Natural Is Cool Enough Is Transitioning!

Natural is Cool Enough is about to make a wonderful transition!  After all, transition has been one of the main themes of N.I.C.E..  So the next step will be a transition to all things natural including natural hair, natural foods,natural cosmetics, natural travel, natural health and beyond! For all of the members and followers of Natural Is Cool Enough, stay tuned and expect to be enlightened and informed and look for the wonderful changes coming soon!  Natural Hair will remain a primary topics but taking the natual concept further will only serve to enhance who we are...true Naturalistas!

As a transition gesture and one more opportunity to share your fabulous hair journey, N.I.C.E. is giving away one more T-Shirt and the last of the "natural hair" t-shirts.  They were a limited edition, never to be made again, so get yours now and remember, Natural Is Cool Enough, always...

Contest Rules:
1. You must be a member of  N.I.C.E. to enter so step one is to sign up!
2.  Write your hair story and how you made your transition/journey to natural hair.
3.  Be one of the first three people to post your story.
4.  One winner will be selected from the three.
5.  The first person to receive a comment on their story will be the winner!

The T-shirt is below!  Good luck!

Advertisements Leaning Toward Natural Hair

In the past, I posted a comment regarding my perspective that natural hair is becoming more mainstream in terms of advertisements and that there is a trend in that direction.  I also expressed that I would continue to watch this and share when and where I see it.  So, once again, a natural find!  Check out t-mobiles current ad showing a Black man and child with locks!  It appears that for T-Mobile, N.I.C.E.! To view the add, go to the following link and click on #1 (the Kids are free ad)  http://www.t-mobile.com/ .  (Note that this does not serve as an endorsement of T-mobile or any of its product but merely the provision of an opportunity for you to view an add featuring natural hair).

Natural Hair Book: Get Read on!

Naturalistas!  There are a number of excellent books on natural hair and I thought that providing you with a list would be very helpful to continue in your wonderful experience of knowing that Natural is Cool Enough.  This list is not a novel idea because a number of Blogs that focus on natural hair have moved forward in preparing a list so I thought I would just share their links with you so that you can see the lists and get exposure to other Blogs (if you haven't already) which focus on natural hair.  So, the list of links is below.  It is so exciting that so many books have been written about the subject of late.  I hope you will find several to choose from and absorb the detail, especially for those of you who are transitioning and still in need of support or who just want insight and information regarding maintaining your natural hair.  I will try and update you with information on books often. Enjoy!

List:
First Blog:  Don't Worry Be Nappy!  http://www.tytecurl.com/v02/hairbooks.htm
( Has a list of 10 books (including children's books) about Natural Hair).

Second Blog:  Coco and Creme!  http://cocoandcreme.com/2010/07/natural-hair-summer-reading-list/
(Has a list of 5 books about Natural Hair)

Third Blog:   Althea Prince, Ph.D   http://altheaprince.com/default.aspx
(Focuses on Dr. Prince's Book, The Politics of Black Hair!

Scenting our Natural Hair with Essential Oils: Lotus Oil Contest!

Per my last post, I shared the details of a wonderful trip that I recently took to Egypt.  I am still basking in the enlightenment of this trip as I continue to read all of the wonderful books that I bought from there as well as many other wonderful items.  One item that is particularly special is pure lotus oil from the lotus flower.  The smell of it is so wonderful and special that I absolutely must share it.  So I am having another contest!  Win Egyptian Lotus Oil in a beautiful Egyptian glass bottle to scent your natural hair!  How?  Here are the rules:

1. You must be a follower of this Blog, so if you are not, sign up!
2.  Share your natural hair story...how did you transition to natural hair? (if you want to add pictures, I will add them if you send them to me by e-mail). If you shared your story before, update us.  Winning something on this blog in a previous contest does not mean you cannot win again.
3.  Tell us what you know about the Lotus flower and its relevance to the Ancient African Egyptians and why you think this oil will be a wonderful fragrance for your natural hair. 

