Our Hair-itage - A Natural Hair Documentary (PBS Version)
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- This was my first documentary and was done for my senior project my last semester at Virginia Commonwealth University. I was honored to be the first female to ever produce/create a documentary SOLO from the Mass Communications program, especially since it was a topic I'm so passionate about.
This features a collection of stories from women in the African-American community who inspire others by sharing some of their experiences with their natural hair journey.
I hope you enjoy!
"We don't go natural-We return Natural! "
HALLELUJAH
Introverted Empath PREACH!
Truth
That's right
U better say that✊
That lady said her natural hair give her power and that's exactly how I felt
Once I grew my hair back,I'm more aware of things,my hair has small tight curls all over
Yes! That's how I felt when I cut off all my hair and returned to wearing my natural hair.
I feel amazing wearing my own hair
I swear. When I wear this fro you can't touch me😂
@@shawandahargrove1515 Uou look more scary than charming, br,,,, makes my skin crawl by repulsiveness
"they're not dreads, they're locs" "there's nothing dreadful about them" hella snaps for that 😍
Damn right!!!! I can't stand when people refer to them as "dreads." SMH
YESSSSSSS
Rastafari don't agree wit dat
Dread come because Locks were the hairstyle of warriors, buffalo soldier, Marrons, the power of the rebellion, Rasta was not the friend of Europe, Rasta was intended to be the dread of Europe, it was intended to drive fear into the enemies of those who came to the Americas to rob us of our indigenous lands ie the America's. This is the reason why black hair was ruled illegal to be on display, it drove into the enemies the dread of Medusa. They whitewashed history but our stories are engraved on our hearts,!
Bob Marley called em dreads. Ima keep callin em dreads
Since I've went natural my hair is the healthiest it's ever been..
My wife has been natural for about 11mths now. Her hair is so beautiful dark deep waves thick to appearance but fine & very soft. Way more softer & dark as night than when she had a relaxer. Natural is Amazing!
.💯👁️👁️❤️
@@charlesbush1166 yessss! Natural brings out the real you!😉
Right
My hair is so long , I finally got the volume and big hair I always wanted
I love the last woman who said "my hair is free" 😊😊
marie Daphnis you & I both ❤️
Am free too! I love my natural hair
We need a video on natural skin color and embrace your skin tone and not bleaching.
Amen
Yes.. I agree....
The filters on these phones aren't helping either! Just love you!
True Hebrew King I agree ☝️
I agree..... 💝💝💝
This documentry needs more views.
That's very kind of you lol I didn't think I'd have as many as I do right now
My daughter is busy building a career, and I get the honor of taking care of her two beautiful little girls when she has to travel or put in long hours. We have discussions about how nice our hair is but more importantly, how smart we are because of what is inside of our heads.
@@CrystolynMacklin power of the people✊🏿
Share the video an get it more views then. Support one another.
Moon Orchid :)))
ain't nothing like a natural black woman
:-)
Say it again & louder, for the folks in back!!!! ❤
I don't agree. Black is beautiful. Diversity is beautiful
@@jackiebennett3649 Wow.hv nothing to do with diversity..smh
Anytime we blck ppl full blck ppl try to uplift one another ALWAYS some emotional person hv to say some bs...even though we see the misrepresentation of full blck ppl.. BLACK PPL WE HV TO CONTINUE TO UNITE! ...the hate/jealousy is so real..ugh!
Plz go watch something that's NOT about full blck women...lol🙄
Wrong ,Black is Beautiful!
I went natural with locks 8yrs ago. Grew them down to my butt then I cut them off. I have 2 inches of hair. I can wash it everyday and I leave the conditioner in it. I am free. I am me. I don't need to relax cause I ain't stressed!
My 19 year old daughter has never had a relaxer, she was groomed to embrace her blackness and all that comes with it. She had many great qualities, yet her hair is one of many that people love. It's big, long and dense! 🤗
That is a wonderful thing. Kudos to you for teaching her to value who God made her to be :)
Teasha Stewart Thank God for you sistah. ❤. I wish ALL black people would embrace the beauty of our natural attributes.
Teasha Stewart Wow🌹 (speechless)
👏🏿
good for you! When i was growing up I didnt get a perm til I was in HS (but I didnt beg for a cheri curl in middle school) so I could wear my hear in short hair cuts like my mom and go to the salon. LOL But I have friends who had perms more so out of necessity because their moms worked and had several heads to do. Or cuz their friends had perms. My 9 yo daughter LOVES her natural hair.
I'm a black man from the Oceania region. I just wanna say my sisters you rock with your natural hairs, yes it's unique and beautiful.
The bald lady is SO BEAUTIFUL ! When she took that scarf off I was smiling SO Big cause she's SO Beautiful !, especially when she's smiling !😍😍😍
Pamela Kelley yes, she is 💜
Me too!
Same here, I got a chill when she said my hair is “free”. 🥰🔥
Me too!!!
Agreed
Good hair is healthy hair that has shine and doesn't break easily.
