It’s really sad that people use the tightness of their curl pattern to define the quality of their hair, but it’s something that is done.
Even Dominicanas do it and it’s sickening. There are so many other ways to measure one’s value, but hair should not be one of those methods used.

I’ve heard the term “good hair” all my life, never heard anyone say bad hair. I think its different where you grow up. I’m from Nebraska i’m bi-racial, Mexican descent and African American. I’ve mostly had contact with my African America family members and to them I had “good hair.” When i started college I started to get more into my “Mexican” side. I remember straightenening my hair in front of one of my friends that wasn’t African American and didn’t have hair like mine. She told me it would suck to have hair like mine, all she needed to do was wash and go. I never had anyone tell me that before. I had always been praised for having “good hair.” I think if I would have been around my Mexican side of the family I probably would have been told I had “bad hair.”

One more thing. I have lots to say about this subject, but I will try to stop with this last thing. My best friend is african american. Since i’ve known her she has always had really thick, healthy looking hair. It used to be longer, but she has since cut it to a chin length bob. Everytime we are together she has something to say about my hair, its texture, and curl pattern.

She always has a compliment, and says ” I would kill to have hair like yours.” It kind of gets on my nerves because my hair isn’t all that healthy, and this is something she says almost everytime i see her. I’m glad she likes my hair and how I wear it, but she seems to think that she would have a better quality life if she had my hair. Not to mention the things she has to say about skin color.

We both have the same issues with our hair. I’m never going to have silky straight hair that I can wash and wear. She’s never going to have it either, but she feels that having my type of hair would make her life easier. I guess we both kind of have issues.

I have to admit, that I say “good hair” sometimes, i guess its just how I was raised. I think when we say “good hair” we really mean to say “hair that is easier the manage.” I would kill to not have to spend hours to straighten my hair, or be afraid to get it wet, or use harsh chemicals on it to make it more managable. I should really be lucky to have hair on my head, but we all want what we can’t have sometimes.