Black hairstory: Black women talk relaxed or natural

Antoinette Houston - Photo Credit: Clifton Henri
Antoinette Houston – Photo Credit: Clifton Henri

Below, Black women engage in the budding debate about Black women’s hair: Should their hair be natural or permed? Is hair weave acceptable? See what the sisters had to say.


Share your opinion in the comment section.


Name: Antoinette Houston, CUA

Profession: – Senior User Experience Engineering Consultant


Spoken Word, Musical Artist (NeoSoul Lyricist)

Natural or Relaxer: Relaxer

I started using relaxers at 15, given it made my hair more manageable. My hair is an extension of my personality, as well as part of how I identify to the world. It’s both a personal/public statement presented daily as a small token of what I represent: #BeingU2Ful

I have a personal relationship with my hair, where if/when I’m having a “good” hair day, I tend to find my bubbly personality is even bubblier as a result. Even in those “bad” moments, a good tuck behind the ear saves the day! My hair is a symbol of my freedom, my womanhood, my femininity and the beauty of this, is it has nothing to do with length or style; it’s all about maintaining a healthy mane in my opinion. Healthy hair is SEXY. Though some may say my previous statement is a bit ironic given the debate as to whether “relaxed” hair is healthy hair given the chemical treatment involved; I choose not to judge permed hair. I believe every woman has a right to figure out which hair path works for them. For me, at this time, I’m a happy advocate for relaxers and it, along with my amazing beautician, keeps my grade of hair growing & strong.

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