So True!That makes it so much easier to manage as well.
My hair do'nt have to shine it's all good. I don't like a lot of couk on it.
Black women have been duped and bamboozled into believing their hair is bad. Many of us can do it ourselves and it will look just as good if not better than the salon. Stop giving your money away.
That's why it's important to educate on the issue. So many just don't know. Thanks for watching!
Artist Pr lol the way we give our money away to Chinese people 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣 its funny but sad. Here in S.A. people also buy illegal skin whitening creams that have mercury guys, imagine from Chinese and Arab shops in town. I have no issue with wearing other hair textures, but as long as you still feel confident walking out in your natural hair all is good.
Amen, we were blessed with talent to fix it ourselves! It is a beautiful discovery that draws from africa! We are a blessed people period, hair and our ageless skin!!!!!
The sad thing I'm encountering as a naturalista is that there are so few stylists that know how to take care and style natural hair. All I come across are ppl that want to put weaves and other added hair or chemicals instead of learning kinky coily hair in its natural state. I'm determined to learn and love the hair that comes out of my head. The ending of this video had me in tears it was great to see Black women of all ages accept themselves unapologetically
Facts
14:20 damn, this spoke to me.
I went to school one day with Bantu knots and i remember my class mates would point and laugh at my hair & ask me why would i wear my hair like this? (i was 18 in 11th grade) i explained to them that im going natural and it helps curl my hair.
The next day i came to school in a huge afro & they couldnt stop touching my hair saying "You have inches!" My hair pulled touched my shoulders. Im glad to say i saw more girls going natural! 💙
Tuna representation is SO important 💜
Tuna Similar thing happened to me years ago when I embraced myself (before 'the natural movement, & youtube tutorials lol)... black women vs men at the job (the men were so stuck on WOW, I had all that hair before) asked WHY????? Within weeks, they were all attempting being natural... lol, priceless memories! Keep on trail blazing!! ❤😉
Me too
@Chigozirim ᴖᴥᴖ kinda is
This documentary is so much better than Chris Rock's Good hair movie. I like how positive the people are in the video and the history you showed. GREAT JOB! Please keep up the good work!
There is no need to compare. The brother did an amazing job and so did she.
+Crystal Clear I can compare and I'm entitled to my opinion & so are you. I don't agree with you. She did a better job on a way smaller budget and kept it positive.
Giggles Clearly your missing the point. Just because someone points out the obvious doesn't make it negative. Everyone is not going to tickle your ears. Secondly at the end of the day everyone knows like it or not, that the truth hurts. We always find a way to put each other on this who's better than who madness. That's why there's so much division now even with natural hair. Because it's, I like how your hair looks. It looks much better than hers. Like no need for that. But of course I'll be waiting for your response which will include. Like I said before its my opinion smh. Have a nice day.
+Crystal Clear LOL go away, you made your point AND I STILL DISAGREE WITH YOU. Get over it. No need for what? You sound crazy...go away ✌🏾️
I appreciate you watching! Thank you very much :)
When that sister pulled down and off her scarf and her head was bald, I had tears in my eyes. The exquisiteness of her baldhead said to me, "I whopped CANCER'S". And look, I came out of that battle the PROUD, BEAUTIFUL, FREE QUEEN THAT I AM. OMG she is sooooooooooooooooooooooo damn beautiful it brought me to tears of joy for her, tears of freedom for her, tears of PEACE for her. I've been shaving my head for years out of frustration of what to do with it. It grows well, but it gets too hot in Chicago's blistering heat. Now, that it has grayed, I keep it clean, moisturized, and covered and pulled back & up.
I can't front that got me too especially because a lot of ppl in my family have fought that battle
I love my kinky, coily , Afro-textured hair ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Me too!
M CD I know right?!! I absolutely love my natural Kinky coily locks
I’m loving my curls and not having to pay someone a whole lot of money to do my hair. I’m saving a lot of time & money.Gone are the days of pretending fake hair is my hair.Im proud of the way God made me.
Amina Abdullah 🙌🙌🙌
You should. Allah created you just perfect. If that's your photo, you look great.
....Praise Him, amen and amen👍
That news caster is gorgeous! Awesome documentary.
Yes, she is! & thank yoooouuu!!
@@CrystolynMacklin who is that news caster?
Mac Gregory Karla Redditte (:
I love the reporter, she's so cute
Taylor Vettese & I love how articulated she is
Richmond, VA stand up!!
Taylor Vettese I like her accent and her spirit is really good
Whats the name of the news anchor:)
Mac Gregory Karla Redditte🧡
I love my hair!!!! The natural hair is the best hair I have ever had!!!! I used to wear perm, weave I spent a fortune!!!! Now I save a fortune!!!!
sjay19baby baybay 💯💯💯💯💯💯 beyyybeeee... if women, would just stop & add up all that money wasted... 👀👀👀👀👀👀 allowing Indian, Malaysian families to send their kids for free, because they buying up their weave... all that $$$$$$$$$$$ is going in someone ELSE'S's: pockets, pocketbooks, storehouses, farmlands, real estate, education, etc... while, we take out student loans... Ijs wake up & stay woke.
