Hair Is Dead

I've been debating whether or not to write about this, but I have to air this out and move on.  I'm not sure if you've noticed, but there is a lot of cattiness and judgement in the natural hair blogging/vlogging world.  It's annoying.  And frankly, I 'm over it.

My first encounter with this type of behavior was on Youtube.  A young lady, who was in beauty school, decided to cut, dye, and straighten (with a flat iron) her long curls for a hair show.  She was berated.  She deleted her Youtube channel. Then came the argument that those who relax their hair hate themselves. Then came the arguments about hair typing. Then came the argument about those who straighten their natural hair not repping the "natural hair movement". Now we have the argument that those who decide to do twist-outs or use products to define their curls are not comfortable with the natural state of their hair.  Really? Really?!  I can't. So instead of defending choices that I make about MY hair, I'm making an affirmation. 

HAIR IS DEAD!

Hair is a non-essential part of the body. It's an accessory.  The body recognizes it and it's time we recognize it too.  When the body delivers nutrients, hair and nails are the last recipients.  Why? Because they are non-essential.  If you were a victim in a Saw movie and you had the choice to cut flesh or hair, it would be an easy choice. You wouldn't flinch. When you cut your hair, you don't bleed.  You could go bald and your daily functioning would not change.   Your scalp is alive. The choices you make can permanently affect it. But your hair is dead.  The products we place in our hair are simply to maintain something that is already dead.

We, as a culture, elevate the importance of hair to another plain.   Hair has a become a reflection of our own personal style and cultural influences.  I'm not a simpleton.  I get it.  I know the history of black hair and it's role in social caste and self-esteem.  But is it the root of the problem?  No.  It is only a symptom of a larger, much deeper problem.  Imagine. You are the doctor of a patient with an auto-immune disease who has caught a cold.  You can treat the cold, but you still have to address the long-term treatment of the auto-immune disease.  Treating the cold won't solve the underlying problem.  Similarly, I don't have an affinity to the "natural hair movement". I know that acceptance of natural hair needs to be addressed.  Despite this, I personally feel that I have bigger fish to fry. Issues like inequities in education and high incarceration rates trump natural hair by a long shot. 

 Besides... tossing disparaging remarks back and forth are not helpful.  I love an informative and healthy debate.  I studied public policy in graduate school.  A healthy debate was the cornerstone of my education.  These natural hair debates are NOT healthy  They are divisive. They are hurtful.  They are not progressive. 

So as a reminder to myself and anyone who happens to read this, I am making the affirmation...

HAIR IS DEAD!

Drops mic.

Let's Discuss.