Why Are We Still Ashamed???

This blog entry is going to be controversial, and it might offend some of my African/Afr. American sisters, but I feel compelled to be honest about what I'm feeling. Recently, I was reading something about a new hair styling technique that can straighten black hair without the use of harsh lye in relaxers. I haven't done that much research on it, but I believe they use a combination of oils, heat, and something else (and I could be dead wrong on what their technique is, but forgive me). However, this technique is different from the commonplace hot comb or flat iron. It is called ceramic fusion. Some of the words that are used to describe "natural hair" after it has undergone ceramic fusion are "silky, straight, shiny, soft,  has body, moisture, CONTROLS CURLS, MAINTAINS MANAGEABILITY, and promotes growth". I noticed that this technique is becoming somewhat popular because it doesn't use chemicals to permanently straighten our hair. Therefore, it is labeled "a natural hair alternative." I personally, am disappointed and here's why. 

Yes, we alter our hair in many different ways when we braid it, get dreadlocks, comb it, brush it, put grease in it, etc. However, with all of these alterations we are NOT trying to straighten our hair or make it look more European. With this ceramic fusion technique, we ARE trying to make our hair more "manageable" by forcibly loosening up our curls for a straighter look. Getting braids, dreadlocks, or simply combing our hair does not straighten our natural hair. In my opinion, this technique is another way to say that kinky hair is bad and that it needs to undergo treatment to make it straight or more manageable. It's a cop out and I don't care if there are no harsh chemicals being used, it is still another styling technique that gives the subliminal message that African/African American hair is better when it is straight than kinky. 

Natural hair, to me, is embracing what God gave you, without trying to mimic traits that are specific to those of another ethnicity. We need to really learn the art of taking care of our own hair type, instead of trying to find different ways to make our hair less than what it naturally is.