Does Excercising Take a Back Seat To the Unnatural Do?

     It ia hard to believe, but the issue of hair for Black women often leads to exercise taking a back seat to unnatural  hair styles, namely perms, pressing, weaves and beyond.  Maxine Leeds Craig in her book entitled Ain't I a Beauty Queen (pg. 27), discusses one of the steps taken to maintain the eurocentric ideal of straight hair:

"No contact with moisture or straightening would be gone (used plastic rain scarves, no swimming, washed hair every two weeks), “You know the bane of all little black girls is the water”

 In describing black women's dilemma about hair vs. exercise, the following was stated in a recent article in the Miami Herald:

"She found herself facing a dilemma common to African-American women: Her expensive, time-consuming hairstyle was at odds with her fitness routine. It’s a juncture where First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” mantra collides with the cultural ideal documented in Chris Rock’s 2009 film Good Hair."

For a video which provides more detail on this issue and to read more, visit:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/15/2114810/lets-move-meets-good-hair.html?story_link=email_msg

     My solution to this situation is simple as I have found that exercise is another reason that Natural is Cool Enough.  I have no concerns with moisture, rain, sweat from exercising, etc., as it relates to my hair, as  I embrace my natural hair texture.  I have no qualms with kink because I believe that as my hair emerges from the follicles in its natural, curly, kinky tecture, it is beautiful!  I love the fact that when I go to the gym after a vigorous swim or work out on the treadmill, or whatever exercise I choose, after washing my hair following my workout (when I want to wash my hair after working out as it is not always imperative), I don't need to plug anything into the wall to deal with my  hair. I don't need a blow dryer or curling iron, chemicals in spray bottles, etc.  If the electricity goes off, there is no panic for me because I can't  blow dry, use a flat iron or  curling iron.  I can still walk out of the locker room rocking my natural hair with pride.  I exercise, shower, wash my hair if I plan to do so that day, pull my shea butter out of my cosmetic bag, twist my locks that are in need of twisting, brush my hair a bit with a soft bristled brush and organize my locks in the style of the day and move on.  My only concern, since I love to swim, is the impact of chlorine on my hair in the swimming pool.  I try to minimize the effect by conditioning, wearing a swimming cap and varying my workout so that swimming in a chlorinated pool is not my only option, although swimming laps is my favorite exercise. 
     So, another thing that is absolutely wonderful about  natural hair...Exercise never has to take a back seat to your Natural do.  That's N.I.C.E !

Raven Symone Showing the World that N.I.C.E.!

After speaking very strongly about the joy of weave in Chris Rock's film Good Hair, Raven Symone goes natural! http://www.theybf.com/2011/03/07/pics-raven-symone-flaunts-her-natural-hair

This is a big step for the now grown up little girl that many of us loved during her stint on the Cosby show. So Raven, we salute you for staying true to your natural and letting the world know that...N.I.C.E.!

A Tribute to a N.I.C.E. Naturalista: RIP Wanda

    On March 14, 2011, I announced the first winner of the N.I.C.E. T-shirt Contest and her name was Wanda.  I reconnected with Wanda about a year ago on Facebook. We both attended the same high school and began chatting and talking about Natural Hair, both knowing that Natural Is Cool Enough.  Wanda entered the N.I.C.E.  T-shirt contest with the story below which was inspiring to many.  Today, I learned that this wonderful Naturalista passed away and I was shocked and devastated. Her energetic spirit and dynamic personality will never be forgotten.  I am still numb after learning that someone so full of life is gone. As a tribute to her, it is my honor to express that she was a true Naturalista, glorious in her natural beauty. Thank you Wanda for being a member and embracing these pages and you will always be number one at N.I.C.E. May her spirit always soar knowing that while she was here with us she embraced her true natural beauty and knew that Natural Was Cool Enough and that is N.I.C.E.!  With loving memories, please review Wanda's comment below:

March 14, 2010

Winner # 1 of "What to Do With My Natural Hair" N.I.C.E. T-shirt Contest. Congratulations Wanda!

Written by N.I.C.E. member Wanda:
When I first went natural, I wore wigs most times because I didn't know how to style my hair along with the fact that it took me three hours to comb out the naps. Once my hair became too long for the wigs, I started wearing, what I call fake twists using Bob Marley hair braided in. Then when my hair was shoulder length, I went for the Dreadlocks that I always wanted, I especially love when my dreadlocks are cornrowed. I only use three products on my hair. I started out using any type hair (grease) product that had tar in it. It was the only thing that healed my scalp from the damage that was caused by perms and manifested itself in the form of psoriosis. I also used SoftSheen-Carson Wave Nouveau, Moisturizing Finishing Lotion. My main product that I use and has helped my hair look like the indian that I thought I had in me is a product called Taliah Waajid from Black Earth Products, Protective Mist Bodifier.
http://www.naturalhair.org/protectivemistbodifier8oz.aspx

Natural Hair Makes it to the White House and then Rocks the Grammys!

