What’s So Bad About Going Natural?

Beauty comes in a million forms, but every true work of art starts with a clear palette. To me, the footprints of beauty are about transcending from dust or even capitalizing on your inherited elegance. For some the resolve is in enhancing a sheer element, be it by adding or expanding to a once pure platform, or for the natural girl the answer relies in embracing the root of the situation.

As we all know, the endless hair war began with a simple question, natural or relaxed? It is a battle that can never be won by a single snip, or the solution found embedded in a natural curl pattern atop the mane of many a hair testimonies. There is no right or wrong style because personal preference allows room for a multitude of diverse answers.

But yet in still, the battle continues.

With a million dilemmas impacting the face of Black America, we seem to always find time to strike up another hair war with our peers. Like any other week in the world, this has been one filled to the brim with transition. Although I’d like to steady you with a myriad of enterprising headlines, it appears that the hottest topic as of late in the cyber community, isn’t just the situation that occurred with the black professor at Harvard, but in fact it’s a density that lies at the helm of a few simple snips.

I guess it’s all in a haircut, or so the critics of the world seem to think. In case it’s news to you, allow me to be the breeze of enlightenment coasting through your hair. While Michelle Obama was opting for an adoring little pixie cut, Beyonce’s little sister, Solange Knowles, was braving through the after effects of completing the Big Chop.

In my opinion, more power to the girl for opting to go natural. It’s not an easy hair conclusion for most and one that is afforded solely to a brave individual or those who are ready to cling to the beauty of their roots. Although other celebrities are steadily cutting off the drama, the backlash toward Solange Knowles has been an ugly sight to see.

So what is the problem with going natural anyway?

Is there anywhere in the beauty handbook that states we must conform to a relaxed style or are we as women still allowed to express ourselves fitting to our own predilection?

Either style fits the bill for me, as I have tried both, quite like most of you, but at times it seems that women get more criticism for opting to chop rather then chemically enhancing their look. It makes me wonder if the media’s definition of beauty weighs heavily under a bias for a manufactured look. Well, maybe I already know the answer to that question.

But really, it goes further than just women relaxing their hair, that’s as normal as going natural in my opinion. What I’m solely referring to is the media’s love for over the top extensions and extravagant colors versus a quiet, yet clear vision of beauty that comes from the softening touch of being au natural. It really isn’t just the media that takes issue with a silent attractiveness either, it’s some of us too that forget beauty has no single identity.

So what, Solange cut her hair off. Is it because she went natural that we find this choice a problem?

So what, Solange cut her hair off. Is it because she went natural that we find this choice a problem? I’m sure it wouldn’t even be a topic of discussion had she dyed her hair 3 different colors. I’m sure we wouldn’t be spewing negative responses in her direction had she opted for a look like Michelle Obama’s, which I also find lovely, but I guess when you break apart from the masses there is always an issue with change.

Before we sign up to give our opinions, we have to remember what side of the scale we’re standing on. Maybe, the natural hair world will embrace the look and praise Solange for opting to make the transition or those that aren’t natural may take issue with her new look, because it’s easier to shout from across the ocean, then respect the beauty of the tide between us. Whatever the argument, I think we all need to remember one thing before we embark upon the journey to impose our will and opinions on someone’s personal hair decision; when you look in the mirror it’s not me you should aim to please, but rather the only one who matters, self.

Genuinely, there is nothing wrong with going natural or choosing to relax your hair. It’s a circular argument that should be washed away by the only solution; do whatever it is that works best for you without knocking others for opting to do the opposite. I personally believe beauty is best projected through the spirit, so as long as you feel good about your look, no matter what the world thinks of it, what is naturally there wont get lost with any transition.