It's sad how Slave Plantation Culture is deep in Black culture today. But, I truly believe this mentality is being challenge. I'm happy for the next generation of young Black girls and women who don't have to break their backs just feel accepted.
Excellent work. I had an afro in the 70s. The transition to natural hair then was a political statement that had everything to do with the civil rights movement and fighting against the Vietnam war. When those issues were resolved, the natural hair faded. Today's movement is all about loving our hair and our natural selves. This one is going to last forever.
I don't mean no one will relax, wig or weave their hair. I mean there was a time when we only wore long dresses. Then we only wore knee length dresses, then miniskirts. Eventually, women came to a point where we said we like them all. We stopped swinging from hem line to hem line and just embraced them all.
Natural hair has taken its rightful place among us for good.
When I first grew my 'Fro in 1968, people actually asked me, "Are you one of those revolutionaries?"
I love women with natural hair
I do too.
And WE LOVE YOU TOO 💯
@@mstrssmachinist love my black women
My hair is a gift from The Most High!
Yes, it is! And we must see it that way even when the world around us says otherwise
HARLEMQUEENMELANI
HARLEMQUEENMELANIN HALLELUJAH
Amen
Thank you Jesus
Who else is sporting a jumbo afro while watching this documentary? I love my hair.
GlobalCeTZen can’t wait until I take my Fulani braids out, so I can wear my afro again!
Does a TWA count! LOL
@@AngelaLMays Yeah, TBA (totally BIG afro); and TWA ( teenie weenie afro) it's ALL Good!😀
Well I'm sporting my twa, but I cannot wait to get to the big huge afro state! Lol
I'm rocking a baby afro at the moment
"But with the natural hair , all I need to know is when & where?!!" I know thats right!!!!!😍😍
Yes I felt that.
Irionne EYE REE YON * facts!!! Even wen i had a matted unruly fro... lemme just spray some water, oil, and fluff this thang out! 😭... now I’m on a loc journey.
I_Been_ A_Boss 💯✔✅
Very beautiful documentary, it's important for black women to love and embrace the hair that they were given.
Thank you so much! And yes, it is :)
We should embrace our hair, but I feel we have to embrace “ourselves” first which encompasses our hair. 👩🏽🎤👩🏽🥰
I went natural when I was 25 and pregnant with my daughter. If I would have carried on in the fashion that I was going, I would have lost my entire crown. The nerves in my scalp are regenerating, however, now I experience soreness in my scalp. I have yet to completely understand the detriment of the damage that years of relaxing has caused. Nonetheless, thank you all who post these informative videos about our hair ! I did not relax as the result of self-hatred, but rather ignorance. So again, Thank you!
Erica Morris thanks for watching, beautiful! May the tresses of you & your little princess flourish abundantly! ❤️
U r beautiful sister! U have the knowledge now! Lol
Thank God for my special African-Black-Native-American Beauty!
I’m in the same boat sis! I would’ve lost my crown too. I’m 24, and recently “big chopped” two weeks ago. I cried for a week straight because I was never educated on how to style my hair in it’s natural 4C state and was having a hard time. It’s about 3in all around and I’m now starting to embrace my new look by watching YT tutorials and trying out new products
I love you keep it natural
I love my coarse 4c hair and all the style variations I can do. Micro mini twists are my favorite just as the ancient kandakes used to do! My hair will NEVER THIN, WILL NEVER BE SHAPELESS NOR FORMLESS, YAAASSS BIHH
Yeah. That 4c is resilient as fk!!!! I have a friend with 4c and she can straighten it, natural it, hot curl, comb... My shit... If I THINK about heat, it's over. But it's cool. If I gotta wear it one way for the rest of my life, so be it. Love the 4c!!!
Or lack "volume " lol,
She said "I'm not here to be pretty"
Her strength and confidence is BEAUTIFUL. Inside out, including her pretty hair.
Her voice, carrying her personal power, is mesmerizing.
Naturally.
This documentary is so beautiful. Makes me love my God given natural hair more. My hair is fabulous!
I couldn't ask for a better response :) thank you so much for watching! God bless!
Stand up beautiful black Queens!!!!! We are all that and a bag of chips!!!!
queens BWHAHAHAHAHHHAHA
Gosh I love the beauty of natural black women hair!
