What is Naturalism?
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By naanis naturals
Published on 01/14/2008
What does "natural" mean to you? Is it a phase or a fad? Is it a connection with something deeper? Is it about learning to embrace yourself?
You tell us what makes going natural, being natural special...if it is at all.
What does "natural" mean to you? Is it a phase or a fad? Is it a connection with something deeper? Is it about learning to embrace yourself?You tell us what makes going natural, being natural special...if it is at all.
Naturally Examined
I just had one of the most engaging conversations with another natural head. Often in discussing controversial or sensitive topics, it's hard to keep our person out of the debate and effectively build. Tonight that wasn't the case.
Since this sista and I had such a productive chat, (we respectfully agreed to disagree), I figured I'd pose the question to you. Simply put...
"What does 'Natural' mean to you?"
When I first embarked on my journey, 'Natural' was about purity, authenticity and affirming the "African" part of my America. I felt that in order to move away from the fakeness I saw on my television screen and in ads, we as a people...as individuals had to return to "nature."
So no chemicals, no extensions, no contacts, no color, no make-up. No meat, no alcohol, no smoking. I wanted to strip it all down. I wanted to remove the strangle-hold that Western culture had placed on my mind and body.
I started to read more and my music preferences changed. I began to walk with my head held a little higher and more introspective in my dealings with others. I mean I had always been "deep"...now I was "deeeeeeeeeeeep." :-)
I would easily snub my nose at the Mary J. Blige wanna-be's or the scandalously clad women with the fake hair who were rump-shakin' it in the videos. Clearly those women couldn't love themselves. Clearly the only reason they had those weaves in was to imitate white people.
Natural Herbal Conditioning Hair Teas Available at naaniSHOPPE.comFast forward to Spring '99. Without going into detail I embarked on a life altering journey which caused me to truly confront a concept that's greater than Naturalism...Self-Love.
Now before I expound I want to hear from you naaniFAM!
* What does being "natural" mean to you?
* What do you think of people who continue to sport relaxers?
* What do you think of people with natural hair/dreadlocks who use color their hair?
* What are your thoughts on physical enhancements (jewelry, contacts, fake nails...)?
* How do you think we should go about affirming our "natural" image and rejecting the post-colonial idea?
Comment below!
Since this sista and I had such a productive chat, (we respectfully agreed to disagree), I figured I'd pose the question to you. Simply put...
"What does 'Natural' mean to you?"
When I first embarked on my journey, 'Natural' was about purity, authenticity and affirming the "African" part of my America. I felt that in order to move away from the fakeness I saw on my television screen and in ads, we as a people...as individuals had to return to "nature."
So no chemicals, no extensions, no contacts, no color, no make-up. No meat, no alcohol, no smoking. I wanted to strip it all down. I wanted to remove the strangle-hold that Western culture had placed on my mind and body.I started to read more and my music preferences changed. I began to walk with my head held a little higher and more introspective in my dealings with others. I mean I had always been "deep"...now I was "deeeeeeeeeeeep." :-)
I would easily snub my nose at the Mary J. Blige wanna-be's or the scandalously clad women with the fake hair who were rump-shakin' it in the videos. Clearly those women couldn't love themselves. Clearly the only reason they had those weaves in was to imitate white people.
Natural Herbal Conditioning Hair Teas Available at naaniSHOPPE.comFast forward to Spring '99. Without going into detail I embarked on a life altering journey which caused me to truly confront a concept that's greater than Naturalism...Self-Love.
Now before I expound I want to hear from you naaniFAM!
* What does being "natural" mean to you?
* What do you think of people who continue to sport relaxers?
* What do you think of people with natural hair/dreadlocks who use color their hair?
* What are your thoughts on physical enhancements (jewelry, contacts, fake nails...)?
* How do you think we should go about affirming our "natural" image and rejecting the post-colonial idea?
Comment below!