You are right, Mr Famous — our natural hair is beautiful

The following was sent to Christopher Famous in reply to his article on natural hair, which ran in the Sun on August 30.

Mr Famous,

I just finished reading your article in the Bermuda Sun and I wanted to send a quick note to thank you for continuing to add to the dialogue on natural hair.  

I transitioned back to my hair’s natural state in 2010 and it has been quite a journey: an empowering and introspective one.

Many black women on these shores and across the world have transitioned back to their natural hair as well. This, I believe, creates a form of solidarity. 

I myself did not do the big chop, but chose to grow it out over a period of a few years; I’m still growing it out.  

I note that social media (ie Instagram) and the Internet are filled with tips and advice on natural hair and what to do to handle it. 

What is beautiful, however, is to see an area that has had much history become a place of celebration and ownership on our terms. 

I also thank you for encouraging men to celebrate, encourage and embrace a non-sterotypical portrayal of beauty. 

We as a community need to define beauty and re-iterate to our daughters that our beauty is beautiful. The one thing I have found is that there is still much dialogue within the black female community as to what really defines natural hair and what I have found is that there is a difference between natural hair and virgin hair. 

For in some way, shape or form, we are all putting some type of product in our hair to maintain its curl or wave. 

Celebrate

Perhaps further dialogue is needed on what really is natural hair, but I wonder whether a broad-brush definition of natural hair is really needed or can we just celebrate each other’s natural as they define it?

Notwithstanding that, I have come to embrace my hair’s natural state and I love it; although breaking numerous hair elastic bands can be frustrating! 

Finally, one quick observation/question — I note the use of the phrase ‘be nappy’ at the end of your article and I just wonder whether such terms continue to perpetuate the belief that black isn't beautiful — what do you think? Can you explain why you chose to use that and whether the use was more a term of ownership and empowerment?

I look forward to your reply. 

Kimberley D. Caines

Devonshire