Daryl Fixed It Isn't it extraordinary?! ❤️ thanks for watching!
natural hair absolutely gives you more power as a black person, especially in a white dominated society- Even in its imitation. It makes us look secure with ourselves and confident in our character. I live in the south and went to 99% african american schools full of nothing but african american students. When I was growing up, There wasn't a SINGLE BLACK FEMALE WITH NATURAL HAIR. Everyone had a perm. In High-school there were only 3 black kids, out of the hundreds, that wore our hair natural - me, this mixed race light-skin looking girl who had locs, and the principles daughter who had a beautiful fro. We all got made fun of because of our hair. AT AN ALL BLACK SCHOOL. WITH BLACK KIDS THAT LOOKED LIKE US. I got lucky in that I didn't have to cut my locs due to the principals daughter being natural but anywhere I else I would have to conform. In my experience I can honestly say White people never oppressed my hair.If it looked nice and appealing, I would get more opportunists to be successful in white institutions unlike black institutions - some of which that still forbid natural hair and locs. Anybody that hates on my hair, I just figure they are jealous of how handsome and natural I look with my locs and keep it moving. Not changing for anyone. My opinion is that the problem really started with us. How could white people hate on our natural hair if every black person was proud of their hair and styled it and took pride in it? They couldnt.
Viciouz Valentine I really appreciate you watching and sharing your experience! ✊🏽💜
Viciouz Valentine tha is for sharing this. I think you have some great points! I think a lot of times ppl blame other people, races, and the media for them feeling less attractive and I think people should realize that the insecurity is from within. I believe the media is responsible for a lot, but not everything.
I most DEFINITELY don't disagree with your opinion that self hatred is perpetuated in black communities. The issue I have with your comment is that you used your anecdotal experience to try to make a factual comment about the overall black experience in regards to Eurocentric beauty standards. Unfortunately, your take on this is wildly ahistorical. If your statment was fully accurate there would be no need for legislation in America called "the crown act". African people did not need to wear straight wigs to style and adorn their hair beautifully. These new standards began with slavery, colonization, racism and forced assimilation into a white dominant society.
Yes they can u have to be strong enough and love what God made u
As an African this makes me happy to see my brothers and sisters in America owning their heritage 🥰
White girl here. Just wanna say from my point of view, this is so incredibly sad. I look at natural black hair and see that it's beautiful. I don't see any reason why someone would be insecure about wearing their natural hair. I mean obviously it's because of white supremacy but my shoes, I have never looked at black hair and thought it was anything but beautiful! I actually always hated straight white girl hair and always wished I had curls and volume. Always. Just thought id leave my perspective here. I'm glad black women are realizing their beauty. Bout time.
Taylor vettese Yea its bout time we stopped listening to white lies.
Taylor vettese shes really throwing shade y'all. Girl bye! Black woman are not insecure & been realizing our beauty sine before time every trend you & the world hops on we've been did we rule the beauty, hair , fashion ,sports, comedy, music, art, colleges etc.... It's about time you finally admit to our beauty & realize who birth creativity into this world
Not all - but there are quite a number. And the celebrities.... Beyaki... Mary J Blonde... I can go on and on. And in our hoods we see the permed hair hat addicts who REALLY want you to think its theirs ....
YEAH I DARE YOU TO SEE OPRAH OR MICHELLE OBAMA WITH NATURAL HAIR, ITS FAR FROM THE MAINSTREAM BUT GLAD PROGRESS IS BEING MADE #NaturalSince83
aisha pepe Thank you!
Some black people have Naturally straight hair, our hair is a statement. Men go crazy when the see our hair. The beauty & power that comes with it.
Right. Many blacks I know do not have natural 'kinky' hair, but wavy/straight hair.
@@user-zx5xw4yw2e The only Black people with natural straight hair are southern Indians. They have African faces and straight hair. I don't think there are any native Africans with straight hair.
If you have straight hair, something is up in your gene pool.
@@jackpea7102 exactly...I dont no ANY blck woman with naturally straight her...most definately not apart of the tribe...
@@user-zx5xw4yw2e Full blck ppl hv kinks! We're not talking mixed or biracials...Full blck ppl do, I do! 2 blck parents
@@jackpea7102 That's true just look at Nicki Minaj. When her hair is completely natural, she has almost straight hair and you know why? She is Trinidadian of both African and East Indian descent so she inherited her straight hair from her Indian roots.
I’m 21 and I’m only now starting my journey of loving my hair and texture. I have the kinkiest hair type (4c) and I have always struggled with wearing my natural hair outside to the point of committing myself to never wearing my natural hair outside or even showing my future husband. I’ve always told myself that I hated my hair. I regret the day I ever started wearing weaves. Black hair is beautiful and it’s unique, one day I’ll be able to whole heartedly say I love mine ✨
I am so glad I came across this documentary! I have embraced my natural hair and love when I see when others do the same. Many blessings! Great job!
I'm glad you did too! Thank you so much!! And yes, I'm the same way--love seeing other beautiful women of color accepting their natural, God-given texture
Very positive documentary I wish it was longer.
Aww, thanks!
I don't know how any business establishment can tell someone their natural hair is unprofessional. Wtf is wrong with ppl.
Taylor vettese What Rick have you been under? Oh Yea, you're white.
I don't know why I received an email where you stated I said racism wasn't an issue because in fact I say quite the opposite. I'm the one who's yelling at people all day who say it's not an issue so I'm quite confused how you ended up thinking that? I really think you misunderstood one of my comments somewhere?
It's a sad truth :(
Taylor vettese I like you
your alright with me Taylor...
