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Insulting our heritage and genetics is just plain ignorant
The worst part is the “good hair” phrase is common amongst black people. Those of us with kinky hair have habitually praised others when our own kind gets “lucky” enough not to be 100% black and has a different hair texture. I even used to use the “good hair” phrase when I was younger and ignorant. But there are also people outside of our community that have thoughts on our hair. One guy asked if I could make my hair look like a bi-racial woman’s hair. My response: NOPE.
Why has society referred to less “nappy” hair (4c hair) as good hair? Because it more closely resembles white or European hair.
Now, whenever I hear someone utter the words, “you have good hair,” I call them out. That statement is not okay in any capacity. The statement diminishes the beauty and uniqueness of our hair types that are less or entirely unlike eurocentric measurements.
I Used To Want White Hair
My hair is kinky as f*ck. When I was younger, I used to want white hair because I thought it was beautiful and easier to manage. However, once I got to college, I became more educated on managing my hair and started falling in love with my hair. But it wasn’t until I got sister locs installed that I fell deeply in love with my hair.
You Can’t Be Fully African-American Since You Have Long Hair
Since I have long and thick hair, other African-Americans frequently assume I’m not entirely black, as if an all-African-American female can’t grow long, thick, and beautiful hair.
But news, I’m 100% black and African-American.
We only insult our community, heritage, and genetics and perpetuate racial inequality by saying statements such as this.
Nappy Hair Is Beautiful
No nappy hair doesn’t have a loose curl pattern, and you can’t run your fingers through it unless it is straightened or detangled, but our hair is still infinitely beautiful.
4C/kinky hair takes effort to manage; if you don’t manage it correctly, it will look a bit feral (but still not unattractive). However, our hair type is some of the most versatile and resilient hair on the planet if you take care of it correctly. We have fantastic hair.
Black people with extremely tightly coiled and kinky hair can’t get away with not managing their hair for long periods unless they have their hair in protective styles such as braids, locs, or twists.
Embrace Your Hair Love
You don’t have to change your hair pattern, color, or look to fit in with eurocentric standards. You also don’t have to be mixed with white or something other than black to have good hair.
Let me be the one to tell you that if you have kinky, tightly coiled, nappy, and 4C hair, you got good hair! Own it, love, it, appreciate it, and adore it!
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.