f*** a perm!

[Baba Ahmed]

sista She Ba, your mama may've been dealing when sistas, in particular, lost as u depicted during the sixties... and brutha barbershop owners lost big time business due to drastic decreases...

there seems to always be rationalizers who seek to dilute characteristics of our movements... i'm not a "hard liner," tho. Its literally impossible to be in a land of nuts for over 500 years and not be infected at all! Ya kno? But to me its not absolutely a defining distinction of who's down and who's not. Like some folk are 100% against Christian folk, wherein generally straightened hair is an initiating must as is in college sororities. But the widespread styling of braids, by extension and natural, are part of a fad. Whether the overall experience is beneficial is questionable. However! what is... is... committed and dedicated folk'll just keep on step'n on... onamove

[Nadira_Akila]

Good discussion.

I wear my hair 100% natural. I love it and will never go back to the "lye". I feel that though hairstyles are a form of expression, most woman opt to relax their hair because they either do not like the texture of their godgiven hair or don't like the way their natural hair "looks" on them, so they prefer it straight.
My opinion is once a person knows better most prefer to do better as well. Just like with nutrition. Once you learn of the benefits of feeding your temple life enhancing and supporting foods and what they do to the foods you currently consume... naturally you desire to stop putting these things in your body. The same could be said for natural hair. Once I begin to learn where I come from...respect and honor GOD...nature...my ancestors...rediscover the culture that is lost to so many of us, I naturally desired to proudly wear my natural hair. It only seemed right and anything else would make me feel as a hypocrite.
To put lye on my scalp but try my hardest not to put synthetic food in my body seems like a blatant contradiction in my opinion.

I too get comments when wearing my afro or my puff similar to sista Jahzara like "you can wear your hair natural you have that "good" hair"...."you got a curl" etc etc. These comments often come from sistas that also are natural but they're mindset is not. We have different textures of natural hair and most sistas and brothas like myself may have more than one texture. I must say though if you take care of it and it is clean...it's ALL beautiful.


Peace&Light
Nadira

[Rebel Queen]

[QUOTE=Jahzara]I have naturally curly/wavy hair. When I wear it like that so many brothers and sisters make comments that I either have "good hair" (like hair can be good or bad) or that I have a curl. Some ppl have even gone so far as to come up to me to check if my hair was real or a weave! grrrr
QUOTE]


Hey sis,

I can really feel you on that because i get the same reaction. i cant stand when people ask if its real as if good hair equates to a weave. (whatever that good hair shit means) I dont perm my hair anymore and when i decided to start wearing it natural i realised that the years of perming and other chemicals really damaged the quality of my hair. It took a while for it to grow into what it is now and im proud of my new look. I prefer natural because anything thats used to take something out of its natural state cannot be good for you. Whatever happened to loving what god gave you from the ground up....(No offense to the sisters donning the weave) it took me some time to realise that the look i have now fits me and my character better than any straight hair or any kind of weave.

Empress

[rebelAfrika]

Kwame's lecture inspired the subject, but the TITLE of this thread was inspired by a song by "The Coup" (on their first album) called "F*** a Perm" (the "short" version...there is also an extended version on the "dig it" single). Anyways...here goes the song...

"F*** a Perm!!!"
by



*whistle*
[girl talking to her friends:] "Dayaam, look at baby's hair over there and shit!
Damn big 1970's Jackson's afro and shit!"

[Boots mumbles to himself:]
Damn... motherfuckers, always bein like that


Apply three drips, rub softly with your fingertips
And even though you flipped, don't trip cause now you're, hip
And now you slick it, you grease it and you lick it
and you're lookin really "wicked" but your hair is now called "good"
You moisturize and texturize and relax-ize and "civilize" (it)
but yo I got a 'fro, so a bro's misunderstood
Kitchen in the back, give me dap I got a knapsack
Knick knack Patty's wack, cause in her mind it's firm
that straight is in and out is black
cause black went out with tenement shacks
but beauty is a natural fact so I say, "F*** a perm!"

[Nandii]

Been through all different phases of hairstyles ......perming ,...locking and the rest and now I think I am done with doing anything to my hair that is tooo damn much too fuss over ...I think its a matter of maturity (no reflection on whoever does whatever ) but you soon began to think deeper thoughts and those chemicals and things that made you what you are not originally...simply don't fit anymore....

[luvlee87]

i say fuck perms!!!!! i dont relax my hair anymore!!! how many white women do you see running out desperately tryna get perms to make their hair curly? i dont believe there is anything wrong with my natural hair, its been growing out for 6 months now and when ppl ask me why i wont relax my hair anymore i just say fuck a perm

[Nia Imani]

I say [censored] a perm also. It is truly a tragedy how many people are brainwashed into thinking that their hair in its natural state is "unacceptable." They believe that they need to put chemicals or use a straightening comb on their hair to make it "acceptable." I know of people who put weaves and chemicals into children's hair at very young ages, not wanting their hair to be "nappy." We have to begin learning to love the way that the creator made us, and not accept distorted beliefs about our physical appearances. There is no such thing as "good" or "bad" hair or "good" or "bad" skin color. We all are beautiful! Perms, relaxers, straightening combs, etc. can all go straight to you know where as far as I am concerned. They are not good for you, in fact, they are hazardous to your health. Many perms, relaxers, etc. contain lye (sodium hydroxide) and other chemicals that cause skin irritation, eye damage, and other health problems. Some may be carcinogenic. Anyone who has ever been burned by a straightening comb can tell you that it is not a pleasant experience.