"More times than not; the criticism of hair comes from African Americans...." "..... are we as a people working on our own demise...." YEEEEEEES 🙄
Because it was installed into the generations that black hair was horrendous. They also taught that straight and relaxed hair was good. So it really isnt our people it the fucked up thinking that was hardwired into our ancestor that was then passed down through the generation but our people are stupid enough to believe but it never started with us just like locs and dred locs I never called my locs dreds or let anyone refer to them as that. The white man first saw locs on Africans hence they would say look at those dreaded locs.
i often wonder that since there is so much docos on African american hair. Even Africans don't have so many information about there hair but African Americans do. Even my culture we have coily to straight hair textures (i am mixed polynesian). And we also have inherited locs from our ancestors. No one thinks badly of locs, braids, curly or straight hair. It is a known thing that straight hair is a white peoples thing so people think it's good because it's easy to manage not because locs, curly or braids are ugly.
Malcolm x once said who taught you to hate the texture of your hair.
I am LOVING my hair. It's as if my hair and my Soul are connected. A glorious halo of fro lusciousness.
I love my curly hair every curl and coil!
Only date women with natural hair! Images shape reality and our people need that love and power. Salute all my sisters.
BLKMediaTV - UK ☺️
Let us women choose the hair we want to have.
You do choose...I just have my preference
Such a cool documentary. I went natural back in college in 2002. At the time, I didn't know anything about a 'natural hair movement,' I just decided to stop straightening and I loved it. I have never looked back.
deedeedmr awesome! I love stories like yours 😊 mine was similar-along with wanting to be an example to my daughter of accepting yourself just the way God made you. Thanks for watching!
That's because the natural hair movement started in 2009
Chris Rock's Good Hair really started it off
Same year I loced MINE God bless
So are you only free of relaxers or using a flat iron as well? I don’t think ill ever go back to relaxing but i enjoy to switch it up.
“My hair is free”......YYEEESSSS!!!! That ended got me girl.
Wonderful. I am writing a paper on the conflicts and contradictions of black hair. This is just what I needed.
Donna Hill I'm so glad you found this useful! Good luck on your paper 😃
Kinky hair is not a black feature. It's a mixed breed feature. Pure bred black women have long flowing hair like whites, Asians, etc. I don't understand why they keep saying it's a black thing. White girls that have black and white parents have aphros. Aphro means mixed breed. Like HermAPHROdite is a mix of male and female in one human body. So many think they're shunned due to their skin color. No, if you have kinky hair then people know you're a mixed breed and MANY cultures of all colors and creeds want to keep their DNA blood lines pure so they stay away from mixed/kinky haired as they don't want to mess up the purity of their heritage. Like ligers, they're made from tiger and lions, but that doesn't mean that the pure bred tiger and lion should stop mating and staying pure for their own sakes. My friend is a pure bred black woman and she has the most luxurious, soft and flowing hair down to her bum and she is black black like dipping your finger into chocolate. She's built like a brick house too!! She's stunning!!! A cool feature about certain Aphro's is it's superpower - Insta dry!! I tell my friends that don't want to go swimming due to their hair, I say but yeah, ten seconds out of the water your hair is insta dry!! Be well and take care. :)
THANK YOU! Someone finally said it! 'They're LOCS, NOT DREADS'!✔✔💯❤🖤💚✊🏾
So beautiful documentary ! I'm from the West Indies and I live in France. And this natural hair movement is touching all the diaspora. Our eyes are opening on our real beauty.
My hair is meee, freeee! Great documentary!
glad heart thank you so much for watching! The ending is my fav 🤗
glad heart A tear welled in my eye when said that. She is beautiful.
Okay I'm part of the generation that began the natural hair wearing Trend in the 60s. I was so happy when I begin to wear my hair naturally. I could never stand it when my mother pressed my hair. Hair pressing for me was extremely painful. When I began to wear my hair naturally I never let anyone touch my hair with a straightening comb since.
I was one of the first women in my family, and Community to wear my hair naturally. I got a lot of opposition about my natural hair style especially from my mother. When people would question me about why I continue to wear my hair naturally, I simply told them, " this is the way my hair grows from the roots, this is how God made my hair, and it is my hair, and I'll wear the way I please."
Wearing my hair naturally makes me feel free, self aware, and self accepting.
If other people want to continue to over manipulate their hair by chemically processing it to make it straight, or by using what other process they use to straighten their hair, then that's their business. I have no criticism about how other people want to wear their hair, and you better not criticize how I'm wearing mine naturally.
I felt so free when I big chopped in June 2016. I love and embrace my natural hair and teach my 14 yr old daughter to do the same. Best decision I've ever made pertaining to our hair. Our hair is almost bra strap length and it never grew past our shoulders with a relaxer. It's so versatile and I don't spend an arm and a leg on weave and going to the beauty shop anymore 🙌
Iconic Curlz kudos to YOU for modeling self-love for your daughter 😊 thank you so much for watching!
Love this!! 7 or so months into my journey to my true self and I'm never looking back, thank you!
