AFRO ALERT!

YankeeJamaRican · (#1 (**permalink**))

That was nicely positive spin on it. Timeline, your posts are refreshing.

I remember back at uni, this guy watched me braid my'fro for about 3 hours. (I was naturalat a time it wasn't cool- 80's) I started to get offended like "what am I, in a zoo?" but knowing him personally, the vibe was more like he couldn't take his eyes off. Normally, I would've told him to p*ss off.

Masai05 · (#2 (**permalink**))

Time:

I had the misfortunate opportunity of attending an all white school and one day I pulled the Black fist power pick out to neaten up the Hightop fade (back in the early 1990's). I put it through a few times and....voila! Gravity defying hairstyle. These Fukkers wouldn't leave me alone for the next 3 hours regarding how I got my hair like that without Mousse! I hated that shyt!

Later, I had the 18 inch Blowout and while walking down the street...you know bouncing hair and all and the fukkers sit and stare! I remember hearing about them talking about our Ni66er ahir and now you see the chics with permanent waves fronting with afros and dreds. WTF!??!

YankeeJamaRican · (#3 (**permalink**))

Well this socialization of "disgust" is all part of the white is better brainwashing.

How did it come from a symbol of potency (e.g., black panthers, angela davis) to symbol of disdain (80s-- age of gheri curl and ultra straightening) back to keeping things natural (dread, locs, afro)? It's the ebb and flow between politicization and fashion, non-blacks vacillate on it based on whether or not they think you are being "too black".

My brother had one of those big trees with his black power pick fist sticking out, i used to marvel at how he got through doorways.

Not that I care, really... I like the way our varieties of texture enables creativity and flexibility... rock out your hair, it should be awe-inspiring!

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#4 (**permalink**))

Timeline wrote:

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Whenever I wear my afro I get stares. Sometimes it is nice to have the extra attention, but sometimes it is annoying so I cover it up with a scarf lol.

Isn't it amazing how our hair resists laying down. It can stand on it's own! What a powerful message!! It is indicative by the stares we get when we wear our crowns. Nappy hair is supposed to be such a disgrace, but I get so many more stares when I wear my nappy hair. What a contradiction!

I think people are fascinated by afros and even though their socialization tells them to avoid naps and think of straight hair as ideal they can't help but admire the texture of our hair by taking it in visually every chance they get.

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I am an African-American man, and a couple years back my aunt (who has straight hair - she is not mixed or light-skinned) asked me why I wore my hair "like that" (in an afro).

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I said, "what do you mean?" She then replied with another question..."Are you trying to be outstanding or something?"

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I said, "No, I am just being me." She then gave mea blank stare where I could almost see her soul through her eyes. After a long awkward silence my auntthen says, "You look so much better with that mess off yo' head...(then she tries to clean it up a bit) you look so handsome when your hair is short."

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It was obvious that she saw my afro, although not very long (only a few inches out), as disdainful to her. Here I am a formally educated Black man (bachelors and masters degrees in electrical engineering) and a working young professional that had done well for myself considering my background from da 'hoodfrom a single-parent home; yet my aunt seemed ashamed of how I looked with my afro.

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I guess no matter what we do, some Black people will never learn to love themselves or their own people.

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--Thoth B3

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#5 (**permalink**))

Timeline wrote:

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I like to identify with my hair since nappy hair is seen as inferior it is important for me to throw out that socialization and embrace my napptural hair because I actually like it. I liked it when I had a perm, I'd play with my new growth, wondering what a whole head of new growth would feel like. I delayed going natural because I feared I'd no longer be attractive to black men and I'd get picked on. And the derogatory comments in the beginning came mostly from blacks who had completely internalized the idea that straight hair was "better" hair. To them my nappy hair was not a "style" it was a disgrace. How dare I show my nappy hair in public without a perm.

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I just want to say, that is great Timeline. Not that I am hitting on you or anything, but it has been hard for me to find a good sista' that is willing to go natural in my experience. There are some around, butmany I have met only want guys with dreads, twists, and such. I don't think I look very goodin those hair styles.

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As you said, most I have come across are brainwashed to think that only straight hair is beautiful...little do they realize that they are brainwashed in the "white is right" syndrome. I find that the same people look over beautiful dark or medium brown-skinned women for a light-skinned or White woman.

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Anyhow, keep doing what you doing...and always love yourself. Take care...

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--Thoth B3

YankeeJamaRican · (#6 (**permalink**))

How old are you, Thoth? I havegood lookingnieces... (wink wink)

Mezmerized · (#7 (**permalink**))

YankeeJamaRican wrote:

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How old are you, Thoth? I havegood lookingnieces... (wink wink)

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Now....now Yankee, behave......his got masters remember....so i think Mez is the better candidate here...smoking-devilYour nieces would make our poor lad look worse than R Kelly.

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Thoth,ignore Yankee....come after me, my afro makes grown man weep..........blkbrukteetYou won't be disapointed.......

YankeeJamaRican · (#8 (**permalink**))

Beware of sirens bearing afros....bighairlol

Mezmerized · (#9 (**permalink**))

YankeeJamaRican wrote:

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Beware of sirens bearing afros....bighairlol

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:P:PJealous are we now?? I'll have you know that my Afro is straight real and all the way from the motherland......chahhh, the nerve of the woman to call me a fake siren......:P

bighairlol

Shemsi en Tehuti · (#10 (**permalink**))

YankeeJamaRican wrote:

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How old are you, Thoth? I havegood lookingnieces... (wink wink)

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24 years young...I dread turning 25

...but I just read that you have pretty young nieces. Mezmerized is right, that would be a bit too much likeR.Kelly.

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I stick to mature and intellectualwomen who are of age. Thanks for the consideration though...

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--Thoth B3

YankeeJamaRican · (#11 (**permalink**))

chahhh, the nerve of the woman to call me a fake siren......:P

I didn't call you a fake siren... we all know you are agenuine temptress, boo

Besides, I am a happily married woman who is attempting a match here... I am rounding up cuties like a good auntie should.

I should start up a service on here... Afro Love Connections....

ps-- I think he got scared and ducked mebighairlol

Caraqueen · (#12 (**permalink**))

WhenI use to wear an afro I got the stares too, Now that I am growing locs, I get some people walking up asking me questions and staring or wanting to touch them. I agree that people cannot help but aknowledge the beauty and royalty of natural hair , those who antagonize natural hair know it is beautiful but theirmindset that nappy hair is ugly, thoroughly confuses them because they are seeing with thier own eyes that it is ALL A LIE. Keep rockin the FRO!