MYTH #1
Natural Women Spend Less Money on Their Hair
“Don’t you just use coconut oil, and mayo and boom! Natural hair greatness!”
False: Just because our money doesn’t go towards relaxers doesn’t mean that we spend less! Do you know how much pure, vegan, gluten-free, raw, virgin, un-refined, shea butter costs to ship internationally? Can you guess how much we spend on the multitude of essential oils, creams, non-alcoholic gels and unicorn tears that keep our curls popping? Wait, I’ve said too much already, forget everything you’ve read! This “movement” is trendy (oh, you’re such a trendsetter letting your hair grow out of your scalp, you go girl!) and as a result, there will always be someone waiting to capitalize and over-charge for services and products. To be honest, another reason natural hair can be just as expensive as having relaxed hair is because there’s a lot of trial and error involved. We’re literally getting to know our hair all over again, and that means trying new products, modifying our routine when the seasons change and realizing that what worked last year, or even last month, may no longer have the same effect on our hair.
MYTH #2
Natural Hair is a Political Statement
“You must be a revolutionary / incense-burning, Hotep-reading, Angela Davis and Lorraine Hansberry-quoting, anti-everything, freedom fighter! I know the type”
False: Perhaps women with natural hair simply prefer avoiding harsh chemicals that are hazardous to their health? It is in fact possible to use your personal style to reflect certain political and personal beliefs; however, true revolutionaries know that it’s so much more than skin deep. A hairstyle alone is not a political statement. Black women are dynamic and as diverse as you can imagine: we don’t all share the same agenda or reason for going natural. Contrary to what some may assume, we’re not all members of a secret organization seeking to overthrow the male-dominated capitalistic machine that plays Black women against themselves, and each other, by teaching them that the “only” and “correct” way to measure their beauty and self-worth is against an unfair, unrealistic and biased antiquated White European beauty standards. (What a mouthful!) Oh, which reminds me: the meeting this month is cancelled ladies; see you at the next one!
MYTH #3
We don’t all know each other