Awesome! As you can see, you're not alone!
Great. Very happy to hear. That's just how your creator made you. It's beautiful. There is nothing more enchanting and eye catching than a black woman in her natural glory.
OMG... I'm in tears the min a saw the Afro. When the young would said it should've continue from the 70's, clap, clap. My locs are ankle length and not planning on cutting them any time soon. I'm creative, so they won't be dragging the floor. Maybe 10 yrs from now if I decide to cut it down to 1" to grow a bushy Afro.... I still shall embrace. :-)
Funny thing I did not expect: I'm sitting here, the video is awesome -- And I'm thinking of many examples of people I've known who were multi-racial, white or Latino or whoever, Cajuns, New Yorkers, Jewish folks -- Who have natural hair with that same tendency to an afro or the hair texture, curl, wooly, spirally, that people call African or black hair. Yet it does occur in other groups, either on its own or through intermarriage. And so I'm sitting here, thinking of friends I've known and how cool they looked. Hey, I grew up in a big city and went to School with all kinds of people. So I guess I have a different take on it. I grew up seeing kids with big afros, braids, whatever (and cornrows and dreadlocks before I knew the names for them, too, I think). And yeah, girls and some guys who used relaxers and so on. I'm a white guy, what do I know about what it's like to put up with all that? I hate the rise in racial prejudice we're seeing lately. That's going backwards. I want a world where it's fine to be who you are, black, white, whoever. The people around me are all different. My city's racial makeup proves that every day. But I'd feel weird if I lived somewhere where people only looked like me, or only looked some other way. I like the variety. People should just be glad for all the variety. Natural is fine. I don't think most people have a problem with it. I think people can and will get used to it. The ones who get all upset over natural or traditional hairstyles, black or Asian styles, whatever? A hairstyle is not going to hurt anybody. And racism is just wrong. People need to step back and reexamine their lives (me included) and throw out all that old crap. Why not live together and be glad for the variety, the spice? Nothin' wrong with natural. It is natural.
You are VERY right!! Thumbs up to you!!
Very nicely said Ben!! You are awesome, seriously 👍🏾🙏
I appreciate your insight, your openness, and your pure heart. It radiates through this comment, and I truly believe our world would be a better place if more people were like you. Thank you so much for watching this documentary and taking the time to share from your experiences. I welcome ALL people into the conversation! It’s the only way we learn 💜💜 God bless you!
Ben W Many of those people have African ancestry so no, other people don’t have this hair.
Thanks Ben for sharing. 👍
going natural made me fall in love with myself. i’ve always had problems with my self esteem and the process of going natural, the process of it all truly built my confidence.
great documentary, helped me a lot with my sociology essay. :)
That's amazing to hear! Thank you so much for watching :)
Great documentary. My hair is free!!!
I’ve been natural since before it was popular. I’m so happy to see so many women embrace their natural hair.
It’s 2018, no one is keeping us from accepting our hair but ourselves. No one is forced either way; straight or curly. It’s a choice based on what YOU want.
"You have a gift, and you have to find out what makes you special" Love it!
glad heart she's so awesome ❤️☺️
Wonderful documentary!! I couldn't help but think of the attacks against Gabby Douglas. We are most definitely still psychologically affected by slavery as a black culture. There needs to be a healing event (for only us...no other cultures invited), to make apologies, offer healing, etc...to those who've been attacked/judged/publically huniliated.
...the news anchor sister is one of my new sheroes...Her attitude, self-love, perceptions, confidence is *Phenomenal!*
"Understand a black woman by what's in her head, not what's on it."
Awesome. Love everything about this! I went natural in 2011 and recently decided to loc my hair. I remember being so ashamed of my OWN hair. Wouldn't be caught dead without a wig or weave. As I matured and became more in touch with myself, I just felt really disgusted that I had been brainwashed to hate my beautiful thick, jet black hair! Black women are queens and our hair is our crown. I embrace it all! I thank God, I love me some ME.
My hair is culture ... unapologetically black :-)
Thank you so much for your honesty in this documentary. I too struggle with how to wear my hair on interviews etc. This was so REFRESHING to watch. Keep enlightening and empowering!
This is more encouraging than you know :) THANK YOU!
You pic is gorgeous sister!!!
qngs1 we as Gods chosen should love embrace our hair
Same
Amazing Work! I applaud your efforts Queen!
SOOO sweet of you! Thank you, my love!
It is good to have hair. I started my natural hair journey in 1970 by cutting off my permed and dyed hair. Now I rarely straighten (warm comb) my hair. I love my hairitage. We have so many choices of styles. Screw trying to look like caucasians. We are not white and shouldn't try to be.
I am tired of looking at black women with tons of long weave. If God didn't give you long straight hair, be proud and comfortable with what He gave you.
My hair is everything that god created...so glad I finally BC 10 months ago. 😍this video is very refreshing
I started locs about 6 yrs ago LOVE IT!!! i got so tired of spending Saturdays in the beauty salon for hrs so when my stylist lost her shop i wasn't about to find another place and spend all day Saturday getting perms so i locd my hair and haven't looked back 😀
Just lovely. All of these sistas, so well spoken, insightful, intelligent, beautiful...naturally 🌼
very nice documentary.
