[Quester]

I don't know if you're black or not (I'm not, but my wife is), but Eowyn definitely has a point. Artificial hair styles continue to be a huge issue that divide black women. Hair like Beyonce's is definitely dyed and relaxed. In other words, she scalds her hair with a high-end lye to get the curl out. My mother-in-law is going bald at 55 after a lifetime of this deal. Afros are only one natural hair care option for blacks. Short hair, dreadlocks, and various kinds of braiding can all be done in a clean and healthy way.

I am black.

African-American women have been straightening their hair for as long as Caucasian-American women have putting curl into theirs.

A variety of procedures is used to accomplish this ... including the use of heat and/or chemicals.

None of my elderly female relatives is balding ... most African-American hair-care practicioners are well trained in how to provide a woman with the hairstyle she desires without risk to the hair or scalp.

Sort of like how most tanning products provide uv-protection to minimize the risk of skin cancer.

People have been modifying their looks since the dawn of history, and, no doubt, they will continue to.

[cyborg]

None of my elderly female relatives is balding ... most African-American hair-care practicioners are well trained in how to provide a woman with the hairstyle she desires without risk to the hair or scalp.

*Really? This is news to me as I meet many women who are not really going bald, but having too much breakage and hair not growing period. Straightening perm onto of a weave on top of a color is unhealthy! If you are a person on television then it's even worse with the lights and frequenty processing. If all the black women I know went natural they would have afros and locks or short hair. It may not be what they want but that's life.

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

What is odd to me is the (seemingly) practically total rejection these days of natural hair texture among black women. Yes, we all alter our looks in different ways, and humankind always has, as you say, but I think it is sad that there seems to be a wholesale rejection of looks nature gives a person, these days, and a complete embracing of the media's "suggestions" on how you can look "better" by being fake... I am not black. White women have similar pressures too (in fact, there are many white women who would love to know what products and procedures can turn kinky, frizzy hair into smooth, soft, healthy-looking and straight hair - what a miracle (?). Over a certain level, I think it is all pretty silly and sad that people can't find a way to enhance and embrace who and what they ARE and what they were given without selling out and becoming media puppets.

[Wordsmith]

Hi Q!

African-American women have been straightening their hair for as long as Caucasian-American women have putting curl into theirs.

I thought Caucasian curling predated the founding of America, and thus the existence of "African-Americans" at all, but am no expert.

None of my elderly female relatives is balding ... most African-American hair-care practicioners are well trained in how to provide a woman with the hairstyle she desires without risk to the hair or scalp.

Certainly this is an extreme result. But, many women - including my dear MIL - can't afford "practitioners" and must make do with hair straighter from Walgreens.

People have been modifying their looks since the dawn of history, and, no doubt, they will continue to.

Indeed, and more power to them. I admit that I find straightened hair on black women attractive. But, having seen first hand how artificial it is, for me it ranks up there with breast implants and toupees on the list of modifications which I'd rather not see done.