Natural hair Nazis

ajargon02

Well-Known Member
1. The term natural hair "Nazi". As I've said before on this board, I think it's completely inappropriate.

2. There seems to be an assumption that encouraging people to stay natural, not use heat, and use more natural products is somehow negative. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with letting ppl know that there are alternatives. It just seems like when it comes from a natural's mouth it's automatically a problem.


ITA! If one doesn't like the message, then why not just not go to "that board" or just keep to the boards that cater to what you want........:yep:

I enjoy my nappturality and like most, I say hey do what you want with your own hair. I really don't care. If one inquires about my nappiness, then I am certainly open to tell them all about my journey. Can't we all just get along?! :) :yep:
 

missann

Thinking....
True but it's like people take their frustrations out on those who insult them on those of us who arent guilty of such.

Im on an African hair board and many are transitioning to natural and Im the one that tells them products to use and how to get to that step. some were using pink oil to help them along :nono: and ive discussed many natural beneficial products which they are now using. Never been natural myself, i ust help as much as I can and give them posts from this site, I dont feel the need to tell them what to do with their hair or make them feel like "self haters" like mant naturals have done to me

Instead of these condecending "fascists" attacking women for what they do to their hair, how about they discuss the fact that there's a sudden uoprise of 4a natural hair in "white media" commercials. Ive noticed this for a while now and it's not the "oh lets use the loose biracial curls" models, but those born with "kinky" hair, do we see such in black R&B or hiphop videos? Um No. Dont ever see these "facsicts" talking about that.

Yes, they actually do. That's the beauty of NP. Its a sort of haven for those with kinky hair where looser curls are not praised and sought after, like on other boards. ahem.
 

my1goodnerve

Active Member
I am a recovering natural fanatic- there, I've said it. Maybe not so much in words, but definitely in my thoughts. I was giving much holier than thou attitude because I hadn't put chemicals in my hair in over 15 years. Now let me point out that I had no regimen, my hair was not in great shape, and I wouldn't have known what to do if my blow dryer and flat iron were taken away from me, but that didn't stop me from carrying a chip on my shoulder for years.

Then I had a discussion with some co-workers about hair a few months back, (I'm a teacher) and I decided to do a seminar for a diverse group of young teens and tweens on the history of the US by focusing on Black women's hair. The research and subsequent discussions were amazing.

What I found most interesting was that regardless of ethnicity, all of the girls felt that that they were being held to some impossible standard of beauty. Before the class began, all of the girls felt that they needed to alter their look in some way and most of them fully expected to change the color, texture, length etc of their hair at some point in their lives.

I had always thought that this talk of hair was a Black thang, but it's not. I think that there is an intensity that we bring to the discussions for many of the reasons that have been posted already, but it's not just our issue. The girls who particiapted in this seminar left talking about history, about sisterhood, about hair, and about beauty. I don't expect that any of them will remain chemical free, but I believe that in the near future at least, they will make choices from positions of strength rather than desperation and impossible standards.
 
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Miamori

New Member
The tribe has spoken :look:.

What I continually find interesting is that 1)I rarely have someone get upset with me for giving them suggestions or pointing them in the direction of helpful threads and 2) it seems to be that the people who take issue with me providing suggestions/advice are also the least likely people to jump in a thread to help a newbie or answer someone's questions.

Whatever else I may be, I always try to be helpful to EVERYONE, relaxed and natural.

I end up in a lot of the newbie threads along with you, and it seems to me you have not advised those severely taking issue. :rolleyes:

So, the primary purpose of my post:

The term nazi should not be used to refer to ANY group of people outside of an actual nazi group.

Nazi is not synonymous with militant. It is extremely offensive, and I am genuinely pained by the fact that more people do not find issue with it, though I am certain that is in large part due to the general amount of disconnect (relatively speaking) we have with that part of history.

I do not like the phrase creamy crack, relaxer retard, etc.