Thank you so very much!!
"So well spoken" that sounds like something a white chick would say. It is code for "You are not like them."
Jack Pea please don’t turn that into a negative
Beautiful, soooo inspirational! This was right on time for me as a Broadcast Journalism major contemplating the future of my hair. This was even more motivation to remain natural and free! 💗✊🏾
I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for watching :)
Get it girl!!!!
Join the club...well hope you joined tge club 8'm a little late to the party. That makes us the class😂😂 Different continents but yeah
Love this. I just embraced my gray hair. Went through the year of transition of not dying my hair. I am so happy to be free and natural in every way.
My hair is kinky, nappy and sooooo good. Thank you, Lord!!💕😄💕
My hair is transitioning😌
me to
Meee toooo And it’s soo bombbb and curly 😍😍😍
How's your journey going?
Same hereee
I'm happy to have come across this beautiful place and I will continue to work at the natural look, it's hard but I'll never go back to relaxers.
Crystolyn, this is wonderful. I have been working on my master thesis film in visual anthropology and hope to produce an ethnographic film just as nuanced and critical as yours! Asé!
Wow...you have no idea how encouraging that is. All I can say is THANK YOU!! And you GO, girl! I'm sure you'll succeed in all you put your hands to. Blessings!
Thank you! Asé.
Being one of the few women of color in my circle of acquaintances (or even growing up around mostly white people) I have found picking at my hair has been another way for others and myself to take a jab at whether I was attractive or not. White or Latino people, want to ask whether I am natural almost like it’s a way to expose and take me down a few pegs if I’m looking slightly attractive that day. Some dark skinned people, assume I must think I’m good looking (but I did not grow up with a bunch of girls fawning over my hair. Kids literally spit in my hair while I waited for the school doors to open. Growing up, I tried to make my lips look thinner and squeeze my butt in real tight because I hated my shape.) For example, white and Latino people seem very comfortable to touch and comment on my hair. I get asked if it is my hair and once, I was wearing extensions on my way to a fitness model shoot, and a girl actually tugged on my ponytail. I would never ask or start a guessing contest about whether her chest was real (she had shared that it was not) but I was very insulted that she was eager or comfortable to knock any pedestal between her beauty and mine when honestly, we look so different, we don’t even compare and by any standard in any race, she was prettier. Why make me feel ugly at all? When I mentioned to her that I was going to compete in a body competition, she even asked me, “you don’t expect to win, do you?” It’s hard when those are the only people you know in your neighborhood. Familiar names and faces but they are not all together your friends. A Black fitness personality acquaintance of mine even asked me if I got a modeling job because I was having a relationship with the industry figure because she was fitter than me but there was never any unprofessional treatment in that direction. I simply submitted my information/ images for an opportunity and someone said yes. She told me that women of her color do not compete because they so seldom win but when I met more of the famous figure and bikini champions, there were many black women who pushed through to represent on that Olympia stage. Sometimes people are putting their own insecurity onto you. When anyone says good hair, I would always think they do not know what they’re talking about and it is sadly born of their own disgust with appreciating the beauty of their own hair. I know these problems are historic. Once you see your baby cousin losing all her hair, muscles, and motor skills post multiple chemotherapy sessions, you stop hating your shape, your big lips, big quads and butt and crazy curly hair whatever the texture. So much beauty is possible but first we must stop insulting each other and learn to love and embrace our hair, ourselves.
A Williams your last sentence sums it all up 💜 life is precious, we are precious. Too precious to dwell on things that ultimately don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Thank you SO much for sharing your story, your struggles, your perspective. I really appreciate it!
This video is amazing!! Shoutout to all the Sistahs struggling with embracing their true selves..it is truly a self love journey 💪🏾👑
Thank you for this documentary. I have suffered with alopecia areata since my teens. I was using wigs to hide it. But luckily I always suspected that relaxers were no good for our health. I decided to loc my hair 9yo. It has been hard work. I still get patches of baldness and thinning. However I managed to grow my locs to waist length. With a side undercut on my bald side. When I decided to wear my hair out. I faced discrimination at work. People on the street would avoid walking near of sitting next to me because they ignorantly believe that loc wearers do not wash their hair. White friends I had for yeaes suddenly changed towards me. I was hurt, especially since having problem hair my locs are a big achievement. Watching this videom has helped me feel better about my choice to do me no matter what. I love my hair and thank God for having it even with the alopecia. So I really appreciate your work. I'm from the Uk btw
Gina Gee thank you so much for watching and sharing a piece of your story 💖
My hair is empowering im so in love with myself now!💜👑
Try not to touch your hair when you are angry. You will not be gentle with yourself. Calm yourself then continue with patience.
This is a good documentary 👌🏾💅🏽
Thank you so much!!
