₦airaland Forum

Hm,

Perhaps you don't know people who qualify, but I know PLENTY of black people who seriously do hate their natural hair, they do things to it because they think their hair is BAD. If someone's reasoning is like that, then it's a problem, I don't see why someone would argue that's not true, it's a reality that walks down the streets everyday, I come face to face with it on a regular,
People used to criticize ME because my hair was natural, but I am not criticizing anyone, just saying that whatever you do to your hair, let it be for a good reason,

--"No, people do not change their natural hair because they hate it, but because they want to change their hairstyle. And thats all there is to it. "

Now you're making blank statements, how do you know what everyone does and why? I base my assertions on what I have actually witnessed throughout life,
You made an assumption, yet you accuse me of assuming. But how I wish it were just that simple, that that really was all there is to it,

Huh

I didn't say wearing wigs, etc was a show of self-hate,

You misinterpreted my statement, let me be clearer, people on here are quick to misinterpret, but all is well, this topic states that wearing wigs symbolizes self-hate, and I'm saying it's not the actual WIG that's the problem, but the reasons why people wear those things in question is what CAN be problematic. Those reasons that involve self-hatred are the problem here, not just a woman wearing a wig.

I always braid my hair and don't have an afro, but I'm thinking you are not referring to me by your comment.

I'm not wrong, I know what I'm talking about. lol
*sigh*

But the use of hijab in the middle east has a different basis than the "afrocentricity" exhibited on this forum, I don't think I would compare the two.

I think that the reasons for wearing the items in question are what causes the issue and deal with the subconscious and conscious self-hatred.

Personally, my hair is completely natural, I love it, I know how to do hair and my hair is very full, I keep it conditioned and well taken care of, so it's soft, manageable, and getting longer/healthier, and I can press it if I need to straighten it for something different.
However, if a person is in between hair styles and wears a wig one day, this is not a problem.  Truly, the intent is the issue.  People perm their hair because they say their hair is "bad."  This is the wrong mentality, your hair is not bad, but black women from all over the world try to approach their hair like it is white hair and that's where the problem lies, we need to understand how to take care of OUR hair, not just perm it and complain our hair is bad because it doesn't do what white hair does.

I'm an advocate for natural hair, but I don't completely knock permed hair.  It is a common mentality that permed hair is "better" than natural hair, and there are many words in American English to characterize natural African hair, nappy, coarse, etc.  Therein, lies the problem.  I knock the mentality that permed hair has created in many people.
Some people say that their hair is "nasty" without a perm, God-given natural hair is not nasty, there is nothing wrong with your hair or my hair because of how it was made or the texture, knowing how to take care of this hair is your issue.

It doesn't make sense to insult one another, let us be mindful of what we say to one another.

Personally, I am in undergraduate in America and I plan to go to Medical School and go to Nigeria. I know some of you will be shouting, but I am not going to pack up my things after residency and just go, I am going to have a plan. The way to fix the healthcare system in Nigeria is money, education, and love for your fellow Nigerian. Having BETTER FACILITIES is numero uno, not just better buildings but better equipment. I have packaged medical supplies in America, some of which go to Nigeria, so I understand that there is lacking of medical equipment. I am not sure, but I seriously don't think there is a lack of training in medicine for Nigeria, so if we have the medical equipment, we can gradually start to change.

People also must be educated about their health, because my auntie just died in Nigeria, God rest her soul, from something that was too preventable and because she was not taking medicines how she should. Knowledge is the key to success and after helping people to understand better about their health, there needs to be more action on the side of the government, yes, I know it will be difficult, but trust me, anything is possible with God. There have been blackouts in American hospitals as well, TRUST me on that one, but every hospital should have a generator in case of emergency; Nigeria should invest in this as SOON as possible if it has not happened already. There are many of us in America who want to go back, yes, the pay is less, but if we band together to improve the system, change can be made, which is greater reward. We can open practice/clinics to help our people because at the end of the day, God does not weigh your gold, He looks at your heart.
I commend the first poster for wanting to do that, but be very wise about what you do, and do not be discouraged.

In short, change can happen and it will.