via TheNewYorkTimes
The filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa presents an Op-Doc on black women’s
decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather than use chemical
straighteners.
decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather than use chemical
straighteners.
Love, love love! Awesome!
awesome vid! Yay team natural!
I cant say I took a stand because I have always been natural all my life, I never transition but I did big chop (just to see how short hair look on me…it looks good lol). I always looked my coils and I am glad other women has taken the time to embrace and love thier's too.
My reasons for going natural weren't political as they were for me just getting to know & see myself for who I truly was & empowering myself as a woman of color.
Brooke B.
My reasons for going natural weren't political as they were for me just getting to know & see myself for who I truly was & empowering myself as a woman of color.
Brooke B.
The reason I went natural was totally political-it was for me to identify with who I am as an Afrikan women in the States. Period. Funky smelling perms were a distant second. I can't deny myself in any way, from my big feet to my coily hair, and to be anything other than natural does just that.
Wow!! I just realized that I was smiling the whole time as I watched the video The women were simply beautiful.
I will be chopping mine off soon but what helped me was videos like this and watching "Good Hair" by Chris Rock. I've been natural before but went back to the crack. No more though. Three months in transition and soon doing the BC.
Serve him
I love this video! I wish it was longer!
What a beautiful video! This is so important for all women to see – not just sistas, in my opinion, because it liberates the soul whenever we witness someone else setting themselves free. White women are also chained by the ideals that have been perpetuated by the "powers that be", whomever we may perceive them to be. In the message of this video is a seed that God willing will grow into a tree that gives shade to every person in the world who is hurting, even if they don't know it yet:)
But its not called transitioning.
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The personal is political. Politics affect persons.
I'm with Anyonymous above, chuckling wryly at the creator's use of the term "post-racial."
An absolutely beautiful clip and I wished it could have lasted an hour because I enjoyed it so much! Zina was gorgeous after her low cut(something I plan to do eventually). I could totally relate to how she felt right afterwards….I was not totally feeling my look at first, however, I have TRULY grown to love my hair! In 1990 as a college student I wanted to go natural but with a severe lack of information on how to go about it I let it go. I always kept it in mind over the years but it wasn't until 2010(and youtube) that I made the transition to natural hair.
An absolutely beautiful clip and I wished it could have lasted an hour because I enjoyed it so much! Zina was gorgeous after her low cut(something I plan to do eventually). I could totally relate to how she felt right afterwards….I was not totally feeling my look at first, however, I have TRULY grown to love my hair! In 1990 as a college student I wanted to go natural but with a severe lack of information on how to go about it I let it go. I always kept it in mind over the years but it wasn't until 2010(and youtube) that I made the transition to natural hair.
This is such a wonderful post. It makes me even more sure of the decision I made 7 months ago. I am so glad.
-discoveringnatural.blogspot.com
What a great piece indeed! My decision to stop perming was not political in nature. I simply got tired of needing touch-ups every 6 – 8 weeks, and having scalp burns even though base was used. When I witnessed a client with no sides getting a perm that sealed the deal for me.
Love It!!!
It may be described as political but its something between us "natural" women. Dogtn we all look at each and smile like we have a secret??? Im loving my sisters more than ever…
That was POWERFUL….
Great video, had to share it! I think many of us had an 'epiphany' of sorts about two years ago (this spring makes 2 years for me). I've never had a perm (straightened) and this is the third go round for me as a natural (1960's, 1980's previously); each time it was for a different reason ('style', 'statement'). Simply put this time: I had an unfocused moment with the hot comb and burned a piece of hair off so short, I had to pin it down until it grew out. I said, "Forget this!" and hung it up. Been twisting, braiding and bunning ever since. Best decision I've made in a long time. It's just being about ME!
this made me tear up a little bit . . . loved it.
Love this video … just what I needed this morning (that's when I watched it). I have been wavering on my big chop, but seeing this made me want to do it pronto. I am not, but at least I now set a date. I feel committed and oh so free.
LOVE THIS!! This was so inspiring and gave me a surge of motivation to keep at it (big chopped March 1, 2012) never going back to the creamy crack!!!
