Natural Hair Nazis

Beware of the Natural Hair Nazis and Natural Hair Police

Throughout my natural hair journey I have had several run-ins with Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police. Not at all hard to spot, they are those who go ballistic, for lack of a better term, over the fact that one decides, or even considers wearing their hair anything but natural. Most often the opinions given by these Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police sound more like a scolding than advice. I have witnessed some who have come under their wrath turn away from natural hair community sites altogether and shut down Fotki and hair journals, due to their ‘advice’ or comments.

Sometimes I wonder if members of the Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police actually seek out natural hair forums, articles, blogs, picture journals etc. just so they can get the opportunity to share their negative views. They don’t hold back their over-the-top insults, given in the form of comments or advice, even when it comes to those new to the natural community or those just curious and seeking information. I also wonder if they are aware or even care if their ‘advice’ and the way in which they give it, actually turns people away versus welcoming them into the natural hair community.

The following are a few scenarios in which I’ve seen these Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police do their best work.

Scenario One: Someone on a hair board asks a question about periodic straightening with a flat iron or straightening comb while transitioning. Granted the natural hair community may be dedicated to naturals with hair that is unaltered, no heat, no chemicals etc., but it’s often obvious that the person asking the question is new. Instead of just giving the cons of heat, suggesting no heat transition styles, or even directing the questioner to another hair board, members of the Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police go off.

Scenario Two: Someone who has been natural for a while, decides to publish a picture of their freshly straightened flat ironed or blow dried hair. Even with the disclaimer that this is just temporary and the poster does this once a year, and does not recommend straightening, again the Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police don’t hesitate to let their disapproval known. It’s like they are drawn to the picture of the straightened hair with a fury and can’t simply click pass without commenting.

Scenario Three: Someone expresses that their flat ironed, permed, texturized hair was actually healthy and that they decided to go natural as a style option, and now has decided to end their natural journey. Even though the poster has pictures of their hair before they went natural showing thick, shiny hair with healthy ends and full edges, this sets off a firestorm of negative comments from the Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police.

I’ve even seen some horrible comments written under photos of natural hair wearers sporting straight wigs, or sew-in weaves worn for the purpose of transitioning and/or protective styles. What is the purpose of going to someone’s personal site, blog, hair journal or hair community and making such comments? Is the intention really to turn all those contemplating wearing natural hair away?

I’ve even seen some horrible comments written under photos of natural hair wearers sporting straight wigs, or sew-in weaves worn for the purpose of transitioning and/or protective styles. What is the purpose of going to someone’s personal site, blog, hair journal or hair community and making such comments? Is the intention really to turn all those contemplating wearing natural hair away? What happened to, “If you don’t have anything nice to say…?”

To members of the Natural Hair Nazis and/or Natural Hair Police, remember where you came from. Most of us have not been on this natural hair journey all of our lives. I decided to go natural three times, before making the choice to stay natural. Lots of us have had those moments when we considered straightening. Helpful comments can even plant a ‘natural’ seed in those who seem to be against natural hair – you never know. Words are powerful.

Also remember, that not only do those who are steadfast in wearing their hair straight ( by whatever means) read your comments, but also those who are interested in wearing their hair natural – let’s not turn them away. So before you make that comment think about what you are going to write – is it helpful or harmful to the reader? Will it classify you as a Natural Hair Nazi and/or Natural Hair Police?

And, to all those who are either interested in growing and wearing your natural, transitioning and newbies, when you come across such comments please ignore them; they do NOT represent the natural hair community as a whole. There are some great natural hair ambassadors full of wonderful advice.

There are also some great hair boards and natural hair communities where naturals, transitioners, texturized, permies and the like all socialize together. I’m even in a few challenges on a couple of these sites i.e. Keep It Simple Sista’s (keepitsimplesista.ning.com) Castor Oil and Hairlista’s (hairlista.ning.com) No More Shampoo challenges, where there are both permed and natural hair wearers participating.