Reclaiming the Word “Nappy”

[by Sabrina] Nappy was never a word you wanted to hear or be associated with when I was growing up. I’m a part of Generation X, the latch-key kids, Atari players, the generation after the baby boomers. If you were born between 1965 and 1980, you are a part of Generation X. It’s safe to say that as a black child in this generation, your hair was either pressed or relaxed. Having natural hair (or what we called nappy hair) was unacceptable and made you an easy prey for ridicule. There was no … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Crystal

My name is Crystal Carter. I'm 27, born and raised in Washington, D.C.How long have you been natural?I've had locs for 7 years this August.  What motivated you to go natural? I started my loc journey in 2006 before returning for my senior year of college at UNC-Chapel Hill. Prior to loc-ing I had been natural for almost 2 years but hadn't varied too much with styling or products, just found something I liked that would last long and be simple to do ex: straw curls, ponytails, ponytail with a … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Adrienne

My name is Adrienne and I’m the founder of ManeAngels.com. I’ve been chemical free since 2006 after receiving treatment for Stage 3 breast cancer. However, I’ve been “Kinky” since August, 2011.How long have you been natural? I’ve been natural since 2006, but I didn’t always wear my hair kinky. After my hair grew 4 inches, I really didn’t know what to do with my hair. So, I started pressing and flat ironing it until 2011 when I saw a co-worker wearing her hair in a chunky twist out. She turned me … [Read more...]


Nappy in 2013?

I began to embrace the infamous word 'nappy' after going natural in 2010.  Suddenly, I started hearing people using it freely and proudly and with every occasion the usual 'sting' of the word began to disappear. The history is not easily forgotten but the new definitions are powerful and relevant.  Here is how I define it on my new 'Nappy Dictionary' T shirt.   I am happy to be nappy! T shirt sold at GlobalCouture.net How do you feel about it? Is this word reserved for 'us' or can anyone … [Read more...]