Naturalistas have to put up with a lot of nonsense. Unfortunately for those of us who rock our natural hair, assumptions, ignorant questions, and judgement can come with the territory. Sometimes it can just be simply curiousity, but it can tip into microaggressions like touching hair without permission. Some people take it even beyond that.
This is Amara La Negra, Dominican-American recording artist, a leading star on the reality TV show 'Love and Hip Hop Miami' and proud Afro-Latina.
Amara La Negra is fucking beautiful and on top of that what she represents is beautiful! A proud Afro-Latina who is completely comfortable in her skin. I’m in love already. pic.twitter.com/XVg8mGs44B
— M A L A Y S I A (@SaintMalaysia) January 2, 2018
She loves to rock her natural afro, and we salute her. She looks incredible with it! But not everyone appreciates it. Natural hair Twitter is up in arms after a fellow cast-mate and apparent producer 'Young Hollywood' tried to come for Amara's hair, indicating that an Afro was not elegant.
This conversation made me so mad. It's sad that people actually think like this. pic.twitter.com/bWofupXgdc
— I Luh God ✨ (@aVeryRichBish) January 2, 2018
racism and colorism in the latinx community!? *pretends to be shocked* https://t.co/7GddsCohHO
— La Bronze James (@jackieaina) January 3, 2018
'Hollywood' dropped a number of offensive lines, calling Amara a 'Nutella Queen', dismissing her natural hair decision as "this whole Amara, 'black and proud', afro thing." When Amara spoke passionately about the need for Afro-Latinas to have representation in the music industry, he raised a fist in mockery of the well-known Black Power gesture and accusing her of being "just a little intense about this whole African thing." Gaslighting her as an 'angry black woman'? NOT OKAY.
Mad disrespectful especially when he called her “Nutella queen” and trying to clown her African heritage She should walked out earlier, he doesn’t deserve her as an artist
— Nwoké Madu🇳🇬🇹🇹 (@FrankoTic) January 3, 2018
I WAS HOTTTTTTTTT DURING THIS SCENE OMG. i wanna slap him?
— 𝓡𝓪𝓾𝓵 (@fauxdeity) January 2, 2018
He got predictably dragged. 'Discount store J Balvin' is just one of the highlights.
when that discount store brand J Blavin brought up the beyoncé shit... i damn near attacked my TV!! i just kept yelling pic.twitter.com/WVfh7K2E3A
— 𝓡𝓪𝓾𝓵 (@fauxdeity) January 2, 2018
How can someone on instagram say to #youngHollywood “I hope you like chipotle because ya careers a wrap” pic.twitter.com/UTdn5S2Suy
— x777x (@77x777x) January 2, 2018
But people also took this chance to speak up about the prejudice and judgement they had faced because of their natural hair or not looking a certain way.
My father, both grandfathers on both sides, cousins, uncles, aunts are Afrolatino, my mother and grandmother on my maternal side are lighter toned latinas. We are all a beautiful mixture. There is no “mold” for what a Latinx person looks like or is, we are all mixed.
— Alicia L. Rodríguez (@alicialynnsays_) January 3, 2018
“You look so much better with straight hair” “that is not professional” “you’re 16, you have to look like a lady” “Bad hair like yours *comment about how difficult it is to keep it healthy” Excuse me, bad hair? The last time I checked y’all were the ones with dull+
— Harry Styles. (@SillaDefectuosa) January 3, 2018
Over processed hair that looks lifeless and breaks off when you try to brush it. :) I hate going to visit my aunts bc of this. They always got something to say, like mind your bussiness.
— Harry Styles. (@SillaDefectuosa) January 3, 2018
People really be surprised. I remember growing up and my family telling me to “do something with my hair” because i kept my hair curly. It’s sad. Novelas. All u see is straight hair light skin blue eyes. It’s just sad
— Nita🇧🇷🇩🇴🇮🇹🇵🇷 (@MsNitaLove) January 3, 2018
It's a shame that there are still some people who think like this. People hoped that with their stories, and more visibly proud black women from all communities gaining prominence, prejudice and ignorance will decrease.
Here's to hoping!
Do you have any natural hair stories? Have people made assumptions about you for rocking your hair the way nature intended? Let us know your stories in the comments below.
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