Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I'm not a racist. Far from it. This is NOT a racist question, it's just out of curiosity.

If you're going to insult me, please, abstain from answering.

Black people -like anybody else- can be beautiful or ugly -or something in between-. It does NOT depend on the color of skin.

I'd say 99.9% of black women in the US straighten their hair and a big percentage dye it blond or red.

My question is.. why?.

Will someone who does it please explain it to me? Do you think you look prettier that way?

In my opinion a beautiful black woman is more beautiful if she leaves her hair the way nature made it. I really find it very attractive and more normal.

The straight hair doesn't look natural, and of course neither does the dyed hair.

I'm a very feminine woman but I can tell when another woman is pretty or not, and beauty is something that pleases the eye, no matter what color or race it is.

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Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I think your inquiry is quite valid. See, before Africans were brought to the "New World" we were a race of people whose coifs were coveted. Hair was used as a means of determining a woman's fertility, her standing in her respective tribe, as an artistic statement, and the ability to style hair was a worthy craft. Hair played a large role in the lives of some tribal African women as it does still to this day. However, once we were introduced to slavery those ideals of beauty were discombobulated with those of the Europeans. That included, small body frames, narrow noses, thin lips . . . and straight hair. Ultimately, these standards of acceptable aesthetics have maintained themselves even now in the 21st century. Unfortunately, the majority of black women (and black people in general) identify their natural hair with negative stereotypes such as: nappy and kinky. Hence, the necessity to straighten and dye. It is generally acceptable for a black man to wear a natural afro. When a black woman decides to shed the chemicals her hair is termed as being unattractive to a vast majority of black men (not all). Think about it . . .what do black entertainers generally wear? Hair weaves and relaxers. Who do rappers, and singers put in their videos? Women with "exotic" or "mixed race" features with long flowing hair and cream colored skin. Beauty, is in the eye of the beholder and to our dismay - our beholders don't find our natural hair beautiful. I hope that our black daughters see more value in the content of their character than by the length and texture of their hair.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Some of you made me laugh. You called me racist only because I asked a question.

The question about white people getting perms and suntans is perfectly VALID. But that was NOT the issue here.

THIS particular time I was asking about BLACK women. You changed the subject. Report It

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I just call 'em like a see 'em. Report It

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Maybe you need to wear glasses. Report It

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

No, check your question again, it's pretty racist. It's always funny when a racist starts their statement with "I'm not a racist, but..."

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I don't think bright red hair is SUPPOSED to look natural...

Man, why do you people even bother sometimes?

Next time why don't you ask why all white women have pancake butts. Not in a racist way though...

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

You have to ask yourself, why do women of other races curl their hair and dye it black?? It is different and something new.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

white people, especiallly girls do it too

dumb question

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

How would you feel if i asked, Why do white women curl there hair, tan their skin, use coppertone, dye their hair black use botox, use silicon implants in the breats and butt and inject their lips to make it bigger?

BUT

"I'm not a racist. Far from it. This is NOT a racist question, it's just out of curiosity. "

see how it sounds?

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Black women are just like white women..they try new hairstyles. Why do some white women get perms? I do agree, I think blonde hair looks dumb on black women...but if they like it...what's it to the rest of us?

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

This is an odd question...what does race have to do with it? Please don't generalize and make blanket statements.

my answer is:

Because they like it *I use "they" in broad terms b/c no woman is the same* . As you so eloquently said; "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" I say to each their own...

....many white women curl their hair w/perms and color their hair...for that matter most all women regardless of race experiment w/style in one form or another.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

LOL...

alot of women dye their hair... they're women... thats what women do...

Did that answer seem misogynist ? No more misogynist than your question was racist....

