f*** a perm!

[rebelAfrika]

Kwame Ture pointed out that where EVER there was "oppression"...there was also "resistance" (In EVERY case...WITHOUT EXCEPTION). Yet the "quality" of the resistance varied. He pointed out that people not only resisted consciously but that people even resisted UNCONSCIOUSLY. He pointed out that even the area of HAIRSTYLES could be seen as resistance. He pointed out that in his day, a sister wearing a natural Afro was frowned upon...but today we've gone beyond the 'Fro to wearing Locks (both the conscious AND unconscious wear them!!!) which in his days was simply out of the question...therefore he concluded that where many of us believe our level of resistance is getting weaker, in reality, our level of resistance is actually HEIGHTENING. But I'm pointing all of this out because some of you might think a post about hairstyles is pointless...when in fact it is the things you might not notice (like the increasing tendancy of black folks throughout the diaspora to embrace African hairstyles or the exponentially increasing number of black folks giving their babies African names) that are the "subtle," yet "solid" indicators that African resistance is RISING beneath the surface.

[cornerkick]

Originally Posted by rebelafrika

Kwame Ture pointed out that where EVER there was "oppression"...there was also "resistance" (In EVERY case...WITHOUT EXCEPTION). Yet the "quality" of the resistance varied. He pointed out that people not only resisted consciously but that people even resisted UNCONSCIOUSLY. He pointed out that even the area of HAIRSTYLES could be seen as resistance. He pointed out that in his day, a sister wearing a natural Afro was frowned upon...but today we've gone beyond the 'Fro to wearing Locks (both the conscious AND unconscious wear them!!!) which in his days was simply out of the question...therefore he concluded that where many of us believe our level of resistance is getting weaker, in reality, our level of resistance is actually HEIGHTENING. But I'm pointing all of this out because some of you might think a post about hairstyles is pointless...when in fact it is the things you might not notice (like the increasing tendancy of black folks throughout the diaspora to embrace African hairstyles or the exponentially increasing number of black folks giving their babies African names) that are the "subtle," yet "solid" indicators that African resistance is RISING beneath the surface.

I don't think that wearing an African hairstyle is the same as embracing it, nor do I think it is a sign of rising consciousness. A lot of people who wear these hairstyles just see it as another hairstyle. I was in that camp. I only started locking my hair because I went away to college and couldn't afford to get a perm anymore. Also, I didn't want to go to another hairstylist after having the same one since I was eight.

But now I joke about how my consciousness grows the longer my locks grow.

The same goes for the name thing. Parents might want to name a child something because it's unique. They'll often go through an African name book and choose something that sounds good to them, much like how any other parent would choose their baby's name. It has nothing to do with African pride or anything. At least, that's how I see it.

And I disagree that there's a trend of African hairstyles. For one thing, I see more men wearing them (and embracing them) than women. That's due to the white standard of beauty in this country that most women (of all colors) try to hold themselves to. Sad.

[OsunkoyaIfayomi]

I apologize before I even speak. maybe I need help, But I love sisters wether they be in braids locks afros or perms I just love sisters I'm sorry but they all look good to meyou can rebuke or correct me but I got a problem if the hair looks good it looks good maybe I need prayer or something or schooling but thats me

Salaam

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by cornerkick

I don't think that wearing an African hairstyle is the same as embracing it, nor do I think it is a sign of rising consciousness. A lot of people who wear these hairstyles just see it as another hairstyle.

Yeah. I don't think that wearing an African hairstyle is a sign of rising consciouness in all instances either. But I DO agree with Kwame that it is a sign of resistance. Sometimes it is a conscious sign of resistance and sometimes it is an unconscious sign of resistance. And the more people that wear African hairstyles signifies the rise of resistance. Also, some people DO wear the hairstyles to embrace African culture. Like for me...thats why I cut the jelly curl outta my head and thats my PERSONAL testimony.

Originally Posted by cornerkick

The same goes for the name thing. Parents might want to name a child something because it's unique. They'll often go through an African name book and choose something that sounds good to them, much like how any other parent would choose their baby's name. It has nothing to do with African pride or anything. At least, that's how I see it.

Yeah...Maybe Kwame was puttin' too much on it (but thats what he said...the more people give their babies African names is a sign of more resistance ).

