
If there's one good thing to arise from Chris Rock's 'Good Hair' documentary, its the dialogue that the film has created. Sure, it stemmed mostly from the fact that some of us felt attacked by the filmmakers' perspective. But, still, we're talking about the issues behind our hair choices, and that's a good thing, right?

Some smart, funny, and brutally honest blog posts and comments have been popping up in the wake of 'Good Hair,' and there's so much to be learned from all sides of the discussion. And recently, two of my friends in the blogosphere (and completely unrelated) declared their hair allegiance. I found their divergent perspectives to be fascinating.
In one corner, we've got Brittany of Clumps of Mascara and Loc Rocker, who recently declared her allegiance to Team Natural with a post: 'Who Cares If You Have a Perm? I Don't.'

"...just because a sista takes pride in her natural hair, it does not mean she thinks you too should go natural. I'd rather attempt to bring about world peace than "make all black women go natural." I think it would be fantastic if Black women accepted their natural beauty but if they don't.....life will move on. We have bigger issues to deal with in the black community. I'm more concerned about us owning these hair shops we spend a crap load of dollars in.
I am not "better" because I have natural hair. And you aren't better because you live a lye.
I'm soooo kidding about that one. It's just a joke. But really...lighten up, people. I'm natural and natural I will stay. I love black hair....the history, the stories, the struggle, the ideas, the perception. I love ladies who can rock a mean wrap. I love little brown girls with candy curls. I think it's amazing what a flat iron can do. Creating and maintaining black hair is an art. I'm amazed by it really. But I'm not amazed by weaves. I'm sorry....it just bothers me. But again, that's my prerogative."
Brittany speaks her truth clearly. Click here to read it.
But in the other corner, we've got the equally awesome Andrea of Essence magazine and The Glamazons blog. Andrea is an unabashed fashionista and in her post, titled 'The Truth About Weave: I'm Never Giving It Up,' (which is part II of a weavealicious post), she lets her love for the yaki shine bright.

"...it's not like I'm unhappy with my own hair. It's just that why bother trying to create these glam looks with my own hair, when I can just add in this hair and look amazing?! Weave doesn't have to be a bad thing, and I really think that's it gotten a bad rap for no reason. I don't always wear it (I have a cute, blond, weaveless bob right now); but I don't see anything wrong with adding in a track or two...(or three or four) as I (or my hairstylist, the amazing Tracy Washington!) sees fit.
I'm always down to try new hair looks. From cuts to coloring, I've pretty much done it all. I currently have a cut, color and Brazilian (which I blogged about in previous entry). And there's no way you could be my man and hate on my weave. I will always wear it, and (since it's professionally done) you can run your fingers through it and it won't fall out or bite you. I love the freedom it gives me to change up my look, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Check out the many looks that I've had over the past couple of years with extensions. As long as it looks dope, who cares?!"
All right ladies, let's get ready to RUMBLE!
I kid, I kid.
I know many of my weave- or perm-wearing sisters have felt judged by women like myself, who proudly rock their natural hair. And speaking from personal experience, I've been the recipient of some nasty side eyes by ladies wearing waist-length Beyonce-grade store-purchased hair. For no reason whatsoever!
I think many of our hair issues start with us, and they can end with us. By ceasing the judgment and ill speaking of others, we can grow to embrace and even enjoy each other's differences.
But for the sake of curiosity, I wanna know. What team are you on?

Comments: (61)
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By: Tasha on 10/29/2009 2:04PM
Our issues with our hair is a form of self-oppression. Read my thoughts and views about why I feel this way here (http://www.bloggingimpulse.com/2009/06/african-american-woman-triply-oppressed.html) I feel like our issues with our skin tone and hair and everything else aesthetically causes black women to be triply oppressed. The only thing we can do is work harder at accepting each others differences.
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By: Seth on 10/29/2009 2:06PM
Natural hair is easy, just use a good moisturizing shampoo like emu oil shampoo,
it will really make your hair healthy.
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By: aron ranen on 10/29/2009 3:25PM
I have posted here before..but I want to remind folks of the OTHER Black Hair Documentary..it is about the $$$$$ involved in Black Hair..
Please take a moment to check out my documentary film BLACK HAIR
It is free at youtube. 6 parts including an update from London, England.
It explores the Korean Take-over of the Black Beauty Supply and Hair biz..
The current situation makes it hard to believe that Madame C.J. Walker once ran the whole thing.
I am not a hater, I am a motivator.
Plus I am a White guy who stumbled upon this, and felt it was so wrong I had to make a film about it.
self-funded film, made from the heart.
Can it be taken back?
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p96aaTSdrAE
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By: Amina on 10/29/2009 9:05PM
I am on team DO you!!
I am natural and I never convince friends to do it..as Brittany said, we have more important issues in our communities so Do you :) whether it is relaxed, natural, textalized, black hair is simply beautiful
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By: ptillman52 on 10/30/2009 10:33AM
I moved to AZ from MI, and if anyone knows that summer temps here can reach 100+ degrees by 11:00. The water here has a prohibitive amount of harsh chemicals, so I opted almost 9yrs ago to cut my hair almost to the scalp put the relaxer away and I have never been happier. While everyone else is "sweating and fretting", my hair remains as it was when I left the house.
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By: Skeet on 11/03/2009 1:08PM
I agree with you. I have cut my hair almost to the scalp and have given up hair color! So ladies no flipping hair over my shoulders, raking it out of my eyes. I have embraced my grey, moving ever quicker to silver. Total acceptance of me, life bring it on!
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By: Tracey on 10/30/2009 11:37AM
In these days and uncertain times , you're gonna have to roll with what you got! I'm definately on team natural. Who can afford it nowadays? Not me.
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By: Tracey on 10/30/2009 12:13PM
Black and Latino women are securing the Asian's legacy by putting their (Asian)children through college, by paying exorbitant amounts for hair and hair care products. We must have a mass boycott!
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By: pat on 10/30/2009 12:28PM
I'm on team half wigs. I can't afford nor do I want sewn in hair. I haven't worn natural hair since I was a child, I'm nearly 50 yrs old. It was alot of work maintaining it. I'm also for Do you. If you like it go for it. I'm not mad about people's hair choices. There are bigger fish to fry in the black community. There are so many problems, hair is an easy issue to solve.
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By: Mrblue on 12/12/2009 7:25AM
Black women are UNBEWEAVABLE !!!
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