I think relaxer retard is EXTREMELY offensive, but it is still not the same as calling someone a relaxed or natural NAZI. A nazi!! (YES, insulting someone's mental development is not the same as using the term nazi to inaccurately describe them.)

Sometimes when I am on this board I think I am going CRAZY!!!!!!!

Still, at least my appreciation of mankind in broader dimensions is growing. That "positive" took some work to flesh out.
 

Bachelorette

New Member
I think relaxer retard is EXTREMELY offensive, but it is still not the same as calling someone a relaxed or natural NAZI. A nazi!! (YES, insulting someone's mental development is not the same as using the term nazi to inaccurately describe them.)
.

Guess that's where we differ cos I personally dont see the difference.
 

Shandell

New Member
if you look thru this thread, there's quite a number of people who have used the word and it's obviously towards relaxed heads
Wow! I did not read the thread in its entirety. That is extremely harsh; but, after reading the comment the poster was making a good point based on her experiences. Thank you for responding.
 
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MAMATO

Well-Known Member
Guess that's where we differ cos I personally dont see the difference.
:violin:
I dont either... I mean really:lachen:

:wallbash:Relaxer retards vs Nappy nazi:wallbash::ban:

Or you take the high road and ignore those terms like some of us do (including me)... or you choose to play it dirty:swordfigh, and then there is no room for over-victimization.:pullhair:...Once you get down to the mud, dont start complaining about the ugly smell:yep:

With that said, let me climb back up to my normal self.:angel:... Peace my lovely ladies :)
 

Miamori

New Member
Guess that's where we differ cos I personally dont see the difference.

Yes. I'd like to know the difference.

Sure. This is my take. :)

To me, a nazi is:
- A German member of Adolf Hitler's political party (NSDAP)
- A member of the Nazi Party (NSDAP); One who subscribes to or advocates Nazism or a similarly fascist, racist, or anti-Semitic ideology
- Relating to or consistent with or typical of the ideology and practice of Nazism or the Nazis
- Racist or anti-semetic
- One who subscribes to or advocates Nazism or a similarly fascist, racist, or anti-Semitic ideology.

I do not believe militant naturals, militant relaxed heads, or ANYONE who is not (or was not) an actual Nazi should be referred too as a "nazi" unless their ideologies or actions are "relating to or consistent with or typical of the ideology and practice of Nazism or the Nazis," particularly meaning they are murderers and racial purgers (I am pointing to this because in my opinion it is the most egregious part of calling an individual innocent of these crimes a nazi.)

In other words, "As the actual Nazis practiced genocide and murdered millions of people in cold blood, this flippant use is sometimes considered to be offensive and in very poor taste. It is sometimes used to offend out of anger or intentionally." I am quoting because I could not have worded it better.

My definitions were taken from a "define:nazi" search in google and http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Nazi because they are both timesavers.

To me, a retard (or someone who is retarded) is:
- An individual relatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development
- Delayed in development; Having mental retardation; Under the influence of alcohol
- Person with learning disabilities

In the context in which it was used in this thread, I believe it was used to particularly connote (in addition to the above):
- Idiot, moron, imbecile
- Mentally deficient person
- A stupid person, or one who is slow to learn

In my opinion, they are both terrible insults, though the connotations and offenses that arise from these insults ARE distinctly different.

If this does not seem to be an issue with you ladies, or you do not see the implicit difference, "to each his own," as an earlier poster said, though I hope that what I am trying to impart is clear.

As I said, IMO, the first insult is distinctly more egregious.

ETA: I found my definitions for retard through the same means.

And, I do not believe all insults are made equal.
 
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taz007

Well-Known Member
Sigh ... :nono:. All, well maintained, black hair is beautiful! Black is beautiful.

I am off to a higher plateau ...
 
