Recent talks of the natural hair community being biased against certain women confirms my thoughts about natural hair meet ups. They just aren't for me. While congregating with like minded individuals is a great, the physical characteristics of one's hair isn't a good enough reason to come together in my opinion. Too often the natural hair community focuses on new products, curl definition and intricate hairstyles. It does little to help the greater issues and struggles of the women who attend but deal with superficial woes. I would love to see more women congregated, sharing stories, triumphs, and tribulations as women. Meet ups are a great starting point, but the finish line as far away.
"Just because your fro' is bang'n, thats not a good enough reason for me to attend your party, for a small fee"
~Keep it real ~
The meetups we have aren't like that - although technically a natural hair group, we have all kinds that attend. The group does get together for maintenance or hairstyles (bantu knots, twists, coils are popular) however we have had socials where naturals and curious about natural hair get together. Once we met in a hotel lounge for a meet and greet, in a library for a social, a movie night. I think the natural hair meetups are great for "support" but we don't have any hair nazis in the group.
ReplyDeletei feel like if you are going to have a natural hair meet up have it with friends and friends of friends.....why go all the way to somewhere you prolly won't get into cause it's packed just to get a few pictures taking and a few hair products if they don't run out lol and also i know i don't like large crowds of people....maybe it's me
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I have attended ONE meet up and it seemed to be a bit "cliquish." Not saying that all meet ups are this way, as I said I have only been to one. I'm not particularly great with large crowds either and prefer smaller, more intimate circles of like-minded women who have congregated for the purpose of educating others, networking, sharing success stories... more like a networking event as opposed to just talking about hair. That’s just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteKiki I have the same mindset. Although I have seen coverage and pictures from the meetups, and they all look like a good time. I know that when there is a large group of women, caddy, eye cutting behavior is amongst those who want a good time. I could easy say that they shouldn't spoil a good time. But with the large number of women in one place, I think there can be more done to help women from the inside out :O)
ReplyDeleteYou aint never lie.....
ReplyDeleteMy desire to go to a natural hair meet up has really subsidded this year. Last year I actually put going to a meet up as one of my "natural hair goals." I havent been to any, although there has been a few close to me and Ive had the day off to attend, but I didnt have a passion and thus didnt go to any. When I see highlights of them on youtube I dont think I have missed out much and they dont seem to comfortable for people who do not attend with other people :S
ReplyDeleteI haven't unfortunately haven't had the opportunity to attend one of these "Natural Hair Meetups". Are they that bad?
ReplyDeleteI have personally been to a few and I hosted one with a good friend of mine. I had fun attending them all because I am a social butterfly, I really enjoyed meeting people I wouldn't normally meet. I also met a few that I had the pleasure with talking to online for a while.
ReplyDeleteNow the meet up I host with my friend was very educational. We actually had Salon Experts and product makers there and we discussed Natural Hair as a whole. A few of the parent brought they children. The children expressed their feelings of being natural in the public school system. It was very good conversation. We host our meet up at Jaspers. It was free to attend, everyone just had to pay for their own meal. I guess it depends on the people who show up.
If it's a stepping stone to a friendship I can see that being okay. But I can't see getting together to talk about hair all day and paying to do so.
ReplyDeleteI love learning about hair care personally and what works for me. I am actually considering going to a meetup because there aren't a lot of people who look like me around the area. I think knowing there is a tad bit of common ground between us is a good place to start. At the end of the day hair may be all we have in common. At that point we can go our separate ways.
You are right. It is superficial for women to gather round to meet because they have similar hair textures. One can argue that it is for support but I believe that if one if fine with who they are they want need to seek validation elsewhere. As women, especially being women of color there are more substantial issues we can meet about. But I don't think it is a very big issue. But I understand your point, I have never seen it that way before you mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteI just attended a meetup at Uncle Funky's Daughter and it was really amazing. We threw questions into a bowl and just started talking. As a group we really helped a young lady that was struggling with some family issues. I was very encouraged by the sharing and will attend the UFD book club in January.
ReplyDeletePeople typically come together over common interests - Why should natural hair be any different? I attended a meet up early last year and I had a good time! It was nice to congregate and converse w/ people who shared a like interest. There were women of all colors, hair textures and styles- relaxed and natural. It's no different then IMATS or Fashion Week- people coming together for a fee for a common interest. Yes, there are other social issues out there that need attention, and there are groups for that as well. Many times one thing can be a platform for another. Personally I don't see natural hair meetups as a negative.
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