Awesome new artist Esperanza Spalding wears her hair natural and beautifully whether she is at the White House or the Grammys. Her performances are amazing but let's take a moment to praise the sister's tresses!  Fabulous! Taking home the Grammy as the 2011 best new artist, we must applaud her courage to rock her natural and let the world know that yes, Natural Is Cool Enough.  That is definitely N.I.C.E.! Her comment below says it all:


On her natural hair story...

"I've been natural my entire life! My mother didn't believe in relaxers, and vowed never to put lye on her child's scalp. Lye is very toxic and your scalp is among the thinnest skin that you have on your body. The harm this stuff can do should not be taken lightly. I've never had a relaxer, and I never will.These days I’ve just been using shea butter, I usually use olive oil. I don’t use any products, I wash it with some soap and rinse it off, put some olive oil on it and brush it as often as possible and I just moisturize it with shea butter and olive oil and it never seems to do me wrong."


Esperanza, you are truly a natural hair Queen!  A big salute to you for wearing your crown, gloriously!


http://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2011/02/grammys-2011-who-is-esperanza-spalding-best-new-artist-winner/71219/

Visualize Your Way to N.I.C.E.!

     Often times, when I want to achieve something glorious for myself, I will create a visual affirmation of my goal. This is not a novel idea, as many have talked about it including Shakti Gawain, in her book Creative Visualization http://www.shaktigawain.com/products/books/creative-visualization and others. It was her book that exposed me to this process many, many years ago and I have used it often.   So, for example, I decided that I wanted to go to Egypt with my family recently, as we travel often.  This trip was particularly difficult to plan for a number of reasons. So rather than struggle through the process, I created a vision board.  I located an 11 x 14 board and headed to a travel agent to pick up a travel tour book on Egypt.  I then cut out pictures of all of the sites that I wanted to visit, including the pyramids, the sphinx, the various temples, the bazaar and beyond.  I then cut out various pictures of myself and posted them on the board with me standing at some of the sites.  I even went a step further and packed a suitcase with all of the clothes that I would wear on that trip and put the suitcase by my bed. I wrote affirmations on the empty spaces on the board such as  "I am happily enjoying my trip to Egypt with my family" and other positively affirming statements.  Subsequently, and with ease, everything fell into place for my getting to Egypt and approximately 1 year later I was there. I took a lot of photos and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly on that journey of a lifetime.  Subsequently, after New Years Day, as I always do, I made my Vision Board for the year with all that I want to accomplish during the upcoming year (not just travel) and I included a section, in pictures, of what I accomplished a year prior.  I included a picture from my previous "Egypt Vision Board", which was of the Sphynx with a Pyramid behind it. I did not include myself standing in front of this site on my board. After I finished my new board and stood back to look at it I noticed that one of the pictures that I took in Egypt was the exact spot that was in the picture that I put on my Egypt vision board before I went on that trip.  At that moment, and once again, I realized that it is possible to visibly affirm your dreams and then see them manifest. I have done this on many occasions for travel (for Brazil, Europe, other parts of Africa and beyond) and it amazes me how my vision of my dreams come into focus and turning them into reality becomes nearly effortless. I noticed recently that Oprah Winfrey also supports the notion of Visual Affirmation and has a link on her website for you to create your own on your computer. Check out her website as she refers to this process as Dream Boards, and if you prefer to do so via computer, this may be a great way to get started: http://www.oprah.com/packages/o-dream-board.html.
     How does this relate to N.I.C.E.?   Many women who are in the process of transition from permed hair or weaves to their natural hair, or just considering it, will state that they just can't see themselves with natural hair or sustain it because their hair isn't long enough or they don't know how to manage their kinky hair...essentially, they just can't see themselves achieving their desired goal of going natural. Others worry that their hair won't grow or they won't look attractive with their natural hair.  Why not visually affirm a positive approach to the process?  So what follows is a mere suggestion:  1) Acquire an 11 x 14 poster board or larger.  2)  Cut out images from magazines of beautiful natural hair styles that you like or that you can see yourself wearing. 3)  If you want your hair long and natural, find pictures of naturally long styles, braids, twists, or other natural styles that inspire you. If your desire is short or mid-length, do the same in terms of photos.  4) Find pictures of yourself  before you had a perm or weave, at any time when you wore your hair naturally (as it grows out of your scalp); even if they are pictures of you when you were a child.  5) Glue all of these pictures to your Visual Affirmation board and write affirmations across the empty spaces that remain after you paste your images which express what you would like to experience, in the present tense.  For example, "I am happy and grateful that I am wearing my hair naturally and I feel beautiful", "I love my long/short (whichever you prefer) natural hair and that I am able to manage it with ease," I am so happy and grateful that I have gorgeous hair in its natural state, as it grows out of my scalp."  These are just examples but create your own affirmations. 6) Place your Visual Affirmation Board in a place that you pass often and will be sure to get a glimpse of it frequently.  That's it...and wait patiently as your dream unfolds with you creating the reality.  Just like anything else, "IF YOU BELIEVE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT."  Below are pictures to get you started.  Visualize your way to N.I.C.E.!

