I just recently participated in a Tweet Chat about naturals wearing weave and the question was asked: How do you feel about naturals wearing wigs, weaves, extensions, etc.? I’ve been discussing this topic with other naturals for some time now. It wasn’t until I recently read some comments, that I felt the need to discuss it openly.

Angela Simmons recently tweeted this pic:

Just took my weave out.. Look how long my hair grew. Its so thick !! http://yfrog.com/kesnvgwuj

When I saw this pic, I didn’t think of just the fact that she took her weave out…but the fact that her hair was so beautiful and her excitement of her hair growth and thickness! So why is it so hard for so many naturals to embrace weave? Does that make someone ‘less natural’ if they decide to wear it? And what about wearing weave as a protective style? (Which is what I do frequently!) I’ve done it all: two-strand twists, Marley braids, full/half wigs, tree braids, sew-ins you name it! Now don’t get me wrong, if it’s just NOT for you…that’s totally understandable.

My concern is when ‘some’ naturals make other naturals feel like there’s this PRO-NATURAL MOVEMENT…and don’t you DARE wear weave!!! (Notice I said ‘some’, not ‘all”). It’s as if they carry picket signs that say, “If your hair is not kinky, curly,twisted, fro’d out, or in bantu knots you CANNOT ENTER!” Lol But seriously…why bash or say negative things about the naturals who choose to wear it? All of those styles are LOVELY, but there are many reasons women decide to wear weave, wigs, extensions,etc. For me, I LOVE to change my hair! I also wear it as a protective style to protect my hair from the Summer Heat and humidity. In addition, I workout 4-5 days a week and it is a challenge to try to style my hair most days. I refuse to let hair be a reason for me not to workout! Now…it’s nothing for me to rock my wash-n-go, twist out, bantu knots or fro! I go with what works for me.

Many choose weave as an option for the versatility of styles! Some may want their hair straight and don’t want to damage it by adding heat, others may like the low-maintenance factor, and others may not want to chemically alter their hair with color and they use extensions. I know in cooler months, a half/full cap is a nice accessory to warm up that scalp! lol Whatever the reason, no one should make you feel that you are ‘less-natural’ because you do.

It was my decision to become ‘relaxer-free’ and I have been just that for five years and counting! I will never regret the day I decided to stop putting chemicals on my hair! Not to mention, the whole sitting in the salon for 5+ hours…I don’t miss one bit!

Blogger Ashley on weave:

There’s always some sort of controversy when questions about being natural enough, or what is considered “natural” causes. Not saying this is one of those cases. But, whose place is it if an individual agrees, approves, likes what another woman does to her hair? Let’s promote unity for natural HEALTHY hair no matter what route the natural takes.

We should ALL be free to be who we are! Grow it, fro it…Leave it, Weave it…or go get your creamy crack fix if that’s what you want! Live by the words “I Am Not My Hair”, embrace what makes you feel good about you, and know that YOU are beautiful!

 UPDATE:

Here’s an awesome interview by Curly Nikki with Kita and Mo from the T.O. Show as they talk about hair, reality tv, and business.

 A’jaé