Deadline for Entry is Saturday, August 28 at Midnight!

I will select a winner and your Egyptian Lotus Essential oil in an Egyptian glass bottle will be on the way!  Have fun!

Below is a picture of the beautiful lotus flower that I took in front of the Cairo Museum (which holds most of the artifacts of ancient Egypt) and a Papyrus piece of Lotus flowers presented to Isis by Ramses II (my favorite piece which hangs in my home).

 

African Hair In Antiquity: Natural Was Cool Enough!

Recently, I took a wonderful trip to Egypt where I journeyed from Cairo to Giza, cruising the Nile to Luxor and other cities, all the way to Aswan and ultimately to Abu Simbel to see the great tombs of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. I was also able to see the temple of the female Pharoah Hashepsut and acquired significant information about Queen Nefertiti and her Husband, Pharoah Akhnaten. A highlight of the trip was also the Pyramids and the Sphinx.   Although I have traveled extensively throughout the world, this journey was the most profound and enlightening.  I took over 1000 pictures in Cairo and at the various sites, tombs, temples, etc. and while doing so, among other things, I focused on the hair of the ancient African Egyptians.  A quick map of the world or of Africa will show one quickly that Africa is located in North Africa.

Below is a collection of photos that I took personally as well as additional photos of mummies which I obtained through web research since in the Royal Mummy Room that I visited at the Cairo Museum, where most of the precious items of Egyptian Antiquity are stored, including all of King Tut's treasures found in his tomb, pictures are not permitted. Photos are not permitted at all in the Cairo Museum but were permitted in the Nubian Museum in Aswan. I purchased a book which includes photos of most of what is in the Cairo Museum as well as a book entitled Royal Mummies which includes all of the Mummies in the Royal Mummy Room. So, below, for your consideration, are pictures of a small sampling of the African people of Egyptian Antiquity and their hair. If you are squeamish about mummies, this post may not be for you but surely we can see that for these African people of antiquity,  N.I.C.E.!

     

The pictures above and to the left, which include braided hair, kinky hair, short cornrowed styled hair and afro styles as well as an afro pick are clear indications of the Natural Is Cool Enough perspective of the African people of  Egyptian Antiquity, from the Pharoahs and Queens to the Common people.  There is also documentation that African Egyptians during antiquity (ancient times) also wore wigs (often braided) and used henna which accounts for the red hair of some of the mummies such as Ramses II (not pictured here).  

A Natural Sister's Hairstory: The Journey to Amina

As a faculty member at a University, I often encounter delightful young people at the beginning stages of making big decisions about their lives.  What I enjoy most is the opportunity to dialogue with them and to share my own stages of growth, professionally and in terms of my hair. I give a lecture entitled "Getting Down to the Roots" which is about the history of the hair of Black people and the various aspects of evolvement that individuals have experience in terms of their hair including perms, weaves, jherr curls, braids, locks, etc.  Below is a story from one of my former students who recently graduated from college which is a fantastic accomplishment and now her graduation to natural hair.  For her, N.I.C.E.!  I hope her story will inspire the many sisters who are considering taking the step to natural or who are already in transition.

Rahel Callender’s Natural Hair Journey

When I first decided to go natural it wasn’t a magical epiphany I had one day, or a new desire that came over me in a rush. Instead I simply wanted to stretch out my perms. Since the age of 9 I have had my hair relaxed and I have been so addicted to perms that as soon as I felt a little bit of new growth on my scalp I would run to the nearest salon and get a relaxer. Well at least until the summer of 2009. It was at that time that I realized that my hair was very unhealthy and I needed to make a change. My purpose was to try to grow out my hair without perming it as often. I never intended to stop. So I decided to put micro-braids in my hair as a way to grow it out. When I took out my braids I saw that it damaged my edges and so therefore I decided I would put extension twists which are not as damaging to the hair. I decided to do twists for approximately 11 months as my “transition” period. Of course I didn’t know that was what it was called at the time.