Originally Posted by cornerkick

And I disagree that there's a trend of African hairstyles.

Soooo...you are saying that there are less people taking on African hairstyles today than there was...say...in the last decade or so?

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by chosen1975

I apologize before I even speak. maybe I need help, But I love sisters wether they be in braids locks afros or perms I just love sisters I'm sorry but they all look good to meyou can rebuke or correct me but I got a problem if the hair looks good it looks good maybe I need prayer or something or schooling but thats me

Salaam

Thats a whole 'nuther aspect I wanted to add to the topic...what kind of hairstyles do you like on the opposite sex...but I couldn't edit the poll to reflect that aspect. Anyways...I agree with you...I like sisters with ALL KINDS of hairstyles, but would you "personally" wear a perm? LOL!!! There are two aspects of this topic. What hairstyles do you like for yourself, and what hairstyles do you like for the opposite sex.

[OsunkoyaIfayomi]

asante Brother I thought I was going to get a lashing,normally my hair is just nappy but I been on some meds for the last four months and now its curly like a texurizer or something. If my hair would ever grow right and long enough I would get braids

[rebelAfrika]

Artist: Boogie Down Productions (BDP)
Song: "Ya Strugglin"
Album: Edutainment

[Kwame Ture]
Africans in Amerikkka try to identify
TOTALLY with their master in EVERY respect
THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CANNOT DO IT
but they are the ones who will GO TO ALL EXTREMES TO DO IT
* Kwame laughing *
(KRS-One: check it out!!!)
*Kwame laughing some more *
They can NOT be disguised
but they will attempt to disguise themselves

[KRS-One]
I'm on a search, not for a car or a miniskirt
But the words I wish to exert
will hurt, damage or upset the ego
You wanna be macho, yeah, but we know the deal
Jheri curls just ain't gettin it
KRS-One is only down for pickin it
Pick the afro, need no Soul Glo
or Carefree Curls, that's just a no-no
Where oh where, are all the real men
The feminine look seems to be the trend
You got eyeliner on, chillin and maxin
See you're a man with a spine extraction
So what I'm askin is plain to see
Are there any straight singers in R&B?
All I see, is the light-skinned buffy
Tryin hard, to be Mr. Tuffy
Yet in fact, you're Mr. Softie
with the beige contacts on, yo you lost me
I ain't with it, never will, never have
How can your son even call you dad?
Your skin is bleached and your nails you just buffin
Take a look at yourself man, YA STRUGGLIN'

[Kwame Ture]
Africa is SO STRONG, that once she puts a stamp on you,
four hundred years of cold weather, nat knoller,
and all that fryin your hair shall not disguise you...
As a matter of fact, she is SO STRONG
that no matter what chemicals you put in your hair
she will come back and SNATCH it out
* audience laughter *

[KRS-One]
Tell me
Are you proud man, of who you are?
Or does your pride come out of a jar
Cause if you bought it, put it on, or sprayed it on
I tell you right now, it won't stay long
Cause if it ain't natural, it ain't kosher
It's like buyin and wearin a culture
If that culture ain't yours naturally
it's his, not yours, actually
You better wake up and smell the coffee
Look in the mirror and think Mr. Softie
People change, when they are ashamed
of how they look or from which they came
Are you ashamed, of original black?
If you're not, why does your hair look like that?
Why is your nose straighter, from surgery?
I think you're really in a state of emergency
You're not sane to the African aim
so you're insane, and you need to obtain
ANY, average rap album sculpture
and study it, JUST, to learn your culture
Even though, you don't think it's music
It's the blackest you'll EVER get so use it
The blue-eyed black man to me is buggin
Take a look at yourself man, YA STRUGGLIN'

[Kwame Ture]
* audience laughter *
Yesss...CAPITALISM will confuse these people...have them TOTALLY confused
They will try EVERY way to identify with their masters, EVERY way
Go to extreme lengths * Kwame laughing *...I'm telling you...SERIOUSLY!
CAPITALISM will CONFUSE them y'know? tell them the truth is a lie...
I saw a sister the other day and I spoke to her about her hair
she said, "I don't care what you say, I'm still gonna get my perm!"
I told her, It's not a "PERM," it's a "TEMPORARY"
*audience roaring into laughter and round of applause*
Try in EVERY POSSIBLE WAY to identify...