Ideas for New Year's Eve Natural Do's!

New Year's Eve is nearly upon us.  If you are like me, you have the dress, the shoes, the bag, the accessories and the only thing left to contemplate is your hairstyle for the evening.  Given that N.I.C.E. is the essence of any hairstyle as far as I am concerned, all that I need is ideas.  So, to save myself from extensive trial and error as I'm getting ready for the evening and to find ideas for N.I.C.E. readers, I searched and found some ideas for our beautiful tresses for New Year's Eve.  Whether your hair is short, medium, length, long, braided, locked, free-style or in transition, check out these ideas for inspiration.  Most importantly, have a wonderful, joyous, celebration as we continue on our journey to realize that even on the most joyous, elegant occasions, including, a New Year's Eve celebration, N.I.C.E.!

Inspirational Natural Hairdo's:

A Natural Hair Journey: A Wonderful Destination for the New Year!

As we enter the New Year, many of us reflect on our journeys and experiences and ponder decisions that we have made.  For some, self-discovery and self-empowerment is the result.  This story emphasizes that Natural Is Cool Enough, which is a wonderful decision for the New Year.  How about you?  Will N.I.C.E. be your destination for the New Year? Check out the story below for inspiration.

Sharonda’s Natural Hair Story: A Journey to Discover Me

Twist Braids: A N.I.C.E. Destination for an on-going journey into the New Year

     I come from a family of hairstylist. I mean, it’s not what they do for a living, but from my mother on down and my three older sisters; all of them can do hair. I never had to touch my hair. Anything I ever wanted, braids, twist, weaves, perms, hair dye, they did it all! The perms must have started early on in my life like around age 6. I mean my mother had 4 girls, plus her own head; that was a lot of hair to do! As I grew older I continued to perm and process my hair. In my teenage years I got brave. I dyed it a few times, red, gold, you name it. Of course it fell out. With the perms and the hair color my hair had had enough. So I chopped it off and started over. Every week it seemed like, (maybe I’m exaggerating a little) I was doing something different to my hair. I was suffering from an acute case of HADHD or Hair Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I noticed the perms had thinned out parts of my mother’s hair. And I also notice how my hair would never grow past my shoulders. For some reason it would break off or get cut off long before then. I was fed-up!

     The weaves started when I was 14 and just entering High School. I no longer could tolerate looking so young, with short hair, so I called my weave-ologist. If I wasw going to look mature I needed a new look!
 

 The weaves got more extravagant as I got braver. Curly weave, straight weave, water waves and spiracle curls.I spent a lot of time planning out my hair, and what I would do next. And the beauty supply store was my favorite place to brainstorm. As I entered into college and had to get used to being away from home, I didn’t have a stylist on call 24/7. So I had to take care of my hair myself. I ended up getting it braided that first year.

 
 The next year I took the braids out and I flat ironed my hair to death, literally. Almost everyday I was putting heat on it. Of course the healthy mane of hair  broke off after some blonde dye and months of perms on top of that.

