Solange Knowles says “I’ve never painted myself as a team natural vice president”, on twitter last night, in response to some comments on her instagram about her natural hairstyles and things that were pointed out on a tumblr post: http://modernemeid.tumblr.com/post/24577741089/are-we-going-too-far-when-it-comes-to-other-peoples.
In full Solange stated:
I cut my hair ALL off 4 times in my life all for very different reasons….I only reiterate this because this is nothing new for me.
This 4th time did not define me, just as it had not the previous 3 times.
I’ve never painted myself as a team natural vice president. I don’t know the lingo and I don’t sleep with a satin cap…
Some negative comments that people have been saying about Solange’s hair is:
- It’s not unique
- Biggest thing that has happened since her career
- Looks unkempt and requires combing
- Looks dry and un-styled (she needs to use twistouts/braidouts to style her hair)
- Her 4c hair type does not look the same as other 4c naturals hair type.
Source: http://modernemeid.tumblr.com/post/24577741089/are-we-going-too-far-when-it-comes-to-other-peoples
Solange commented on twitter saying:
However, I did noticed when I picked out my hair, I kept seeing feedback about needing a “twist out”. Connnnfesssioonnn: I HATE twist outs.
Correction, I hate the way they look on me. SO i end up always picking them/steaming them out.
So do feel there is too much emphasis put on celebrities’ hair choices? Solange felt the need to plead her case on twitter and says, in her words:
Look, all i’m saying is. My hair is not very important to me….so i don’t encourage it to be important to you.
Im very emotional today (involving something else), so i’m letting the momentum of that help me to express the fact that…
I dont want to talk about no damn hair…..no mo. (AND maybe i’m biased, but I agree 100% with the article I posted…)
And in conclusion, Solange ends with:
Just having a moment to express my disdain for the Natural Hair police of the world:)
As a spokeswomen for Carol’s Daughter hair care beauty brand and the company’s “Transitioning Movement Campaign, should Solange be expected to justify her hair choices?
What are your thoughts on Solange’s rant about the negative backlash that she received from some people who are considered to be in the “natural hair community”?
Do you think that people are still not ok with our “nappy”, “kinky” hair texture even though they are #teamnatural? Are we caught up in defining curls so much so that we “prefer” curls over a frizzy fro?
Let’s talk, share your thoughts and comments below.
See the @solangeknowles twitter feed of the conversation below:
As a hair stylist myself I feel hair is over rated. Hair does not define one’s personality,intelligence, or who they are or who they may become. To each it’s own! Society always place pressure on people because of their dislikes or likes. I am not down with any party but my own. Certainly I understand Solange’s view points! You Go Girl! Salut! It’s called having your own identity and freedom to do as you like.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that hair doesn’t define us. It’s only recently that natural hair styles have become acceptable in society and especially in the workplace and part of that reason is because we had to redefine our standard of beauty outside the European model. The fashion police are always out no matter what style you get. Women are so harsh on themselves that they end up being harsh on other women. Solange has the right to be upset. I support you Solange. Do you boo!! (-:
I feel her. If she wants to rock her hair nappy as f*ck or bone straight wtf cares? It’s her hair!
She’s a pretty woman so she doesn’t have to do too much to get attention…I love her hair styles…
I think we she should be able to switch our hair style whenever. Just as it is new to you it’s new to us, maybe a sign of coming into to you! Like sol age I cut my hair more 4 times and it wasn’t until this last time I felt beautiful not that I haven’t it was a different beautiful ppl talked i responded how I felt! ! #selfawareness
I totally agree with Solange It is her right to wear and do what ever she wants with her hair, she knows what suits her when she looks in the mirrow, same as all women!! I think it is sad that people need celebrities to fit a certain mould of their choice, if Solange tried to do this she would need a thousand heads to try and please everyone out there.Leave the girl alone to define and please herself, and to all you dissatisfied natural’s who are being rude and judgemental, get a life, get some self respect, and self confidence to be happy in your own choices!! She is not her Hair!! it is just some thing that grow’s out of our head, not our Heart!! and before you start defining what people should and should’nt do, how good are you personally at being told how you should wear your hair!! Walk your own life Ladies, and try your very best to make it good and caring and confident in your own choices.
I agree with her its her hair she can do what she wants with it, yeah it looks unkept but that’s her style. I think she looks a little mannish with short hair but I look mannish with short hair. I don’t really care I don’t wake up to see her lol. If everyone stayed in their own business maybe we wouldn’t know how it looks. If aren’t volunteering to do it or paying for it don’t worry about it! so rock on Solange.