I started to do research on hair products and started finding out more information on natural hair, learning that perm is the WORST thing you could ever put in your hair, I decided I would attempt to go natural. Luckily for me I had a solid support system of friends, colleagues and natural haired sisters within my community who encouraged me during my transition. I got very anxious to see the development of my hair but decided to wait it out until I knew I had the opportunity to do the “Big Chop”.

I graduated from college in May of 2010, which was a huge accomplishment in my life, and I felt that would be the perfect time to cut off the permed hair as a symbol of “part 2” of my life beginning.

On June 29, I sat in my living room with my mom, a pair of scissors in my hands and a mirror, and cut all the perm off of my hair.

I was NOT prepared for the emotional feeling that overcame me. I felt so liberated, I felt free, I felt excited. I felt scared. Staring into the mirror with no makeup on, and the hair on my head the way it was SUPPOSED to come out was a bit shocking. It was then I noticed qualities in my face that I never noticed before. It was then my true beauty was exposed.

I found myself reading blog after blog on how to care for natural hair, what products to use, researched curl patterns, hair regiments and different techniques on how to take care of my hair

The one thing I love the most about my hair, is it catches people off guard. The endless compliments from friends and strangers alike and the feeling that I get knowing that people are complimenting God’s creation the way it is. No alteration, no adjustment but 100% real. And it’s an amazing feeling! I have learned so much about myself since my transition.

I decided to give my afro a name and call her Amina. People laugh at me when I say that. Why you ask? Because Queen Amina was one of the great queens of Nigeria and when her father died, she succeeded him and became the first and the last queen and during her time. Her strength and courageous attitude was well noted.
Wherever she conquered, she used to order people to build a wall around the town or city, so people still maintain what is now known as 'the walls of Amina.'

When I read this story I thought of my hair, because of its strength, the fact that I let it grow the way it should be, never weakening and representing me and my life.

So that’s my story! It’s a wonderful experience, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for my hair and I. I know it will be a challenge but so far its worth every moment. =)

N.I.C.E.!

The Hair Stories of Carmelo Anthony and Hanley Ramirez

So, it seems that this dialogue about the hair stories of male athletes is a formidable one.  People have asked for other examples of my point about Bosh so here are a couple. There's lot's of speculation as to the reason why Carmelo and Hanley have cut of their locks.  Sometimes the decision is  mandatory.  For example, Hanley Ramirez, to his dismay, was advised based on the requirement of the Marlin's Manager, that he had to cut his locks undr the team's new rule of "professionalism".  Why is it that locks and cornrows are not considered professional?  Cornrows and locks are beautiful and natural. What does one's hairstyle have to do with the game of basketball or baseball or any other sport anyway?  The article, per this link, provides some insight into the Ramirez story: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Marlins-find-themselves-in-a-hairy-situation-wit?urn=mlb,151033

Beautiful to see Hanley's little one is still wearing his locks...

Then of course there is  Carmelo Anthony who cut his braids.  Some say it's because he lost a bet and others say it's because he opened a Barber Shop and wore his new cut to support his new business venture.  This article provides all of the speculative detail as well as a video relevant to the bet: http://www.bvonsports.com/2008/11/11/why-did-carmelo-anthony-really-cut-off-his-cornrows/  

The bottom line is that no matter the reason, using these athletes as examples, including Bosh from my last post, there is no doubt that brothers definitely have their hair stories. The conclusion ultimately is that they go through the same changes as women about their hair.  Should I conform or not?  Is wearing my hair naturally (in cornrows or locks as examples) professional? It seems that these kind of decisions place men, and in this case, athletes wondering, whether N.I.C.E. to which my answer is yes!

