
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: (60)
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By: Shannon on 10/31/2009 8:30AM
I'm on the team just do you!! Althouh I am nautral, since 6/09 I don't knock anyone for gettng relaxers, weaves, wigs etc. Although, I have been criticized by people in my fam who are all relaxed!! Isn't that IRONIC? lol!!
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By: Tanya on 10/31/2009 10:29AM
Professionally, I'm for TEAM NATURAL! Maybe a relaxer here and there but, I think weaves, can be a bit overbearing and unnatural looking.
Now, for a night out on the town_ wear your weave! It can add drama or a different look to an outfit.
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By: Del on 10/31/2009 10:46PM
Team Relaxer/Lacefront Wigs -- When I'm not wearing the lacefronts, I'm wearing a funky short haircut! When I was natural, I could not do all the things with my hair that I do now with a relaxer. Natural hair wasn't all bad, but it didn't give me the versatility I wanted (and so desperately need). I love my friends' locks, but they look the same day in & day out; their either up or down! But, me on the other hand, I wear braids, I wear weaves, I wear wigs, & I wear short hair styles. I have the best of all hair worlds!
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By: Veronica on 11/01/2009 2:13AM
I am on team natural and I absolutely love my hair! Black women are beautiful, our hair choices will not change that.
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By: 1514SedgwickAvenue on 11/01/2009 2:36PM
You say that you're not "judging" people who do not wear their hair natural in one breath but in the next breath you say "I think it would be fantastic if Black women accepted their natural beauty but if they don't.....life will move on."
Really? So I'm not accepting my natural beauty because I wear a relaxer? Do you wear make-up? The same could be said about not accepting your natural beauty that way either. There are as many reasons for wearing perms AND yes, weaves as there are women who make the choice.
I'm truly sick of natural girls with THEIR issues, who were told they were ugly and who have come to "accept" themselves thinking that everyone who does not wear their hair in twists or dreads as a woman who hates herself.
Does that apply to girls who press their hair but it's natural when wet? Does that apply to women who wear afros under their weaves?
Nobody feels bad about their relaxers -- what they feel bad about is their so-called sisters sitting all high and mighty because they choose to "accept" themselves. Get over yourselves!
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By: collegeadviser on 11/02/2009 2:36PM
[You say that you're not "judging" people who do not wear their hair natural in one breath but in the next breath you say "I think it would be fantastic if Black women accepted their natural beauty but if they don't.....life will move on."]
Sedgwick, I hate to interpret another's words but what i THINK the author meant here is that it's a shame to meet women who think they are "unpretty" w/o chemical alteration of their natural hair texture. I've been natural now for 5 years and have always been blessed to have long, thick, healthy hair both relaxed and natural. Wouldn't you know that MOST women who approach me with compliments (which is at least 3-4x a week...in a large metro area where "nappturality" is no new thing!)claim: "I wish I could wear my hair like that..." OR "I could NEVER give my perm up b/c honey you don't wanna see what's under here!" So yea, when I hear comments like that, I do think to myself "I wish women could accept their natural beauty."
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By: bosandi on 11/06/2009 2:10PM
I'm actually replying to collegeadvisor. I'm natural and have been for a few years. I get the same thing - women who compliment me on my hair then proceed to explain why they can't wear their hair natural. At firt I was willing to council them with my usual pep talk. I don't have the energy for that anymore and tell them when they're ready, the'll know.
I don't know what it is about natural hair that makes women want to confess their insecurities about their own natural hair. I'm not on a mission to recruit nor does it matter to me how you wear your hair - just do you and feel good about it!
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By: Rose Shimabukuro on 1/03/2010 1:26PM
I am so glad you spoke on all those points, because yes whoever that black men is who only likes a natural black woman. Those comments got a hot under collar. Because Black woman are from ivory to ebony. Our hair is from course, wavy to bone straight. Our beauty is quite unique. We are women first with indivdual taste. We are women like all women. But our hair seems to become everybodies business. Our hair, if it is worn natural possess the ready barber. That means it breaks off and if it is naturally kept. It is sensitive and needs a lot of care. Those women who keep the twist ,braids and other dred lock style must take high quality time and maitained their properly. Those styles are expensive like the perms everyone is commenting on. When I worn my hair in a natural afro. I had to roll it because it is very fine has mixture of textures fine to thin and to get that rounded look I had to combed and pat. The barber would cut too much when I would asked for a little trim. This happen just before my marriage and I was very disappointed. I am like you, I wear makeup. If you wear makup that means you are adding color, gloss, rouge, powder rand the like to enhance you beauty. That fact that women wear what they want to achieve their look is their business. The meer fact women like different hair styles to to achieve their beauty with get page boys, bangs, curls,flat iron straight look, pony tails, buns, and pig tails. Our black men need to stop using those comments to insult us Black women. If we chose to wear wigs, horse, please complain to the white woman it was initially started for her. She worn those wigs and she wears those tracks also. Did you think they were made for us first? We are benefitting from them, worn them first.
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By: rmcandlelight on 11/02/2009 10:10AM
I am on team natural all the way. I love natural hair. I think everyone should give it a try and if its not for you do whatever you want but don't get mad at me because I embrace my natural hair for eva :D
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By: Jimmie Floyd on 11/02/2009 10:37AM
Black women have always wanted that white woman long hair look. Eventhough a lot of Black women have long hair, they are still stuck in that you have to have that long hair look. Asians and Indians are making millions off of Black women and men that wear weave. I notice a lot of Black women wearing weave are destroying their brains by beating their heads all the time, is it because the weave is hot are itching their scalp. I saw a woman talking on a cell phone while driving and beating her head at the same time. Why are Black women so consumed with wearing long hair, I saw a whole horse on a woman head one day. Black women, what happened to being a natural Black woman. Men love that natural look on a Black woman, don't let the weave fool you. There is nothing wrong with wearing weave, but stop believing that that is your real hair. You will end up like Diana Ross. She is the queen of weave and her pride will not let her wear her natural look.
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