I got chills 20 seconds into the documentary. I had to pause and process. I'm a sista with locs who wore weaves for 10 years. I'm 7 years natural and love it! I feel very confident!
Black is beautiful. We get all colors, textures, of skin, hair, eye color.
I loved the documentary. Thank you
Thank YOU!!
Black people ROCK !
I loved this video. I have been natural for over 20 years and I love being able to just be me. Thank you everyone in this video.
What a beautiful documentary. As a woman who has recently embraced the transition to locs, I appreciate this film so much. Thank you for creating and sharing this.
I guess the takeaway from this is what is said in the Ten Commandments: thou shalt not covet. I am going to be happy with my natural hair and not seek after another. My hair is a miracle.
The 10 commandments was stolen from the 42 Admonitions Maat.
Hello Ms. Macklin. Yes, you should be proud of your documentary. It was a great production and I wish you more success in your next productions. I really enjoyed this one. I must say that I remember 1968 vividly when afros were just coming out and we as kids were taught to "Say it loud. I'm black and I'm proud!" What the heck happened in the years since? As young adults as we headed toward the corporate arena we wore our hair bone straight or got perms thinking that we had to conform to white America. Then the 80s came and Gheri curls were the way to go leaving behind grease spots everywhere else but our heads. And now we're in the Natural Movement which I have to say is great. At least for me this latest movement makes more sense to me rather than wearly greasy hair with chemicals. My hair is much more healtither that it has ever been. For all of us this is truly a learning experience through the years.
I do hope we've learned something from all this and I too also hope the we as African-Americans build each other up and not put ourselves down. I've experienced the negative talk about my hair mainly from my own people and not from others outside our culture. Sad, but true indeed. Thanks again.
I questioned the same thing...like, why did our pride ever dissipate? What made us lose our sense of identity and all the uniqueness that God gave us? Lets you know how powerful negative-thinking can be and how detrimental it is for years to come. I hope that each woman bold enough to walk around with her natural hair is inspiration to the next to walk in who God made her to be :)
I went natural because i couldn't stand going to the beauty saloon, so i said to myself: " be brave girl and embrace your natural hair!".
And that's the best decision i've ever made regarding my hair.
It's all about embracing who you are all natural. So love yourselves girls, you got it!!!
When I went back natural I had a lot of positive feedback. Even strangers black and white would tell me my natural hair is beautiful. I had this new confidence and awareness. I was taught my natural hair was unacceptable growing up and made me ashamed of it. I went back natural in 9th grade but I got a relaxer in 10th and years later I hated being relaxed I didn't know how to deal with it anymore. So I went natural again my senior year and I'm loving it and my hair is flourishing in its natural state.
I love this documentary ❤️😍❤️😍
That means a lot to me!
“They’re locs, not dreads.” 🗣🗣🙌🏾
I don’t usually comment but I was compelled to having watched this video. It touched me so deep because I could relate to everything the woman were saying. I have been natural for 3 years this summer I chopped off the last of my chemical treated hair 2 weeks ago. I was 16 when I relaxed my hair for the first time and I am 52 now and discovering my natural hair all over a again. My hair is growing fast it’s past my shoulders not when stretched and my natural curls are amazing I have fallen in love with my natural hair. Thank you all who contributed to this wonderful message. Gods blessings 🙏🏽 x
Those two sisters crack me up! They remind me of my own daughters. My girls were very young, 8 and 9 years of age and they told me they didn't want to get a perm or a curl. "Mom why can't you just keep doing our hair?" I was so proud of them for making their own decisions! So I washed, conditioned and pressed their hair, or braided it up. Later they learned to use a flat iron (long before I did), and started styling their hair themselves. Now my eldest daughter is a stylist, and eventually wants to specialize in natural hair care. I already told her I will be her first client! After a bad fall out in 2016 due to thyroid and surgery I decided to stay natural when my hair grew out. It came back strong, and I love it.
Thank you! Tears, tears, tears of joy!
So sweet :) I appreciate you watching! Glad you got something out of it
not only in america but in Africa too women are relaxing their hair.
Ritalove13 yah...colonialism pretty much had the same effects as slavery
Yes, ma'am--it's def worldwide. I could only focus on a smaller scale for this particular project though :)
CrysrolynMacklin, you did a fabulous job. It is a great documentary thank you. :)
Ritalove13 so what Africans are not our ppl
Alvin Cantey, this is why you have problems. Being African has everything to do with this video. People like you are stuck within your warped mentalities because of the constant rejection of who you really are. Do you think Africa cares if you embrace her or not? You are so irrelevant within this narrative Alvin, so if Africans are not your people, #GiveBackTheMelanin and remember that a child who directs strangers to his father's house with the left hand, remains insecure for life.
Natural hair has shot up in South Africa in recent years... in the past year alone hair relaxer sales have dropped by over 20% and it keeps going and going and im so so so happy to be apart of this... been 100% natural for 12 years now.
Wow this was great, I enjoyed the part when the woman said the "The best course of action is to understand what in a woman's head, not what's on it!". Praise God!!!!!