[IfasehunReincarnated]

hair used to be a sign of resistence. but at least the dope dealers aint afraid to go nappy in pursuit of their next cool hairstyle. progress to some extent.

[BlackQueen198]

Hair style doesn't meann conciousness sometimes,but could be....our attitudes count more than styles of hair at all!!!
We need to keep the foucus in our struggle getttind informations about our history,having revolutionary attitudes as a black man/black woman!!!hair is only a detail!!!

[cornerkick]

Originally Posted by rebelafrika

Soooo...you are saying that there are less people taking on African hairstyles today than there was...say...in the last decade or so?

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?

[rebelAfrika]

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?

Well, I disagree with you then. But maybe I'm wrong. I won't challenge your point anymore though. I'm sure the readers of this post can do their own google search on natural hairstyles and make their own conclusions.

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by blackqueen198

Hair style doesn't meann conciousness sometimes,but could be....our attitudes count more than styles of hair at all!!!
We need to keep the foucus in our struggle getttind informations about our history,having revolutionary attitudes as a black man/black woman!!!hair is only a detail!!!

Yeah...I agree...hairstyle doesn't mean consciouness...sometimes And I agree we definitely need to keep our focus on our struggle. But REVOLUTION IS A SCIENCE, and many people have been seperated from the scientific process when it comes to the question of how change comes about. I was just trying to point out that sometimes people don't see it happening around them, but just because you don't see it with the naked eye...even if you cannot conceptualize it happening with the THIRD EYE...that doesn't mean that it is not there.

[Freshbone]

Originally Posted by chosen1975

I apologize before I even speak. maybe I need help, But I love sisters wether they be in braids locks afros or perms I just love sisters I'm sorry but they all look good to meyou can rebuke or correct me but I got a problem if the hair looks good it looks good maybe I need prayer or something or schooling but thats me

Salaam

Originally Posted by rebelafrika

Thats a whole 'nuther aspect I wanted to add to the topic...what kind of hairstyles do you like on the opposite sex...but I couldn't edit the poll to reflect that aspect. Anyways...I agree with you...I like sisters with ALL KINDS of hairstyles, but would you "personally" wear a perm? LOL!!! There are two aspects of this topic. What hairstyles do you like for yourself, and what hairstyles do you like for the opposite sex.

good points

[cornerkick]

RebelAfrika:

Sorry to drag this out, but I wanted to add something. I've noticed that women who once had beautiful afros in the 1970's (like my mom, my aunts, and their friends) now relax their hair and it lies flat and dull on their heads. I dunno. Maybe it's a generational thing. But I don't see many young black women wearing natural hairstyles now like women did back in the 1970's. Are you sure you haven't noticed the same thing?

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by cornerkick

RebelAfrika:

Sorry to drag this out, but I wanted to add something. I've noticed that women who once had beautiful afros in the 1970's (like my mom, my aunts, and their friends) now relax their hair and it lies flat and dull on their heads. I dunno. Maybe it's a generational thing. But I don't see many young black women wearing natural hairstyles now like women did back in the 1970's. Are you sure you haven't noticed the same thing?

I actually was kinda "breath taken" by your posts. It hit me like if somebody said "but you know who REALLY can't sing? Black women." I thought it was "common knowledge" that natural African hairstyles were increasing (which is what I tried to indicate with the point that Kwame made about the leap of popularity of locks BEYOND the Afro). Notice the title on this Ebony Article from September 2002 http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...57/ai_97997668 ...it says the "EXPLOSION" of braids, locks and twists (thats the name of the article...not "my" words). The very first sentence of the article reads "The explosion of braids, locks and twists on the scene is UNDENIABLE." Now if by "natural" you mean "a natural" or " an Afro"...then I agree with you that you don't see as many of those as you did back in the day. But if by "natural" you mean "uneffected by chemical treatment...unstraightened...unfried" then I believe that there ARE alot more of these hairstyles now than in the last decade or so. Also, you say if it is a "trend" happening right now, it is happening only amoung men. The article I referenced above not only refers to natural hairstyles as an explosion, but an explosion amoung women. I mean...thats just "one" article though...but I think that you can see that what I am saying might just "MAYBE" be something more than "wishful thinking."