Leola Anifowoshe, the self-proclaimed authority on natural hair care, has founded Pi Nappa Kappa (Yes, that's "Nappa" as in "nappy," not an actual Greek letter), which she says is a sorority designed to allow natural hair enthusiasts to support each other. Nearly 600 women have already joined.
Why?
Seriously, why is this even necessary? I know the turbulence that Black women, who wear natural hairstyles experience out in the corporation, or white, world can be off-putting. But really,a sisterhood around something as short-lived as hair? It sounds a tad bit divisive and snobby?
I never liked cliques and I was never down with the Us vs. Them mentality, which appears to be so pervasive in the community. It seems like we always got to seek out new ways to segregate ourselves and this most recent natural hair trend/movement is no exception. I have read and overheard some very ugly rhetoric against those women, who still perm and weave, from those, who profess to be natural and loving it. If you were really secure in your natural state, you would not need a reason to demean those, who choose to perm or weave. Just saying.
Likewise, I try to stay away from the natural hair nazis, who like to police the experiences of others. Not saying that this is the intention of Leola Anifowoshe, the founder of Pi Nappa Kappa, but it certainly appears to be a breeding ground for the third hair reich to rise.
Comments
fatin mubarak assad
09/01/2011 13:35
I would love to join.
Reply
charing
09/01/2011 16:01
Hi Fatin,
Thanks for commenting. If you go to the original article, which was posted on The Root, there is a link to follow, where you can join.
Reply
April Brooks
09/06/2011 04:13
Thanks Charing for this article. I agree with you. I was once one of those natural ladies that would have not so positive thoughts about other Black women with perms or weaves. I later had to realize and embrace, after meeting so many permed/weaved Black women that are just as cultural, intelligent and knowledgeable of self and their Blackness.
There are truly many "natural" women that are just as insecure or possess a lack of confidence in their own outward body image, facial features and yes, even the texture of their "natural", kinky hair. Many of whom, go natural just to prove to the world, first, and then to themselves, that they are beautiful. And then, after the many compliments from friends and society on how, "they have the face for that natural look" or "everybody can't go natural, but 'it' looks good 'on' you", does she begin to believe, herself, that indeed, perhaps, she is beautiful.
We must somehow break away from the Willie Lynch Syndrome and simply embrace each other for who we are as Black women and where we are at this particular time and space of our lives. So what if her hair is permed or she wears a weave. Instead of the snarly looks and nose snubbing, offer information to a sister; engage a sister. Maybe she wants to go natural, but is scared or dont know how or where to start simply because since childhood, she was conditioned by her mother to believe that she had to perm that "nappy mess".
So big ups on this article. It was a nice and interesting read. I would like to follow your blog and read more of your work.
Peace and Stay in Motion
April Brooks, MPPA
Cairo, Egypt byway of Leland, MS
Reply
Yacs
01/19/2012 13:16
Hi Charing,
I am a writer from the New York Amsterdam news. we are currently writing a story on Natural hair, would you like to share with us your opinion and experiences about that?
Thank you and feel free to contact me at the e mail adress above.
Reply
Yacs
01/19/2012 13:16
Hi Charing,
I am a writer from the New York Amsterdam news. we are currently writing a story on Natural hair, would you like to share with us your opinion and experiences about that?
Thank you and feel free to contact me at the e mail adress above.
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