Who cares? We should spend our natural time talking about someone who wants to be a part of the natural hair movement. Our hair does not define us but it affects us and its fun. So why not talk about it if you love your hair?
oh the natural hair police… NHP can be sooo critical
I say JUST DO YOU!
“As a spokeswomen for Carol’s Daughter hair care beauty brand and the company’s “Transitioning Movement Campaign, should Solange be expected to justify her hair choices?”
NOPE.
I do not think hair defines us. I do think we use hair to show are creative side or express are style. I think there is always going to be people within a movement that are going to be people who follow rules ,follow no rules, or modify the rules. I personaly feel that Solonge looks lovely. Solange’s way of thinking is more natural than the people who gave the negative reviews. Being natural tought me to be comfortable with myself and how to make my flaws work for me. You work it Solonge!
NO one has the right to tell someone what to do with their hair or anything else. For those people that like to control other people and that is a form of control you need to look within and see why someone else personal choices that does not affect you is affecting you so much. Her hair, her business leave her alone.
Hair has NEVER defined me and I’ve always (until three weeks ago) had long hair…relaxed or natural, combed or not I love myself…I dont agree with the societal (or media) movement which makes celebrities immune to having personal opinions. They are human too and should have the same freedom and rights that we all fight for everyday.
Im not a Solange fan (though I love her shoe game) but she has a voice and she should be free to use it just like you.
I am with Solange and applaud her for speaking out. Sadly we have many in the world who are so caught up with the physical in how person should or should not look. My heart breaks to know that some individuals honestly believe that “hair” defines then as a person…when the reality is there is so much more to us as human beings. Yes it shows part of our uniqueness but never our complete identity. Regardless of how we as women chose to style our hair it really boils down to a personal decision and should not required anything more. No one should ever have the authority to classify others. As another member said above, “JUST DO YOU”. Whether if you rock a relaxer, texturizer, pressed, wig/weaved out or natural do what fits you. Life is too short… stop seeking/looking to other s for approval and take pleasure in your hair.
I feel bad that people are giving her a hard time she should be able to wear her hair any way she wants. Unfortunately, the majority of society does judge you on your hair. Its even more important than the clothes we wear. Its sad but true. My uncle used to say “Straight hair makes a ugly woman beautiful” His statement may be primitive, but the reality is hair really matters.
Solange (if thats how you spell her name) reminds me of how i wanted to be and have been concerning my hair and trust me people will talk (black people,etc)but her reaction to people talk about her her hair which she has control over was just ionspriational,she breaks the GLASS CEILING
As long as her hair is healthy (which should be everyone’s personal goal as well), she shouldn’t have to explain herself. Personally speaking, the style looks nice.
After being natural for 5 yrs im over the hype. categorizing types and coil patterns. frizz vs. curl. it all looks good to me. work what u got and make it look good for you. dont let it be the the definition of urself. its only hair. I agree with Solange
“Hair is not important to me”I think that needs to be phrased differently.I call bullsh*t to all the women who say there hair is not important. Say that to a woman who has lost all or most of her hair. As women our hair black, white, straight, curly whatever the texture or colour it is a part of us. Please “hair is not important” I don’t see a lot of women walking around rocking skin heads…
Only when hair starts falling out in giant patches that’s when it will be appreciated most? That’s when you will see its importance? No I don’t buy it. Solange is lashing out because people is just being people “always having something negative to say” and she is tired of always having to defend herself and her hair, which is understandable. She just needs to ignore the hair police and do what she feels. Because the more she responds to them the more they will just pound her… Just ignore them hunny.
I love her rant. I’m not a fan of twist outs myself (to much hair, too thick, never enough time). The natural hair police are everywhere! I don’t need someone to tell me what to do with my hair! You go Solange! Do you 🙂
I SAY LEAVE SOLANGE ALONE. ONE DAY SHE MIGHT FEEL NATURAL AND SOME DAYS NOT.THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.SHE’S NOT TRYING TO BE THE POSTER CHILD FOR NATURAL HAIR. SO PLEASE STOP TRYING TO GIVE HER THAT POSITION.THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE ROCKING NATURAL HAIR SND IT’S ALL BEAUTIFUL. I CUT MY PERM OFF IN JANUARY OF 2012. I HAVE MY MOMENTS OF WANTING TO SWITCH OFF BUT I’M TRYING HARD TO STAY NATURAL. LIKE CHRIS ROCK SAID “SOME OF US ARE ADDICTED TO THE CREAMY CRACK (PERM)IT WAS 30 yrs OF THAT.SO IT IS STILL A HARD TRADE BUT I AM MANAGEING AND FEELING MORE AND MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE HAIR & TEXTURE I WAS BORN WITH.(*_*)