My Hair With Color

     Finally it was my senior year of College and I was taking one of the classes for my minor in Africana studies. I guess if I had to name the source of my inspiration it would have had to have been Dr. Rose’s classes. I knew all these things about my hair, about the history, about the slaves and “passing” but I had not realized how it affected me. I wanted to be me. My hair was dying to be in it’s natural state. It was my own discovery of me. If any guy or job, or anyone else in society wanted me, I wanted them to accept the real me. My next biggest enemy was my family of stylist. Step 1 of this phase was no more perms! I started to wear hairnets in different colors to cover up the obvious contrast between my permed and nappy hair. I remember the first time I went back home. My mother told me “I hate your hair.” She attempted to help me by offering to do anything to my hair that would get me to perm it. I simply said to her in a respectful manner of course, “You hate my hair because you hate your hair.” These words liberated me and she never bothered me again.  I was right, We had be taught to hate something that was natural to us, and we’d forgotten how to be ourselves, basically how to do our own natural hair! I let my mother put braids in my hair, and I kept it that way about a year. That was phase 2,  letting my hair grow out and chopping the permed hair off. I wasn’t as brave as some of my other sistas who just chopped everything off. So I took a subtler approach and of course gave everyone around me time to get used to this cultural shock. After that time was up, I felt like I had enough time get used to my natural hair. I didn’t have hair on my head until I was 3, and at age 6 it was hidden from me.  One day I asked God, what did you intend for us to do with this hair? My hair style of choice for now is the fro. I’d rock the fro 7 days a week, to church, to work, out on the town. I love my fro. I have tried other styles like braids, twist, and I will continue to discover the possibilities. I will never grow bored with my natural hair. The answer he gave me was that the possibilities are endless. We can take care of it, or we can straighten it with heat or other chemicals that causes it to thin and fall out. The point is he gave us the choice! I’d love to know, what’s your choice and why?

My Fro

Do You Shift?: An Anchorwoman Goes Natural!

What is shifting?  According to the authors of  Shifting, Charisse Jones and Kumea Shorter-Gooden explain it as follows:

 "to cope with racial and gender discrimination, African American women have at times altered their speech, appearance, and behavior. They have shifted emotionally as they struggled to feel good about themselves in a hostile world. And often, in myriad ways, they have fought back." 

Do you shift?  Consider  the following questions, posed by the above authors, and see what you think...



 1. Do you ever feel that you are working overtime to put others at ease?
 2. Do you have to leave your true self at the door in order to placate White colleagues?
 3. Do you downplay your abilities or strengths for fear of outshining Black men?
 4. Do you speak one way at the office, another way to your girlfriends?
 5. Is it sometimes a struggle to feel good about your looks?
 6. Are you constantly battling stereotypes?

I think it is very insightful to check out this video of  Naturalistas per the following link: http://www.theybf.com/2010/11/30/news-anchor-goes-natural-ratings-soar .  These beautiful women
decided that N.I.C.E. and concluded that they would not shift in terms of their hair any more. News Anchorwoman, Rochelle Ritchie, of West Palm Beach, Florida, featured in the video above, actually had increased viewer ratings after this N.I.C.E. move.  However, she was not the first broadcaster to take the natural plunge in terms of her decision not to shift, in the mainstream reality.  Tonya Mosley, of Seattle, Washington, depicted below and who is a broadcast reporter, also did the same.  Now there is no doubt that in these cases, N.I.C.E.!  The Natural revolution continues!

Tonya Mosley Then and Now

  

Rochelle Ritchie Before

Rochelle Ritchie Now

Beyonce's Stocking Shocker!: Happy Natural Thanksgiving to All!

Beyonce has caught the eye for many people throughout the world for her talent, grace and style.  There is no doubt that she has all of those characteristics and a phenomenol voice.  Two groups, that particularly pay attention to her are young Black girls and women, who have the daunting task of trying to fit into a society that is often times reluctant to accept their natural features.  I was quite surprised to hear Beyonce announce on the view that she wears four pairs of stockings to keep everything tucked in while performing.  Hence, the body image that she provides is one that conforms to many tricks of the performance trade. Check out her comment on the view per this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dssvrw8nkr4. 

Her honesty is appreciated and it would be wonderful if those who admire her, particularly the two groups mentioned above, could hear this loud and clear.   Additionally, there are questions about her skin tone, or at least how cosmetic companies portray her per the pictures below:

The question is, why is her natural skin color not good enough in the world of hair and cosmetics?  What kind of message does this send to young women and young girls?  Why is it that the beautiful skin tones of Black women, based on their natural hues and vibrantly kinky hair styles are "white washed" and straightened? On Thankgiving day, Beyonce, a beautiful sister will perform during her television special.  Her music, style and grace will be evident and we should be proud of her success.  However, on that day, to every Black woman watching her, also be thankful that a greater success, will be  if you can look in the mirror at your beautiful natural skin color and your wonderfully natural hair (if it is in the texture that grows out of your scalp) and say wth pride, Natural is Cool Enough.  That you should be thankful for, because it says a lot about your fantastic self-esteem and level of consciousness and that is N.I.C.E.! Happy Natural Thanksgiving to all!