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

My natural hair isn't easy to comb. I would have to keep it in canerows or add braids to have a difference in styling options. when it's relaxed it's just easier to style and manage for me. This dosen't detract from me being a BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN - we look good either way - even bald.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

For me, its much easier to manage...my hair is very thick...the straightening thins it out for me just a little. As far as colors..I like brownish or auburn colored highlights...lots of other girls do it..just because they like it..its not for the lack of love for themselves...just mostly a fashion type thing...I mean I have seen Caucasian girls with purple hair..which of course isn't' natural..but it looks cute..and they like it.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I think the dying of hair has a lot of it has to do with the media. The magazines portray images of what is supposed to be in style. Thus we has various hairstyle throughout the ages. But as far as straighten goes, it actually make the hair more managable, and easier to style and comb.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Most people are not satisfied with the given product. Curly headed people love to straighten and straight haired people love to curl. Just the way it is. As for the dye, it is preference.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Black women dye and straighten their hair because they want to. The same reason that white women get boob jobs to make their breast larger. Why do some white woman get braids and corn rows in there hair? Why do white women try to make their lips look more fuller? I am not racist either.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I don't think 99.9% of African American women straigten or dye their hair. Maybe more like 75%.

Anyway, My hair is natural and I have never had a relaxer (i'm mixed with dominican and relaxers don't really do anything for me except loosen curls).

I think AA women do it for a variety of reasons.

1. It can be more manageable

2. They want to

3. For a variety of hair styles

5. Pressure from society saying that natural african american hair is "bad hair".

I think most of it is a combination of numbers 1 and 5.

I don't think you can say a big percentage dye it red or blond either. These people usually stick out the crowd of AAs, so its not that common

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Okay Here I Will Answer This For You.... Not All Black Woman Have Pretty Or Good Hair... But In My Case I Am A Mutt... But Mostly Black... And My Hair Is Naturally Curly I Love My Hair Curly But I Also Like It Straight Most Of The Time Becasue It Is Easier To Take Care Of You Can Just Wake Up Brush Your Hair And Go.. With My Curly Hair I Have To Wet It And Put Lots Of Gel In My Hair.. So Maybe That Is Why We Chemically Straighten Our Har.. Far As Dying It I Don't Know Why Some Black Woman Dye There Hair . I Guess The Same Reson Why All Other Races Dye Their Hair Or Put Highlights In Their Hair......

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

God knows why we are still doing it. I guess its because we can say how comfortable we are with ourselves but when you look at the standard of what is beautiful here it is still straight long blond hair. (for some odd reason) Now I know there are more women out there with just red and blond hair. But I guess its to feel a since of individuality which doesn't make much since because everyone seems to be doing it.

I think that we (those of us that are still in the practice of doing these things) need to check our level of comfort with ourselves.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

most of the time the hair isn't dyed it just looks that way .The hair is usually sowed on its called a weave or a front lace wg however most people will not no the difference but i do cuz i used to work in a black hairdressers . Also afro hair can be very difficult to manage .Take a look at this .....

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

LOL. Do you really think you've encountered 99.9% of the black women in the US? Your estimation is WAY off.

I,for one, do not chemically straighten or dye my hair. It is 100% natural.

Now, as for the women who do straighten their hair, there are many different reasons. #1- society has taught us that kinky hair is not attractive, so a lot of it has to do with conforming to societies standards of beauty in order to feel accepted. It has been going on for many, many decades. #2- some say that it is more easily manageable, easier to style, etc. or #3- because they feel like it. Same reason you have white women who perm their hair to make it more curly. Same reason brunette white women dye their hair blonde. I could go on and on.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

That WAS a racist question. Why didn't you ask why whites get perms to "Curl" their hair and why whites spend money and time in the tanning booths? Let's go further, whats with botox in the lips? We are beautiful! Straight hair, kinky hair. We come in so many colors and hues. White woman used to feel insulted if someone said their butts were too big, now you spend money to get one!

Answer THOSE questions and then you can ask this one.

P.S. - you said that YOU an tell what beauty is. Beauty is different for everybody. What might be beautiful to you may not be to somebody else. I know men who don't find Halle Berry Attractive, and some who think Monique is Gorgeous. I think you should re-think that remark.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I honestly think that 99% of Black woman relax there hair because they don't feel comfortable, with being there " natural self'. I wear my hair natural, and have done so for the last 3 years now, but before going natural, my reasons for relaxing my hair was because I wasn't comfortable with the the look and texture of my naturally kinky hair. Besides that , the media implicates that having long luxurious straight hair, is the only way to look beautiful, and I think that a lot of black woman, including myself, at one point fell for this nonsense!! When I first went natural, I recieved a lot of negative feed back from my peers in the beggining, and I must admit the new look was difficult to adjust to at first, but now I 'm constantly complimented, on how beautiful my natural hair is. I just think that black woman should learn to be more comfortable with who they are. It took me a long time to realize this , and sadly I think many ever will...