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spinspinshuga

New Member
All someone has to do is visit the LHCF hair boards to know that this hair persecution (I feel silly just typing that. Why is this so serious) is bidirectional, so even those who have not witnessed the condemnation of those with relaxers in person have certainly seen it on the boards. What I've noticed (in person and on these boards) is that it doesn't even stop there. I've heard a lot of naturals (here and in person,) say things like "Oh, it doesn't matter that such-and-such is natural because she's a 3a/b/c. That hardly counts" Or they'll say things like "Type 3 hair is not that pretty." That always irks me. It makes me wonder what the heck they expect people who aren't Type 4 to do with their hair. Just because you're natural doesn't mean you should condemn people who aren't--or people who naturally have a looser texture than yours; that type of backlash doesn't seem necessary. I was natural for most of my life, and although I was very young it never occurred to me that people did other things to their hair, much less that I should care about it.

Being very mildly texlaxed or texturized or whatever I am (and transitioning), most people cannot tell whether my hair is natural or chemically treated (particularly when it's curly), and consequently I have been confronted by both naturals and relaxed women for my style choices. This is not once in a blue moon, either; it has happened frequently. This is a hair board, so I think this obsession is somewhat more forgivable, but I think it's obnoxious that people are so concerned with what is going on with other people's heads; some people need new hobbies that don't involve harassing people for something as superficial and insignificant as a hair style choice.

ETA:
As long as my hair is healthy and looks good to me I couldn't care less what anyone else does...had to let that one go!

This is probably one of the many reasons why your hair is as long and healthy as it is. People should follow suit. I know I'm too busy trying to get to WL to bother other people about their hair :grin:
 
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Jaxhair

New Member
This is the reason I never really took to a certain site. I love my natural hair and I know it's the only way I can grow my hair long. Plus my scalp is healthier this way but I know I'll want to straighten one day when I gather enough balls. I know a girl who got threatened with removal and got some really angry posts from moderators just for trying out and posting on a natural 'relaxer' - i.e clays, oils and herbs. Mention that the caramel treatment loosened your curls some and you are not natural any more as you've 'altered' your natural curls. The link to this girl's fotki got removed - how's that for a 'supportive' community? I've learnt more here and from relaxed ladies than I ever did on that site. I'm considering BKT - that'll render me totally unnatural!
 

Bachelorette

New Member
I find both equally offensive, sorry.

"nazi" for the most part has nothing to do with the Third Riech nowadays but people who take matter to the extreme, femnazi, veganazi, etc. Obviously we can see how it can still be VERY offensive considering the history however, "retard" will ALWAYS mean retard, it will always be about a person's mental capabilities, etc so one is definitely NOT better than the other, esp not "retarded"

Sorry.
 

Bluetopia

New Member
this thread is starting to make me sad for some reason. :nono:

anyone wanna join me in a chorus of Koom baaaaah yaaaah? :look:

just a thought.
 

mstar

Luxury bacon
I find both equally offensive, sorry.

"nazi" for the most part has nothing to do with the Third Riech nowadays but people who take matter to the extreme, femnazi, veganazi, etc. Obviously we can see how it can still be VERY offensive considering the history however, "retard" will ALWAYS mean retard, it will always be about a person's mental capabilities, etc so one is definitely NOT better than the other, esp not "retarded"

Sorry.
Yes, I agree that "nazi" is more a blanket term for "fascist" than it is a specific reference to the Third Reich. "Fascist" is a reference to how people think, their worldview of thinking that their way is the only way. "Retard" just implies that you can't think at all, that you're stupid, so I find it to be a MUCH more insulting term--but it is in keeping with the mindset of the militant naturals who think that relaxed or otherwise altered women just aren't thinking clearly.

In my head, I personally think "Soul Patrol" whenever I encounter the militant naturals. :look:
 

msa

New Member
The labels are negative and offensive and there's no sense quibbling over which is worse. People need to just stop using them.
 

CenteredGirl

Well-Known Member
When I look back over my 6+ year natural hair journey, I had nazi moments. I have since learned that to each his own and more power to ya for doing what you want.

But I can tell you that when I was a nazi, I thought I was right.
 
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