I absolutely love this video. It brought joy to my heart and I am typing this with the biggest grin ever! So proud to be natural.
I LOVE THIS, I agree it is very political & I cried a little too lol
I'm so proud to be natural–I was always comfortable with and excited about my decision, but when she said, "Black women in America have returned to their natural texture…in droves," I was suddenly extremely PROUD. We're so beautiful. Every strand of multi-textured hair that flashed across the screen in this short film stretched my smile wider and wider… This isn't a trend. This is a lifestyle.
From a great line of journalists!
Confession:
I heard something in this video that was an ah ha moment for me. She said that for many naturals this is not about a "political movement" as it was for the older naturals. I'm seeing how this may be an indicator that this time the natural will become more than just a trend. In other words the natural shouldn't come and go because black is in or out(which it isn't) As an older natural I must admit I've been on the side of the political; but I've meditated on this and I think the fact that younger natural women and women love the style for what it is and for what it once meant, could mean that the natural as a style is here to stay…It took me a while to see this; but I'm sure glad I did.
Happy to see something like this in such a widely circulated publication like the NYT.
Nice
I met Zina on the street and she asked to take my picture. She told me she was working on a piece but what I thought was nothing as powerful as it turned out to be!
I was so surprised at how emotional I found myself to be watching this video I just recently transitioned and let me tell you I cried I thought I wasn;t going to be respect by coworkers family and society but everyday I continue to grow and appreciate my natural self…thank you for this video it has truly reinforced my love for my natural hair.
Loove this video!!! I'm still transitioning havent had the courage to bc yet. Hopefully by August! This is ahmazing!!!
Great video.
I can't believe she thought she was ugly! She's very pretty! The TWA made her features stand out.
So.. this made me teary, too. I big chopped in March. With the help of CN and all u other wonderful natural ladies, I've learned how to care for my hair. Didn't know a thing about cowashing, not dry combing, etc, before you all. Now I am amazed at the wonderfulness of my natural hair! Thanks, all!
Beautiful video. I big chopped May 5th of this year and I feel free! So glad black women are returning to their natural roots.
The video is truly inspiring and emotional. I hope more and more decide to go natural.
I love this video… Would you call me a Transitioner?? If ive never had a PERM but always Straightened my Hair??? Ive taken this challenge for 3 months now.. and l love how l can now stay out in the rain and do whatever.. But l understand what shes talking about with the workplace. My job told me, my hair wasnt acceptable.. SMH So I quit and now work for myself… HAIR POWER!!!
LOOOOOVVEEE this!!
I loved the video! I've been natural since 2004 and I don't regret a moment of it. When people ask me how could I cut off my long relaxed hair, I simply say that God set me free from wanting to be and look like others.
Jo
LMAO at her reference to a "post-racial" age…. but thats an entirely different discussion. Great video
This was beautiful.
@ Anon 9:43am brought tears to my eyes too! I love this video. It's more than a movement. It's about learning to accept yourself. You don't have to "fix" your hair because there's nothing wrong with it. I've always loved the look of natural hair but until 9 months ago I wouldn't have dared to rock my TWA. But, BABY, I'm rocking it.
I loved this video and I am happy to see that it has become mainstream because there are so many women who need the extra boost in confidence and community. I am so happy to many sites, movies, youtube vids, and more about natural hair because now at least there is the option to many women who have struggled with straighteners and breakage and are ready for that change and acceptance of a part of themselves.
Tears of joy watching this video. I am a natural hair stylist of 17 years. Love to see so many women embracing their natural being.
Dont stop at the video ladies, go to NYTimes and read the article. More clicks get it to the "most viewed" list. Very inspiring to see the movement embraced by mainstream. I have always wanted to go natural but fear my white collar colleagues wont understand has put a hindrance on the that step to move forward.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/opinion/black-women-and-natural-hair.html
love, love, love the video. blame it on the monthly hormonal spike, but I actually cried when she said that she thought she was ugly at the beginning of the video. anyway, great story.
What a wonderful story/video.