My thing is this, I do what I want with my hair. Its not for others to comment on because I don't degrade others for the decisions they make. To tell me that I'm further from God because I'm relaxed is ridiculous. These are the same people that you find in a store looking for products to make their skin smoother, free of blemishes, etc. Is that you in your natural state? Aren't you changing what was given to you for your own reasoning? If its okay for you, why is it all of a sudden not okay for me? Don't be a hypocrite and pick and choose when things fit you. Its not becoming, nor is it respectable. Do you and let me do me! Period!

This was a great article and I definitely have to agree with you on the hair debate. Some of us take the issue way too seriously when in all actuality it doesn't even have anything to do with us in the first place. It is strictly to each it's on when it comes to how they wish to wear their hair. If God has a problem with women wearing creamy crack and changing their state then do as He has asked and let HIM deal with judgement. To belittle someone because they have chosen a different path than you in regard to hair styles is childish and quite frankly, ridiculous! I love hair, ALL HAIR, and my choice to go natural was not for you, or you, or you, but for me, myself, and I! Again thanks for the article Krissy- I appreciate you sharing your viewpoint with all of us.

Exactly..."Natural Nazis" can be over bearing...

Good read, girl. And I agree 100%. I am the type to switch up my hairstyle every few months or so...I'll cut it, grow it, wear it natural and curly, flat iron it, throw some tracks in, pin it up, let it down, highlight it...dye it black. LOL! I do it all. The most important thing is that my hair is always healthy and looks nice. As long as I like it, that's all that matters to me.

yo good info here. I'm share this with my wife for sure. That first picture...that hairstyle is really nice.

i LOVE those curly dreads that she's wearing in the picture

Wow, this was a great POV in my opinion. I agree, I think it is all about personal choice and why would anyone comment on a grown woman's personal choice if it is not hurting you. Kuddos!

Hooray for personal choice!

Love it!!

wow the girl's hair in the picture is SO gorgeous!

Great article!

All natural, all the time. I think it looks best on everyone. But it's your choice.

However, having that opinion shouldn't make anyone a Nazi (Nazi? Really?) any more than straightening your hair makes you culturally confused, white girl wannabee. If a person who doesn't straighten their hair has a political or cultural reason for it and chooses to share it, it's not necessary for people who straighten to assume they're being judged. Hair straightening has a difficult history and there's no reason to ignore it. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren't secure enough to talk about that history without feeling attacked.

On top of that, people who don't straighten have faced far more ridicule and judgment than those who do. And thanks to them not giving up on natural black/African hair being seen as beautiful (and professionally acceptable), more people feel free choose it as an option.

I've had my hair in every style (well except dreads or curly perms). I'm fortunate to have a stylist who first and foremost values the health of my my hair. I have fun trying new stylesand I feel beauiful in all of them.

This is a very well written and non judgemental post from your point of view. I think more people should be focused on the broader picture of "our" hair and not their version of that they think "our" hair should be. We can rock so many different hairstyles so many different ways. We should be open to one another's choices and decisions on how "our" hair is worn. KUDOS sis!

Did anybody read that article in (I think) the most recent Essence? To me, they were dumping all over women who wear weaves or straighten their hair like NONE of them had ever done it (esp Solange).

I've been natural (loved it) and I'm back to relaxing (love it) and it's my choice. I get so tired of people thinking that just b/c you straighten your hair, you're somehow ashamed. Having natural hair doesn't make anybody more "authentically black" or whatever.

I'm caucasian and work with many african american women and every night we have the most interesting conversations about hair. It really was surprising to see how much there was in common and how much we learned from eachother. They were surprised to know that my natural hair is curly and have asked me to start going natural too.

How are kiddie perms part of someone's religion? Enlighten me, please.

I love the post and the comments by the way.

Great article! I've got locks, but REALLY wish I could express my love of funky hairstyles, especially the ones I've seen people in Africa and the Caribbean do. However, as to corporate hair, you'd be surprised how the definition of corporate differs from country to country. For example in many African countries braids and cornrows are considered corporate, as is even a buzzcut or a mini-fro: look at Baroness Amos' (UK) hairdo! But I definitely think culture (beyond race or ethnicity) plays a very key role in people's perspective towards hair