted an article from france where the writer(white woman) was chronicalling her natural journey, and the fears trepedations and the like she had while considering letting her natural curls show. Its a standard of beauty that I think is deeply ingrained in our culture. I actually believe its easier for us in the sense that we are already on the fringes so the pressure to conform isnt quite as fierce.

[curlmebella]

I mean think about it, we represent about 5% of all media images, all the rest are filled with skinny-white-straight haired- beautiful women. Can you imagine trying to measure up to that as a white woman.

Its so interesting how we see ourselves one way but others see us another. Great vid, interesting topic:-) Thanks for sharing.

[curlyfoodie]

I'm sure that u've seen make over shows where they straighten the woman's hair in order to make her "sleeker" more professional, glamourous! I love having crazy wild hair but it took years to get to that point- to appreciate and love MY curls- not my cousin's type 3a curls or my brother's curly waves (he now sports a shaved head- lol). It's funny how other's can see the beauty that we try and hid.

[litlmich]

Really enjoyed the vid! I'm not a Christian and hope you don't get the hostile messages you were expecting! (You were a tad hyper-sensitive about it and I thought that was so cute!)

What an amazing experience. I had no concept that non-black people could have such negative conditioning (pardon the pun) with their hair as well. Not that severe! And at that age... Wow.

Btw, I love learning about different religions so I might research Beth Moore for fun! Thanks for the recommendation.

[litlmich]

Btw -- I hope I don't get any hostile messages either! lol... I just thought about that... I don't have a problem with people who are religious! lol. Hope I'm not being too senstive.

But seriously... no messages like that please.

[splinta24]

Glad you shared. Whatever colour race or creed these issues are universal.

[rajecks]

yay me...i'm first... love your videos girlie!