[TyreeA]

Originally Posted by cornerkick

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. And even if I'm wrong, it would be only a trend among black men since I see very few sisters wearing natural hairstyles nowadays. I think that this so-called trend is only an illusion brought on by wishful thinking. I don't recall any more black men wearing natural hairstyles now than they did 10 years ago. Any elders agree?

Sis, check this out:
http://www.happilynaturalday.com/

[Daisho]

You guys should stop the slander of the perm! You're causing my investment in Care Free Curl and Hawaiian Silky to plummet! If you continue this crusade against the Duke man and Dark n' Lovely the medical community with bring great wrath and scorn against you! The amount of patients being treated for scalp burn from overexposure, hot lamps, chicken grease or hot french fries and pepsi commercials helps our medical community 10 fold!

And if that's not enough to scare you from this fight, well the textile industry will chase you into the ocean. They rely on the jheri curl to ruin satin and cotton pillow cases and bed spreads through out the nation, so you positively pro black kids better stop meddlin' in our hair affairs! What have you against the stiff over processed hairs in your community? Is self hatred to much to ask for when you can toss your limp wrap hair doo to and fro? Fro get it! Next you'll be upset that the chemicals are suspected of causing cancer. Big deal all the really fly kids are doing it why with their silky weaves, curls and perms they inspire other generations to go for the PCJ relaxer. What do we have to do we've given you kool aid and soul train...Newports and Kools! Next time you hate on the perm ask ya'self what would Billy Dee do...go for the soul glo! or go home!



*

[Nandii]

Originally Posted by Daisho

You guys should stop the slander of the perm! You're causing my investment in Care Free Curl and Hawaiian Silky to plummet! If you continue this crusade against the Duke man and Dark n' Lovely the medical community with bring great wrath and scorn against you! The amount of patients being treated for scalp burn from overexposure, hot lamps, chicken grease or hot french fries and pepsi commercials helps our medical community 10 fold!

And if that's not enough to scare you from this fight, well the textile industry will chase you into the ocean. They rely on the jheri curl to ruin satin and cotton pillow cases and bed spreads through out the nation, so you positively pro black kids better stop meddlin' in our hair affairs! What have you against the stiff over processed hairs in your community? Is self hatred to much to ask for when you can toss your limp wrap hair doo to and fro? Fro get it! Next you'll be upset that the chemicals are suspected of causing cancer. Big deal all the really fly kids are doing it why with their silky weaves, curls and perms they inspire other generations to go for the PCJ relaxer. What do we have to do we've given you kool aid and soul train...Newports and Kools! Next time you hate on the perm ask ya'self what would Billy Dee do...go for the soul glo! or go home!
*

Really good post...

[Akyeame Kwame]

Originally Posted by Daisho

You guys should stop the slander of the perm! You're causing my investment in Care Free Curl and Hawaiian Silky to plummet! If you continue this crusade against the Duke man and Dark n' Lovely the medical community with bring great wrath and scorn against you! The amount of patients being treated for scalp burn from overexposure, hot lamps, chicken grease or hot french fries and pepsi commercials helps our medical community 10 fold!

And if that's not enough to scare you from this fight, well the textile industry will chase you into the ocean. They rely on the jheri curl to ruin satin and cotton pillow cases and bed spreads through out the nation, so you positively pro black kids better stop meddlin' in our hair affairs! What have you against the stiff over processed hairs in your community? Is self hatred to much to ask for when you can toss your limp wrap hair doo to and fro? Fro get it! Next you'll be upset that the chemicals are suspected of causing cancer. Big deal all the really fly kids are doing it why with their silky weaves, curls and perms they inspire other generations to go for the PCJ relaxer. What do we have to do we've given you kool aid and soul train...Newports and Kools! Next time you hate on the perm ask ya'self what would Billy Dee do...go for the soul glo! or go home!



*

This reminds me of my father's book: "Tips on Quick and Easy Ways Afrikan People can Commit Subtle Suicide"

AK

[Daisho]

I'll have to track that one down...title is sardonic and witty enough...lol.

Originally Posted by Akyeame_Kwame

This reminds me of my father's book: "Tips on Quick and Easy Ways Afrikan People can Commit Subtle Suicide"

AK

[Akyeame Kwame]

...i think it'd be yr stylo...you'd like it... ;-)

AK

[Baba Ahmed]

Htp AK

Will u post list of yo' pop's publications, with price list and ordering info?

[Akyeame Kwame]

There are two upcoming...by my Baba, Kamau R. Kambon

The Last Book

The BlackTrix

the older ones are out of print...

Black Guerilla Warfare in amerika

Tips on Quick and Easy Ways Afrikans can Commit Subtle Suicide

Food, Health and You: Why the Good Die So Young

i'll definitely keep everyone updated when the new two come out...but you can contact him at BlackNificent Bookstore, 2011 Poole Rd. Raleigh, NC 27610 (919) 250-9110...he may still have a few rogue copies of the older ones somewhere...Stay BlackCellent Baba,

AK