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I could ask you the question why do white females find the need to have a fake tan.

How about I use one of your sentences and switch the word black to white. I'll also switch hair to skin Let's see how it looks:

Why do white people, especially women get fake tans?

I'm not a racist. Far from it. This is NOT a racist question, it's just out of curiosity.

If you're going to insult me, please, abstain from answering.

White people -like anybody else- can be beautiful or ugly -or something in between-. It does NOT depend on the color of skin.

I'd say 99.9% of white women in the US get fake tans and a big percentage go to tanning salons and buy self tanners.

My question is.. why?.

Will someone who does it please explain it to me? Do you think you look prettier that way?

In my opinion a beautiful white woman is more beautiful if she leaves her skin the way nature made it. I really find it very attractive and more normal.

The fake tan doesn't look natural, and of course neither does the orange skin.

I'm a very feminine woman but I can tell when another woman is pretty or not, and beauty is something that pleases the eye, no matter what color or race it is.

Who cares if a woman wants to have blonde hair or even bright pink hair. If it makes her feel good then good for her.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

The same reason white people, asians, hispanics, etc. do it. It's a change.

Christ just becaus ehtey're black doesn't eman they have some sacred, holy reason behind it. Why do white people get tans and why do asians dye their hair blond? Change! Boredome! Whatever!

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I really don't get the point of your question....I could ask you, what is the fascination with our culture...we don't question you like everything you do is odd or strange? Why do you care. I'm Black and Cuban...my hair has been all the colors of the rainbow as well as curly, wavy and straight...like most women, I have experimented with different styles. Now at the moment...I'm wearing my hair in it's natural state...Black and wavy.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

I am a black woman with naturally straight hair. It will get bouncy curls when I straw set it and many times I do...

My mother also has straight hair.

There is no dye in my hair, but that is out of personal choice.

Now, hair straightening for our people began for two reasons: one to emulate hair of other people (who by the way said it was one way we were "inferior" and most people feel this way today) and two for manageability

Some dyed hair is very natural looking provided it isn't Oak Cliff Orange or Fire Truck Red or some other wild things that people do (especially the young girls).

Some black people have different colored hair.

Many of my aunts on my mother's side of the family have naturally red hair, I mean like auburn.

Some women like Vanessa Williams or Michael Michelle have naturally lighter colored hair.

Many many black women today leave their hair natural, no matter what the texture. This includes dye...

And women in Africa, South America, and Europe of African descent often have natural hair.

As far as beauty, most people don't find black women attractive. It is said to be in the eye of the beholder, but the truth is that most people think beauty is someone who looks like WHITE, ASIAN, OR LATINO women.

SO people tend to judge us on those standards.

NOW because so many people have always felt that black women are ugly, some of this mentality has been internalized.

It stands to reason that in a society and world where people have something negative to say about black women and the way they look that they would try to look different.

If you don't believe me, you have only to search the index of Yahoo! Answers to see all the derogatory comments and questions about black women. I have to field at least 3 a month.

This is a free country and God grants us free will, so if the women want to dye or straighten their hair, they can totally do so.

Don't worry about black women and our hair. We can look the way we want, however ugly or strange it seems to you.

Have a good day.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Why do white women get perms and dye their hair? Because they all think it makes them look better.

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

white people do the same things, i see more whites dye their hair blonde than anything and always flat ironing their hair to get the curls out, and i know your not being racist but there are black people with long beautiful hair that have to wash it everyday, i'm black and it runs in my family from indian ancestors, white people hair is not considered good and black people hair is not either its that white's hair produces its own oil so you have to clean it, but we put things in our hair to condition it and keep it from being dry. thats like asking why blacks where weave, but white do i all time. we do it equally so maybe you should ask why do women do it all together

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Don't ask the question again. AND DON'T EVER CALL A PERSON B-L-A-C-K. IT'S ARACIS!!!!

Why do black people, especially women straighten and dye their hair?

Oh geez, looks like you got the usual sheeple responses, the ones people think others want to hear.