Interracial Dating & Natural Hair

One of the great things about being natural is it's versatility. About a week ago, I straightened my hair for an "oh so needed" trim. At the time, it didn't cross my mind that my new hair do would be met with mixed emotions. Everyone from the cashier at the grocery store to the janitor had an opinion on my new straight look. The most surprising reaction was the difference in opinion of my caucasian male friends vs. black male friends. 


Many of my black male friends erred on the side of straight. One actually said to me "The natural look was starting to grow on me but I think straight looks better." (I'm thinking--But who asked your opinion tho?) My white male friends were Pro Fro. Many of them asked "Terri--what did you do to your hair?" "The curls are more you." Surprising huh? 


All along I thought that white men preferred straight hair--well because that's what grows out of their head but to my surprise I was wrong. Even my Asian male friend said to me " Terri--I wish I could grow an afro. It looks so cool. Can I touch it?" My response--"Dave- This ain't no petting zoo."


In a Facebook post by Alex Barnett- Comedian and regular contributor to The Coil Review he described his son's (interracial baby) reaction to the fact that he got his dad's (Alex's--white hair) hair instead of his Mom's (Alex's wife--black hair) hair. 


"You ignoramus. I want an Afro like Mommy. And, it's all your fault, you dumb White guy, that I'm never gonna have one. You and your straight hair, and your melanin-free skin, and your pointy nose, and your socio-economic advantages, and your colonialism. All your fault. Now, I'm just gonna have that weird, 'what kind of hair is that?' hair! I hope you're happy. Now go make yourself useful. Go get us a taxi, 'cause God knows, cabbies won't stop for Mommy and me. Nooooo, because we're people of color. And, we might be trying to do something subversive like, oh, I don't know, get where we're going!"


*Please check out his page. He has the cutest family and funny material*


It is truly surprising to me that a lot of black men still can't get down with natural hair. I mean its the same thing that grows out of their head. If you are in an interracial relationship, what does your partner think about your hair? I'm interested to see if my hypothesis that white men are more Pro Fro than black men is true. 

Kurlee Belle in the News!

Check out the Founder and CEO of Kurlee Belle featured with Artist Keisha Oliver in the Nassau Guardian. Special Thanks to Lashona Knowles of All U 242 and CONGRATULATIONS on your launch.

Check out the Article HERE. 

Are you afraid to date guys with nappy hair? Afraid that your kids will have nappy hair?

As much as we want to deny it or change the way the world thinks there are still people out there who think this way. What it all boils down to is survival of the fittest. We want to mate with the most attractive mate to ensure the survival of our offspring. Choosing a mate that is lighter and has "good" hair will ensure that our offspring will be more attractive and therefore be more accepted. --this is not my opinion--

I grew up in the Bahamas where "Mango" skin girls (light skin girls) were considered the prettiest girls. I remember one day in high school a "Mango" girl said to me " I feel so sorry for you because you are so black." After she said that I reached out and slapped her. I was never a trouble maker or violent but what she said to me was an insult to my existence. Although, I grew up in a place where light skin was better than black skin I never thought that anyone regardless of skin color was better than me. I have countless memories from childhood where I was treated differently because of my dark complexion. For instance, my mom's cousin would babysit me and I couldn't lay on her bed or floor because she said my dark skin would dirty her sheets and rug. I recently visited her and she told me " You don't look as dark as you used to when you were a kid." All I could do was laugh.

Do you find yourself dating men with certain characteristics (hair, skin color) because you think the two of you would make "good looking" children?

Take a look at the Dark Girls Documentary that will be released this October. Sad but true.