Chris Bosh and His Locks: A Male Hairstory

So, generally when I talk about natural hair and transitioning, I am referring to women but men are involved in these stories too.  Now that Chris Bosh is one of the newly named "Three Kings" of the new Heat trio, Wade, James and Bosh, there is a lot of discussion about them all.  The focus has been on Wade and James primarily so I will focus on Bosh as he has a true hairstory.  I am not a sports fan, per se, but because Miami is where I live, and my husband and son are sports fanatics, I thought I would chime in, just a little bit, but my focus will be hair, of course.  So below is a comment I  found on SI.com to start this discussion (January 25, 2007):

"The In Between"

"Chris Bosh is one of the few players who sport the short braids.
AP
The look: A mini-Afro that can be twisted into tiny braids."
NBA type: Steady rebounder, scorer without the flair of cornrows."



I can't believe that there is an actual hair analysis in that article.  In any event,  subsequently, Chris Bosh, as a Free Agent and very soon before his big decision to go to the Heat, cuts off his trademark locks. This was actually a topic of conversation via the web (see link below).

     This brings to mind a conversation that I had with an athlete that I know who was recently drafted to the NBA.  He used to wear locks and explained to me that he couldn't get any media coverage (front page covers, photo shoots etc.) while he had his locks. He said that his locks were definitely a hindrance to his career so sadly, he cut them off. He said he had regrets about it but it had to be done. 
When he decided to cut his locks, suddenly media outlets suddently wanted an image of him.  He was recently drafted. So, it just makes you think; what was the story associated with Bosh cutting off his locks?

Per a quote from: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Chris-Bosh-cut-his-hair-hasn-t-talked-to-LeBron?urn=nba,251011 , here is a thought...

"Cutting off your "trademark" hair when you're hoping to sell yourself to franchises as a marketable superstar is kind of strange."

In any event, locks or no locks, for the brothers,whether they go for the big chop, where cornrows, or locks...the bottom line is that their hair remains natural. So for Bosh we can presume that Natural Is Cool Enough and that's N.I.C.E.  If we see Bosh with a perm next...well that WILL be kind of strange.  Below are some photos of Bosh's hair journey....

      

                                      

Perhaps Bosh's Tweet says it all:  "I can't believe it's gone...." - Twitter / Chris Bosh: I can't believe it's gone....

Celebrities Natural Hair Do's: What's Your Style?

Ok.  So I am back to hair after recuperating from my Gulf trip and seeing the outlandish results of the BP Oil spill firsthand (see pictures in previous blog post).  But now, back to the primary focus of this blog...natural hair.  It seems that slowly but surely, celebrities are embracing natural hair styles; not all but some.  Below, I have provided recent photos of some celebrities with natural styles.  As we are still in the midst of summer, what are your natural styles?  Take a moment and share.  Whether your hair is long, short, medium length, braided or locked, any ideas on how you accomplish a sense of style and positivity, in terms of your hair, will be an inspiration to others.  Inspire us because N.I.C.E. and we need ideas...
                                                     

Ciara

Jill Scott

Ledisi

A Journey to the Gulf: A Crying Shame

From time to time, I must deviate from my discussion of hair to talk about pressing issues.  Once again, it is necessary to do so as I continue to follow what is happening in the Gulf.  I recently traveled to the Gulf Coast region and the pictures below show what I saw which was appalling.  We visited Pensacola and Gulfport /Biloxi where oil had clearly stained the beaches.  I was able to witness oil in the water, tar boils on the beach, clean up crews, media presence and very disheartened communities.  The most heartwrenching aspect of it all was standing on the beach in 90 degree + weather and not being able to get into the water because of the oil.  This will definitely hurt the fishing, hotel and tourist industries in the areas affected and prevent tourists from coming to the areas.  You could feel the sadness of the people while walking around.  It was so difficult to see little children who had come to the beach with their parents, longing  to go in the water only to be told that they could not venture in.  My heart also goes out to all of the sea life and birds so greatly impacted by this awful tragedy. Below are some pictures of what I saw.  This is what happens when there is an oil spill and reckless disregard for the beautiful environment.  Truly, if Natural Is Cool Enough (in this instance, our natural ocean) then why destroy it?