Unnaturally Healthy

Someone in corporate marketing realized that they could make money by telling people that being natural is more healthy. And like us humans usually do - we took it and ran full force applying it to every aspect of our lives. It has become the new norm in our Western civilation - accepting the naturalness... So people retreated to organic food, natural hair...not only are we not adding juices and berries but we aren't adding salt, sugar and I think fructose is a curse word.

With all that being said - there is a serious misconception out there that is further dividing african american women that makes my blood boil. That is the concept/idea that not having processed hair makes you better, healthier and different that someone who does.

Why you ask???

For a few reasons -
1. I was natural before it was a fashion statement. I know my hair texture and its not that I don't like it, its not as easily managed as I want it to be so I choose to still process my hair. Not because I want bone straight hair to seem more white BUT to clarify, my natural hair texture in parts of my hair is straight...like my great, great grandmother who was dark chocolate in complexion so let the misconceptions and assumptions about why people process their hair go.

2. My processed hair does not inhibit me from doing ANYTHING... I swim, I run, I play sports, I workout. I am one of the most active people in my circle of friends and family and when I think about it, I'm one of the last few standing that are not natural. I've encouraged people to start running, to workout and to wash their hair more than once a month. When my hair gets dirty, I wash it just like my natural counterparts. When my hair gets wet, I wait for it to dry or dry it. When I don't feel like coming it, I put it in twists or a ponytail. Being processed doesn't make it un-hair just like water doesn't make it melt away.

3. I juice... I don't eat pork or beef. I prefer cloth bags at the store (when I remember to bring them) and I like vegetables. My favorite food is broccoli. Not being natural doesn't change these things.


I want everyone to be happy with who they are and where they are in life. I know 20 different reasons why people decided to stop processing their hair and all of them are valid for those people. Just like my reason not to stop is valid for me. I don't care what your reason is/was but I think we do all women a disservice by finding yet another reason to create a divide.

Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be You but most important Be Accepting. Because I'm happy being healthy and it didn't require me to be natural.